PRESENT HEAD OF HOUSE:

PREDECESSORS: The Randhawah tribe is of Rajput origin, and its founder was resident in Bikaner in the 12th century. From him have descended seven families more or less distinguished in the Punjab, viz. Dharamkot, Ghaniankhi, Chamyari, Dodah, Talwandi, Kathu-Nangad and Khundah, the latter taking the highest rank. Little is known of Randhawah, a Jadon Rajput and eponymous ancestor of the family, but he is said to have been a great warrior, his descendant in the fifth generation, Kajjal, left Bikaner and emigrated to the Punjab and settled near Battala. Members were.....

I: FAMILY OF SARDAR JAIMAL SINGH KHUNDAH

SHORT HISTORY: The Khundawalas belonged to the Kanhaiya misl and managed to hold on to their estates until 1796, when Sardarni Sada Kaur seized Naushera and Hayatnagar Kalah and then later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, seized all their possessions leaving only ten villages to the family. This jagir was continued to Sardar Prem Singh's four sons after his death, on the same terms.

• Dyanat Rai, married and had issue.

  • Lacchi Ram, married and had issue.

    • Majja Singh, he and his brothers took possession of a valuable tract of land in the Gurdaspur district, including Naushera, Zafarwal, Khundah, Shahpur, and adjacent villages.

    • Gujja Singh, married and had issue.

      • Panjab Singh, married a daughter of Sardar Naudh Singh Majithia, and had issue.

        • Sardar Prem Singh, he served with Maharaja Ranjit Singh's forces in many campaigns, including Multan in 1818 and Peshawar; his entire estate was seized by the Maharaja, leaving only ten villages worth Rs6,000, married and had issue, four sons. He drowned in the Indus River on 2nd November 1824 and his jagir was continued to his sons, who divided it amongst themselves.

          • Sardar Jawahir Singh (by 1st marriage), born 1822, he took half of Harsian, Zafarwal and Malian as his share worth Rs2,600, on condition of providing four sowars when needed; he entered the service of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1836, and served with Sardar Lehna Singh Majithia in the hill country of Mandi; married 1stly, Bibiji Rattan Kaur, daughter of Sardar Mith Singh Padhania, married 2ndly, a daughter of Sher Singh Saddorah, and had issue.

            • Sardar Tara Singh (by 2nd marriage), born 1860, died 1900.

          • Sardar Jaimal Singh (by 2nd marriage), born 1823, he took Khunda, Khundi, Sujanpur, Budipur, Shahpur, Mali Samrar and half of Harsian, Jafarwal and Bandiwal to the total value of Rs4,000 on condition of providing six sowars when needed; he entered the service of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1836, and received command in the Ramgharia brigade from Sardar Lehna Singh Majithia, and accompanied him to Peshawar in 1837; he was appointed Naib Adalat (Deputy Judge) of Amritsar in 1847; he served as Tehsildar of Battala, made Extra Assistant Commissioner (Thuggi Department), till 1860 when he resigned; he was granted a valuable khilat for his loyalty after 1857; married a daughter of Commandant Fateh Singh Chahal (died 1834/1836), and had issue. He died 1870.

            • Sardar Kirpal Singh, born 1850, he succeeded his father to the estate; a Magistrate at Batala, married a daughter of Sardar Gopal Singh Manauli (see misl Singhpuria), she put forward a boy named Mohinder Singh as a son of her husband, but the Chief Court decided against the boys legitimacy, she then adopted in 1891, Mohinder Singh's son, Amrik Singh, who duly succeeded to the estate, and had issue. He died 1872.

              • Sardar Mohinder Singh, married and had issue.

                • Sardar Amrik Singh, he was adopted by his grandmother

              • (A) Sardar Amrik Singh, born 1888, a District Darbari, married and had issue.

                • Ranjit Singh, died 1906.

                • Dharam Singh, born 1912, married and had issue.

                • >> Jagjit Pal Singh, born 1935.

                • Mangal Singh, born 1915.

                • Sohan Singh, born 1918.

                • Sawarn Singh, born 1922.

                • Jodhbir singh, born 1930.

          • Sardar Hira Singh (by 1st marriage), born 1825.

          • Sardar Jaswant Singh (by 2nd marriage), died 1844.

    • Teja Singh

II: FAMILY OF SARDAR LAL SINGH TALWANDI

SHORT HISTORY: The Talwandi, Khundah and Chamyari branches share an agnatic descent from Dhir or Randhir Chand, himself fourteenth in descent from Randhawah, the founder of the tribe. Randhir Chand, came to the Punjab in around 1540 and settled near Battala. There he built a village, which he named Jhanda after his eldest son's name. Turga, the grandson of Randhir Chand, left his father's village and founded Talwandi, the present residence of the family. About 1640, Bahar Chand, a great grandson of Turga, was appointed to the office of Chaudhri of Tappa Dabha, which was held in the family until the time of Pardhan Chand. Sardar Lal Singh owned half of Talwandi in proprietary right with the other half being held by the descendants of Sahib Singh.

• Pardhan Chand, married and had issue.

  • Santokh Singh, he and his brother became Sikhs, joined the Kanhaiya misl and took possession of Talwandi and Dorangla, married and had issue. He died 1802.

    • Sardar Dal Singh, he was the only son of his father to obtain a share of his father's jagir, Talwandi and some neighbouring villages were left to him; Dorangla and the Sialkot estate were seized by Maharaja Ranjit Singh; he took part in most of the Maharaja's campaigns; before his death, he partitioned his jagir, married Bibiji Anup Kaur, daughter of Sardar Ram Singh Padhania, and had issue. He was killed in the Sutlej campaign in 1845 and his jagirs were resumed.

      • Gulab Singh, died 1816.

      • Kahan Singh, he received Rai Chak and Chainiwala from his father as his share, married and had issue, one son. He was killed vp in the battle of Saidhu in March 1827.

        • Ajjab Singh, he was killed sp in the battle of Jamrud in April 1837.

      • Sardar Lal Singh, Joint Jagirdar of Talwandi, born 1798, he received Talwandi from his father as his share, he took part in many campaigns, including Multan in 1818, Kashmir 1819 and at Tamrud in 1837; married and had issue. He died 1875.

        • Harsukh Singh, died 1862.

        • Sardar Hari Singh, Head of the Family, married and had issue. He died 1852.

          • Bibi (name unknown) Kaur, married Sardar Partab Singh Bajwa, son of Sardar Bahadur Sardar Jagat Singh C.I.E. of Kalaswala, and had issue.

            • Sardar Gurdayal Singh Bajwa of Kalaswala, born 1900.

        • Gopal Singh, served as Daffadar in 'Hodson's Horse', married and had issue. He was killed in a skirmish with the rebels near Cawnpore in 1858.

          • Gurdit Singh, born 1855, married and had issue. He died 1906.

            • Puran Singh, born 1877, married and had issue.

              • Gurdial Singh

            • Surat Singh, born 1886, married and had issue, four sons.

          • Kartar Singh, born 1857, died 1884.

        • Hukam Singh, formerly a tahsildar in the service of the Maharaja of Jammu, married and had issue. He died 1892.

          • Thakar Singh, born 1843, Zaildar of Talwandi and also briefly a Naib-Tahsildar for a short time; married and had issue.

            • Mit Singh

            • Sher Singh

            • Basant Singh

          • Bhagwan Singh, born 1855.

          • Ganda Singh, born 1859, a Zaildar; married and had issue.

            • Jit Singh, born 1883.

          • Ram Singh, born 1862, a Naib-Tahsildar; married and had issue.

            • Atar Singh, born 1888.

          • Udham Singh, a Dafadar in the 5th Bengal Cavalry

        • Hakim Singh, married and had issue. He died 1846.

          • Kehar Singh, married and had issue. He died 1899.

            • Khushal Singh, died 1927.

            • Dhian Singh, married and had issue. He died 1912.

              • Chahal Singh, born 1882, married and had issue.

        • Hira Singh, Head of the Family 1875/1889, he was appointed Risaldar and after retiring in 1859, he was granted 50 acres of land near Nurpur in the Kangra district, he acted as Inspector of Police at Gurdaspur; married and had issue. He died 1889.

          • Harbakhsh Singh, died 1895.

          • Gurbakhsh Singh, Head of the Family 1889/-, born 1862, served as Dafadar in the 11th Bengal Lancers, but resigned in 1889; afterwards he was a Lambardar and Sufedposh; married and had issue.

            • Bakhshish Singh, born 1895, married and had issue.

              • Baldeo Singh

            • Jagjit Singh, born 1897, married and had issue.

              • Gurnam Singh

            • Prabh Dayal Singh, married and had issue.

              • Gursham Singh

            • Sohan Singh

            • Jagdeo Singh

          • Harnam Singh, born 1868, served as Dafadar in the 16th Cavalry, married and had issue.

            • Atar Singh, born 1888, married and had issue.

          • Sheoraj Singh, died 1899.

      • Nihal Singh, died 1814.

    • Ran Singh alias Ram Singh, died 1794.

    • Gajja Singh alias Gaga Singh, died 1790.

  • Sahib Singh, his share of the estate was confiscated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, married and had issue, Joint Jagirdars of Talwandi. He died 1804.

III: FAMILY OF SARDAR GURDIT SINGH CHAMYARI (Amritsar District)

SHORT HISTORY: The founder of the family was Sawal Singh, who about 1750, adopted the Sikh faith, and joined the Bhangi misl, he died in battle leaving no issue, but his widow, Mai Malkian, made over the estate to Nar Singh, a cousin of her deceased husband. This arrangement was approved by the Sikh National Council (Gurmatta). On the death of Nar Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh took possession of the greater portion of his estates, leaving only Chamyari to the family, who held it by proprietary right.

• Nar Singh, he invaded Sialkot district and took possession of Pasrur and many villages in its vicinty, he then transferred his services to the Kanhaiya misl, married and had issue. He died 1805.

  • Bibiji Karam Kaur, married Sardar Amar Singh Bhangi, nephew of Sardar Jhanda Singh Bhangi.

  • Bibiji Sada Kaur, married Sardar Budh Singh

  • Ram Singh, married and had issue. He died of cholera in the camp of Jaswant Rao Holkar in 1804.

    • Sardar Gurdit Singh, he served as Commandant of Maharaja Duleep Singh's bodyguard, married and had issue.

      • Partab Singh, born 1823, he and his brother joined the rebels in 1848, and both lost their jagirs.

      • Nihal Singh, born 1831, married and had issue.

        • Bhagwan Singh, born 1857, the Senior Representative of this family in 1890. He died after 1890.

        • Sham Singh, born 1858.

    • Hardit Singh, married and had issue. He died 1834.

      • Bibiji Raj Kaur

      • Jawahir Singh, born 1823, married and had issue.

        • Gopal Singh, born 1838, married and had issue.

          • Suchet Singh, born 1859.

        • Lehna Singh, born 1843.

        • Narayan Singh, born 1852.

  • Hari Singh, married and had issue.

    • Isa Singh, married and had issue.

      • Narayan Singh, born 1847.

  • Jai Singh, married Bibiji Khem Kaur, died after 1864, and had issue. He died 1841.

    • Gurmukh Singh

    • Ranhai Singh

IV: FAMILY OF DODIA

SHORT HISTORY: The village of Doda was also founded by Randhir Chand, and was situated in the Shakargarh pargana of Gurdaspur district. The family acquired a great tract of land in the neighbourhood of Doda, and also took possession of a part of Jammu territory.

• Jamal Chand, married and had issue.

  • Mahar Chand, married and had issue.

    • Nathu Singh

    • Gurbakhsh Singh, he became a Sikh and adopted the military profession, he and his brother joined the Bhangi misl and became chiefs of note; he took possession of Sadhanwal, Ranjrur, Jassar and Bhopalwala, married and had issue. He died about 1795.

      • Sudh Singh, he was a man of some importance, and added largely to the family possessions, married (amongst others), Bibiji Ind Kaur, and had issue. He died spm in 1813.

        • Bibi Rupan Kaur

      • Dayal Singh, married and had issue.

        • Jwala Singh, died 1834.

  • Sajana, married and had issue.

    • Shian

    • Sipha, married and had issue.

      • Dhian Singh, died 1837.

      • Sardar Gaja Singh, he received 25 villages from Maharaja Ranjit Singh, he accompanied the Maharaja in his campaigns in Multan and Kashmir, and took part in the battle at Attock in 1813, and was also present at the siege of Mankera, married and had issue. He died 1822.

        • Hari Singh, on his father's death all his jagirs were resumed, he fought gallantly at Jamrud in 1837, and was rewarded by the Maharaja, he served during the Sutlej campaign and joined the rebels at Multan in 1848, his property was seized except for a portion of Doda, but later in 1852 he received a pension of 100Rs., married and had issue. He died 1870.

          • Jwala Singh, born 1834, he entered the corps known as 'Suraj Mukhi' at Amballa, he later joined the Police Force, married and had issue.

            • Bishan Singh, born 1856, married and had issue.

              • Karam Singh, born 1878.

              • Shivdev Singh, born 1880.

            • Ishwar Singh, born 1862.

          • Sant Singh, he served with 'Hodson's Horse' from 1857 to his retirement in 1860 due to poor health, married and had issue.

            • Kahar Singh, born 1862.

        • Nidhan Singh

        • Gurdit Singh

V: FAMILY OF SARDAR NAND SINGH KATHU-NANGAL (Amritsar District)

SHORT HISTORY: Chaudhri Dalah, tenth in descent from Randhawa, founde the village of Chavinda in Amritsar district, and his four sons, Gaggu, Jabhu, Ram and Lakhan founded respectively the villages of Kathu-Nangal, Sahniwali, Wariam-Nangal and Rupawali. Sahib Singh, was a great grandson of Gaggu, and the first of this family to become a Sikh. Representative of this family in 1890 was, Khushhal Singh Randhawa of Kathu Nangal.

• Sahib Singh, he took the 'pahal' and became a Sikh around 1770, he joined the Kanhaiya misl and took possession of about thirty villages in the neighbourhood of Kathu-Nangal, Dharamkot and Chakowal, married and had issue. He was killed in a skirmish with Ramgharia troops before the fort of Atalghar in 1800.

  • Jit Singh, married and had issue. He was killed at Lodha-Mandowala, fighting the Ramgharia troops.

    • Gulab Singh, married and had issue.

      • Sardar Nand Singh, he resigned from army service and lost his jagir in 1848, with his remaining possession being a well and half the proprietary rights of the village of Kathu-Nangal, married and had issue.

        • Bibi (name unknown) Kaur, betrothed to Mal Singh Paralia.

    • Sukha Singh, married and had issue.

      • Budha Singh

      • Kahn Singh

  • Budh Singh, he was one of the last Kanhaiya Sardars to tender his allegiance to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and was allowed to retain his estate, he served in the army in Hazarah, Yusufzai and Kashmir until 1823, when he was obliged to retire through ill-health when all his villages were resumed except for Ladha-Manda and a portion of Kathu-Nangal, married and had issue, one son. He died 1826.

    • Colonel Partab Singh, he served in the 'Ghorchara Kalan' Regiment, of which he became Commandant in 1840, he was promoted to Colonel in 1842, and received a grant of the jagir of Khiali worth 1,000Rs, he died sp in 1844.