Datt/Datta/Dutta

 MOHYALs---historical figures

Pre-Mughal era

• Gorakh Rai Vaid–He was the chief of Bhatner and died fighting on the side of Prithvi Raj Chauhan in the second battle of Tarain. According to Mohyals' own recorded history, his son Ganesh Dev subsequently moved East and it was his descendants that also subsequently established the State of Bettiah Raj, as the dynasty of the Jaitheriyas that came to be regarded as a sect of the Bhumihar Brahmin community.

Under Mughals

• Yakke Khan Datt "Tis Hazari"–was in-charge of the Mughal cavalry.
• Bakhshi Jograj–ruled his estate of Khanuwan in modern day Gurdaspur. Earlier, commanded an army loyal to the Mughals under the Governor Nawab Begh. He was allotted 22 villages, of those he donated 5 villages to a Gurudwara at Pandori.
• Fathejang "Khan" Bali–was in-charge of a Mughal force in Gujarat.

During Sikh rule

• Mehta Radha Kishan–A Bhimwal of Bhaun, was a Governor
• Bakhshi Amar Singh–(Chhibber) of Bhera, Governor of Thal.
• Mehta Kishen Chand–(Chhibber) of Pind Dadan Khan, Governor of the area between the Rivers Ravi and Indus
• Mehta Sukha Nand–A Chhibber belonging to Kala Gujran, was a Governor.
• Bakhshi Gur Narain Datt–Governor of Kohistan and the Potohar, also in-charge of the Privy Seal of Maharja Ranjit Singh. Was widely admired for his absolute loyalty to the kingdom he was a part of and was chosen by the Sikh Durbar for demarcating boundary with Kashmir after the war of 1845. The lands awarded to him included 8 villages near Rawalpindi, including the land on which today's city of Islamabad stands. Upon conquest of the Punjab by the British, he refused to part with the Privy Seal, and instead destroyed it and committed suicide.
• Mehta Dewan Chand Datt–Governor of the Sind Sagar Doab
• Bakhshi Amrik Rai–of Gujrat served as the paymaster of the Sikh army
• Sardar Raja Mahan Singh "Mirpuri"–(Bali), was a famous soldier in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army, who rose to become second-in-command under Hari Singh Nalwa, playing a leading role in the battles of Peshawar and Kashmir, and in defending the Fort of Jamrud in 1837. He was conferred the tile of Raja by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is believed that the town of Mansehra in the North West Frontier Province is named after him. His father Data Ram was a counsellor to the Gakhar Subedar of Gurat, Mukkarb Khan.
• Sardar Karam Singh Datt–belonged to the Datt clan of Kanjrur, and was the commandant of the Bodyguards of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

In Afghanistan

• Dewan Narain Dass (Chhibber)–He led the army of King Amir Sher Ali Khan in quelling inter-tribal wars. His great-grandfather had migrated to Kabul from the town of Bhera near Pind Dadan Khan.
• Brigadier General Dewan Niranjan Dass–He was Chairman of the State Bank of Afghanistan and Finance Minister of Amir Aman Ullah Khan. Besides being a trusted advisor to the King, was quite popular amongst the Afghan people as well. A descendant of Dewan Narain Dass, he earlier served as Sardaftar-e-Wajuhat having responsibility for all taxation in the Kingdom.

Under Dogra rulers of Kashmir

• Bakhshi Radha Kishen–of Village Thoha Khalsa in Tehsil Kahuta of Rawalpindi District- rose from humble origins to become commander of the army of the Princely State of Kashmir in the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh. He won laurels for his conquests of Gilgit and Ladakh in 1861.
• Bakhshi Moolraj–He was the son of Bakhshi Radha Kishen. He served as Colonel in the Maharaja's army and eventually became the Governor of Ladakh.
• Bakhshi Hari Singh (Bhimwal) of Guilana–Starting as a bodyguard of Maharaja Gulab Singh he rose to become a General, played a key role in destroying the Fort of Chilas in 1851 a punitive expedition following a series of attacks by Chilasis, where previous expeditions by others had failed.
• Dewan Bhim Sain Datt–of Guliana and Jammu (died 1844). He was a minister and the top-most commander of the forces of Raja Suchet Singh, brother of Maharaja Gulab Singh. In 1844, he died fighting on the side of Raja Suchet Singh when their small entourage of 250 persons found itself in an unexpected battle into which they were drawn by treachery. Faced with certain death against a much bigger force of rival Sikh troops of Hira Singh and Pandit Misr Jellah, numbering about 15000 soldiers, most of Raja Suchet Singh's entourage deserted. Dewan Bhim Sen was among about 40 persons who chose to remain on his side and fight, they killed 160 of them before finally being overcome by numbers.
• Dewan Jowahir Mal Datt–(died 1852). He was the brother of Dewan Bhim Sain Datt, and was a distinguished soldier who was also assigned by Raja Suchet Singh the command of the Dera Charyari, an elite and charismatic Cavalry group under Sikh rule. In the Second Anglo Sikh War in 1848-49 fought between the British-controlled Sikh Durbar and rebellious chieftains, he commanded a major contingent of more than 2000 troops and stayed loyal to the British command, at a time when many others crossed over to the other side. For his bravery, he was awarded a jagir by the British near Kanjrur, which became the village of Jawahar Pur.
• Mehta Sham Das Chhibber–(died 1912). A descendant of Mehta Sukha Nand, he belonged to Kala Guran and was a representative of the Government of Kashmir in British India.

From the Armed Forces of British and/or Independent India

• 2nd Lt. Puneet Nath Dutt posthumous winner of India's highest gallantry award, Ashok Chakra, in 1997 for his role in a counter-terror operation
• Maj. Vijay Rattan Choudhry (Datt)–posthumously won MVC in Indo Pak war of 1971
• Lt. Col. Rajeev Bakshi–posthumously awarded Sena Medal for his role in a counter insurgency operation that he chose to lead from the front, even when his seniority had allowed him to delegate the task.
• Lt Col. Harbans Lal Mehta–(posthumously won MVC in Indo Pak war of 1965)
• Brig. Ravi Datt Mehta–A highly rated officer, died serving as India's Defence Attache in Kabul upon being targeted in a homicide bombing.
• Lt. Gen. Kalwant Singh (Datt)–(General Officer Commanding during 1948 Indo Pak war)
• Sardar Bahadur Risaldar-Major Chaudhri Ganda Singh Datt, OBI (awarded Order of Merit (IOM) in 1857, saved the life of Sir Robert Sandeman at Lucknow, and later excelled in British Indian Army's wars with China and Afghan Campaigns particularly in the famous march to Kandahar)
• Lt. General Yuvraj Kumar Mehta (PVSM, AVSM) Military Secretary, Commandant IMA, Paratrooper
• Maj Gen SK Bali (Artillery) - 2000, VSM (Vishisht Seva Medal), then Brigadier 
• Sardar Bahadur Risaldar-Major Bakshi Prem Singh Vaid, OBI, IOM with 2 Bars
• Sardar Bahadur Risaldar-Major Bakshi Tirath Ram Vaid, OBI, OBE, IOM awarded after battle of Malakand in 1897
• Sardar Bahadaur Mehta Mangat Ram Chhiber, OBI, won numerous medals fought in World Wars I & II, and in Waziristan
• Subedar Major Hony. Capt. Sardar Bahadur Jai Singh Bali, Order of Merit- served with distinction in the Guides Infantry in the British Indian Army, was a special invitee in the Durbars of King Edward VIII (1903), King George V (1913)
• Risaldar-Major Dewan Hukam Singh Datt, Hony. Capt., Hony. Magistrate, ADC to Lord Curzon.
• Raizada Wazir Chand Bali numerous awards from Mesopotamia (1921), Mehmand Operations (1935), Waziristan (1936–38), WW-II including Sardar Bahadur OBI, Hony. Capt., Victory Medal, Iraq Medal, India Service Medal, Burma Star, Britain War Medal.
• Major (Raizada) Madan Lal Vaid, Military Cross in World War II, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.
• Capt. (Dr.) Prithvi Raj Bali, Military Cross in World War II, one of the very rare cases of a non-combatant getting that award, in the battle of Sidi Birani
• Lt. Gen. Zorawar Chand Bakhshi (Lau) (hero of the capture of the strategic Haji Pir pass in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, and India's most decorated General so far, time having been awarded PVSM, MVC, VrC, VSM and the MacGregor Medal)
• Maj. Gen. Madan Mohan Singh Bakshi–awarded MVC as a Lt. Col. in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, for the capture of Phillora.
• Lt. Gen. Harish Chander Datta, PVSM
• Lt. Gen. Dr. Manohar Lal Chhibber, PVSM, AVSM, Padma Bhushan, A key mastermind of India's 1986 Siachen manouvres, was also a Ford Foundation Scholar, Nehru Fellowship Awardee
• Lt. Gen. BKN Chhibber, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (also former Governor of Punjab)
• Lt. Gen. J.L Vaid, Director General of Medical Services
• Maj. Gen. D.N. Chibber, AVSM Additional Director General Army Education
• Maj. Gen. P.K. Chhiber, AVSM
• Air Vice Marshal K.K. Bakshi,born 1935 Vr. C, Vayu Sena Medal (as a Sqn Ldr flying a HF-24 Marut in the 1971 India Pakistan War, he had two confirmed air-to-air combat victories to his credit, both involving superior F-86 Sabre aircraft of the PAF.)
• Air Vice Marshal K.K. Bakshi, AVSM, born 1927
• Air Vice Marshal A. D. Datt, AVSM
• Air Vice Marshal Madan Mohan Datt, Vayu Sena Medal
• Air Vice Marshal Sudarshan Lal Datt, AVSM
• Air Vice Marshal S.D. Mohan, PVSM, AVSM
• Vice Admiral N.P. Datta, PVSM, Padma Shri
• Maj. Gen. K.K. Mehta, PVSM
• Brig. R.D. Law, VrC
• Lt Amit Kumar Dutt, Indian Navy {Serving Officer}
• Col. (Dr.) Reoti Raman Bakhshi (After serving as a Doctor in the British Indian Army, was noted for being the only Hindu officer to have served in the Pakistani Army, eventually migrating to India upon retirement in the 1970s)
• Colonel Sanjay Chibber (after a highly distinguished Army career, which started with his commission in a Gorkha Regiment, he took early retirement, migrated to the United Kingdom where he has won international acclaim for global business initiatives in the IT Industry)
• Rai Bahadur Bakshi Badri Nath Chhibber (A highly decorated police officer in British and Independent India)
• Pushp Bali–A President's Bravery Award winner currently serving in the Punjab Police. He rescued a small girl from her kidnappers after a 10-12 hour long operation in Model Town, Jalandhar. In September 2007, he also rescued a young lady from drowning at the Devi Talab Mandir in Jalandhar, where he was on duty. A recipient of numerous awards including Mohyal Gaurav, he is also President Youth Mohyal Sabha of Jalandhar.
• Jyoti Kishan Dutt, Director General of NSG, a paramilitary component of India's armed forces used in counter-terrorism operations.
• 'Warrant Officer Bansi Ram Bali–Of village Kalsera, was the only individual from the Indian Postal Services to be "Mentioned in Dispatches" for distinguished services during the World War II (Burma Campaign), by the Secretary of State for War - Allied Forces, by the King's orders. Upon retirement, contributed very significantly{cn} in consolidating the Arya Samaj movement in the area, especially at Naya Nangal (Punjab) and Una (HP).

Lt Gen SS Mehta, PVSM, AVSM and Bar, VSM (Retd). Was Army Commander Western Command when he retired. Was Colonel of 63 Cavalry, which he commanded. His son, Colonel Rohit Mehta, is now commanding 63 Cavalry. Brig BS Mehta (Retd). Younger brother of Lt Gen SS Mehta. Raised 13 Armoured Regiment and became its Colonel. Maj Gen RS (Raj) Mehta, AVSM,VSM (Retd). Commissioned in 16th Light Cavalry. Spent 10 years in 83 Armoured Regiment. Commanded 50 Armoured Regiment and became Colonel of 83 and 50 Armoured Regiments. Wounded in an encounter with terrorists, when commanding an RR Sector in South Kashmir. Edits military books and has written Lost Victory -the Rise and Fall of Velupillai Prabhakaran. Free lance journalist who write for national newspapers and defence related magazines and publications. Younger brother of Lt Gen SS Mehta. Colonel NS Mehta. Younger brother of Lt Gen SS Mehta. Commissioned in 5 GARHWAL, commanded 17 GARHWAL with distinction. Died while in service in 2001. Brig BS Mehta, Armoured Corps (Retired). Was Colonel of 13 Armoured Regiment, which he also raised. Younger brother of Lt Gen SS Mehta.

In other fields in British and/or Independent India

• Pandit Amir Chand Bombwal - a freedom fighter in the Indian independence movement
• Sir Ganesh Dutt–Longest serving minister in the entire British Empire.
• Pandit Sant Ram Vaid–Home Minister of Kehloor State (Bilaspur, Shimla Hills)
• Dr. Bhai Mahavir–(former Governor of Madhya Pradesh, son of Bhai Parmanand)
• Bakshi S K Chhibber–(former Lt. Governor of Mizoram)
• Rakesh Mohan–(Economist, and Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India)
• Bhai Parmanand (Chhibber)–(A social reformer in the Punjab, and a descendant of the family of Bhai Mati Das)
• Bhai Balmukand (Chhibber)–(Was an active opponent of British rule in India, was hanged in 1915 along with Lala Amir Chand and Awadh Bihari Bose. Was also a descendant of the family of Bhai Mati Das)
• Dr. Baldev Singh Vaid MMBS, MRCP, Hony. Brigadier, Padma Bhushan, Sir Neel Rattan Sircar Oration, General SL Bhatia Oration numerous other achievements and awards.
• Bakshi Ram Dass Chhibber (1850–1937) - From the Bhera branch of the Chhibbers, was tutor of Persian and Urdu to the top-most elite of British India, including Lord and Lady Hardinge, Lady Curzon, Lord and Lady Minto, Lady Lansdowne and Field Marshal Roberts. Was a famous philanthropist, and co-founder of the Lady Hardinge Hospital in Delhi, besides being an active reformist in Hindu Society, particularly against female infanticide.
• Vijay Mehta Founder of Mefcom Capital Markets Limited
• Chief Justice V.K.Bali (currently Chairman of Central Administrative Tribunal, India and former Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court)
• Mehta N.N. Mohan (industrialist, founder of Mohan Meakin Breweries)
• Col. V.R. Mohan, Padma Shri - Industrialist, Member of the Indian Parliament, former Mayor of Lucknow
• Brig. Kapil Mohan, VSM - Industrialist, Chairman of Mohan Meakins and Indus Airways, Chief Scout of All India Boy Scouts Association, decorated volunteer of India's Territorial Army, also famous for overpowering the hijackers of an Indian Airlines flight on April 10, 1993.
• Raizada Baldev Bali–Industrialist, and the current elected head of the Mohyal community.
• Prof. V.N Datta– historian

°Shri Surinder Kumar Bali (IFS)-Retired Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Maharashtra State (www.baliclinic.net)

• In the Indian Film Industry
  • Sunil Dutt
  • Geeta Bali,
  • Om Prakash,
  • Anand Bakshi,
  • JP Dutta,
  • Gauri Chhibber Khan
  • Sanjay Dutt,
  • Lara Dutta (prior to becoming an actor, was also Miss Universe),
  • Divya Dutta
  • Aryan Vaid
  • Harishchandra Bali (classical musician and music director for early Hindi films who introduced K.L. Saigal to Hindi films and gave the first chance to Lata Mangeskar in Hindi films),
• Prashant Chaitanya Lau -Retd. Dir. General, NWDA- Ministry of Water Resources, New Delhi.

Journalists/Writers

• Barkha Dutt
• H.S.DATTA 'Kanwal Ziai (DUTT), Famous Urdu Writer and Poet
• Kashmiri Lal Zakir (Mohan), Ghalib Award (1985), Nehru Literary Award, (Pakistan's) Naqoosh Award, National Mehdi Nazmi Award (1992), Padmashree.
• Chaudhry Brahm Nath Datt 'Qasir'
• Jamna Das Akhtar
• Ashok Lav (Lau)

 Posted by :  Ch. Anil Dutta

                     (Member, Managing Committee, GMS-Delhi)

                     (Senior Vice President, Mohyal Sabha, Amritsar)