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| Recalling Raj Tilak of Maharaja Gulab Singh | | | Th. K P Singh | 6/16/2015 1:08:16 AM |
| History of Jammu and Kashmir is practically the history of one man of Jammu named Gulab Singh, born on 21st October 1792 (5th Kartik 1849) at Smailpur, Jammu. 194 years ago, on 17 June 1822, he was anointed as Raja of Jammu at Jeo Pota Akhnoor. That could happen because his grandfather Mian Zorawar Singh had taken keen interest in his bringing up. 'To know how and why this happened is the purpose of Raj Tilak Day celebration'. Gulab Singh is said to have learnt manners of courtiers, diplomacy, swordsmanship and art of warfare from his granduncle, Mian Mota, minister of Raja Jit Singh.
Between Lahore, the capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Kashmir, the citadel of Afghan rulers, lay a small township of Akhnoor blessed by the prolific Chanderbaga River. This is the town which sisters historic Buddha Stupas representing existence of Buddhism and a magnificent Fort with its pristine glory depicting existence of feudalism. It was below the fort, under a magestic Jeo Pota tree, that Maharaja Ranjit Singh himself applied Raj Tilak to Gulab Singh and declared him the ruler of Jammu. Why at Jeo Pota and why the Tilak was applied upside down(ulta) and objected by priests, becomes clearer in each celebration. That apart, this unprecedented event set in motion the consolidation of vast empire of Jammu and Kashmir. Meteoric rise of Gulab Singh as the founder of Jammu and Kashmir state dates back to 1808 when at the tender age of 16, he distinguished himself in the battle of Gumat. He led young Dogras and blunted the successes of Sikh Army and forced them into treaty with Raja Jit Singh. Impressed by his courage, bravery and swordsmanship, Bhai Hukam Singh, the invading Sikh Chief, narrated the story of his prowess to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Mian Mota was asked to bring Gulab Singh to Sialkot where Maharaja appointed him as cavalryman and soon elevated him to the command of a cavalry unit.
The barren hills of Duggarland had not attracted the attention of Mughal and Afghan invaders. Here lived number of small Rajas. By the end of 18th century, the power of Jammu rulers had extended East as far as Ravi and to the West as far as Chenab. But it waned and waxed depending on the fortune of the rulers. East of Ravi were independent Rajput Kingdom of Basohli & Kishtwar. Bhimber and Rajouri in the West were ruled by Mohammdans, the descendents of Rajputs. Up the Jhelum Valley, the country was held by small Mohammdan Rajas. Hence the present state of Jammu and Kashmir was fragmented into small principalities from very early times. It goes to the credit of Gulab Singh to have consolidated these fragments into a single cohesive vast empire, though truncated, still stands as a single unit despite dangers and discords. And it is the duty of people of Jammu & Kashmir to keep it united.
An inspiring feat of chivallery of young Gualb Singh runs like this. In 1815 Maharaja Ranjit Singh led an expedition to invest Garh Damala Fort which was a lofty castle in the Jallandar Doab frontiers. This strong mud fort was once the headquarters of Hoshiarpur Principality. Maharaja Ranjit Singh therefore prepared well for the siege. He was not happy about Gulab Singh's overstay at Jammu. Learning of the impending attack and seeing it as an opportunity to win Maharaja's favours, Dhian Singh asked Gulab Siingh to join the ranks at Hoshiarpur immediately. It is mentioned in Gulabnama that while the Maharaja was mounted on the majestic elephant and was inspecting preparations for assault on the fort, Gulab Singh surfaced in front of the Emperor and performed the formalities of Royal Salutations. After that Gulab Singh pulled up his horse swiftly like wind and put a handful of Ashrafis in the King's 'hawdali' as a token of obeisance. The horse rested his front hoofs on the forehead of the regal elephant. It astonished the spectators. A loud applause arose. Maharaja was so pleased of this act of chivalry that he asked Mahoot to receive the 'nazrana' which the Mahoot did. When Maharaja diverted his attention towards storming the fort, Gulab Singh being anxious to lead the attack on the enemy and storm the fort, exhorted the Maharaja to watch his feats. Gulab Singh pulled the reins of his horse and all alone fell upon the enemy as a lion. In the twinkling of an eye, Gulab Singh had crossed the moat (deep water channel) of the fort and got atop the coveted castle; dug down his spear like a flag on the wall of the fort. By this heroic deed he made history in the splendour of dash and gallantry. On witnessing this rare dash, valiant Khalsa warriors got inspired and assaulted the fort from all sides. Soon the contest became a bloody affair. After sometime the resistance broke at the entrance of the gate. The royal force marched in. Maharaja amazed at such an unexpected and instantaneous victory, prostrated himself in sincere gratitude at the threshold of the Almighty. He bestowed untold honours and favours upon Gulab Singh. Jagirs of Lala - Chabara and Ramgarh were given to Gulab Singh with authority to raise 200 horsemen.
Imbued with the spirit of adventure and gallantry, Gulab Singh rose to be an astute strategist of Ranjit Singh. As a military commander, he rendered meritorious services to his master in all his campaigns especially in Multan, Attock, Kabul, Kandhar, Manerka, Dera Gazi Khan, Reasi, Kishtwar and Kashmir. By a rare bold strategy he captured Raja Agha Khan of Rajouri & neutralized Mian Dido. Both had been eluding Sikh forces for a long time. With his similar other remarkable contributions, conscientious and loyal services, Maharaja Ranjit Singh could easily expand and consolidate his empire. Realising the importance of Dogra country, which generally remained disturbed as each chieftain plundered his neighbour, Ranjit Singh would send Gulab Singh to restore order. Hence a prudent decision to unite the troubled Duggarland under one chieftan is justifiable. Thereafter Gualb Singh knitted together scattered principalities of erstwhile Jammu empire of Raja Rajgan Ranjit Dev and laid the foundation of Jammu and Kashmir. He extended his rule far and wide by capturing Ladakh, Baltistan, Gilgit and 500 sq miles of Western Tibet. It was to the credit of this great genius that by the time he was 55, he extended the borders of his empire touching China in the North, Tibet in the North East, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in the North West & NWFP in the West.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839. His son Maharaja Kharak Singh & grandson prince Nau Nihal Singh died on the same day in 1840. Lahore darbar became a bed of bloodshed, anarchy and factionalism. Death of Nau Nihal Singh led to the war of succession. Dogra Rajas exercised lot of influence in the affairs of darbar. Gulab Singh favoured Mai Chand Kour, widow of Kharak Singh to be the Regent of the throne. Though accepted by all but was soon dislodged by Sher Singh, 2nd son of Ranjit Singh, who was also killed later in the factional fight. Gulab Singh paid a heavy price for the unrest and strife which struck Sikh empire after the death of emperor. Raja Dhian Singh and Raja Suchet Singh, nephew Hira Singh and own sons Udham Singh & Sohan Singh were killed, one after the other, at Lahore in the ensuing factional fights. Sikh armies were finally defeated by British in 1846 in the battle of Sabraon. Raja Gulab Singh was the Prime Minister during the war. He negotiated and signed the Treaty of Lahore in which he secured most honourable terms for the vanquished Lahore darbar. In recognition of his superb diplomacy, Lord Hardinge, the Governor General of India, extended his rule to entire Jammu and Kashmir with status of Maharaja. By the 'Treaty of Amritsar, signed on 16 March 1846, he got control of Kashmir empire for which he paid Rs.75 Lac against 1.5 Crore war indemnity levied on Lahore darbar. Following coronation at Jeo Pota, Gulab Singh created a vast State of Jammu and Kashmir and changed the geography of India. By extending borders to the North, he provided ample strategic depth to the capital of India. His contributions to our political, cultural and religious lives are remembered on 17th June every year at Jeo Pota by Raj Tilak Celebration Committee Akhnoor. This can help us sustain unity, nationalism and regional pride.
Author is Chairman of Raj Tilak Celebration Committee. Celebrating 194th Coronation Day at Jeo Pota on 17 June 2015. |
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