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| Maharaja Gulab Singh | | (Remembering the Founder of Jammu & Kashmir ) | |
(21 October 1792 - 30 June 1857 )
K P Singh
Maharaja Gulab Singh was born on 21 October 1792 in village Smailpur, Jammu. His father Mian Kishore Singh asked family Pandit to suggest a name for the child. Pandit plucked a rose and put it in infant's hands. Hence he was named Gulab Singh. He was trained by his grandfather Mian Zorawar Singh and granduncle Mian Mota who was minister of Raja Jit Singh, the last hereditary king of Jammu. Gulab Singh showed his ability and skills in the Battle of Gumat in 1808 when he was 16. His bravery turned Sikh successes into reverses forcing them into a treaty with Raja Jit Singh. Impressed by his courage, bravery and swordsmanship, Sardar Hukam Singh Chimni, chief of the invading Sikh Army, narrated the story of Gulab Singh's bravery to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Maharaja called him to Sialkot and appointed him as cavalryman.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir, as it stood on the world map on 15 August 1947 followed a benevolent act of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the ruler of Punjab, who installed Gulab Singh, a Dogra Chieftain, as ruler of Jammu on 17 June 1822, thereby laying the foundation of a vast empire. Thereafter Gulab Singh led many campaigns and won many battles.
The present Jammu and Kashmir state was fragmented into small principalities from very early times. Jammu was divided into 22 small states whereas Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan were under Afghan rulers. Thereafter by knitting together scattered principalities, he laid the foundation of a vast State of Jammu and Kashmir and extended its boundaries far and wide by capturing Ladakh, Baltistan, Gilgit and Western part of Tibet. By the 'Treaty of Amritsar' signed between him and the British, he got ownership of Kashmir; creating an empire largest in size in British India measuring 87,000 sq miles. His role; especially in the battles of Multan, Attock, Kabul, Reasi, Kishtwar and Kashmir was so unique that many a times it turned defeats into victories. Gulab Singh was a proclaimed military strategist of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
In 1815 AD Maharaja Ranjit Singh led an expedition to invest Garh Damala Fort which was a lofty castle in Jallandar Doab. This strong mud fort was once the headquarters of Hoshiarpur principality. Maharaja Ranjit Singh therefore prepared well for the siege. He was not happy about Gulab Singh's overstay at Jammu. On being informed of the impending attack on the fort and seeing it as an opportunity to win Maharaja's favours, Dhian Singh sent a message to Gualb Singh to join the ranks at Hoshiarpur. It is mentioned in Gulabnama that while the Maharaja was mounted on the majestic elephant and was inspecting preparations for assault on the fort, Gulab Singh surfaced in front of the Emperor and performed the formalities of salutations. After that Gulab Singh pulled up his horse swiftly like wind and put a handful of coins in the King's 'hawdali' as a token of obeisance. The horse rested his front hoofs on the forehead of the regal elephant. It astonished the spectators. A loud note of approbation arose. Maharaja was so pleased of this act of chivalry that he asked Mahoot to receive the 'nazrana'. When Maharaja diverted his attention towards storming the fort, Gulab Singh being anxious to lead the attack on the enemy and storm the fort, exhorted the Maharaja to watch his feats. Gulab Singh pulled the reins of his horse and all alone fell upon the enemy as a lion. In the twinkling of an eye, Gulab Singh crossed the moat of the fort and got atop the coveted castle; dug down his spear like a flag on the wall of the fort. By this heroic deed he made history in the splendour of dash and gallantry. On witnessing this rare dash, valiant blood thirsty warriors got inspired and assaulted the fort from all sides. Soon the contest became a bloody affair. After sometime the resistance broke at the entrance of the gate. The royal force marched in. Maharaja amazed at such an unexpected and instantaneous victory, prostrated himself in sincere gratitude at the threshold of the Almighty. He bestowed untold honours and favours to Gulab Singh. Jagirs of Lala & Chabara and Ramgarh were given to Gulab Singh with authority to raise 200 horsemen.
After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839, the Sikh state entered into anarchy. Unfortunately Maharaja Kharak Singh & his son prince Nau Nihal Singh also died one year later on the same day. This broke the line of ascendancy to the throne. A war of succession broke amongst various claimants. Since Gulab Singh and his brothers exercised lot of influence in the affairs of Darbar, each sought their support to become ruler. Gulab Singh supported Maharani Chand Kour, the widow of Kharak Singh. Although a consensus was reached on her name, later Sher Singh, 2nd son of Ranjit Singh laid his claim to the throne and managed to overthrow Chand Kour. In the factional fights that erupted for the throne later, Sher Singh was also murdered. Gulab Singh was the sole Dogra survivor of the intrigues infested Lahore Darbar. Raja Dhian Singh and Raja Suchet Singh, both his brothers, Hira Singh, his nephew and Udham Singh & Sohan Singh, his sons were killed at Lahore. In September 1845 when Prime Minister Jawahar Singh was executed by his own soldiers at Lahore, Gulab Singh was asked by Lahore Darbar to take over control of Punjab Empire which he politely refused. After persistent requests and assurances, he took over as Prime Minister in January 1846.
Sikh army was finally defeated by British in the battle of Sabraon on 10 February 1846. Gulab Singh as Prime Minister of Sikh Empire, negotiated with the British, and signed the Treaty of Lahore under which he was able to secure most honourable terms for the defeated empire. In recognition of his audacious leadership and superb diplomacy, Lord Hardinge, the Governor General of India extended his rule to entire Jammu and Kashmir State and elevated him to the status of Maharaja with 21 gun salute. By the Treaty of Amritsar dated 16 March 1846, he was given Raj of Kashmir empire for which he paid Rupees 75 Lac as part of war indemnity levied on Lahore Darbar.
He appeared at the scene at such a time when once a powerful Kingdom of Raja Rajgan Ranjit Dev had disintegrated. It was he who revived it to its pristine glory. He changed the Indian map by putting the crown of J&K on its head.
He is one of the few historical legacies that India is proud of.
He handed over the reins of empire to his son Ranbir Singh much before his death who turned out to be a great reformist.
His legacy reminds us of our great regional and ethnic identity. He left for his heavenly abode on 30th June 1857 after leaving his footprints on the History. As the time passed by, the memories and the achievements of this great Dogra warrior got washed away in the currents and tides of Chenab and got buried under the sand at Jeo Pota. To commemorate his role in the making of J&K, a library is being built in the premises of Maharaja Hari Singh Higher Secondary School Akhnoor at the behest of Dr. Karan Singh, MP. It will store literature on the history of our state and Dogra rule which shall go a long way in educating coming generations.
I have tried to revive the memories of that great Dogra warrior who extended the boundaries of India up to a point where boundaries of four great empires, British India, Russia, China and Tibet met by celebrating Coronation Day at Jeo Pota on 17 June every year. I request all Dogras to narrate stories of our legendary ruler to their progenies and celebrate his birth anniversary as eloquently as Keralites celebrate Onam in the memory of their beloved King Mahabali so that history of J&K is kept alive by us all.
(The author is Chairman of Raj Tilak Celebration Committee Akhnoor and is available at 09419224441) |
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