Maharaja Gulab Singh (1846 to 1857)

Maharaja Gulab Singh founded the State of Jammu and Kashmir in its modern shape.

Achievements

• Joined Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and Baltistan into one State. Gilgit was brought in too.
• Reorganised the army and the revenue. Jammu was the main capital, and Srinagar the summer seat.
• Built the Raghunath Temple at Jammu (begun in 1835, completed by his son in 1860).
• Kept close ties with the British, and stayed on good terms.

Difficulties

• His revenue demands were heavy, and the old system of begar and the shawl tax continued. Kashmiris, especially Muslims and weavers, bore the burden.

Death

• He died in 1857 and his son Ranbir Singh succeeded him. In the same year, the Dogra army helped the British put down the Revolt of 1857 (the siege of Delhi).

Gulab Singh: more details

• His nickname was Gulaboo. He was the son of Kishore Singh (born 1788 in the exam notes; other books give 1792). He had two brothers, Suchet Singh and Dhian Singh.
• He joined the Sikh army at Lahore in 1811. Impressed by his service, Ranjit Singh gave him the jagir of Jammu, and in 1822 the administration of Jammu was transferred to him. He conquered Ladakh and Baltistan.
• The First Anglo-Sikh War was fought from December 1845 to March 1846.

Reforms by Gulab Singh

Division of the State

• Kashmir province was divided into two districts: Kamraz and Maraz.
• Jammu province was divided into four districts: Jammu, Khuphal (Kathua), Kishtwar and Jasrota.
• Ladakh and Gilgit were the two frontier districts.

Begar: rationalised, but finally abolished only in 1920.

Rice rationing for the city: because of food shortage he set up a state monopoly over rice and arranged regular supply.

Dagshawl (shawl) department

• This department controlled the shawl trade and regulated relations between karkhanadars (owners) and workers. Owners used to shift the burden of government taxes on to workers.
• Under Sikh rule weavers paid tax whether they worked or not and could not change their employer. Some were so unhappy that they cut off their thumbs.
• Gulab Singh passed a law to tax according to work done, gave freedom to change employer, and fixed minimum wages.

Jagirs: the jagir system was rationalised.

Towns and temples

• He founded the town Purmandal ("Chota Kashi"), near Samba.
• He began the Raghunath Temple, Jammu, and started the Dharmarth Trust.
• Governor-General Hardinge visited J&K in his time.
• He had three sons: Udham Singh, Sohan Singh and Ranbir Singh. Udhampur is named after Udham Singh.