news details |
|
|
| Maharaja Gulab Singh: The founder of J&K State | | |  Th. K P Singh
195 years ago, on 17 June 1822, Gulab Singh was anointed as Raja of Jammu by Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Jeo Pota Akhnoor by applying Tilak at his forehead himself despite the readiness of priests to do so. This act set in motion the formation of a vast empire called Jammu and Kashmir. However his meteoric rise as the founder of J&K dates back to 1808 when he distinguished himself in the battle of Gumat. As a young lad of 16, he led young Dogras and blunted the successes of Sikh Army and forced them into treaty, negotiated by Mian Mota and Raja Alam Singh Akhnooria on behalf of Raja Jeet Singh. Impressed by his courage, bravery and swordsmanship, Bhai Hukam Singh and Sardar Nihar Singh Attariwala, the invading Sikh Chiefs, narrated the story of his prowess to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Mian Mota, the administrator of Jammu and granduncle of Gulab Singh, was asked to bring Gulab Singh to Sialkot where Maharaja enrolled him as cavalryman (sawar).
Infighting and political turmoil embroiled Jammu after Raja Jeet Singh's death in 1820. Mian Mota was murdered by a conspiracy hatched by Rani Bandral, an ambitious and intriguing Rani. He was killed by her contract killers, Taredu and Satru which was later avenged by Gulab Singh and Dhian Singh. When Riddled in chaos and crisis, the Jammu Raj passed to Sikh Empire as Jagir of Kharak Singh.
What led to Gulab Singh's rise from Sawar to a General is very interesting. To start with, he impressed Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1815 when emperor led an expedition to invest Garh Damala Fort. It was a lofty castle of Afghans in the 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. Dhian Singh sent for Gulab Singh asking him to join the ranks at Hoshiarpur. While Maharaja was mounted on the majestic elephant and inspecting preparations for assault, Gulab Singh surfaced infront of the Emperor and performed the formalities of Royal Salutations. After that Gulab Singh pulled up his horse swiftly like wind. The horse rested his front hoofs on the forehead of the regal elephant. He put a handful of Ashrafis in the King's 'hawdali' as a token of obeisance. It astonished the spectators. A loud applause arose. Maharaja was so pleased of this act of chivalry that he asked Mahoot to receive the 'nazrana' which the Mahoot did. 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 had crossed the moat (deep water channel) of the fort and swung atop the coveted castle where he dug down his spear like a flag on the wall of the fort. By this heroic deed he made history in the splendor of dash and gallantry. On witnessing this rare dash, brave Khalsas got inspired and assaulted the fort from all sides. Maharaja was amazed at such an unexpected and instantaneous victory. He bestowed untold honours and favours upon Gulab Singh. Jagirs of Lala - Chabara and Ramgarh were given to him with authority to raise 200 horsemen.
It goes to the credit of Gulab Singh to have consolidated fragmented Jammu into a single cohesive vast empire, though truncated since 1949, still stands as a single unit despite internal discords and external threats. It is our duty, specifically the duty of Dogras and Sikhs together to do their best to keep it united. Following coronation at Jeo Pota, Gulab Singh created a vast State of Jammu and Kashmir and changed the geography of India. By extending borders to the North, he provided ample strategic depth to the capital of India. His contributions to our political, cultural and religious lives are remembered on 17th June every year at Jeo Pota by Raj Tilak Celebration Committee Akhnoor. This can help us to learn how imbued with the spirit of adventure and gallantry, Gulab Singh rose to be an astute strategist of Ranjit Singh.
Gulab Singh extended his rule by capturing Ladakh, Baltistan, Gilgit and 500 sq miles of Western Tibet. It was to the credit of this great genius that by the time he was 55, he extended the borders of his empire touching China in the North, Tibet in the Northeast, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in the Northwest & NWFP in the West.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839. His son Kharak Singh & grandson Nau Nihal Singh and Gulab Singh's son Udham Singh, all three died on a same day in 1840. Lahore darbar became a bed of bloodshed, anarchy and factionalism. Death of prince Nau Nihal Singh led to the war of succession. Dogra Rajas exercised lot of influence in the affairs of darbar. Gulab Singh favoured Mai Chand Kour, widow of Kharak Singh to be the Regent. Though accepted by all but was soon dislodged by Sher Singh, 2nd son of Ranjit Singh, who was also killed later in the factional fight. Gulab Singh paid a heavy price for the unrest and strife which struck Sikh empire after the death of emperor. Brothers Dhian Singh and Suchet Singh, nephew Hira Singh and own sons Udham Singh & Sohan Singh were killed, one after the other, at Lahore in the ensuing factional fights. Loyal Dogras paid a heavy price for the stability of Sikh empire.
Sikh armies were finally defeated by British in 1846. Raja Gulab Singh was the Prime Minister during the war. He negotiated and signed the Treaty of Lahore in which he secured most honourable terms for the vanquished Lahore darbar. In recognition of his superb diplomacy, Lord Hardinge, the Governor General of India, extended his rule to entire Jammu and Kashmir with status of 21 gun salute Maharaja on 16 March 1846, by the Treaty of Amritsar.
Renowned Lt Col R S Jamwal, VSM*, three times conqueror of Everest, Wg Cdr Kamal Singh, first Indian who Sky Dived in Antarctic in 2000 and Arctic in 2002, Sh. Rajeev Sharma, 1st Dogra from J&K to conquer Mt. Everest in 1993 and NDA Cdt Sammer Dev Singh who cleared three SSBs, are being honoured for their glorious achievements in this year's function on Friday, 17 June. May I request the govt, NGOs and intellectuals to honour evrey achievers appropriately. If Hon'ble CM goes to the house of an No 2 ranking IAS nominee, least the Dogra ministers are expected to do is to emulate Kashmiri leaders.
Jeo Pota tells us the stories of two warriors which we did not know and it also tells us to remember stories which we had forgotten. It tells us how Sikhs and Dogras jointly changed the history and geography of the sub-continent. And the flow of Chandarbhaga tells us that the times and tides move together as the Dogras and Sikhs moved together. Jeo Pota connects the past to the present. Jeo Pota also tells us that Gulab Singh was the only Indian ruler who fought outsiders and extended Indian boundaries. All other great rulers fought each other within.
Jeo Pota also tells us that the Dogra rulers consolidated the gains resulting from Treaty of Amritsar and in this regards they had plenty to do. Hostile activities of tribes of Chilas, Punial, Darel, Yasin and Chitral necessitated a number of expeditions against them and sacrifices. Even when the Dogra army was pre-occupied with the Northwestern borders of the state, it had to provide forces demanded by the British, first against 1857 mutiny, the 2nd Black Mountain Expedition of 1878, the 3rd Black Mountain Expedition of 1888, 1st World War of 1914-19 and 2nd World War of 1939-45. Hence the folk songs/tales of Dogras rulers and their soldiers be kept alive for the posterity. My humble attempt in holding Coronation Day Celebration is to revive the past and connect it to future.
(Author is Chairman of Raj Tilak Celebration Committee). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
