Col J P Singh, Retd
24 May 2009 will remain as one of the saddest day for most of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Nepal when Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi, w/o Padam Vibhushan Maharaja Dr. Karan Singhji, left for her heavenly abode to live in eternal peace. News of her sad demise came as shock to the people of J&K because for six long decades she ruled over their hearts and minds. Entire Jammu region was covered with gloom on listening to the tragic news of her demise. Today on her Chaubarsi, (4th death anniversary) she will rekindle her memories, passion and benevolence in our minds in a deeper sorrow than before. She left a deep and indelible mark in the social, cultural and intellectual spectrum of Indian society for which she deserves nation’s gratitude.
Yasho Rajya Lakshmi, the last Maharani of J&K, was born on 9 January 1937 in the ruling family of Nepal as daughter of General Sharda Samsher Jung Bahadur Rana and grand-daughter of General Sri Mohan Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana; 7th ruler of Nepal from Rana dynasty, which ruled the Kingdom form 1852 to 1951. She came to this world as a young princess from the Himalayan fairy-land as apostle of peace and brotherhood and left this world as embodiment of love and compassion. She had five brothers and a sister. Her grandfather ruled Nepal from April 1948 to December 1951.
She was married to Dr. Karan Singh, Yuvraj of state of Jammu and Kashmir on 5th March 1950. She was barely 13 at that time whereas Yuvraj Karan Singh was barely 19. (On 9th June 1949, Yuvraj Sahib had made Regent of the princely state by Maharaja Hari Singh). Both the royal families had been tied in the matrimonial alliances in the past as well but this marriage was construed to be more of a political matrimonial alliance aiming at cementing Indo-Nepal relations post independence. Both the royal families through ancient lineage deemed themselves as the successor of Kuchawaha and Sisodia dynasties of Rajputana. Kuchawaha, the ancestors of Jammu royal family had been the rulers of Jaipur while the Sisodia’s, the ancestors of royal family of Nepal had been the rulers of Udaipur. But due to prolonged stay at two different places ie Jammu and Nepal, many changes came about in language, culture and other aspects of life of both the dynasties. When married, Jasho Rajya was a typical young Nepali girl and could speak only her mother tongue. After marriage she learnt English from Mrs Henley and painting from Mrs Lilian Purbi besides Dogri and Hindi from local tutors. As she grew in age, so did her duties and responsibilities. She soon assumed all her official duties as first lady of the state and performed them most diligently with compassion. Thus she became part and promoter of smooth transition of J&K from feudalism to democracy after it’s accession with India. She was too caring for the widows, poor and down trodden. Her keen interest in the welfare of poor and needy became an ever lasting passion in her life. She remained involved in many social and welfare missions through out her life, initially in J&K and later in Delhi. During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, almost entire civil population of Chhamb-Jaurian migrated to Jammu. Majority of them took shelter in schools, colleges and govt buildings in the city. As the first lady, she visited them in their refugee camps and undertook various welfare schemes for these displaced people. She also visited families of those who offered their lives in the defence of their motherland to share their sufferings and grief.
She was a source of great strength to Dr Karan Singh during the turbulent periods when the state was passing through transformation from monarchy to democracy. Despite being brought up in the environs of royalty, she adopted to simple, democratic, missionary and people friendly way of life and became an apostle of love and compassion. She became Chairperson of Jammu and Kashmir Welfare Board and Kashmir Women’s industrial unit to engineer redressal of their problems. She founded Ladies’ Clubs at Jammu and Srinagar to enable interaction amongst them. She was trustee and member of various social and welfare trusts and financially helped the poor and needy through these trusts. She was very sincere in her obligations towards the poor. Whatever she did for them, she did it with great love and compassion like Mother Teresa. Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi was bestowed with benevolence, natural charm and grace in ample measure. A close and deep look into her mesmerizing portrait displayed in Amar Mahal Museum & Hari Niwas Palace and monumental pictorial display in Nepal Room will reveal how gracious and enchantingly beautiful personality she was.
When Dr Karan Singh was inducted in the Union Cabinet by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, she shifted her social and welfare activities to Delhi and remained closely associated with social work till her last. She accompanied Dr. Karan Singh during all his election campaigns in Udhampur and Jammu constituencies. During such election campaigns she would meet ladies and discuss various issues related to their education, empowerment, welfare and health. I was lucky to get an opportunity to meet her during her election campaign in December 1984; first in Jammu and later at Rajouri. At Rajouri I met her along with Maj B S Rana, a Nepali officer of Gorkha Rifles. She felt very happy seeing a Nepali officer. She talked to him in Gorkhali and enquired a lot about the welfare of Nepali soldiers and officers serving in Indian Army. During her stay at Rajouri, she visited the houses of victims of communal violence of both religions despite the heightened tension and strict curfew. I later learnt that it was more because of her personal appeal that the womenfolk in Rajouri-Poonch areas voted in favour of Dr Karan Singh. Even though the election result did not go in their favour, her popularity with public and her association with Jammu never decreased.
Despite being an offspring of ruling household, she led a simple yet active social and religious life.
Till her last breath she remained attached to the sentiments, feelings and aspirations of people of Duggar land. They too adored her as very special, benevolent and impressive human being despite being fist lady for long and Maharani for ever. She will be remembered by the posterity for the good work she did for the emancipation of womenfolk, welfare of widows as well as for the promotion of Dogri and Kashmiri heritage. May she be admired for her good deeds and her memories continue to inspire the other privileged ladies to dedicate themselves to the service of womanhood and the poor section of the society.
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