Prof. Suresh Chander
The story of Gulab Singh and his brothers is very fascinating. Their achievements of extending their hold on small jagirs, ilaqqas etc. is the subject of another article. There were many: Mankot, Jasrota, Lakhanpur, Samba, Bhau (not to be confused with Bahu), Bhoti to name only the major States at that time.
This story is about the time the three brothers had established their sway in the hills of Jammu and were seeking greater role in the Sikh Darbar. Their valour and administrative capabilities were well established.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in recognition of their services and talent, conferred the title of Raja on all the three brothers.
It was on the 17th of June 1822 A.D. that the Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, coronated Gulab Singh as Raja of Jammu region at Jia Pota, Akhnoor, and was entrusted with the Government of Jammu Hills.
About the same time his brothers Dhyan Singh and Suchet Singh were also conferred the title of Raja. While Gulab Singh and Suchet Singh were actively engaged in military operations in the hills. Dhyan Singh spent all the time at the court in the discharge of his official duties and also in advancing and safeguarding the interest of the family. In 1818 he had already been appointed to the office of the Dhariwala or Chamberlain, a position of great importance, as it rested chiefly with him to grant permission to see Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
About 1828 Dhyan Singh became Prime Minister of the Sikh Empire, he continued in this position until his death in 1843.
Dhyan Singh’s eldest son Hira Singh was a favourite of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In 1828, Hira Singh, then 12 years old, was conferred the title of Raja. In 1934 the principality of Jasrota was given to him. Ranjit Singh was desirous of arranging a suitable matrimonial alliance for his favourite. A proposal was made to Anirudh Chand of Kangra, on a visit to Lahore, to give one of his sisters in marriage to Hira Singh.
The Katoch Chief viewed the proposal with abhorrence. In those days, a Raja’s daughter could marry only a hereditary Raja or his offspring. He could not have refused Ranjit Singh. Afraid of his wreath Anirudh took his family and all his belongings and fled into British territory across Satluj. He preferred to sacrifice his kingdom rather compromise with the traditions.
With the rise of the three brothers to power, smaller states between the Ravi and Chenab lost all autonomy and became completely subject. Kishtwar and Mankot were the first to fall in 1821. After 1822 Bandhralata and Chaneni were. annexed. However, on representation to Lahore Durbar, Chennai Raja was granted permission, by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, to reside in his own state in the enjoyment of the Jagir. Smaller Jagir states around Jammu – Riasi, Samba, Dalpatpur must have been annexed at an earlier date. Akhnoor was annexed in 1812.
Bandhralta was given to Raja Suchet Singh after the old lines of Rajas were expelled. Jasrota managed to maintain its existence as a state till 1834, Basohli till 1836 and Bhadu till 1841.
Lakhanpur had probably been annexed by the Mughals in Akbar’s reign and afterwards held by Jasrota and Basohli in turn and finally it was seized by Nurpur towards the end of the 17th century. It came directly under Sikh rule in 1816. Boiti or Krimchi was annexed in 1836. To the west of the Chenab the state of Poonch was overthrown in 1819. Around 1822, Poonch Jagir was given to Raja Dhian Sngh.
The last ruling Raja of Bhimber including Naushera, Sultan Khan, made a brave resistance against Sikhs in 1810-12 but was overpowered and imprisoned for seven years in Lahore. He was set at liberty to assist Raja Ranjit Singh in the invasion of Kashmir in 1819. He was afterwards killed in Jammu. His nephew succeeded him but Gulab Singh unseated him in 1840. He retired to British territory in 1847 on a pension.
Rajouri Chiefs continued to rule their state as vassal of Sikh Empire till 1842, and the reigning chief went to reside in British territory on a pension.
Mirpur had become part of Chibb ruled state of Khari Khariyali with capital at Mangla Fort. Around 1810, Ranjit Singh invaded Khari Khariyali ruled by Raja Umar Khan.
The state was assigned to the ruling family of Jammu. Jagir of rupees 4000 was assigned to the ruling family of Khairi in Jammu. Smaller property was granted in British Territory afterwards. Thus Mirpur became part of Ranjit Singh’s territories
Raja Gulab Singh exercised chief authority being virtually the Governor of the hills, and central tracks around Jammu and in the Chenab Valley were all under his control.
From Bandhralta (Ramnagar), Raja Suchet Singh ruled over the country to the east of Jammu including Samba, Chaneni, Mankot (Ramkot) and Bhadhu.
Jasrota and Basohli were with Raja Hira Singh. Raja Dhian Singh himself seems to have controlled the entire track between Chenab and Jhelum.
Dhian Singh and Hira Singh resided mostly at the Sikh Court.
Thus most of present-day Jammu was under Maharaja Ranjit Singh till his death. However, the state was managed by three brothers on his behalf.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839.
Later on there were palace intrigues. Udham Singh, eldest son of Gulab Singh, died due to wall collapse along with Nau Nihal Singh, grandson of Ranjit Singh. Raja Dhian Singh was assassinated in 1843.
Later Raja Hira Singh became the Prime Minister of Dalip Singh.
Raja Suchet Singh also aspired to be Prime Minister of the Sikh Empire. In a battle with Sikh army under Hira Singh, Suchet Singh with his 45 followers fought bravely against an army of about 20,000 men. Suchet Singh died without an heir. His jagir was merged in Jammu.
In December 1844, a conspiracy was hatched against Raja Hira Singh. He fled from Lahore with Pandit Jalla, and Sohan Singh, second son of Gulab Singh; they were all slain while fleeing.
Hira Singh also died without an issue. His Poonch jagir was given to his brother Jawahir Singh while Jasrota and Basohli became part of Jammu. Ten thousand strong Sikh army was sent to Jammu to recover the large amount of plunder. Jawahir Singh and Gulab Singh transferred the valuables to the interiors in the mountains.Sikh attack was repelled by Gulab Singh.
Now Raja Gulab Singh was the only one left in control of the territories of Jammu. He kept away from the Sikh Darbar because of palace intrigues till the First Sikh war in 1846.
Now Gulab Singh was in full control of Jammu.
(The author is former Head of Computer Engineering Department in G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology)
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