Datar Kaur
Maharani Datar Kaur (born Bibi Raj Kaur Nakai; (c. 1784– 20 June 1838) was the queen consort of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire and the mother of his successor, Maharaja Kharak Singh. She was the daughter of Sardar Ran Singh Nakai, third ruler of the Nakai Misl and Sardarni Karmo Kaur.
| Datar Kaur | |
|---|---|
| Maharani consort of the Sikh Empire | |
| Tenure | 12 April 1801 – 20 June 1838 |
| Predecessor | Raj Kaur |
| Successor | Chand Kaur |
| Sardarni of Sukerchakia Misl | |
| Tenure | April 1797 – 11 April 1801 |
| Predecessor | Raj Kaur |
| Born | Bibi Raj Kaur Nakai c. 1784 Baherwal Kalan, Nakai Misl, Sikh Confederacy (present-day Kasur District, Punjab, Pakistan) |
| Died | 20 June
1838 (aged 53–54) Sheikhupura Fort, Sheikhupura, Punjab, Sikh Empire (now Punjab, Pakistan) |
| Burial | Royal Garden, Lahore (Samadhi) (present day Islamia College Civil Lines) |
| Spouse | Maharaja Ranjit Singh (m. 1797) |
| Issue | Maharaja Kharak Singh Kunwar Rattan Singh Kunwar Fateh Singh |
| House | Nakai (by birth) Sukerchakia (by marriage) |
| Father | Sardar Ran Singh Nakai |
| Mother | Sardarni Karmo Kaur |
| Religion | Sikhism |
Datar Kaur was betrothed to Ranjit Singh in childhood; the Anand Karaj took place when the couple were still young. Though Ranjit Singh married several times for political reasons, Datar Kaur remained his favorite and most respected wife. He lovingly addressed her as Mai Nakain.
In 1801, she gave birth to Kharak Singh, the heir apparent of Ranjit Singh. She took an active interest in the affairs of the State and was given command during the Battle of Multan (1818) alongside her son, Kharak Singh. She was the grandmother of Maharaja Nau Nihal Singh (1821–1840) and aunt of Sardar Kahan Singh Nakai. Datar Kaur died on 20 June 1838 in her haveli in Sheikhupura.
Her Samadhi is located in the royal garden, now part of the Islamia College, Civil Lines, Lahore grounds.