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| Maharaja who ruled the longest | | | Th. K P Singh
Maharaja Partap Singh, the third Dogra ruler of princely state of Jammu & Kashmir was born on 18 July 1848 corresponding to Samvat 1st Sawan 1905 at Reasi. He ruled for 40 years from 1885 to 1925, the longest of the all the Dogra emperors. Since he was born at Reasi, his birth anniversary is celebrated every year by General Zorawar Singh Memorial Committee Reasi. In 167th anniversay celebrrations this year, MK Ajatshatru Singh, Hon'ble MLC and former minister, also the scion of the Dogra Royal family, was the Chief Guest whereas Sh. Ajay Nanda, Hon'ble MLA Reasi, Sh. R S Pathania, Hon'ble MLA Ramnagar and ex MLA Sh. Balwant Singh Mankotia were the guests of Honour. The celebration started with welcome address by Capt Baldev Singh, Chairman of the committee, followed by eloquent recitations by other speakers. I too was given the privelege to express my views. Each speaker highlighted the initiatives of the ruler and called him greatest visionary and reformer of his times. Various welfare schemes and development related initiatives of His Highness were narrated at length, some of which are enumerated below.
During his rule, the 1st major initiative of improvement of road connectivity was taken in 1889 when Jhelum Valley Cart road, a wonderful mountain road in the world, starting from Kohala to Baramulla was completed. It was extended to Srinagar in 1897. In 1922, the Banihal Cart road (BC Road) which connected Jammu with Srinagar was thrown open to the public. Besides these many connecting roads and tracks such as Srinagar to Gilgit and Leh were also completed. The benefits of these roads on general public may be judged form the fact that before Maharaja Partap Singh's reign, there wasn't any wheeled conveyance, not even a hand cart. By the time his rule ended, motor vehicles became the principal means of conveyance.
Besides roads connectivity, efforts were made to link the Valley with rail but it could not be done because of prohibitive costs. Another dream project of Maharaja to build a 79 mile long mono-cable steel ropeway from Jammu to across Banihal and then connect it with Srinagar by a 46 mile long light railway could not be started due to lack of finances. But Jammu was linked to Sialkot by rail in 1890 after which Jammu got connected to Delhi and rest of India.
In 1887, his govt carried out the first land settlement process. As a result, the rights of the agriculturists were clearly defined. The share of agriculture produce for the state was fixed at 1/3rd of the gross produce. Revenue was collected in cash. The land settlement gave much needed security to the cultivators and became responsible for their increasing prosperity. The revenue of the state more than doubled. By 1912 jurisdiction of every tehsil and district was completely settled. 'Begar' in its more objectionable form was abolished.
A model agricultural farm was set up at Srinagar to project scientific methods of cultivation. Dept of Agriculture and Cooperative Societies were the other initiatives taken to further improve the lot of cultivators. By 1929, the number of Coop Credit Societies in the state rose to 1,100 with a membership of 27,500.
J&K was rich in forests resources. But nothing had been done to exploit them. In a pathbreaking initiative in 1891, His Highness established Forest Dept which soon began to give a very good account of itself. In the very 1st year it gave a surplus revenue of two and a half lac. The same rose to two million in 1921-22 and to a record figure of five million in 1929-30.
Efforts were made to popularise education. Number of boys and girls schools were opened. Primary education was made free. Several initiatives were taken to educate Muslims. Grants for education were budgetted. Unqualified teachers were sent to Lahore for training. One degree college each at Jammu and Srinagar were established. Jammu college established in 1907 was named 'Prince of Wales College' and Srinagar college established in 1905 was named 'Sri Pratap College'. Amar Singh Technical Institute was set up at Srinagar in 1914 and Sri Pratap Technical School was set up at Jammu in 1924. By 1938, Sri Partap College, with 1187 students achieved the distinction of being the second largest college affiliated to Panjab University.
Hospitals for males and females were established at Srinagar and Jammu. In other towns and important villages, dispensaries were started under qualified doctors. These initiatives went a long way in improving health of the people. Smallpox used to take a very heavy toll of life in the valley. Large scale vaccination was carried out in 1894 to prevent it.
To prevent floods in Srinagar a wide spill channel was constructed in 1904 to divert the flood waters of Jhelum. Several irrigation canals were constructed in Jammu as well as in Kashmir. The longest and important of these is Ranbir Canal in Jammu with a total length of 251 miles including its tributaries. It was completed in 1911 and costed Rs. 35,36,714. This Canal also helped in propelling the turbines of the Jammu hydro-electric stations. 250 rain water harvesting 'Talabs' were constructed in Kandi areas of Jammu with a view to minimise distress of the residents. The power obtained from the hydro-electric works established at Mohara in 1907 was used not only for lighting and industrial purposes but also for dredging in Jhelum below Baramulla.
Besides agriculture; sericulture, viticulture and horticulture were made into flourishing industries. A silk factory was set up at Srinagar. It attained the distinction of being the largest of its kind in the world. In order to feed it with the best quality of cocoons, seeds were imported from Italy and France. A beginning was made in local self-govt by establishing municipalities at Jammu, Srinagar, Sopore and Baramulla which improved hygiene and sanitation. Maharaja abolished Muslims Marriage Tax. He closed the state shawl industry to encourage cottage industry.
British tried to implicate Maharaja in a conspiracy case involving the Russian empire. They removed Maharaja and set up a ruling council which included a British agent and Raja Amar Singhji. The conspiracy got exposed and the Maharaja was restored honourably. Before Partap Singh, a British officer used be located in the state without much political role. Taking advantage of allegations against Maharaja, British managed to post a Political Resident in the state.
General Zorawar Singh Memorial Committee is doing an appreciable work in keeping Duggar heritage alive. Besides Maharaja's birth anniversary they celebrate Gen Zorawar Day in December every year. Reasi being a big town, my appeal to the public is to particpate in these functions and contribute financially. Society or a nation which does not preserve its history finishes soon. We have to survive and hence preserve our heritage. MLA R S Pathania, demanded vacation of the Palace where Partap Singh was born to be made a Museum and Library. Capt Baldev Singh demanded to name the Dist Hospital Reasi as Maharaja Partap Singh Hospital. Maharaj Kumar Sahib while complimenting celebration committee assured them of his help and suupport in promoting Dogra heritage. Maharaj Partap Singh left for heavenly abode on 23 September 1925 having ruled the longest and done a great deal for his subjects.
--(Author is Chairman of Raj Tilak Celebration Committee Akhnoor which celebrates state Foundation Day and Maharaja Gualb Singh Coronation Day on 17th June). |
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