Ch. Kanhaya Lal Dalal

Tau Kanhaya Lal, the third son of Dada Roop Chand was born in August, 1905 on the auspicious day of ‘Janam Ashtami’ and on that account he was named as Kanhaya. He was a real strong personality with six feet and one inch in height, robust and handsome youth, who started ploughing the fields at a very young age of 14 years. He worked very hard and soon won a name for himself in the field of farming.  He was also a well-known wrestler.  Later on, he joined Indian Army and was recruited in the 7^th Light Cavalry as a shining Indian soldier in British Army.

He got quick promotion as Lance Naik and then as Dafedar[1] within 2-3 years. He got discharge from the army service quite abruptly due to the sudden illness of his father in the year 1931.  The speedy promotion was his smart turn-out, bravery and all round good performance.  A particular incident will amply show his fearless courage and bravery. On a dark night, a pet dog of the Commanding Officer fell in a well. None came forward to take out the pet animal from the deep well.  It was only Tau Kanhaya who offered his services.  Despite a risky and dangerous situation, he got down in the well on a long thick rope and got the pet dog out and himself came out shivering as it was a very cold winter night.  The Commanding Officer, his wife and other Jawans of the unit felt extremely happy and congratulated Kanhaya.  The Commanding Officer offered a cash reward but he did not accept and declined the offer with thanks.  The very next day, young Kanhaya got his first promotion order from Col. Brownlow. His wife was extremely happy with young Kanhaya, who could save his loving pet.  He was very near to become Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), when he returned back after discharge from army.  The CO was not willing to discharge him but accepted the request due to illness of his father.

Tau Kanhaya returned to village and assisted Dada Roop Chand in family affairs as well as farming operations. However, later on, he very much regretted for his blunder to take discharge from the Army where his future career was bright and would have retired as a Lieutenant.  He put his heart and soul in farming, worked very hard and increased his income from farming. He was a good ploughman and well versed with various field operations. He once harvested the ripe wheat crop alone from 3/5 acre which at least three good labourers could do so.  He was a great food eater also and used to consume ¼th seer of pure desi ghee and two seers of milk daily. He also gave equally good food to the permanent labourer and sturdy pair of bullocks.  He took wrestling as a hobby and became a good wrestler for some years.

Tau Kanhaya was a very clear hearted man and used to place full confidence in all with whom he became friendly. He used to meet businessmen at Bahadurgarh and discuss business matters. He purchased a big piece of land at Bahadurgarh on Delhi road and also built a dwelling house in the residential area for his children.  He also did money lending  business on a small scale.  Since he was not well-educated he did not pay much attention to this side business.

Tau Kanhaya had a bad habit of smoking, which was given up in the interest of his health as he was likely to develop asthma.  Approaching the age of 80, he was now taking very light but nutritious diet, remained confined to his house and took full rest.  Kanhaya Singh led a very peaceful life with his sons and their wives who were always there for all sorts of help and care during last years of his life.  He was very fond of eating Halwa[2], which he wished to be prepared and brought for him before breathing his last breath. His eldest son fulfilled his desire and just after taking a part of it, he left for his heavenly abode. He died on 1^st August, 1985.

[1] Higher rank than Lance naik

[2] Sweet dish made up of wheat flour which is very popularly prepared in the villages