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| REMEMBERING MAHARAJA HARI SINGH | | | Th. K P Singh | 9/21/2015 11:37:35 PM |
| Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, was born on 23rd Sept 1895 in Amar Mahal Jammu. He was son of Raja General Amar Singhji, younger brother of Maharaja Partap Singh. He ascended to the throne in 1925 after the demise of Maharaja Partap Singh. He was one of the most renowned ruler of British India being the emperor of geographically largest and strategically most important empire which continues to remain in the limelight for several political, strategic and historic reasons. He gained acclamation for being "the Last Ruling King of Independent India" since he continued to be Maharaja of J&K till 15th November 1952 while all other rulers of princely States had ceased to be Kings by 1948.
At the age of 13, he was sent to 'Mayo College of Princes' at Ajmer for studies. Soon after his admission, his father Raja Amar Singhji died after which British Govt took keen interest in his education and upbringing . An Army Officer was deputed as his guardian with the responsibility of ensuring proper education and military training with the aim of grooming him to be a good emperor. After completing his education in Mayo, he was sent to 'Imperial Cadet Academy' Dehradun to imbibe in him Military and Martial traits.
In 1915, Maharaja Hari Singh was appointed Commander-in-Chief of J&K State Forces when he was only 20 years. On assuming command of the State Forces, he introduced lot of reforms in the training and welfare of officers and soldiers. Central cook houses called Langars and Officers Messes were introduced by him prior to which the officers and jawans used to cook their own meals. Maharaja Hari Singh ordered the removal of Union Jack (British Flag) which used to fly on all govt buildings. It was contested by the British govt but he didn't relent. Later, on Viceroy's personal request, he allowed a British flag to be flown only on the residential building of the Resident thereby exerting his full authority over all affairs of his State.
His rule has been described as glorious by British historians because of several reforms that he introduced in administration and judiciary. He brought about several reforms for the welfare and betterment of his subjects. There are numerous instances worth mentioning as learnt from my father, cousin Col Kanwal Singh, Capt Diwan Singhji, ADC, teachers and elders. But few of them such as making primary education compulsory for all subjects, prohibiting child marriage, State Subject ordinance and opening all the places of worship and water sources for his low caste subjects are most remarkable. He opened lot of new schools and colleges to promote education. In many instances whenever there was a shortage of funds, he contributed from his own private funds which find mention in his noting on the files. He managed to check corruption by adopting unique ways of detecting corruption, findings culprit officials and punishing them.
He banned Begar and it is said that during his rule, none dared to accept bribes or deny wages for any services rendered. To achieve self sufficiency in agriculture, He ploughed land himself and gave land holding rights to his subjects. He was member of the Imperial War Council of Prime Minister Churchill during World War II. During the war, he visited Middle East where he joined his units which were fighting against Axis Powers. He stayed with them in bunkers which encouraged them and boosted their morale. Showing his solidarity with his forces in the battlefield earned him lot of respect not only of his men but also of the Allied Powers particularly of the British Army.
Maharaja Hari Singh's rule witnessed lot of political upheavals. From 1931 onwards, he faced Kashmiri insurrection against his rule which became a mass movement in the valley under the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah. He opposed Jinnah's Muslim League for its communal agenda illustrated in his two nation theory, hence faced his wrath.
He was victim of hostility of Indian National Congress because of Pt Nehru and Sheikh Sahib's hostility. Immediately after partition of India, tragic communal riots broke out which engulfed Jammu & Kashmir as well. It was followed by an invasion by Pakistani raiders. Jammu & Kashmir had become totally independent after the lapse of British rule on 15 Aug 1947. It was during his reign that the first Indo-Pak war was fought on the soil of Jammu & Kashmir. Finally he merged his State with India thus ending 106 years of Dogra rule.
Maharaja Hari Singh was a democratic and progressive ruler and knew what was to come. He had made it clear in the Round Table Conference in London that he was for independence of India for which he had to pay heavily as British conspired to weaken him thereafter.
As a result, he had to face many uprisings fomented and abetted by them. He also knew that the era of the dynastic rule was to end soon for which he prepared his son to fit in the future democratic set up of the country. Dr Karan Singh bears testimony to it as he became the first elected Sadar-i-Riyasat and later Union Minister for many years and is still a MP. He was tipped to be the President of India in 2002. The credit for preparing him for the distinguished career in the changed political scenario goes to Maharaja Hari Singh.
When India gained independence, Maharaja had the option of joining either India or Pakistan or to remain independent. Lord Mountbatten visited Srinagar in June 1947.
He advised Maharaja to accede to Pakistan on the grounds of religion of majority population and geographical contiguity. Although the advice amounted to be an order because the State was under British empire, but Maharaja ignored this advice and instead sought more time to decide the future of his State. He knew that Pt Nehru and Sheikh were for State's accession to India which was his wish as well. But all the rail and land routes to J&K passed through Pakistan. Despite Gurdaspur District later falling part of India and River Ravi becoming the boundary line, there was no road or rail link to India through Pathankot which hindered Maharaja's early decision of accession to India. Understanding the consequences of all the options, he offered Standstill Agreement with both the Dominions, which unfortunately was not accepted by India which changed the course of history. Had Pt Nehru accepted it, it would have given India over two months to understand the problems and importance of the most strategic State of the world and prepare for any eventuality from any direction. It might have perhaps averted Pakistani attack in October 1947 as the State would have been the joint responsibility of both. However following the invasion by Pakistan on 21 October 1947, he appealed India for help. India refused unless he acceded. He thus signed the 'Instrument of Accession' on 26 October 1947. Accession included Jammu, Kashmir, Northern Areas, Ladakh, Trans Karakoram Tract, POK and Aksai Chin. The events mentioned above leading to the accession with Indian Union created Indo-Pak hostility which has resulted into 4 military conflicts, continuous LoC violations and the ongoing proxy war. Due to unresolved borders and undemocratic nature of transition, all the territories mentioned above remain unjustly disputed.
Maharaja Hari Singh married Maharani Tara Devi in 1928 as his fourth wife after his previous three wives had passed away earlier, one after the other, without an issue. This marriage was on the advice of the astrologers and true to their prediction, a Yuvraj was born to them on 9 March 1931 as the next Heir Apparent.
Due to growing hostility with Sheikh Abdullah, he appointed Yuvraj Karan Singh as Regent and left for Bombay in 1949 where he spent rest of his life. His passions for Polo, Horse Racing and Reading kept him occupied. He breathed his last on 26 April 1961 at Bombay. As per his will, his Ashes were brought to Jammu and spread all over J&K and immersed in River Tawi at Jammu.
Amar Kshatriya Rajput and various other Sabhas are celebrating beloved ruler's 121st Anniversary at various places. In addition, the grateful nation, DAV Schools, Raj Tilak Celebration Committee and many other NGOs, institutions and societies are also celebrating to remember the benevolent ruler of J&K. There is a popular demand for installation of Mahraja's Statue in the Central Hall of Parliament and to name Sub Dist Hospital Akhnoor after Him since its foundation was laid by the Maharaja in 1932.
The author of this article is Chairman of Raj Tilak Celebration Committee Akhnoor and accessible at 9419224441 |
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