Elder of the twins of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire and Maharani Mehtab Kaur.

His reign began on 18 January 1840 following his assault on Lahore which ended the brief regency of Maharani Chand Kaur.

[a] In 1820, Maharaja Ranjit Singh granted him the privilege of being seated in the Darbar and bestowed civil and military honors on him.

Proclaimed Maharaja by his wazir (prime minister) Dhian Singh Dogra, he won the throne after a protracted siege of the Lahore Fort which was held by the royal family.

[5] Sher Singh was also a fan of wrestling and often would take wrestlers outside the walled city of Lahore to the tomb of Qasim Khan.

Sandhawalia then pulled the trigger and then killed the wounded Sher Singh with his sword by cutting off his head.

Chand Kaur had been removed as the expected heir her late son Nau Nihal's daughter in law was about to deliver died stillborn.