 Colonel Sir Harindar Singh Brar, Bans Bahadur, KCSI, the erstwhile ruler of Faridkot state was born on 29 January 1915. He succeeded to the throne, on the death of his father, on 23 December 1918. After visiting England in 1923-24, he joined Aitchison College at Lahore for his studies. He graduated after completing the Government of India Diploma Examination in April 1932, earning a Distinction in English; he also won the Godley Medal and the Watson Albel Singh Medal for Geography and History, respectively.
He started his administrative training under Mr. Henge Jones, ICS in 1932. After his marriage in 1932, he did a ten-month attachment for military training with the 9th Deccan Horse at Poona. He was put through the recruit's course in equitation, sword drill and the forge. He attended the regimental training camp at Talegaon, played polo and rode with the Poona Hunt. On his return to Faridkot, he was invested with full ruling powers and installed as ruler, at the Raj Mahal, on 17 October 1934.
He was appointed as Honorary Lieutenant with the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment and served in Waziristan on the North West Frontier, in 1937. He also continued to play polo, his favourite sport, and won nine tournaments. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Faridkot State Forces provided 94 Field Company to the Bengal Sappers, 81 Mule Company to the Royal Army Service Corps; and 43 and 71 Garrison Companies to the Sikh Regiment. Faridkot State also organized a Labour Battalion for service at the railhead at Ledo, and a Labour Company for the docks at Chittagong. The Faridkot military band saw service with the Persia and Iraq Force. He was Colonel-in-Chief of the Faridkot State Forces from 1938 to 1951. He became the Honorary Colonel of the Sikh Light Infantry on 3 March 1947. He was also honoured with the KCSI and was made a member of the Viceroy's National Defence Council. After independence, he also became the Honorary Colonel of the Bengal Sappers. In the pre-derecognition days, his full title was Colonel His Highness Farzand-Sadat-Nishan-i-Hazrat-i-Kesri-i-Hind Raja Sir Harindar Singh Brar, Bans Bahadur, KCSI of Faridkot. He was member of the Standing Committee of the Chamber of Princes and Member of the Legislative Assembly from PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union). He merged his state into the PEPSU on 5 May 1948. A keen mason, he was also accorded the rank of Most Worshipful Past Grand Master (Honorary) in the United Grand Lodge of England and was the District Grand Master of Northern India. He was also a member of the United Service Institution of India. His awards and decorations included the Silver Jubilee Medal (1935), Coron (1937), Indian General Service Medal with Waziristan clasp (1937), Second World War Medal (1939-45), the Burma Star, the British War Medal (1945) and Indian Independence Medal (1947). Colonel Sir Harindar Singh Brar, Bans Bahadur, KCSI of Faridkot died on 16 October 1989 at the Raj Mahal in Faridkot. In effect, he was the longest serving soldier of the regiment. His association with the regiment, his regular visits to the battalions, and his willingness to come forward with financial support to the regiment, when it was sorely needed, will always be remembered. | 
