MAHARAJA HARI SINGH - IMMORTAL RAJPUTS

'The Grace of Kings' was meant to read like a set of legends about characters who were bigger than life.

 

The Greatest King of Dogra Clan 

The royal title of Maharaja Hari Singh was "Indar Mahindar Rajrajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Shri Jammu Kashmir Naresh Tatha Tibet Deshadhipati". Interesting that the Maharaja's title includes Tibet. What was the connotation that Dogras applied to the word 'Tibet'?

Maharaja Shri Hari Singh Ji full name with all the epithets was Lieutenant-General His Highness Shriman Rajrajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Sri Sir Hari Singh Indar Mahindar Bahadur, Sipar-i-Sultanat, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO.

 India.

Amar Mahal, located in Jammu city on the bank of Tawi river, once a palace, is now a museum, frequented by tourists. The beautiful palace designed like a French villa and was the residence of Raja Amar Singh where Hari Singh was born on 23 Sept.1895.

The Dogra dynasty (or Jamwal dynasty) was Hindu Dogra Rajput dynasty that formed the royal house of Jammu and Kashmir.

Maharaja Hari Singh Ji belonged to the Jamwal Rajput clan that ruled Jammu. The Rajputs who created J&K are the same warriors who liberated Kailash from China. Raja Amar Singh probably foresaw the writing on the wall and brought up his son to learn the traditions and values which were the hallmark of Dogras in general and ruling family in particular.

In 1903, Hari Singh served as Page of Honour to Lord Curzon at the grand Delhi Durbar. At the age of 13, Hari Singh Ji was dispatched to Mayo College in Ajmer, which was the prestigious institution catering for the need of modern education of the members of the royal families at the hands of British teachers. In 1914, successful completion of the military training. Maharaja Pratap Singh appointed Hari Singh as Commander-in-Chief of state forces. He also held position of senior member of state council and later was in charge of Defence & Foreign Affairs. After the sad demise of Maharaja Pratap Singh, Maharaja Hari Singh ascended the throne. The period under him will always be remembered for the social reforms and modernization of the state.

He inherited the vast state of JnK comprising of the Jammu Province, Jägirs of Poonch and Chenani, Province of Kashmir and Frontier Provinces of Ladakh, Baltistan and Gilgit. The credit of consolidating a vast territory and the founding of the state rests upon the vision of the warrior and statesman, Maharaja Gulab Singh, the great-grandfather of Maharaja Shri Hari Singh Ji. The rich legacy of his forefathers, Maharaja Gulab Singh (1846-1857), Maharaja Ranbir Singh (1857-1885) & Maharaja Pratap Singh (1885-1925) in form of consolidation of state as stable political events of his time.

The Visionary & Exemplary Maharaja Hari Singh lead the JAK forces in face of a barbaric tribal invasion to secure the future of his subjects & we reap rewards for it today.

A few among his many achievements:

1. A focus on education;Over 20k schools were built under his rule.

2.Agriculturists Relief Regulations,July 1926;Cooperative lending system for farmers.

3. Promoted the publication of newspapers through Press and Publication Act, April 1932.

4.His rule was marked with progress and elevating living standards especially for women;Dhandevi Memorial Kanya Fund

5.1st among 560 rulers to support the cause of Indian Independence at the Round Table Conference, 1931.His famous quote“I am an Indian first, and then a Maharaja”

6.The state lead in health infrastructure due to his reforms. 3 state of the art hospitals built in Jammu, Srinagar and Mirpur, sanatoriums for TB treatment.

7. Improved connectivity; roads ,posts & telegraph,which lead to a significant boost in tourism industry.

In 1929, there were massive floods in Srinagar. The river bund was in danger of being breached. When the information was received, Maharaja Hari Singh was among the first to arrive on the scene and his presence encouraged his troops to superhuman efforts to save the city. Troops had to work on scanty materials, around the clock, and had to contend with darkness and incessant rain. But nothing could encourage them more than the presence of the Maharaja, who stood with them, sharing their joys and sorrows, directing the effort to save the city. The Maharaja himself would share refreshments with his soldiers. The efforts succeeded. The river bund was not breached, and the city was saved. After that was done, Maharaja Hari Singh himself ensured that every soldier got Rs. 2 for every soldier and Rs. 3 for every NCO. But the greatest reward for the soldiers, according to their own writings was the Maharaja's congratulatory message to them on the successful accomplishment of the task. The Maharaja called his soldiers morale `the greatest source of his strength'. Raja and praja united.

Its a testament to his brilliant self that his legacy is still etched in public consciousnes & as bright as the day he left us nearly 60 years ago.

This, BTW, is in the highest traditions of Indian sense of honour. Maharaja Hari Singh did not move away from the scene of danger. Au contraire, he rushed to danger spot and refused to go away till danger was past. Why are we not told of all this?

On a funny note, even the `Azad Kashmiri' Chief Justice, Mohammad Yusuf Saraf grudgingly acknowledges this point.

"The Brahmanas of the old, enjoying large patronage and support from the Kshatriya Kings, were able to preserve unsullied their alloted duties of Sastric Dharmas" - Sri Ramananda Sarasvati Swami (former Sri G Ramachandra Iyer) in his book The Hindu Ideal.

 All the Hindu Rajas of Princely States had been supporting until their twilight years in the 20th century. Donating rare valuable Sanskrit books from the land of Kashmir to a Vedapathasala to Tamil Nadu is one of the many great sukrtis performed by the Maharaja of Kashmir. 

Sri Sankaragurukulam of Srirangam (Sringeri Sankara Matham, Srirangam), Trichy in Tamil Nadu is an institution where Vedas & Sastras are taught. It was founded by Gurubhakta-shikhamani, Sastraprasarabhushana, Sri TK Balasubramanya Aiyar(disciple of Sringeri Shankaracharya). In one of the editions (probably between 1940-1946) of 'The Journal of Sri Sankaragurukulam' published by him he expresses his gratitude towards the Kashmir Maharaja for contributing many books published under the Kashmir Sanskrit Series to the Gurukulam's library. He also mentions that some manuscripts found in the Gilgit were also given by the King. The books were mostly of Kashmirika Shaivism. 

TKB Aiyar expresses great joy at receiving copies of Sri Vidyarnava Tantra, a work concerning the details in Srividyopanasana, written by Sri Vidyaranya Swamigal that were preserved in the King's private collection. Within the two bulky volumes of this book, Sri TKB Aiyar says, are collected all the available authoritative texts from whatever source they might be thus exhausting practically all available literature on Srividya.

This is famous ‘ Jai Jai Shiv Shankar, Kanta Lage Na Kankar’ Shiv Mandir of Gurmarg managed by Army from long.

The Army Battalion at Gulmarg, with the help of locals, repaired the structure of the Shiv temple, Gulmarg.This Shiv temple was constructed in 1915 by Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia, wife of HH Maharaja Hari Singh Bahadur of Jammu & Kashmir.

यह फोटो है महाराज हरिसिंह जी द्वारा बनवाया गया भगवान शिव जी के मंदिर, उत्तरवहिनी, जम्मू में। मंदिर के शिखर पर पेड़ निकले है। मंदिर की जगह है लेकिन रख रखाव नहीं।

If such kings are there why do we need fake Democracies. That’s why we called Ram Rajya and nothing less nothing more.

His contributions to state are many but his commitment to India even as ruler of vast independent Princely state even more noteworthy. He was the first amongst 560 rulers, who supported the cause of India’s Independence at the Round Table Conference in the House of Lords in London in 1931. He earned the wrath of British and an unsavoury saga of conspiracies unfolded against him upon his return to the state.

Nevertheless, his words spoken in House of Lords as Vice-Chancellor of Chamber of Prince’s rang loud and clear and should help in settling any doubts one may have of his loyalties. In the conference presided by British Crown,

he said: “ I am an Indian first, and then a Maharaja”.

( This was the statement why Maharaja had become an enemy for British!!

Thats why British incited communal tensions in Kashmir!!

13 July 1931 was the 1st time when Stone pelting was done in Kashmir (under the leadership of NC (then k/a Muslim Conference)))

This snippet might help you:

Maharaja was pressurised by British officials to delay instrument of accession & go with pakistan!!

It was the dirty politics of British-Muslim Conference-& Abdullah's National Conference that demonsied & blackmailed him by rebellion & propoganda British officials always wanted to take revenge on him for his fiery & bold speech in 1st Round Table Conference in London, 1930 where he supported Independence of whole of India

Most of controversies in his rule occured only afted 1930!!

All of us must have wondered, What was the reason behind the controversies in Kashmir towards the end of British rule?

The answer can be inferred from this letter exchanged between Shyama Prasad Mukherjee & Sheikh Abdullah

Here Mukherjee clearly supported Maharaja Hari Singh Mukherjee cites the incident when Maharaja Hari Singh spoke in favour Indian Independence in the First Round Table Conference at London,1930

That was the reason why Maharaja was had become an enemy for British & their rule in India

He is remembered as true nationalist and his address in the First Round Table Conference at London in 1930-31 wherein he spoke of SELF RULE FOR INDIANS and his declaration in 1942 conference that his state would be the first to join Independent India, became rallying point for the political parties and rulers of other states. Signing of Instrument of Accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India, is thus a land mark in the History, which projects Maharaja Shri Hari Singh Ji as a nationalist to the core.

Maharaja Hari Singh is the story of a man who stood for his race and people against time. The year was 1947, the Rajput states with thousands of years of history were standing on brink.

Socialists and Islamists had been bootlicking occupying thieving Britishers for almost a century now. 

The Photograph Summarily describes the end of once Glorious Dogra Kingdom. To this day, we are treated shabbily by India and New Delhi.

When British leave, they are certain to handsomely reward these special interest groups at the cost of Princes who so bravely defended the ancient heritage and people of our nation.

Mirpur, a prosperous town of pothwaris ceases to exist on 25.11.1947. Town’s Hindus & Sikhs, brutally looted killed, raped,imprisoned or forced to flee. Mangla Dam submerged the old town.

These Two temples standing in ruins & silent testimony. Mangla Devi & Raghunath Temple.

He decided that he shall not give up his ancestral lands, and soul of his people without a fight. Congress and the League had embargoed his kingdom to ensure he had no ammunition and supplies.

Yet his 105 men put up a fierce fight. At several front these great men outnumbered 1:100 pushed back the invaders several time. Maharaja Shri Hari Singh Ji, history would always remember you, you did not succumb to destiny without a fight. Oh brave ruler, your people would create a new Jammu and Kashmir with the blood of yours and every drop of every great soldier like Rajinder Singh Jamwal.

These people were the soldiers who wrestled with the vultures of destiny with nothing more than an absolute faith in the ancient Rajput code of honor.

When Maharaja Hari Singh & his wife Maharani Tara started touring the state to interact with their ppl in 1948-49, a petulant Sheikh Abdullah threatened by the Maharaja’s popularity complained to Delhi & Nehru asked Maharaja Hari Singh to leave the State. Sheikh Abdullah used plebiscite as a bargaining tool. Nehru naive enough to have take Kashmir to the UN. Maharaja Hari Singh was forced to sign a Proclamation on June 20, 1949 and lie to his people that he was leaving the state for health reasons. He died in Mumbai, in exile.

A modern, progressive and a reformist Ruler who made Jammu Kashmir an integral part of India was banished from his own land because of an insecure Sheikh Abdullah & Nehru and died in exile..

Maharaja had requested that Maharani Tara Devi be allowed to stay with her young 18 yrs old son, Karan Singh, who had been reunited with his parents after 13 months of being invalid & bed ridden in NYC. The request was declined.

And we slept

Not a word spoken 

No protest either

Looting of Dogra Dynasty’s treasures by Sheikh Abdullah was just the beginning. Loot continued unabated under Abdullahs, Muftis, politicians of all kinds & bureaucrats. Others worked tirelessly to create false anti-India narratives on JK to dodge scrutiny.

Respectful Homage to Legendary warrior, Statesman, Administrator, Philanthropist, Maharaja Hari Singh Ji. Maharaja Shri Hari Singh Ji valuable contribution to Jammu and Kashmir state specially work for educational and social progress will always be remembered.

Remember that without him there would be no Jammu and Kashmir in India. We should follow him and his foot step. Jai Hind 🙏