(शाहमुखी: ﮔﻼﺏ ﺳﻨﮕﮫ ﮈﻭﮔﺮﺍ ; गुरुमुखी: ਮਹਾਰਾਜਾ ਗੁਲਾਬ ਸਿੰਘ) (१७९२-१८५७) डोगरा राजवंश एवं जम्मू और कश्मीर राजघराने के संस्थापक और जम्मू और कश्मीर रियासत के पहले महाराज थे।
उनका जन्म सन् १७९२ में जामवल कुल के एक डोगरा राजपूत परिवार में हुआ था, जो जम्मू के राजपरिवार से ताल्लुख़ रखते थें।
उन्होंने अपनी क्षत्रिय जीवन की शुरुआत में एक पैदल सैनिक के रूप में की थी पर आगे चल कर वे स्वतंत्र जम्मू और कश्मीर रियासत के पहले स्वतंत्र नरेश बन कर उबरे थे उन्हें ,सिख साम्राज्य के अधिपत्य जम्मू के राजा का पद राजा जीत सिंह से उत्तराधिकृत किया था और प्रथम आंग्ल-सिख युद्ध में, जिसमें उन्होंने अंग्रेज़ों के साथ संधी कर ली थी सिख साम्राज्य की पराजय के बाद स्वतंत्र जम्मू और कश्मीर रियासत की स्थापना की और महाराज के पद पर ख़ुद को विराजमान किया था।
१८४६ की अमृतसर संधि के आधार पर आधिकारिक तौर पर महाराज ने ७५,००,००० नानकशाही रुपययों के भुकतान के बाद कश्मीर का पूरा भूखंड अंग्रेज़ों से खरीद लिया था जिसे अंग्रेज़ों ने लाहौर संधि द्वारा हासिल की थी इसके अलावा भी महाराज गुलाब सिंह ने अपनी जीवनकाल के दौरान कई प्रदेशों और रियासतों पर फ़तह हासिल किया था।
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| महाराज गुलाब सिंह, जम्मू और कश्मीर के महाराज |
पूर्ववर्ती-
राजा जीत सिंह(जम्मू के राजा के रूप में
उत्तरवर्ती-
महाराज रणबीर सिंह
जन्म-
१८ अकटूवर १७९२
जम्मू, साँचा:देश आँकड़े सिख साम्राज्य
निधन- ३० जून १८५७
संतान- रणबीर सिंह
घराना- डोगरा राजवंश
पिता- किशोर सिंह
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सन् १८४६ की एक हस्थचित्र, महाराज गुलाब सिंह का गिरीदुर्ग |
बचपन एवं प्राथमिक जीवन
गुलाब सिंह का जन्म १८ अकटूबर १७९२ में जम्मू के एक जामवल डोगरा राजपूत परिवार में हुआ था उनके पिता श्री किशोर सिंह जामवल, जम्मू के ततकालीन नरेशराजा जीत सिंह, जम्मू के राजा के दूरस्थ कुलसम्बंधी थे उनकी परवरिश उनके दादा श्री ज़ोरावर सिंह के मद्देनज़र हुआ था, जिनसे उन्होंने युद्धकला, तलवारबाज़ी और घुड़सवारी सीखी।
सन् १८०८
में जब महाराज रणजीत सिंह की सिख सेना ने जम्मू पर चढ़ाई की थी तब गुलाब सिंह की उम्र १६ साल थी जब उन्होंनें अपनी कुलवंशियों के कंधे से कंधा मिला कर जम्मू के बचाव की पुरज़ोर पर नाक़ामयाब कोशिश की थी इस हार के बाद जम्मू रियासत को सिख साम्राज्य के अधिराज्य में तब्दील कर दिया गया अर्थात जम्मू, सिख साम्राज्य के आधीन आ गया हालांकी जम्मू के राजा को क्षेत्रिय स्वायत्तता हासिल थी।
सन् १८०९
में गुलाब सिंह ने काबुल का रुख़ किया अफ़ग़ान राजा, शूजा शाह दुर्रैनी की फ़ौज में एक तनख़्वादार फ़ौजी के रूप में दाख़िला लेने के लिये जब उसकी फ़ौज ने सिंध को पार करने से इनक़ार कर दिया तब उन्होंने कुछ समय के लिये सरदार निहाल सिंह अटारिवाला के लिये भी काम किया, जिसके बाद उनका दाख़िला, महाराज रणजीत सिंह के दरबार में एक पैदल-सैनिक के रूप में हुआ अपने शौर्य एवं रणकौशल के बदौलत उन्होंने कई सैन्य-कार्रवाईयों में काफ़ी शौहरत एवं सम्माल हासिल किय विशेश रूप से मुलतान की चढ़ाई में। इसके दम पर उन्होंने सेना में खुद को एक विशिष्ट सैनिक के रूप में स्थापित कर लिया था यहां तक की उन्हों ने एक बार रेसाई पर किये गए फ़ौजी-कार्रवाई का स्वतंत्र नेत्रित्व भी किया था।
१८१६
में एक और टकराव के पश्चात, रणजीत सिंह ने जम्मू पर पूरी तरह कबज़ कर लिया और राजा जीत सिंह को साम्राज्य से बरख़ास्त कर दिया जीत सिंह ने दक्षिण में स्थित ब्रिटिश भारत पनाह ले लिया रणजीत सिंह ने इस नए इलाके की हुकूमत के लिए एक जागीरदार की नियुक्ती की और
१८२०
में गुलाब सिंह एवं उनके परिवार की मुलाज़मत का अभिमूल्यन करते हुए महाराज रणजीत सिंह ना जम्मू को एक वंशानुगत जागीर के रूप में किशोर सिंह को सौंप दिया।
सन् १८२१
में गुलाब सिंह ने राजौरी को अग़र ख़ान से और किश्तवाड़ को राजा तेग़ मुहम्मद ख़ान से कब्ज़ा किया। उसी साल गुलाब सिंह ने डेरा ग़ाज़ी ख़ान पर की गई सैन्य-कार्रवाई में भी भाग लिया। इतना ही नहीं, उन्हों ने अपने ही कुलवंशी मियां डिदो सिंह जामवल को, जो साम्राज्य के खिलाफ़ विद्रोह का नेत्रित्व कर रहा था, पकड़ कर प्राणदंड दे दिया था।
जम्मू रियासत की सत्ताप्राप्ति
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| जम्मू में चेनाब नदी के किनारे स्थित महाराज गुलाब सिंह का महल, मध्य १९वीं शताब्दी |
किशोर सिंह के निधन के बाद, जम्मू के अधिपति, महाराज रणजीत सिंह ने जम्मू की सत्ता गुलाब सिंह को सौंप दी। तख़्त पर क़ाबिज़ होने के शीघ्र बाद गुलाब सिंह ने वंचित पूर्व शासक, राजा जीत संह से, सत्तापरिवर्तन की पुष्टिकर्ता, औपचारिक त्यागपत्र सुरक्षित किया। त्यागपत्र(सत्ता से सन्यास की औपचारिक घोषणा) का पृष्ठ फ़ारसी में यह था:
"من، رجا جیت سینگ، نوه رجا صاحب رانجیت برنامه نویس، در این مناسبت و خارج از تمایل داخلی و نعمت وقار، در طول عمر خود من، و به عنوان یک نشانه عشق ذاتی و محبت قلبی، بدین وسیله نفی مالکیت به تمام مناطق حفاظت شده از اجداد من، و ارث خود من، به نفع نجیب زاده مرفه من، رجا راج رجا گلاب سینگ، و راجا صاحب دهیدراسیون سینگ و رجا سو چت سینگ، از طریق دارام و قوانین، توافق دو جانبه و در سوگند از پیشینیان من و نجیب زاده و تجارت. "
हिन्दी में:
"मैं राजा जीत सिंह, राजा साहब रंजीत देवजी का पौत्र, इस अवसर पर एवं अपने स्वयं के जीवन में आंतरिक झुकाव और गरिमामय एहसान, के कारणस्वरूप, एवं आंतरिक प्रेम और हार्दिक स्नेह की निशानी के रूप में, मैं तथा, मेरी अपनी विरासत व मेरे पूर्वजों द्वारा संरक्षित सभी रियासतों पर स्वामित्व का त्याग अपने समृद्ध बर्ख़ुर्दार, राजा-ए राजगण, राजा गुलाब सिंहजी, और राजा साहब धियान सिंहजी और राजा सुचेत सिंहजी के पक्ष में, धर्म और नियमें के अनुरूप, आपसी समझौते के माध्यम से व अपने पूर्वाधिकारियों, ठाकुरों और गुरुों की शपथ पर, करता हूं।
इस त्यागपत्र ने जमाल कुल का नेत्रित्व जामवल वंश के ही एक पुर्वतः हीन शाखा की पास परिवर्तित कर दिया।
अफ़ग़ान आक्रमणकारियों से झड़प एवं कश्मीर और हज़ारा के मुस्लिम बाग़ी कबीलों से मुठभेड़।
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| महाराज गुलाब सिंह की मूर्ती, अमर महल |
जमरूद की लड़ाई
१८३७ में अफ़ग़ानों ने सिखों के जमरूद क़िले पर हमला किया था, जिसमें महाराज रणजीत सिंह ने "राजा" गुलाब सिंह के नेत्रित्व में सहायक सेना भेजी थी कुछ दिनों की झड़प के बाद सिखों ने अफ़ग़ानों को रोक दिया, पर जमरूद की लड़ाई में हरि सिंह नलवा की हत्या हो गई, जिसके बाद कश्मीर और हज़ारा में कई मुस्लिम कबीलों ने राजविद्रोह की घोशणा कर दी। इनमें तनोली, कर्राल, धुन्द, साती और सुधान शामिल थे महाराज रणजीत सिंह ने गुलाब सिंह को विद्रोह और विद्रोहियों पर नकेल कसने का काम सौंपा था।
दस्तावेज़ों और प्रतिवेदनों के मुताबिक़ वे १०,००० सिख और डोगरा सैनिकों के साथ हज़ारा पहुंचे थे हज़ारा और मुर्री पहाड़ियों में विद्रोहियों को हराने के बाद, कश्मीर में बाग़ियों के खिलाफ़ अभियान के नेत्रित्व के लिये अपना मुख्य डेरा कठुआ को बनाया एक सुधान, शम्स ख़ान वहां विद्रोह का स्तर बढ़ा रखा था और कई सैन्य छावनियों और किलों पर कब्ज़ा भी कर रखा था ऐसा जाना जाता है की गुलाब सिंह ने विद्रोह से संबंधित प्रतायेक बाग़ी के सर के लिया एक रूपय का ईनाम" रखा था इसी प्रकार पहाड़ियों में करीब १२,००० सुधान, साती और धुन्द लोगों का संहार किया गया था साथ ही कुछ मुसलमान महिलाओं को बंदी बला कर यौनदासी के रूप में भी बेच दिया गया था।
लाहौर का षड़यंत्र
सन १८२४ में, गुलाब सिंह ने समरटाहके क़िले पर क़ब्ज़ा कर लिया।
१८२७ में वे सिख सेनाप्रमुख हरि सिंह नलवा के साथ अफ़ग़ान राजद्रोहियों के ख़िलाफ़ शैदू की लड़ाई में उन्होंने सैयद अहमद द्वारा नेत्रित एक विद्रोही क़बीले को हराया था।
१८३१ से १८३९ के बीच, रणजीत सिंह ने गुलाब सिंह को उत्तरी पंजाब की नमक खदानों की जागीर एवं भेड़ा, रोहतास, झेलम और गुजरात नगरों की जागीरदारी प्रदान किया था इसके बाद लाहौर में होने वाली घटनाएं काफ़ी महत्वपूर्ण हैं।
सन १८३९ में महाराज रणजीत सिंह के निधन के पश्चात, सिख साम्राज्य शक्ती व सत्ता के असंतुलन एवं केन्द्रिय अधिकार के ग़ैरमौजूदगी के कारण अव्यवस्था व अराजकता की स्थिती में चला गया था। इस उथल-पुथल की स्थिती में राजधानी लाहौर साज़िशों का केन्द्र बन गया।
कुंवर नौनिहाल सिंह को राजसत्ता पर विराजमान कर वे राजा धियान सिंह को प्रधानमंत्री बनाने में क़ामयाब रहे परंतू, उनके पिता, महाराज खड़क सिंह की अंतिम यात्रा के दौरान, नौनिहाल सिंह के साथ गुलाब सिंह के पुत्र, उधम सिंह की भी मृत्यू हो गई।
जनवरी १८४१ में रणजीत सिंह के पुत्र शेर सिंह ने लाहौर के तख़्त पर क़ब्ज़ा करने की पुरज़ोर कोशिश की पर "जम्मूई भाईयों" के कारण वह नाक़ामयाब रहा लाहौर के क़िले की सुरक्षा की ज़िम्मेदारी गुलाब सिंह के मद्देनज़र थी एसा जाना जाता हे की शेर सिंह अकालियों की बहुत बड़ी सेना के साथ हमला किया था उसने अपनी सेना से किले को चारो तरफ़ से घेर लिया था परंतू किले की तोपें और दीवारों को भेदने में असफ़ल रहे डोगराओं और शेर सिंह के दरमियां शान्ती समझौते के बाद गुलाब सिंह को हथियारों के साथ जम्मू वापस चले जाने की इजाज़त दे दी गई।
हिमालय-पार का अभियान
इस सारे वक़्त के दौरान डोगरा सेना का एक बहुत बड़ा हिस्सा उत्तरी हिमालय की पहाड़ियों पर चढाई में जुटी हुई थी किश्तवाड़ के जागीरदार, सेनापति ज़ोरावर सिंह की अघुआई में डोगरा सेना ने 1835 में करगिल और सूरु घाटी, और 1836 से 1840 के बीच बाकी के लद्दाख़ और बल्तिस्तान पर कब्ज़ा कर लिया लद्दाख़ और उत्तरी हिमालय में डोगराओं की बढ़ती ताक़त से चिंतित हो कर कश्मीर के सिख सूबेदार, मियान सिंह ने कुँवर नौनिहाल सिंह को ज़ोरावर सिंह और डोगराओं की सैन्य आभियानों की ख़बर से आग़ाह कर दिया डोगराओं के इन क़ामयाब अभियानों ने कश्मीर और गिल्गिट में तवालद सिख फ़ौज को अभित्रस्त व चौकन्ना कर दिया था ताकी बात और ना बिगड़ जाए इस लिये ज़ोरावर ने सेना का रुख़ पूर्व में तिब्बत की ओर मोड़ दिया।
मई 1841 में ज़ोरावर सिंह की सेना ने, 5000 डोगरा सिपाहियों, एवं किश्तवाड़ी, लद्दाख़ी और बाल्तीयों की सहायता से लैस, कुल 7000 फ़ौजियों की ताक़त के साथ तिब्बत पर चढ़ाई कर दी ताब्बतीयों द्वारा किये गए सारे प्रिरोधों, आक्षेपों और बाधाओं के परास्त करते हुए सेना तीन गुठों में पूर्व की ओर तब्बती ज़मीन में बढ़ती रही अंत्यतः उन्होंने तकलाकोट में अपना डेरा लगाया, पवित्र मानसरोवर के
पस, सितम्बर 1841 में। इस दौरान वे भारतीय सीमांचलों से दूर, तिब्बती भूमी के 450 मील भीतर प्रवेष कर चुके थे परंतू, भीशण तिब्बती सर्दकाल के आग़ास के पश्चात डोगरा सेना भीशण ठंड और सहूलियतों के आभाव के कारण, ज़ोरावर सिंह की पूर्वनिर्देशित प्रबंध के बावजूद, एक-एक-कर गिरने लगी जम्मू, कश्मीर, लद्दाख़ और बल्तिस्तानी मूल की सेना के लिये उचित प्रबंधों के आभाव में तब्बत की "हड्डियां जमा देने वाली ठंड" को सह पाना बहुत मुश्किल हो गया था ऐसा ज्ञात है की कईयों ने खुद को गर्म रखने की नाक़ामयाब कोशिश में सेना के असला और बारूद को भी जला दिया था।
भीशण ठंड एवं किराने और असला के आभाव के कारण कमज़ोर पड़ चुकी डोगरा सेना को 12 दिसम्बर 1841 को तिब्बती सेना के हाथों मात झेलनी पड़ी। इस अभियान में जो जीवित बच गए थे, वे दक्षिण दिशा की ओर बढ़ कर हिमालय पार कर ब्रिटिश-साशित इलाक़े में पहुंच गए राजा गुलाब सिंह, जो उस समय अंग्ल-सिख युद्ध का नेत्रित्व कर रहे थे को इस दुर्घटना की जानारी हेन्री लौरेन्स ने दिय था।
डोगरा घुसपैठ को परास्त करने के बाद आगे बढ़ रही तब्बती सेना ने लद्दाख़ पर हमला कर दाया, परंतू इस बार डोगराओं ने उन्हें चुशूल की लड़ाई में हरा दिया अंत्यतः लद्दाख़ और तिब्बत के बीच की सीमा को चूशूल समझौते द्वार तय कर दिया गया।
जम्मू और कश्मीर रियासत की स्थापना और महाराज के रूप में ताजपोशी
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| एक खूवसूरत श्वेत अश्व की सवारी करते, महाराज गुलाब सिंह का चित्र, 1840-45 इ॰, ब्रिटिश लाईब्रेरी |
इस बीच, लाहौर में, साज़ीशों, हत्तयाओं और भ्रष्टाचार की घटनाओं की बढ़ती तादाद के कारण सिख साम्राज्य अत्यंत आर्थिक संकट की स्थिती में आ गया और हुक़ूमत के "शीर्षमंडल"(निर्देशकों) पर वित्तीय दबाव बहुत ज़्यादा बढ़ गया इस संकटपूर्ण एवं अराजक माहौल के बीच, खाल्सा(सेना) ने भी, वेतन ना मिलने के कारण, विद्रोह की चेतावनी दे डाली।
इस कठिन स्थिती के समाधान के लिये लाहौरी अदालत(महापंचायत) का गठन किया गया, जिसने जम्मू पर चढ़ाई के आदेश दे दिये, हालांकी, सिख फ़ौज जम्मू पर कब्ज़ा करने में नाक़ामयाब रही, पर उन्होंने गुलाब सिंह को काफ़ी बड़ी रक्म का भुकतान करने पर मजबूर ज़रूर कर दिया लाहौरी अदालत ने गुलाब सिंह पर कुल सत्ताईस लाख नानकशाही रुपयों का हर्ज़ाना लगाया था।
इस घटना के पश्चात गुलाब सिंह ने अंग्रेज़ों के साथ एक गुप्त समझौते पर बातचीत करने का फ़ैसला किया अंग्रेज़ों, जिनकी निगाह पंजाब पर काफ़ी समय से थी, ने, इस दौरान, सिख-प्रदेश और ब्रिटिश-प्रदेश की सीमा पर अपनी सैनिकों की संख्या बढ़ा दी।
1845 में, सरहद पर हुई झड़पों ने प्रथम आंग्ल-सिख युद्ध का रूप ले लिया, जो सिखों के लियो घातक साबित हुआ। पराजय होने के बाद, सिखो को शांती समझौते पर हस्ताक्षर करना पड़ा(लाहौर की संधी)
अंग्रेज़, जिनके पास सिखों को पूरी तरह मशग़ूल रखने के लिए निशपरयाप्त सेना थी, ने राजा गुलाब सिंह को जम्मू और कश्मीर का महाराज नियुक्त करने का फ़ैसला कर दिया। इसी ऐलान के साथ संयुक्त जम्मू और कश्मीर रायासत की स्थापना अपने प्रथम महाराज के रूप में महाराज गुलाब सिंह के साथ हुई।
इस के बाद वज़ीर लाल सिंह ने, कश्मीर के सूबेदार को उकसाकर कश्मीर में विद्रोह फ़ैलाने की साज़िश रची परंतू हर्बर्ट बेन्जमिन एडवार्डस के अंतर्गत ब्रिटिश सैन्य तुकड़ियों की मदद से महाराज गुलाब सिंह ने कश्मीर में पनपे बग़ावतों और बाग़ियों को भी कुचल डाला, साल 1846 में आख़िरकार, अमृतसर की संधी ने "जम्मू और कश्मीर के महाराज" के रूप में उनके पद की संपूर्णतः पुष्टीकृती कर दी।
महाराज गुलाब सिंह की संप्रभुता के अंतर्गत प्रदेश की सरहदें चूशूल और अमृतसर की संधियों द्वारा संपूर्णतः परिभाषित थीं, पूर्व, दक्षिण और पश्चिम में, सिवाए, पश्चिमोत्तरिय सीमांचलों के हिस्से के अतः डोगराओं ने पश्चिमोत्तर की ओर बढ़ना शुरी किया, और चिलास, दर्द और गिलगिट जैसे क्षेत्रों पर कब्ज़ा कर लिया एक क्षुण्ण समय(2 वर्ष) के लिये गिलगिट को विद्रोहियों(राजा यासीन) के हाथों खो दिया गया था, परंतू 1852 में डोगराओं ने गिलगिट पर फिर से अपना कब्ज़ा जमा लिया।
महाराज गुलाब सिंह का निधन 1857 में हुआ उनके पुत्र रणबीर सिंह ने उनकी रियासत और विरासत को उत्तराधिकृत किया गुलाब सिंह की मृत्यू के बाद जम्मू और कश्मीर ने तकरीबन एक शताब्दी तक शान्तीपूर्ण और समृद्ध शासन का दौर देखा।
महाराज गुलाब सिंह द्वारा स्थापित डोगरा राजवंश ने 1948 तक जम्मू और कश्मीर पर राज किया 1947 में भारत का विभाजन, धारामिक मानकों पर हुआ उस समय इस जातिगत और धार्मिक रूप से अतीविविध जनसंख्या वाले क्षेत्र के किये सम्मिलन का दृढ़ निर्णय ले पाना मुश्किल हो गया ततकालीन महाराज, हरी सिंह ने स्वतंत्र रहने का फैसला किया।
इस फैसले ने गिलगित और बल्तिस्तान के मुसलमान वाशिंदों को ख़फ़ा कर दिया, वहां पाकिस्तान के पक्ष में विद्रोह प्रदर्शण शुरू हो गए इन्हें पाकिस्तानी सरकार का समर्थन हासिल था इन धटनाओं ने आगे चल कर प्रथम कश्मीर युद्ध की शकल ले ली, जिसने भारत और पाकिस्तान के बीज की मौजूदा तथ्यस्वरूप नियंत्रण रेखा स्थापित की।
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“Weapons change, Warriors do not”
K M Panikkar in his bio of Maharaja Gulab Singh Jamwal said that:-
18th century had produced men, who founded Kingdom & Dynasties, but this was the only case in 19th Century India, of a man, beginning as a small official in a court, who "conquered kingdoms and estd himself as the Sovereign".
Also adds that Maharaja Gulab Singh was the only one, who was able to manage and administer the hilly territories and he would have been "justly regarded as the most remarkable men of his times".
Maharaja Gulab Singh Jamwal of Jammu, Kashmir and the territories of Tibet offering worship to Bhagavān Shri Rama and Maa Sita.
Maharaja Gulab Singh was descended in the direct male line from the Raja Dhruv Deo of Jammu.
He was the founder of the Dogra dynasty and the first king of this princely state.
It was under the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh that the boundaries of the state were demarcated and the state of Jammu and Kashmir was established.
Trade and commerce became safe under his rule as orders were restored.
The police and revenue administration was reorganised in the state.
The concept of rationing was introduced in the city.
The shawl industry was given importance and it was reorganised. Besides that, relief was given to weavers and others to free them from serfdom.
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| A photograph of Sharada Peeth in 1893 by the British archaeologist Sir Aurel stein. A Kashmiri Pandit stands at the entrance |
The Dharmarth trust was founded by him with a motive to build temples in Jammu and Kashmir state.
MahaRaja Gulab Singh, who freed Muzaffarabad from Muslim rule,
Repaired SharadaPeeth n 19th Cen which was later destroyed by Pak invaders in 1947.
The present complex of Purmandal shrine was built by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of Jammu and Kashmir state. He took lot of interest in the renovation of this holy place. He made the oblation of golden ewers to Lord Shiva. He also established a Sanskrit vidyalya on the banks of the river Devika. Havvelis constructed on Devika’s bank are still in prominence.
A special provision was made in Ain-I-Dharmarth to look after the shrine.
Jammu Bahu Fort Dating back to the 18th century was built by Raja Gulab Singh of Dogra Empire. It is located at the opposite of Jammu’s Old Town, at an elevation of 325 meters..
Bamu Temple in Bamu Chak Village in Jammu lies in ruins. It was constructed by maharaj Gulab singh ji.
So if the local committee is not able to maintain it, then why not the grandsons of maharaja took the initiative to renovate it.
Or with earnest hope that the State Govt & ASI take a proactive approach to protect & preserve the temples, forts, palaces..heritage sites of Jammu
The consolidation of the State of JK under the leadership of Maharaja Gulab Singh and his Generals, began much before the Treaty of Amritsar, as he conquered territories, quelled anarchy and restored order in the State starting from the early 1800s.
Maharaja. Gulab Singh and his Dogra Generals like General Zorawar Singh, Gen Baj Singh, ADC Mehta Basti Ram extended the Dogra Sovereignty up to the Pamirs and Tibet. The consolidation of territories which later became the State of Jammu Kashmir began under Dogra Maharaja Gulab Singh, and was held together and governed ably by the Dogra Dynasty up until 1947.
Born: 18 October 1792 State Jammu
Reign: 1846-1857
Predecessor: Jit Singh As Raja of Jammu
Successor: Ranbir Singh
Son: Ranbir Singh
Dynasty: Jamwal
Father: Kishore Singh
Died: 30 June 1857 (aged 64)
Religion: Hinduism
Gulab Singh (1792–1857) was the founder and first Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, the second largest princely state in British India. After the defeat of the Sikhs in the First Anglo-Sikh War, Gulab Singh, who served as Prime Minister of the Sikhs, received from the British all the lands in Kashmir that were ceded to them by the Sikhs by the Treaty of Lahore to Gulab Singh for 7,500,000 rupees.
The grand residence of the Maharaja of Jammu Kashmir, Mubarak Mandi Palace can be spotted from a distance. The palace served as the resident of the royals till 1925, and today it is a major tourist attraction portraying a blend of Rajputana..
This beautiful Raghunath Mandir in Sui, Madh Jammu was built by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1830.
The Sui Temple has stunning murals depicting scenes from Ram Charit Manas. The Temple and its premises with royal quarters are not in a good shape and need attention.
But Do u know an interesting thing about Ramban? Why it is called so? Here is a short story about it.
When Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu became the Maharaja of J&K State, he adopted Jammu-Udhampur-Banihal route to reach Srinagar for the movement of royal carvans.
In his way to Srinagar Maharaja reached today's Ramban.Going by legends of history it is a fact which can be proved by revenue records tht before d formation of the J&K State in 1846, there ws a small village consisting of 15 houses on the ryt bank of Chenab river k/as "Nashban"
The word "Nashban" sounded unpleasant to the delicate ears of Maharaja Gulab Singh because in Hindi "Nash" means "destruction". Spiritual to the core and indebted to Sanatan principles, Maharaja renamed this place on the name of Shri Ram. Thus, it came to be known as Ramban.
Ramban - one of the most beautiful yet mountainous, unexplored and underdeveloped district of Jammu region. Despite splitting from erstwhile Doda, Ramban is still waiting for development. E.g.According to 2011 census Ramban has the lowest literacy rate i.e 54%(Approx).
MahaRaja Gulab Singh was born on 18 October 1792 in a Hindu Jamwal Dogra Rajput family. His father, Kishore Singh Jamwal, was a distant kinsman of Jit Singh, the Raja of Jammu. Gulab Singh grew up in the care of his grand father, Zorawar Singh, from whom he learned the arts of horse riding and warfare. In 1808, when the Sikh army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh invaded Jammu, the 16-year-old Gulab Singh fought alongside his clansmen in the unsuccessful defense of Jammu.
Following this defeat, the Raja of Jammu had internal autonomy of the principality, which became a tributary of the Sikh Empire. In 1809, Gulab Singh headed towards Kabul to join the army of the Afghan King, Shah Shuja as a mercenary. When his men refused to cross the river Indus, he gained employment with Sardar Nihal Singh Attariwala. Soon thereafter, Gulab Singh was found employed as a running footman in Ranjit Singh’s court.
In 1813, Gulab Singh of Jammu captured Rajouri for the Sikh Empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, by defeating Raja Agar Ullah Khan. After this Rajouri became part of the Sikh Empire. But parts of it were given as jagirs to Rahim Ullah Khan and other parts to Gulab Singh.
About Incident which turned Mian Gulab Singh to Raja Gulab Singh
During the expedition of Multan one of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s commanders approached the fort single handedly to explode its wall, but got unfortunately killed.
The dead body of the commander was likely to fall in the hands of the enemy as its retrieval was almost impossible.
Despite all, the Maharaja insisted on retrieving the body. The Maharaja overruled his senior commanders’ advice of not undertaking the almost impossible task. He also wanted a message to his soldiery of his commitment and concern for his fallen heroes.
When no one came forward for this undoubtedly a highly risk prone task, Mian Gulab Singh Dogra volunteered.
Showing a rare act of bravery and agility, Gulab Singh was able to bring back the dead body in the face of intense bursts of fire.
This rare act of bravery, of course, enhanced the esteem of this famous Dogra in becoming which also helped him subsequently to gain the Rajaship of Jammu in 1822.
He distinguished himself in several campaigns, including the conquest of Multan (1816).
He also led an independent campaign in 1816 to conquer the hill-town of Reasi.
In 1816, following another conflict, Jammu was annexed by Ranjit Singh. Raja Jit Singh, who was expelled, found refuge in British India, and later received in appendage the estate of Akhrota. Ranjit Singh appointed a governor to administer the newly conquered area which was expanded in 1819 with the annexation of Kashmir by a Sikh force. In 1820, in appreciation of services rendered by the family, and by Gulab Singh in particular, Ranjit Singh bestowed the Jammu region as a hereditary fief upon Kishore Singh. Apart from their sterling services, the family's intimate association with the region commended Kishore Singh's candidature to the Lahore court.
In 1821, Gulab Singh captured conquered Rajouri from Aghar Khan and Kishtwar from Raja Tegh Muhammad Singh. That same year, Gulab Singh took part in the Sikh conquest of Dera Ghazi Khan. He also captured and executed his own clansman, Mian Dido Jamwal, who had been leading a rebellion against the Sikhs.
Raja of Jammu
Kishore Singh died in 1822 and Gulab Singh was confirmed as Raja of Jammu by his suzerain, Ranjit Singh at the historic town of Akhnoor.
Text from the Sanad of Maharaja Ranjit Singh acknowledging that Maharaja Gulab Singh's family had held Jammu for generations prior to his own ascension. The Dev Dynasty started around 9th century and they were contemporaries of hindu shahis. So actually they were much older.
which lies on the banks of River Chanderbhaga with a majestic range of mountains in the background. The Fort at Akhnoor was started by Raja Tej Singh and completed by his son Raja Alam Singh.
It was below this fort, under the majestic Jeo Pota Tree, Gulab Singh was anointed as the Raja of Jammu on 17th June 1822 and the foundation of the state of Jammu & Kashmir was laid. Under the yellow canopy is the ‘phalak’ showing the scene of the coronation ceremony. Shortly afterwards, Gulab Singh secured a formal declaration of renunciation from his kinsman, the deposed Raja Jit Singh. The declaration, drafted in Persian, reads:
"I, Raja Jit Singh, grandson of Raja Sahib Ranjit Devji, on this occasion and out of internal inclination and dignified favors, in my own lifetime, and as a token of intrinsic love and heartfelt affection, hereby renounce proprietorship to all the protected territories of my ancestors, and my own inheritance, in favor of my prosperous barkhurdar, Raja-i-Rajgan Raja Gulab Singhji, and Raja Sahib Dhian Singhji and Raja Suchet Singhji, by way of dharam and niyam, mutual agreement and on oaths of my predecessors and Thakurs and Gurus."
Thus, the declaration transferred the headship of the Jamwal Rajputs to a junior branch of that clan.
Intrigue at Lahore
In 1824 Gulab Singh captured the fort of Samartah, near the holy Mansar Lake. In 1827 he accompanied the Sikh Commander-In-Chief Hari Singh Nalwa, who fought and defeated a horde of Afghan rebels led by Sayyid Ahmed at the Battle of Shaidu. Between 1831-39 Ranjit Singh bestowed on Gulab Singh the jagir of the salt mines in northern Punjab, and the nearby Punjabi towns like Bhera, Jhelum, Rohtas, and Gujrat. Which also hrlps him to spread Dogra Influence Outside Jammu Kashmir.
This temple in West Punjab (in Pakistan) was built by Maharaja Gulab Singh Jamwal of Jammu in 1840s?
This is Sanatan Dharma Mandir or Bada Mandir in Chiniot, Punjab, Pakistan.
This Hindu temple in Chiniot is dedicated to Sita Ram, Radha Krishna and Lakshmi Narayana.
Chiniot was a Hindu centre in the past with many Gupta age sculptures discovered there.
Not Only this temple, Raja Gulab Singh ji also built some more temples in Punjab.
In 1830s he builta a Thakurdwara (Krishna temple) in Pind Dadan Khan. A village named Gulabgarh was founded there for upkeep of the temple.
He also got built a Shivala in Gujrat district of Punjab.
A Baradari (rest house with 12 doors) in Gujrat, West Punjab was also built/improved by Raja Gulab Singh and his revenue official in 1835.
Clashes with the Afghan tribesmen
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| Raja Gulab Singh, c. 1830-1840 Miniature Art, Cleveland Museum of Art |
In 1837 after the Afghan armies attacked Sikh Fort of Jamrud in the Battle Of Jamrud, Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent Gulab Singh and his brother Dhyan Singh as reinforcement to the North West Frontier Province (in modern day Pakistan), Dhyan Singh proceeded towards the Khyber Pass, Prince Akbar Khan of Afghanistan fled with his armies back to Kabul on the arrival of Wazir Dhyan Singh, Raja Gulab Singh himself proceeded to Khyber Pakhtunwa region where Afghan tribesmen leader Painda Khan Afridi had raised revolt after the killing of Hari Singh Nalwa at the Khyber Pass. Maharaja Ranjit Singh ordered Rajah Gulab Singh to crush the revolt in the Khyber region. He proceeded with 10,000 Sikh and Dogra Rajputs troops towards Hazara, the revolting tribesmen fled to the mountains with their families and valuables, Raja Gulab Singh set his base camp in Hazara and looted almost whole of the North West Frontier Province and set on fire all the houses.
Trans-Himalayan adventure
On the death of Ranjit Singh in 1839, Lahore became a center of conspiracies and intrigue in which the three Jammu brothers were involved in which one side was led by the Sindhanwalias. They succeeded in placing the administration in the hands of Prince Nau Nihal Singh with Raja Dhian Singh as prime minister. However in 1840, during the funeral procession of his father Maharaja Kharak Singh, Nau Nihal Singh together with Udham Singh,son of Gulab Singh died when an old brick gate collapsed on them. In January 1841 Sher Singh, son of Ranjit Singh, tried to seize the throne of Lahore but was repulsed by the Jammu brothers. The defence of the fort was in the hands of Gulab Singh.
The efficiency of Dogra artillery was such that heavily outnumbered Dogra defenders of Lahore killed 4786 Sikhs (Infantry and Artillery) of Sher Singh when he laid the siege of city in 1840 while Dogra casualty was around 130 men.
According to his European artillery commander Alexander Gardner:
"The Dogras on the walls began to look over and were jeered at by Sher Singh’s troops, the Lahore fort was surrounded by a sea of human heads. Gulab Singh made contemptuous replies, and roared out to Sher Singh, demanding that he should surrender... With a wild yell some 300 Akalis swept up the Hazuri Bagh and crowded into the gate. Just at that moment, when the crowd was rushing in on us, their swords high in the air, I managed to fire the ten guns, and literally blew them into the air... Then Sher Singh fled and grievous carnage ensued. The Dogras, always excellent marksmen, seemed that day not to miss a man from the walls... we counted the bodies of no less than 2800 soldiers, 200 artillerymen, and 180 horses."
After peace was made between the two sides, Gulab Singh and his men were allowed to leave with their weapons. Subsequently, Gulab Singh conquered the fort of Mangla (near the present Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River).
In all this time a large part of the Dogra army had been engaged in trans-Himalayan conquests. General Zorawar Singh, governor of Kishtwar, had conquered the Suru valley and Kargil (1835), the rest of Ladakh (1836–40), and Baltistan (1840). These conquests had alarmed Mian Singh, the Sikh governor of Kashmir, who complained to Prince Nao Nihal Singh that “Zorawar Singh, agent of Raja Gulab Singh was obtaining complete possession of Baltistan” (Punjab Akhbars, 20 July 1840). The Dogra campaign threatened the Sikh position in Kashmir and Gilgit and so Zorawar Singh turned his attention east to the conquest of Tibet.
In May 1841, the 5000 strong Dogra army supplemented by contingents of Kishtwaris, Ladakhis, and Baltis (raising the strength of the army to 7000) advanced eastwards in three divisions. Overcoming all the Tibetan opposition they set up base at Taklakot near the holy Mansarovar Lake in September 1841, after traversing a distance of 450 miles from the Indian frontier. With the onset of severe winter the Dogras began falling one-by-one to the extreme cold and the lack of provisions, many burning the stocks of their muskets in futile attempts to warm themselves, and were overcome by a Tibetan force on 12 December 1841. Survivors of this campaign crossed over the Himalayas south to the British territories. Gulab Singh who was then in Peshawar leading the Anglo-Sikh campaign in Afghanistan was informed of this disaster by Henry Lawrence.
The Tibetans then invaded Ladakh but were defeated by the Dogras at the Battle of Chushul. The boundary between Ladakh and Tibet was finally settled by the Treaty of Chushul.
Recognition as Maharaja
Meanwhile in the continuing intrigues at Lahore the Sandhawalia Sardars (related to Ranjit Singh) murdered Raja Dhian Singh and the Sikh Maharaja Sher Singh in 1842. Subsequently Gulab Singh’s youngest brother, Suchet Singh, and nephew, Hira Singh, were also murdered. As the administration collapsed the Khalsa soldiery clamored for the arrears of their pay. In 1844 the Lahore court commanded an invasion of Jammu to extract money from Gulab Singh, reputed to be the richest Raja north of the Sutlej River as claim by apologist that he had taken most of the Lahore treasury. However the Gulab Singh a shrewd politician came before the army and appeased them by sweet talks and valuable gifts and the Khalsa made peace with Raja Gulab Singh and agreed to negotiate on his behalf with the Lahore court. These negotiations imposed an indemnity of 27 lakh Rupees on the Raja. In the subsequent Anglo-Sikh wars. Under the Treaty of Lahore the defeated Lahore was made to transfer Jammu to Gulab Singh.
the role of Sardar Lal Singh to defeat Sikh forces.
*(The treachery of Lal Singh is well narrated by Khushwant Singh in his book : The fall of kingdom of Punjab. Btw, Gulabnama is being used as source of this information.)*
After the defeat, Jind Kaur called Gulab Singh to help and it was he who went to Britishers to protect Sikh empire by coming into the mutual agreement.
Britishers demanded 2 crore rupees alongwith the annexation of Doaba territory. but Gulab Singh acted in efficient manner to reduce this war indemnity. But brits offered the territory of Kohistan for him and told him to stay away from matter.
But Gulab Singh being honest to his words told that it would be betrayal to the child king and he made them to agree on 1 crore and fifty lakh as war indemnity. It was Gulab Singh who made Daleep Singh to regain the title of Maharaja.
But Maharani Jind Kaur & Lal again conspired. She removed Raja Gulab Singh from the post and appointed Lal Singh on this place.
Lal Singh held talk with British troops at lahore and offered them to pay 50 lakh rupees and annexation of Kohistan, Hazara, Chamba etc.
Rani Jindan's paramour intentionally did not pay war indemnity & sold territories between Indus and Beas to British. This area included territories of Gulab Singh.
When this news reached to Gulab Singh, he acted and asked Sir Lawrence to protect the sovereignty of Jammu for his descendants. Sir Lawrence took up matter with the Mr. Currie.
So, the money your Sikh empire had to pay had to be paid by Gulab Singh. And that happened because of your characterless Jindan Kaur's ambition & his treacherous Paramour Lal Singh.
Maharaja Gulab Singh Jamwal paid war reparations. That's totally different from buying something.
And the reason why there was peace negotiations were because your Charcterless Rani of Sikh empire had violated the 1st treaty of Lahore 1809 which Ranjit Singh had signed with British. ..... characterfull Rani Jindan Kaur intentionally crossed Sutlej river. And peace negotiations had to be done due to blunder done by your Shameless Rani Jindan Kaur. War indemnity had to paid due to your Khalsa Sikh Lal Singh's trickery.
They then made the separate treaty with Gulab Singh and he was entitled as the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.
On 16th March 1846, after the British annexed Punjab, they handed over the mountainous territory to the North of Punjab to Raja Gulab Singh. Dogra Cheiftain Raja Gulab Singh paid the war indemnity owed by Lahore Court to the British in return.
Lacking the resources to occupy such a large region immediately after annexing 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 payment was justified on account of Raja Gulab Singh legally being one of the chiefs of the Kingdom of Lahore and thus responsible for its treaty obligations). The angry courtiers of Lahore (particularly the baptised Sikh, Lal Singh) then incited the governor of Kashmir to rebel against Gulab Singh but this rebellion was defeated, thanks in great part to the action of Herbert Edwardes,
This propaganda was given a lot of promotion by Sheikh Abdullah. Every single inch of Jammu and Kashmir came through military means.
It is very disgusting that some people accuse Maharaja Gulab Singh of 'buying Kashmir' from British. This claim is untrue. Let's dig into it :
1. To sell Kashmir to Gulab Singh, British need to own Kashmir. But Kashmir was sovereign territory of the Sarkar-i-Khalsa. British never ruled an inch of Kashmir.
2. Within the Sarkar-i-Khalsa, Gulab Singh was the feudal ruler of Jammu, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Suru, Kargil, Ladakh, Baltistan, and few territories in North and Central Punjab. Kashmir was surrounded from all sides by feudal territories under control of Gulab Singh and his brother.
3. Sarkar-i-Khalsa capitulated after the final Anglo-Sikh War. British annexed West Punjab as war reparation. West Punjab was valued at 10 million Nanak Shahi indemnity.
4. British defined territories as areas between two significant places. As a result of that, because of the virtue of being an island inside Maharaja Gulab Singh's feudal territory, it was defined as one entity along with other holdings of Maharaja Gulab Singh.
5. Maharaja Gulab Singh's holdings were considered equivalent for war indemnity worth 7.5 million Nanak Shahi.
Maharaja Gulab Singh paid the war reparations to deny British the ability to annex the land which became the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir.
6. Gulab Singh's troops attacked the Sarkar-i-Khalsa forces in Kashmir and annexed it.
The conclusion is, Gulab Singh paid war reparations in return of not allowing the British to annex the land under his feudal control, and territories it surrounded.
That's totally different from buying something. It is like saying the Weimar Republic bought Germany from the allies! British never owned Kashmir to sell it.
Basically reparations for entire Sikh Empire was 1.75 crore rupees. 1 crore for occupied Himachal, East Punjab and entire West Punjab.
And 75 lakh for Jammu and Kashmir. As Maharaja Gulab Singh was able to pay only 75 lakh, rest of the Sikh Empire was annexed by the British, as additional 1 crore couldn't be paid.
This is more like Germany being forced to pay reparations when the first world war ended, instead of the US buying Alaska.
Assistant Resident at Lahore.
This arrangement was formalized in the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846. In the second Sikh War of 1849 he allowed his Sikh soldiers to desert and go to fight alongside their brethren in Punjab. 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. Gilgit was lost to rebellion in 1852 but was recovered ten years later by his son. Dogra Maharaja Gulab Singh consolidated territories from the Pamirs to Tibet to form the largest Princely states of the 19th century.
Maharaja Gulab Singh died on 30 June 1857 and was succeeded by his son, Ranbir Singh.
Real Sher-e-JammuKashmir "Maharaja Gulab Singh" who was headache for Britishers.
"Nails aren't made of good iron, soldiers aren't made from kind people."
Virtue signaling dharmik warriors distraught after been told some sad realities of war will faint if told about the acts of Maharaja Gulab Singh. His actions disgusted the Sikhs, horrified the Brits & terrorixed the Afghans & other mountain tribes, and none of them were saints.
There are many facts about Maharaja Gulab Singh that's unknown to public, we will try to bring some of them into limelight that how "Maharaja Gulab Singh" humiliated Britishers time to time soon after when he became Maharaja of state.
1. Maharaja levied duties and customs on the British subjects in order to distraught them.
2. Britishers has accused him for preventing commerce flowing in their dominion(British India) as he didn't allowed the traders of other countries to pass through his territory without paying tax.
3. He distracted the British trade that can be flowed to Yarkand, Khoten, Tartary and other places very easily. Because of his restrictions, it was unable to flourish.
4. When English resident was installed in JK, Maharaja made them to buy their provisions from himself at the exorbitant prices, getting them yearly to sign the tariff papers.
5. Europeans were not allowed to buy the commodities from people who can give those in the fair prices that was subjected for Jammu and Kashmir' s people. Maharaja had fixed different prices for Britishers which were higher than the real prices.
6. It was being a crime for people to accept the religion of Britishers.
7. British rupee 's value was less in his Kingdom.
8. British sepoy once entered into his territory was not allowed to go back to Hindostan(British India) without Maharaja 's permission.
9. Maharaja punished the British subjects several times for their crimes in Kashmir.
10. Once British resident tried to punish a Kashmiri. Maharaja punished those British subjects in return as he told that no one is allowed to punish his citizens other than him.
11. Maharaja didn't allowed private enterprises of Britishers in his Kingdom.
12. No British gentleman was allowed to stay in Kashmir for more than 6 months.
13. Britishers were allowed only as visitors - a treat for a time- the Maharaja fixing the their date of coming and going, and then sending spies to watch and report upon those visitors.
14. No English was allowed to build church in Kashmir.
15. No woman of state was being allowed to work as servant of Britishers.
16. No one was allowed to teach kashmiri, dogri or any language of Jammu and Kashmir to any Englishman.
17. Even British officer in Kashmir was not allowed to bury after death without Maharaja's special permission. The land given for their burial was never made British property.
18. Maharaja never tolerated the British interference in internal matters of state.
These are few points that shows that Maharajah was the independent ruler who never accepted the British suzeranity. Britishers wanted to annex Kashmir into British India because of this but Maharaja being a strong ruler destroyed every conspiracy of theirs.
Hail Maharaja!
Indras Mahasti ♥️
Jai Duggardesh.
Long Live National State of Jammu Kashmir and Aksai Tibetha Allied.
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