The second Sikh wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), also known as Sher-e-Panjab, was Maharani Raj Kaur, also known as Datar Kaur (1784-1838). She married Ranjit Singh in 1797. Their Anand Karaj was planned while they were both still quite young. She was commonly referred to as Mai Nakain. She was the offspring of Sardar Ran Singh, a Sandhu Jatt Sikh Chieftain from Nakai Misl who died in 1784. She was the niece of the renowned Sardar Hira Singh Sandhu (1706-1767), who founded the Sikh principality of Nakai Misl in 1748, and the granddaughter of Sardar Natha Singh of Nakai Misl (d. 1768).
Also read:Maharaja Ranjit Singh: First Maharaja of Sikh Empire
As per Punjabi tradition, one cannot share the same name as the family's elders. Maharani Raj Kaur, who had the same name as Maharaja Ranjit Singh's mother, was renamed Datar Kaur. The aunt of Ranjit, Raj Kaur, was wed to Sahib Singh Bhangi.
Mai Nakain was Ranjit Singh's favorite even after he wed several other ladies. Maharaja Kharak Singh (1801–1844), the heir presumptive, was raised by her. Rattan Singh (1805–1845), another son of Ranjit Singh, was born to her.
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After her 6-year-old son Kharak Singh acquired control of the fort, the Maharani assumed control, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh formally gave it to her as her jagir in 1811.
She actively participated in governmental activities and traveled to Multan with her son Kharak Singh as a fellow commander in 1818.
She was Maharaja Nau Nihal Singh's (1821–1840) grandmother. He was a well-known Sikh emperor.
On June 20, 1838, Maharani Datar Kaur passed away in Lahore. The Secular Sikh Raj was in its last stages when Her Samadh was constructed.
Later, at the same location, her daughter-in-law Rani Sahib Kaur, the wife of Nau Nihal Singh, and Maharani Chand Kaur (d. 1842) were also cremated. The location is now a part of the grounds at Islamia College in Civil Lines, Lahore.
Also read: Maharaja Kharak Singh: Eldest Son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Maharani Chand Kaur: A Courageous Spirit
