Sher Singh commanded the Sikh army which fought against the British East India Company at the Battle of Chillianwala.

On the death of his father in August 1815, Chatar Singh inherited large jagirs and occupied himself with farming his estates.

Abbott alleged that Chatar Singh was conspiring to subvert British authority in the Punjab.

The British Resident at Lahore, Sir Frederick Currie commissioned an investigation by Captain John Nicholson who exonerated Chatar Siṅgh, and also justified the defensive measures he had taken to save the besieged capital of Hazārā from Abbott's troops.

After this, and the failure of the Resident to honour the betrothal of his sister, Sher Singh, who had been fighting alongside the British, changed sides.