EmanuelH79: Added important figure of history

2023-10-04T19:23:59Z

Added important figure of history

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{{short description|Sikh politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Raja Sir Daljit Singh
| image = 
| caption = 
| office = Member of the [[Imperial Legislative Council]]
| term_start = 1913
| term_end = 1915
| office2 = Member of the Council of State
| term_start2 = 1915
| term_end2 = 1917
| office3 = Member of the Third Council of the [[List of governors of Punjab (British India)|Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab]]
| term_start3 = 1913
| term_end3 = 1916
| office4 = [[List of chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir#Prime ministers of country of Jammu and Kashmir (1917–1947)|Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir]]
| term_start4 = 1917
| term_end4 = 1921
| monarch4= [[Hari Singh]]
| birth_date = 1882
| birth_place = Kapurthala
| death_date = 1946
| nationality = Indian
| alma_mater = Aitchison College, Lahore
| occupation = Scholar, Musician, Statesman
| spouse = 
| children = 
| residence = Strawberry Hill, Chotta Shimla
| known_for = Scholarly works on Sikhism, Musician, Theosophist, Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
| signature = 
}}

'''Raja Sir Daljit Singh''' (1882–1946) was a politician born in [[Kapurthala]]. He is considered as the first prime minister of Jammu and Kashmir (1917–1921)<ref name="Tribune-2018">{{cite web | author=The Tribune India | title=Raja Sir Daljit Singh, unusual 'adopted' son of Shimla | website=[[The Tribune (India)]]| date=9 June 2018 | url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/himachaltribune/raja-sir-daljit-singh-unusual-adopted-son-of-shimla-602203 | access-date=3 October 2023}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=October 2023|reason=Source says only "for a short period"}} before [[Indian independence movement|Indian independence]], while some consider [[Albion Rajkumar Banerjee]] as first prime minister.<ref name="Excelsior-2014">{{cite web | title=Prime Ministers of J&K | website=[[Daily Excelsior]] | date=1 November 2014 | url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/prime-ministers-jk/ | access-date=3 October 2023}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Singh was born in 1882 as the grandson of [[Nau Nihal Singh|Maharaja Nihal Singh]], who ruled the Sikh Kingdom of Kapurthala from 1836 to 1852.<ref name="sm1921"/> He received his education at [[Aitchison College]] in Lahore, where he had aristocratic classmates, including King Thibaw of Burma.<ref name="Tribune-2018"/>

=== Scholarly contributions ===
Singh displayed a deep intellectual inclination, studying philosophy and scriptures. He authored several books in English, including works on Guru Nanak's life and teachings and [[Guru Tegh Bahadur]]'s hymns.<ref>{{cite book | last=Singh | first=D. | title=Guru Tegh Bahadur | publisher=Language Department, Punjab | year=1971 | url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=vmohAAAAMAAJ | access-date=3 October 2023 | page=|via=Google Books}}</ref> He also ventured into writing in "Braj bhasha" on Shri Krishna and published his work in notable publications like "Tri Dhara" and the Krishna Ank of the [[Gita Press]] Gorakhpur. Additionally, he translated the teachings of the Bhagwad Gita into his native Gurmukhi.<ref name="Tribune-2018"/>

=== Musical prowess ===
Apart from his scholarly pursuits, Singh was a talented musician and a skilled [[rudra veena]] player. He was a disciple of Ustad Mir Kallan and his brother, Ustad Mir Rehmat Ali, who were direct descendants of the legendary musician [[Tansen]]. Despite being aristocrats, they lived with him and practiced music rigorously. He composed intricate musical compositions (gats) that continue to be played to this day. His home in [[Shimla]] was a hub for musicians and private concerts.<ref name="Tribune-2018"/><ref name="sm1921"/>

== Career ==
Although he preferred a private life, Singh was drawn into public service due to various circumstances. He served as a member of the [[Imperial Legislative Council]], the [[Council of State (India)|Council of State]], and the Third Council of the Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab during the early 20th century. He also held the position of Prime Minister of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir State]] for a brief period.<ref name="Tribune-2018"/> His contributions extended to cultural endeavors as he played a pivotal role in fundraising for the construction of the Indian Memorial Gateway at the [[Royal Pavilion]] in Brighton, United Kingdom, securing donations from various Indian Maharajas.<ref name="Tribune-2018"/><ref name="sm1921">{{cite web | title=Indian Memorial Gateway — Kapurthala | date=29 October 1921 | url=https://www.sikhmuseum.com/brighton/remembrance/gate/daljitsingh.html | access-date=3 October 2023|website=sikhmuseum.com}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Daljit}}
[[Category:1882 births]]
[[Category:1946 deaths]]
[[Category:Aitchison College alumni]]
[[Category:Indian politicians]]

Daljit Singh (politician, born 1882) - Revision history

EmanuelH79: Added important figure of history