Gian Singh Rarewala

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Gian Singh Rarewala
Born 16 December 1901
Rara Village, Patiala, India
Died 31 December 1979
Nationality Indian
Occupation Politician
Known for Prime Minister of Patiala and East Punjab States Union 1946/47

Sardar Gian Singh Rarewala (16 December 1901–31 December 1979) was an Indian politician and the first Chief Minister (actually designated as the Prime Minister) of the former Indian state of Patiala and East Punjab States Union.[1]

Early life[edit]

Rarewala was born on 16 December 1901, at Rara village, Patiala. He was a descendant of Ratan Singh Bhangu, author of Panth Prakash. Rarewala studied in Patiala and graduated from Mahindra College in 1924. He joined the judicial service of the princely state of Patiala. Later, he became a High Court judge for Patiala State. He also served as a Revenue Commissioner and Revenue Minister for Patiala state and finally he was the Prime Minister of Patiala state from 1946-47.[1]

Political career[edit]

Rarewala became a representative of Patiala in the Constituent Assembly of India on April 28, 1947.[2] The Patiala and East Punjab States Union was formed later on 15 July 1948. A caretaker government was formed on 22 August 1948 with Rarewala as its Premier. On 13 January 1949 a broad-based ministry was constituted and Rarewala was sworn in as its Prime Minister. When this ministry was dissolved, Rarewala remained the premier of the caretaker ministry from 18 November 1949 to 23 May 1951.

In 1951, Rarewala was elected to the PEPSU Legislative Assembly from the constituency of Payal as an independent candidate. He became the Chief Minister of the PEPSU on 22 April 1952, heading a United Front ministry. Thus, he became the first non-Congress Chief Minister of any state in independent India. He was in office until 5 March 1953 when the President's rule was imposed and his government was dismissed. He became the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee in 1955. After the merger of the PEPSU with the Punjab state in 1956, he became a member of the Indian National Congress and elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1957. Rarewala became the Irrigation Minister in the Pratap Singh Kairon Cabinet. He was re-elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1962 and 1967.

In 1969, Rarewala left Congress and joined the Shiromani Akali Dal, probably because of his differences with Morarji Desai. He remained its member until his death[1]


  1. ^ a b c Singh, Roopinder (December 16, 2001). "Rarewala: A Punjabi-loving gentleman-aristocrat". The Tribune. 
  2. ^ "Constituent Assembly of India Debates (Proceedings) - Vol. III". Parliament of India website. Retrieved 16 April 2010.