Col J P Singh, Retd
Capt Diwan Singh, known to major part of Northwest India as ADC to Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir and popularly known as Captain Sahib in entire J&K left for his heavenly abode at 7 PM on 27 October 2014 while at home in ‘No. 1 Manda Flag Staff House’ Jammu at 95 coinciding with the historical date when Infantry Day is celebrated by the Indian Army to mark landing at Srinagar to save Kashmir from Pak invaders. He had been indisposed for couple of months and passed away peacefully; a privilege reserved for great saints. When Maharaja Hari Singh left his State in June 1949 in virtual exile, he was his ADC and accompanied him to Bombay. Later he resigned his commission and pledged to serve His Highness till his last breath. He sacrificed brilliant army career to serve his beloved ruler, a rare occurrence in the annals of military history. And he accomplished it most remarkably as Private Secretary. With the sudden passing away of Captain Sahib, saga of Dogra history connecting the past with present has come to an end.
His popularity in the civil society can be gauged from the unprecedented public attendance at Jogi Gate Cremation Ground for paying last respects to their beloved Captain Sahib. His last rites were performed by his grandson as the last post was sounded by army buglers with presentation of arms (salami) by ceremonial guard of honour of JAK Rifles in the attendance of a ceremonial civil band. The ceremonial send off, normally reserved for national and state level dignitaries, reflects his relationship and respect in the civil society and present military hierarchy. Radio Kashmir Jammu paid him tribute by broadcasting his last inspiring interview in Jeevan Rekha series at 7.05 AM on 30th October, which was recorded by Ravi Kant Sharma on 21 May 2014, which can be heard again in Shub Prabhat on Monday, the November 3rd.
He was born at Pallanwala on 25th December 1919, an auspicious day for most in the world. He passed his 5th class from Primary School Pallanwala, 9th from Maharaja Hari Singh High School Akhnoor and 10th from GGS Khalsa Labana High School Tanda, Senate Hall Lahore in March 1938. He joined State force as Sepoy on 17 September 1938. His father, Sub Maj Dharam Singh served in 20 PUNJAB and took part in 1st World War in the Western Front where he got wounded in his right arm. For the gallantry in action he was awarded a Jagir of 50 Acre land in Dist Montgomery, now in Pakistan. After partition 50 acres of land was given to him in Fazilka Tehsil in Punjab in lieu of that land.
After clearing various written exams and final interview, he was commissioned in the State force on 24 January 1941 as 2nd Lieutenant. He used to tell that His Highness asked him only one question in the interview, “Which is heavier, a 100 Ma’n Iron or 100 Ma’n Cotton”? He replied, “Sarkar, weight of both is the same”. After initial training in Officers Training Academy, Khundru, he was sent to Indian Military Academy Dehradun from where he graduated with flying colours. He became Lt on 14 May 1942 and Capt on 5 May 1947. He would have continued going up the ladder had the sub-continental history not changed its course. In 1942 he had brief tenure as ADC to His Highness. He did the Weapons Course from Infantry School Sagar and later did Officers Mortar Course from the same institution. After qualifying from ‘Frontier Warfare School Kakul’, now in Pakistan, he was posted to 4 J&K Infantry in Burma during WW II. Lt Col Narain Singh Sambyal was his CO in Burma. After the great war, 4 J&K Infantry came to Srinagar. In 1946 he was transferred to 6 J&K Infantry from where he was sent for Jungle Warfare Course. He got distinction in this course after which he was posted to 1st J&K Infantry. In March 1948, during the Poonch siege he captured a sensitive enemy Piquet Pir Margo Gagzee with just two men which was later named as Raghu Partap Hill. He was awarded mentioned-in-despatches for this gallant action. He was again awarded Mention-in-Despatches in Poonch in December same year, wherein, as Company Commander with 80 men, he grappled with the attacking enemy whole night killing 550 and beating back the attack. Grenade splinters wounded him in this operation. After recovery he was recalled as ADC by the Maharaja and continued to be with him till the passing away of His Highness in 1961.
He lost his father in 1957 and mother in 1986. His son Kanwar Devinder Singh studied in Mayo College Ajmer and all the five daughters studied in Sacred Heart Convent Dalhousie. It deserves to be mentioned that while he was Lt and drawing a meagre salary of Rs. 120 PM, he sent his daughter to Dalhousie for schooling when girls education was a taboo in rich aristocracy. Devinder Singh passed away at a young age of 49 leaving behind a daughter and a son. Captain Sahib’s daughter-in-law, Sarita Singh, d/o Brig D S Katoch is grand daughter of Gen Janak Singh Katoch who replaced Sh R C Kak as Prime Minister .
British military leaders who commanded Dorga troops during the two great wars described Dogra soldiers as brave, honest, truthful, loyal, enthusiastic and dedicated to the cause. They are anything but flamboyant by nature and whether in peace or war, their special qualities are unflinching courage and orderly obedience, they wrote. Captain Sahib was indeed an epitome of all that.
My pleasant encounter with him was in 1992 when I was posted in HQ Tiger Div. I went to him with a request to admit son of my boss Col Rajinder Singh, in Nagbani School in tenth. He told me that no mid session admission is not allowed in tenth, on which I said, “Uncle, my next rank is in your hands. If you do not give admission I retire in the same rank and if you do, I go up”. He said though he wishes me to be general but giving admission was in the hands of Principal. I refused to leave till I got assurance. During the sitting he made few generous mentions of my father’s association with him. It became an alibi for me to pressurise him. Next day I was told to meet the Principal. (Col Rajinder Singh later came as GOC Tiger Division and maintained very good relationship with Captain Sahib). Once when I asked him, “Uncle what is the secret of your good health and happiness”. His reply in nutshell was, ‘diet control and two small whiskies’. He narrated me the incident that prompted him to take an on the spot decision of resigning. He was already ADC and while he was going to the Highness with Dak, Pt. Bhim Sen, popularly known as Guru Ji told him that His Highness is anguished because none of the ADC has volunteered to accompany him on his leaving the state. Hearing this he got his resignation typed from the PA and put it on Maharaja’s feet. When Maharaja asked him what was it, Captain Sahib told him that it was his resignation so that he could serve him till end. His Highness told him to reconsider it. Whereas he said he will not leave till his appeal is accepted. That was the devotion and loyalty which made him most respected army officer of the State Force and loyalist of the loyal Dogras. His resignation was accepted on 2nd July 1953.
After returning to Jammu after Maharaja’s demise, he dedicated his life to social work. He took keen interest in the development of DAV Agriculture Collegiate School Nagbani for which Maharaja had donated 500 Acres of his Stud Farm land. People had started encroaching on the land which he got retrieved with police help, many a times at great risks. He made it No 1 academic institution in the state with his personal indulgence. He used to go to the school very often. This frequency had decreased since May 2014 because of indisposition. Last he visited the school was on 21 September 2014 to celebrate Maharaja Hari Singh’s 119th birth anniversary. He was member of all India DAV working committee and Chairman of Nagbani School management committee. He was director of J&K Bank for a long stretch, President of Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha from 1965 to 67, President of J&K Hockey Federation and life member of Bombay Turf Club. Once he was adjudged the best dressed member of the Club. He was bestowed with Dogra Rattan Award on 27 October 2006.
On return from Bombay he started a Finance Company which he wound up in 1966 after getting Hindustan Motors dealership for Ambassador cars as ‘Kay Dee Pvt Ltd’. He also got agencies for Bed Ford Trucks, Tempo Travels, Messy Ferguson Tractors and Lambretta Scooters. He ran it successfully till sudden demise of his son in 2002. He purchased a huge farm in Miran Sahib. He would say that farming gives us life sustenance. In the spare time he would attend his farm and became a great horticulturist.
He was a moving encyclopaedia on J&K history and Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule. He used to narrate it so eloquently that one felt privileged and left more and more enlightened. In 1994, Mrs Mehra, wife of GOC and occupant of Topi Bangla wanted to know its history. Captain Sahib narrated her the story which she got published as booklet. That helped army in getting it declared as heritage building and claim maintenance grant.
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