By. Ravi Rohmetra
Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of Jammu & Kashmir was a great visionary. Born into a princerly but petty hill family in Jammu on October 21, 1792 he rose to be the founder of the Dogra dynasty. His successful career invokes all round admiration. One of the shrewdest diplomats that India has produced he was described as ulyesses of the hills and Talleyr and of the east.
Maharaja Gulab Singh’s career has an aura of romance. He was just sixteen years old when he distinguished himself in the defense of Jammu against a force dispatched by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Imbued with the spirit of adventure he left Jammu and sought his fortunes in the army of the Khalsa. He rose rapidly and while still in his early twenties, made a name for himself as a brilliant Commander. He accompanied Maharaja Ranjit Singh on important campaigns, and played a prominent part in the consolidation and extension of the Lahore state. His services received striking recognition in 1822, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh personally installed him as the Raja of Jammu. He restored order in his territories, reduced refractory Chief’s and through remarkable Campaigns which will remain enshrined in the annals of military history, annexed Kishtwar Balistan Ladakh and Gilgit.
The establishment of the Jammu & Kashmir by the treaty of Amritsar in 1846, and its recognition later as one of the great states of India has proved the essential greatness of Maharaja Gulab Singh as a Soldier and a Statesman, He is the only ruler in India’s long history who could be said to have extended the geographical boundaries of India. His conquest of Ladakh and Gilgit is an achievement, which writes his name forever in the history of India. One of the great India figures of the nineteenth century Maharaja Gulab Singh had iron will and immense physical and moral courage the present state of Jammu and Kashmir is his moument.
Gulab Singh (1972-1858) was the first Maharaja of the princely State of Jammu & Kashmir during British Rule in India. He thus founded dynasty the Royal House of Jammu and Kashmir that ruled the state during British Raj, until India become independent in 1947.
Gulab Singh belonged to the Jamwal clan of Rajputs, whose father kishore Singh was distant kin of Jit Singh the Raja of Jammu. In 1808 (then only 16) he successfully defended Jammu & Kashmir against the side invasion sent by Maharja Ranjit Singh. This influenced internal autonomy for Jammu which became tributary of the Sikh Empire. Later (1812) he became the Commander of Dogra Cavalry Contingent in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Army. He fumed to conquest Multan (1816) and hill town of Reasi
In 1816 Raja Jit Singh was expelled and Jammu was annexed by Ranjit Singh who thence appointed Governor to administrator the new conquered areas which by annexing Kashmir in 1819 was expanded. In 1820 to laud the services of the family in particular Gulab Singh Ranjit Singh best owned Jammu region upon Kishore Singh.
Gulab Singh had desire of expansion and in 1821 conquered Rajouri from Aghar Khan and Kishtwar from Raja Tegh Muhammad Singh. He executed his own clanman, Dido Jamwal for leading rebellion against the Sikhs.
After death of Kishore Singh in 1822, Gulab Singh became confirmed Raja of Jammu as per his suzerain Ranjit Singh shortly after he (Gulab Singh) secured a formal declaration of renunciation from his hinsman the deposed Raja Singh
In 1824 Gulab Singh captured the Samartah fort at Mansar Lake then in 1827 defeated Afgan rebels of Sayyid Ahmed at battle of saidu assisted by Sikh Chief Hari Singh Nalwa. He was best owned with royality of saltmines in northern Punjab from 1831-39.
After Gulab Singh’s death in 1839, three Jamwal brothers in league with the Britishers caused intrigues and were successful in placing the administration in hands of Nao Nihal Singh with Raja Dhian Singh as Prime Minister.
During this course due to collaose of brick wall, Nao Nihal Singh and also Son of Gulab Singh namely Udham Singh died (udhampur is named after him) Gulab Singh killed Nao Nihal Singh while he was returning from the funeral of his father Kharak Singh.
In 1841 January, Sher Singh’s (son of Ranjit Singh) attempt to seize the throne of Lahore was repulsed by loyals to Nao Nihal Singh’s Mother Chand Kour when the defense of fort lied with Gulab Singh. Then it was under a treaty that Gulab Singh and his men were allowed to leave with weaponary after a treaty. Here Gulab Singh made away with large treasure from the fort to Jammu. Subsequently Gulab Singh conquered the Fort of Mangla (near present… Mangla Dam on River Jehulum).
A large part of Dogra army was kept engaged in Trans-Hamalayan conquests. Suru valley and Kargil were conquered in 1835 when rest of Ladakh in 1836-40 and Baltistan in 1840 by Zorawar Singh, Governor of Kishtwar. This asked the the Sikh Governor of Kashmir and Prince Nao Nihal Singh considering Zorawar Singh the agent of Raja Gulab Singh and had obtained complete possession of Baltistan. This position made Zorawar Singh to turn the conquest of Tibet.
In year 1841 the 5000 strong army Supplemented by Contingents of Kishtwaris Ladakhis and Baltis (totaling 7000) advanced eastwards in three divisions. Over coming all the Tibatan and Chinese opposition set up base at Taktakot near the holy Man Sarover Lake in September 1841 but with the on set of winter Dogras began falling one by one and lacked provisions when they compellingly burnt the stooks of their muskets to warm them selves. Ultimately in such a situation they were over come by sino Tibetan force on 12-12-1841 and survivor’s traversed back.
A Treaty of Chushul was made to settled the bound areas of Ladakh and Tibet when the invasion of Tibatans and their Chinese Allies was repulsed by Dogras.
The Sandhawalia Sardars (releated to Ranjit Singh) intrigued and secretly allied with British and murdered Raja Dhian Singh and the sikh Maharaja Sher Singh in 1842. There after they also killed Gulab Singh’s youngest brother, Suchet Singh , and nephew, Hira Singh.
The Khalsa soldiery clamored when in 1844 corrupt Lahore Court commanded an invasion of Jammu to extract money from Gulab Singh. They failed to capture the fort of Jammu and Khalsas made peace with Raja Gulab Singh and negotiations with Lahore Court were effected which imposed an indemnity of 27 Lakh rupees on the Raja. In the subsequent Anglo sikh war Gulab Singh kept sided with the British Providing vital intelligence of on Sikh Army. Under the Treaty of Lahore the defeated Lahore Court was made to transfer Jammu to Gulab Singh. The sources fell short to manage large region after anexing portions of Punjab the British recognized Gulab Singh as a Maharaja directly tributary to them on payment of 75 Lakh of the war indemnity. This asked other and the Governor of Kashmir was incited to rebel against Gulab Singh but his rebellion was defeated.
Then the Treaty of Amritsar came into being in 1846. The Treaties of Chushul and Amritsar had defined the borders of the Kingdom of Jammu in the east, South and West but the Northern border was still undefined. In 1850 the Fort of Chilas in the Dard Country was conquered.
Gilgat was lost to rebellion in 1852 but was recovered ten years later by his son, Maharaja Gulab Singh died on 30th june 1857 and was succeeded by his son Ranbir Singh.
Gulab Singh managed to preserve and expand his kingdom which was maintained by his successors until the Pakistani invasion of 1947-48. He Pushed the boundaries of India into Tibet and Xinjiang and brought them with in range of Central Asia and Afghanistan. He is recognized as the only rulers in India’s long history who could be said to have extended the geographical boundaries of India. His conquest and annexation of Ladakh is an achievement which makes him immortal in the history of India.
The foundation stone of SMGS Hospital Jammu was laid down by Raj Rajeshwar Maharaja Adhiraj Maharaja Shri Hari Singh Bahadhur on 6th May 1940 in the memory of his grand father Maharaja Gulab Singh Jee.
(The writer is a Social activist and can be reached at Mob.: 9419652999; e-mail:[email protected])
