MAHARAJA GULAB SINGH AND THE MODERN INDIA
October marks a significant month for the remembrance of Maharaja Gulab Singh, the Founder of the Unique State of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, often referred to as the crown of India. Born on October 21, 1792, we celebrate his 219th Birth Anniversary on October 21, 2011, in Jammu. In October 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh acceded the J&K State to the Indian Union, and it was also in October 1947 when Brig Rajinder Singh, the Chief of Staff of J&K State forces, saved Kashmir from invasion by Pakistan. These three great heroes, Maharaja Gulab Singh, Maharaja Hari Singh, and Brig Rajinder Singh, played significant roles in shaping modern India, and their contributions are gratefully remembered by the people of the state.
To understand their importance, we must imagine a scenario in which Maharaja Gulab Singh had not conquered Ladakh and Baltistan in the early 19th century, and had not added Kashmir in the middle of the 19th century to form the present-day State of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, including Baltistan. In that case, Kashmir and Baltistan would have gone to Pakistan after independence, and perhaps the same fate would have befallen Ladakh. Only Jammu would have become part of India. Maharaja Gulab Singh’s role in founding this unique state is evident from the fact that the state, established by him, was acceded in its entirety to the Indian Union by Maharaja Hari Singh after the partition of the subcontinent on August 15, 1947. Furthermore, by founding this strategically located state, where three empires met in the northern area of Baltistan, Maharaja Gulab Singh added a new dimension to the geography of India. This enabled Maharaja Hari Singh to create history by denying the strategic area to Pakistan and other powers inimical to India at that time. Pakistan’s desire to annex the northern strategic areas is a testament to their significance. Unfortunately, Pakistan, who had invaded the state, was not declared as an aggressor, and the one-third of the state illegally occupied by them could not be vacated, which resulted in the unresolved Kashmir problem. Despite three wars, Pakistan failed to capture any territory of J&K, and they resorted to insurgency, including the Kargil war.
After the 1971 debacle when Pakistan lost East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), they realized that annexing Kashmir/J&K through wars was an unattainable goal. They shifted their focus towards Afghanistan to create strategic depth, which ultimately led to Talibanization and extending control over Afghanistan with the help of the Taliban, organized and fully supported by the ISI and the Pakistani government. Thus, we can see that Maharaja Gulab Singh had ensured strategic cover for India as early as 1834, protecting India’s northern flank and reaching out behind Pakistan, which was born in 1947. His foresight anticipated the events of the 20th century.
Now, let’s examine Maharaja Hari Singh’s contribution to shaping history. Firstly, the Dogra rulers never allowed the British to gain a foothold in the state, despite numerous attempts by the British to take control, especially during Maharaja Partap Singh’s reign. Even during World War II, when the British sought control over the strategic Gilgit, Maharaja granted a small area of Gilgit on lease for 40 years. This area was returned by the British Government of India just before Independence in July 1947 when Maharaja Hari Singh appointed Brig Ghansara Singh as the Governor of Gilgit. Brig Rajinder Singh, the Chief of Staff of J&K State Forces, delayed the advance of Pakistani invaders for four days until October 26, 1947. This delay enabled Maharaja Hari Singh to complete negotiations and accede to the Indian Union on October 26, 1947. Consequently, the Indian Army was flown in on October 27 to repel the invaders, ultimately saving the Valley and the state.
If the Indian Government had sent troops to Gilgit before November 1, 1947, Gilgit and Baltistan would have never been lost, as Pakistan never conquered these areas. It was Major Brown, Commander of the Gilgit Scouts serving under the Governor of Gilgit, who revolted and arrested the Governor on November 1, handing over the entire area of Baltistan to Pakistan without a fight. Therefore, Maharaja Hari Singh’s contribution by legally and constitutionally signing the Instrument of Accession, acceding the entire state to the Indian Union, is his unique contribution to shaping history. It is this accession that provides India with the legal authority to hold onto the state and potentially reclaim the remaining areas, even in the 21st century, as events unfold.
Finally, we must acknowledge the contribution of Brig Rajinder Singh, the Chief of Staff of Maharaja Hari Singh, who fought against and delayed the 6,000-strong invaders with only a hundred Dogras for four days, sacrificing his life to become the Saviour of Kashmir. He was also the recipient of the first Gallantry Award of Independent India. His heroic actions allowed Maharaja Hari Singh to engage in negotiations with the Government of India, leading to the state’s accession to the Indian Union, which was accepted by Governor General Lord Mountbatten.
Today, as we commemorate the birth anniversary of the great founder of this unique state, Maharaja Gulab Singh, we must recognize the significant contributions made by Maharaja Gulab Singh, Maharaja Hari Singh, and Brig Rajinder Singh in shaping modern India. Their foresight, bravery, and sacrifices have left an indelible mark on history, and we owe a debt of gratitude to these heroes for their role in the making of the modern India we know today.