Sohan Lal Suri

Sohan Lal Suri (died 1852) was a Punjabi historiographer, who specialized in the period of the Sikh Empire. Sohan was the son of Lala Ganpat Rai, the waqai navis or court chronicler of the Sukerchakia Misl and later Sikh Empire.

Background and early life Very little is known of his early life. His family was allegedly of the Khukhrain gotra or biradari (clan), with Suri being a sub-clan.

His father, Lala Ganpat Rai, had served as a Munshi for three generations of the Sukerchakia Misl. According to Kapur Singh, Sohan Lal Suri was working for the British as a spy in the Sikh court whom was paid an annual salary which was later commuted to a pension.

Later life After the annexation of the Sikh Empire in 1849, Sohan Lal Suri was bestowed with jagir (estate) grant of 1,000 rupees per annum in Manga. was confirmed, in 1850, for life by the East India Company following the annexation of Punjab.

Ibratnamah This is a small work in verse that is an account of the murders of Maharaja Sher Singh and Raja Dhian Singh by the Sandhawalia sardars in September 1843.

Selections from Daftar II A manuscript that contains brief accounts on courtiers, rajas, diwans, learned men, saints, and ascetics living in the year 1831.

Other works He allegedly authored mathematical, geometric, and astronomical treatises.