10 Facts About Darbara Singh

Darbara Singh was the 10th Chief Minister of Punjab from 1980 to 1983.

Sardar Darbara Singh, was born into the prosperous Jatt zamindar family of Sardar Dalip Singh Johal in Jandiala Manjki, in the Jalandhar district of Punjab.

Darbara Singh was educated at Khalsa College, Amritsar and became involved with the freedom movement under the aegis of the Indian National Congress, being imprisoned by the British authorities for participation in the Quit India Movement between 1942 and 1945 and again in 1946.

Darbara Singh started his political career as President of the Jalander Congress Party and went on to serve as General Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and subsequently served as its president from 1957 to 1964.

Darbara Singh served in the Punjab Legislative Assembly from 1952 to 1969, holding many portfolios including the Agriculture, Development and Home ministries.

Darbara Singh was elected to the lower house of parliament, the Lok Sabha in 1971 from the Hoshiarpur constituency in Punjab.

The 1980s were a turbulent time in the history of Punjab marked by an increase in violence and demand for a separate Sikh homeland, Singh remained Chief Minister for three years.

The Darbara Singh ministry resigned and President's Rule was imposed in the state under Art.

Darbara Singh was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1984, and served with distinction in Council of States being elected the Chairman of the House Committee in 1986.

Darbara Singh made a place for himself as a good party functionary and manager of internal party affairs, having been posted as an 'Observer' to several states during critical elections.