Vikramjit Singh Sahney

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Lion of Punjab, unified and consolidated the biggest kingdom of a Punjabi sovereign ever in the illustrated history of country. Relying on unconventional statecraft and dazzling display of chivalry and courage, he wielded his warrior nation to extend the empire from Sutlej to Kabul in Afganistan and from Ladakh to Iskardu and Tuklakot in Little Tibet.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Trust, formed as a registered body in 1981, is devoted to perpetuate the memory and the ideals of the Maharaja and bring out and highlight his role and position of eminence in the history.

Under the inspiring leadership and able guidance of its Office Bearers of which Sh. VikramjIt Singh Sahney, Padma Shri is the Hony. Secretary General, the Trust regularly holds various activities in Maharaja’s honour.

Important Activities


		Installation of Maharaja’s bust at Sapru House, unveiled by Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha, Sh. Shivraj Patil.

		Year long celebrations of the Bicentennial of Maharaja’s Coronation held all over the country in 2001.

		Installation of 24ft. high equestrian statue in bronze of “The Maharaja” in the Parliament House Complex in 2003, unveiled by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

		“Maharaja Ranjit Singh Food Festival” to resurrect ‘Heritage Cusines’ of Maharaja’s time at Hotel Maurya Sheraton in 2005.

		Installation of Maharaja’s Bust at Barakhamba Road, Ranjit Singh Marg Crosing in 2005, unveiled by Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi.

The Trust annually holds Maharaja Ranjit Singh Memorial Lecture.

		First Memorial Lecture was delivered by H.E. Sir Michael Arthur, KCMG, The British High Commissioner to India on the topic, “Anglo Sikh Relations” on 14th October 2004 at Hotel Le-Meridien, New Delhi. Lecture delivered in his inimitable style with subtle sense of humour was well received by the elite.

		Second Memorial Lecture on the subject, “Historical Relations of Maharaja Ranjit Singh with French and French Sikh Relations” was delivered by H.E. Mr. Dominique Girard, the French Ambassador in India, on 17th November 2005 Hotel Hyatt Regency, New Delhi. The event was attendant by prominent personalities of Delhi.


		Third Lecture in the series was organized on 15th December 2006, at India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi on the topic, “India & Pakistan - Divided by Democracy”. The speakers on the occasion were, Lord Meghnad Desai, Chairman, Centre for Governance & Asia Research Centre and Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan, Former Law, Justice, Interior & Education Minister, Pakistan. The topic covered in detail was highly appreciated and applauded by the august gathering.

		4th Annual Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh Memorial Lecture was counducted at India International Centre on 29th December, 07. It was on the topic “Has India become ungovernable”, delivered by Sh. Jagmohan, former Governer J&K and Former Union Minister. His vast knowledge & experience of the subject was evident in various examples he gave. It was followed by a lively question-answer session.

Keeping in mind Maharaja’s love for sports, The Trust has instituted an annual All India Hockey Tournament in the name of The Maharaja at Delhi. The inaugural tournament was held at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi in 2005. Subsequently the tournament has been conducted in the year 2006, 2007 and 2008. All the leading Indian Teams and a team from Malaysia, Pakistan and Bangladesh have taken part in the tournament. The Tournament carries a prize money of Rs. 1,25,000 for the winners and Rs. 75,000 for the Runner up. In addition the two loosing semi finalists are given Rs. 20,000 each. The finals of 2008 where Hon’ble Vice President of India Sh. M. Hamid Ansari gave away the prizes, was telecast live on DoorDarshan.

The Trust is in the process of setting up Maharaja Ranjit Singh Heritage International Centre for undertaking proper research regarding his life and times. The Government of India has allotted a plot of land, measuring over 952 Sq. Meters, in the Institutional Area on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg (Rouse Avenue). The Trust has already taken possession of the land. The Heritage Centre will have museum, extensive research facilities, auditorium, conference rooms, library, boarding and lodging arrangements for the visiting scholars and the like.

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