Sardar Ujjal Singh – Politician who served as Governor of Punjab and Tamil Nadu in the 1960s

Sardar Ujjal Singh (1895 –1983) was an Indian politician active in the post-independent era as an administrator. During British rule in India, he was associated with politics and has participated in First Round Table Conference held in 1930. In the post-independent period, he has briefly served as governor of both Punjab and Tamil Nadu in the 1960s during the period, 1 September 1965 – 26 June 1966 and 28 June 1966 – 16 June 1967 respectively. Famous Indian writer Khushwant Singh was his nephew.

Ujjal Singh was a parliamentarian, financial expert and politician of the 20^th century, who witnessed major historic events of India in the pre-independent and post-independent period.  His father S. Sujan Singh was a trader by profession and his mother’s name is Lakshmi Devi. His elder brother Sir Sobha Singh was a witness for prosecution in the 1929 Assembly Bomb Case, which resulted in the execution of Bhagat Singh and his two associates. He became an elected member of the Punjab Legislative Council in 1926 and retained the seat even after Indian independence till 1956.

Sardar Ujjal Singh – Some interesting facts

1. He was a descendant of Bhai Sangat Singh, a Chamkaur Sahib martyr in 1705.

2. During his younger days, he excelled in sports especially hockey.

3. He was a member of the Finance Commission in 1956.

4. Born in Punjab (now a part of Pakistan) he had to abandon his vast farm and property and move to India after partition.

5. Noted Bollywood actress Amrita Singh is his great-grandniece, and thus he was related to Pataudi family. Amrita is the great-granddaughter of Sobha Singh, Ujjal’s brother.