Mumbai (Maharashtra). Doordarshan’s mega serial on the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh : Sher-e-Punjab will go on air on April 13th, coinciding with the Baisakhi. The 52 episode serial produced by Doordarshan in collaboration with Raj Babbar’s M/s. Babbar Films Pvt. Limited will be telecast at 10 p.m. every Tuesday on Doordarshan’s National Network (DD 1)

The Mega serial is based on life and times of the great Sikh king Maharaja Ranjit Singh who united Punjab and established a Khalsa Raj.

The serial begins with that tormented period when Nadir Shah raided India in 1739. He ransacked Delhi and took away the Kohinoor diamond and Takht-e-Taus, the moghul throne from India. This was followed by Ahmad Shah Abdali’s repeated invasions on India.

A few hundred Sikhs, living on their horse backs were ever ready to challenge the might of the invaders. The Sikhs were victims of a number of massacres both at the hands of the Mughals as well as the Afghans, which only made their resolve stronger.

It was on one fateful day that a wounded and dying Maha Singh, the chief of the Sukher-Chakkhias handed over to his 12 year old son Ranjit Singh, the grand sword of his grandfather Charat Singh and his dream of uniting the Sikhs and banishing the Afghan invaders from Punjab. From that day in 1792, Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruled till his death in 1839, over a long span of 47 years.

Ranjt Singh had become a legend in his own life time with various anecdotes prevalent in Punjabi folklore. An astute statesman, visionary and great warrior, Ranjit Singh hired French and Italian generals to train his men in modern warfare tactics. He was the first Indian king to have a regular paid large army. Arguably he was the only Indian king who matched the British in their guile. It goes to his credit that till he was alive the British could not claim Punjab.

The mega serial has been directed by Chitraath Singh and Sikander Bharti. Jagjit Singh has composed the music while lyrics are by noted Punjabi poet Surjit Patar. The serial is the result of extensive research by the filmmakers and support of the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, Punjab Police and the Ministry of Defence.

Doordarshan, Mumbai has organized the launch of Doordarshan National Network’s mega serial on ‘Maharaja Ranjit Singh’ produced by Raj Babbar’s M/s Babbar Films Pvt. Ltd. The telecast begins on April 13. CEO, Prasar Bharat Mr.B S Lalli, DG, Doordarshan, Ms. Aruna Sharma will be present. Jagjit Singh, Hansraj Hans and Sukhwinder Singh will present musical renditions from the serial along with a 30 minute show reel presented by Mr.Raj Babbar.