The Kapurthala Royal Collateral Families - The Family of Bikrama Singh

The Family of Bikrama Singh

Bikrama Singh was the second son of Raja Nihal Singh. He was one of the main progenitors of the 19th Century Sikh Renaissance, being one of the founders of the Singh Sabha Movement. He founded the Khalsa Press Lahore as well as the "Khalsa Akhbar", the first journal for the Sikhs. He was instrumental in saving the lives of the royal musicians at the Mughal Court of Delhi during the Indian Rebellion of 1857; he gave them shelter at his court in Kapurthala, thus laying the foundation of the Kapurthala Gharana of Hindustani Classical Music. He was involved in a lengthy litigation with his brother Raja Randhir Singh regarding the terms of the Will of Raja Nihal Singh. This dispute was finally settled by a permanent allowance being granted to Bikrama Singh in the form of a Privy Purse from the Kapurthala State. He was also the joint owner of extensive Estates in Oudh along with his brother Raja Randhir Singh. He sought a partition which was denied and, after a long litigation, monetary compensation was paid to him through which large Estates were acquired in the Districts of Sitapur and Rae Bareli. These Estates were confirmed by an Act of the Government of India, the Bikrama Singh's Estates Act of 1883.

Pratap Singh of Kapurthala was a member of this branch. So, too, is Vishvjit Singh.