Col J P Singh
Maharaja Pratap Singh, the third Dogra ruler, was born on 18 July 1848, (corresponding to Samvat 1st Sawan 1905). He ruled Jammu & Kashmir for 40 years from 1885 to 1925, the longest of the all the Dogra emperors. He was very generous by nature, a moderniser and a visionary. Out of the four Dogra rulers, Maharaja Pratap Singh’s era was a period of enlightenment for his subjects, particularly for Kashmiris. He did a lot towards establishing local self governing bodies, democratic processes, educational systems, health care & hygiene and infrastructure development during his rule. By 1925, then Kashmir, particularly Srinagar had undergone significant social and cultural transformation. Valley was connected to the outside world by two major road networks and River Jhelum, which was the central artery of communication was further developed. Large and small size boats ferried people and goods up and down the river in a systematically regularized manner. Commenting upon his rule, British historian Walter Lawrence wrote, “He has done much to change the position of his subjects. His kindness to all classes in Kashmir has won the affection of his people”Yet a little is known and heard of this visionary & benevolent ruler. Since born at Reasi, he is remembered only in Reasi by ‘General Zorawar Singh Memorial Committee’on his annual birth anniversaries.
Soon after his coronation he had to endure and agonize over the personal humiliation meted out to him by a diplomatic’coup-de-grace’engineered by the British blaming him of hobnobbing with Russians against British. They abolished his authority. Eventually nothing was proved against him. Though restored, yet his powers remained curtailed. Despite British apathy, Jhelum Valley Cart Road, a wonderful mountain road of the world, starting from Kohala to Baramulla was completed in 1889. This was the 1st major initiative in road connectivity. In 1897 it was extended to Srinagar. Thereafter another highway, the Banihal Cart Road (BC Road), connecting Jammu with Srinagar was thrown open to the public in 1922. Besides these highways, many other roads and tracks connecting Srinagar to Gilgit and Leh & many other places were completed. The benefits of these roads on general public may be judged form the fact that before Maharaja Pratap Singh’s reign, there wasn’t any Tonga / Bull Cart (wheeled conveyance), nor even a hand driven cart seen in the state. By the time his rule ended, large boats, B class buses and trucks (motor vehicles) became the principal means of conveyance and transportation.
Besides roads connectivity, Maharaja was keen to connect Srinagar with rail. Survey was completed and the plan prepared but it could not be executed because of prohibitive costs. Another dream project of Maharaja was to build a 79 mile long mono-cable steel ropeway from Jammu to village Doru, across Banihal and from there to connect Srinagar by a 46 mile long light railways. That too could not be started due to lack of finances. (Seeing that Kashmir valley is still not connected by rail 70 years after the independence, his dream of connecting valley with rail 130 years ago speaks volume of Maharaja’s dreams of transforming his empire). However, Jammu was linked to Sialkot by rail in 1890 after which Jammu got connected to Delhi and rest of India. Today when everyone is talking about development and development, let us not forget that nineteenth century Dogra rulers were equally keen to develop their state but they did not have the money and the mandate as available today in the democratic set up.
Dept of Agriculture and Cooperative Societies were the other initiatives taken to further improve the lot of farmers and cultivators. In 1887, Maharaja ordered land settlement. As a result, the rights of the agriculturists were clearly defined. The share of agriculture produce for the state was fixed at 1/3rd of the gross produce. Revenue was collected in cash. The land settlement gave much needed security to the cultivators and became responsible for increased productivity and increasing prosperity. The revenue of the state doubled. By 1912 jurisdiction of Tehsils & Districts was completely settled. A model agricultural farm was set up at Srinagar to project scientific methods of cultivation. By 1929, the number of Cooperative Credit Societies in the state rose to 1,100 with a membership of 27,500. This enabled farmers to untangle from the clutches of Sahukars. As a social reform, ‘Begar’ in its more objectionable form was abolished.
J&K was rich in forests resources. But nothing had been done to exploit them. In a path breaking initiative in 1891, His Highness established Forest Dept which soon began to give a very good account of itself. In the very 1st year it gave a surplus revenue of two and a half lakh. The same rose to two million in 1921-22 and to a record figure of five million in 1929-30.
Lot of stress was laid to popularise education. Many schools for boys and girls were opened. Primary education was made free. Grants for education were budgeted. Several initiatives were taken to educate Muslims. Unqualified teachers were sent to Lahore for training. One degree college each at Srinagar and Jammu were opened. First one was started in Srinagar in 1905 and was named ‘Sri Pratap College’. In Jammu ‘Prince of Wales College’ started in 1907 to commemorate the visit of His Royal Highness, Prince of Wales, the future King George V. As a great visionary, he created institutions of higher learning in Jammu & Kashmir regions. Amar Singh Technical Institute was established in Srinagar in 1914 and Sri Pratap Technical School was set up at Jammu in 1924. By 1938, Sri Pratap College, with 1187 students was adjudged being the second largest college affiliated to Panjab University. 70 years of independence we are still grappling with providing quality education to the youths of our state.
Real drive in modernisation of health care occurred during Maharaja Pratap Singh era. Kashmir Mission Hospital was expanded which soon became a hub of health care activities. In 1889, in two largest cities of J&K, Jammu & Srinagar, two Govt Hospitals were commissioned. He opened separate hospitals for males (Mardana) and females (Zenana) at Srinagar and Jammu. In towns and villages, dispensaries were started under qualified doctors. These initiatives went a long way in improving health of the people. Smallpox used to take a very heavy toll of life in the valley. Large scale vaccinations were administered in 1894 to prevent it.
To prevent floods in Srinagar a wide spill channel was constructed in 1904 which diverted the flood waters of Jhelum. Several irrigation canals were constructed in Jammu and Kashmir. The longest and important of these is Ranbir Canal in Jammu with a total length of 251 miles including its tributaries. It was completed in 1911 and cost Rs. 35,36,714. This Canal also helped in propelling the turbines of the Jammu hydro-electric stations. Another irrigation channel in Jammu, the Pratap Canal, irrigates vast tracts of land in Jourian, Khour and Pallanwala. 250 rain water harvesting ‘Talabs’ were constructed in Kandi areas with a view to minimise distress of the residents. The power obtained from the hydro-electric works established at Mohara in 1907 was used not only for lighting and industrial purposes but also for dredging in Jhelum.
Besides agriculture; sericulture, viticulture and horticulture were made into flourishing industries. A silk factory was set up at Srinagar which attained the distinction of being the largest of its kind in the world. In order to feed it with the best quality of cocoons, seeds were imported from Italy and France. A beginning was made in local self-govt by establishing municipalities at Jammu, Srinagar, Sopore and Baramulla which improved hygiene and sanitation. Maharaja abolished Muslims Marriage Tax. He closed the state shawl industry to encourage cottage industry.
When WW I started in Europe in July 1914, British were short of troops to face German invasion in East Africa. Despite British conspiracies against him, His Highness made a generous offer of three Infantry Battalions and a Mountain Battery. The offer was gratefully accepted but only one and a half Battalion were requisitioned by the British which the Maharaja made available in September 1914. After they returned from Africa in 1917 suffering over 90 % casualties, Maharaja Pratap Singh offered yet another contingent of two Battalions for active service with Egyptian Expeditionary Force which returned back after the war ended contributing immensely in the war effort.
He left for heavenly abode on 23 September 1925 when 77 having done a great deal, for his subjects, more for Kashmiris. His nephew, Raja Hari Singh, the ruler-in-waiting, took over the reigns of the dominion.
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