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Hari Singh

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For other uses, see Hari Singh (disambiguation).

Hari Singh
Singh in 1944
Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir
Reign23 September 1925 — 17 November 1952
Coronation29 March 1926[1]
PredecessorPratap Singh
SuccessorMonarchy abolished
RegentKaran Singh (1949–1952)
Born(1895-09-00)September 1895
Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, British India
(present-day Jammu and Kashmir, India)
Died26 April 1961(1961-04-26) (aged 65)
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
(present-day Mumbai)
Spouses
Sri Lal Kunverba Sahiba
​
​
(m. 1913; died 1915)​
Rani Sahiba Chamba
​
​
(m. 1915; died 1920)​
Dhanvant Kunveri Baiji
​
​
(m. 1923, died)​
Tara Devi
​
​
(m. 1928; sep. 1950)​
IssueKaran Singh
HouseDogra
FatherAmar Singh
MotherBhotiali Chib
ReligionHinduism[2]

Maharaja Sir Hari Singh GCSI GCIE GCVO (September 1895 – 26 April 1961) was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hari Singh was the son of Amar Singh and Bhotiali Chib. In 1923, following his uncle's death, Singh became the new Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. After Indian Independence in 1947, Singh wanted Jammu and Kashmir to remain as an independent kingdom. He was required to accede to the Dominion of India to get the support of Indian troops against an invasion by tribal armed men and the Pakistan Army into his state. Singh remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by the Indian government. After spending his final days in Bombay, he died on 26 April 1961.

Singh was a controversial ruler. He faced an agitation in Kashmir in 1931 and during partition, rebellions leading to Azad Kashmir/ POK in Poonch and Gilgit-Baltistan in 1947. In recently written books and articles, his allegiances with right wingers vs stand for secularity during Jammu massacres is often challenged. [3]

Early life

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Amar Mahal Palace, birthplace of Hari Singh

Hari Singh was born in September 1895 at the palace of Amar Mahal, Jammu. He was the only surviving son of Raja Amar Singh,[4] the brother of Maharaja Pratap Singh, then the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. Since the Maharaja had no issue, Hari Singh was heir presumptive to the throne of Jammu and Kashmir.

In 1903, Hari Singh served as a page of honour to Lord Curzon at the grand Delhi Durbar. Hari Singh was raised by Francis Younghusband, British Resident of Kashmir (1906-1909), his daughter Eileen Younghusband was Singh's childhood friend. [5] At the age of 13, he was sent to Mayo College in Ajmer. A year later, in 1909, his father died and the British took a keen interest in his education, appointing Major H. K. Brar as his guardian. After Mayo College, Hari Singh went to the British-run Imperial Cadet Corps at Dehradun for military training.[6]

He was appointed the commander-in-chief of the State Forces in 1915 by Maharaja Pratap Singh.[7] During first world war (1914-1918), Hari Singh seeked permission for his visit to Flanders and France so he can encourage morale of his troops, which was not obliged as his presence could have been misunderstood by native Indians who were fighting in harsher winters in trench warfare.[8]

Reign

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A film of the coronation of Maharaja Hari Singh at Mubark Mandi palace in Jammu in 1926. In this film by Eastman Kodak it states, he is "wearing jewels valued at twenty million dollars" (approximately $344,200,000 in today's value).[citation needed]
Hari Singh, 1931

Coronation

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Following the death of his uncle Pratap Singh on 23 September 1925, Hari Singh served as the second Prime Minister (1925–1926) of Jammu and Kashmir. Hari Singh ascended the throne of Jammu and Kashmir in February 1926 under British intervention, who overruled Pratap Singh's choice of an adopted son, Raja Jagat Dev Singh of Poonch.[9][10]

Hari Singh's coronation from 22 to 28 February 1926 was divided into two separate ceremonies - the first few days for the religious ceremonies and official programme in the latter part was set aside for hosting the European attendees.[11]

Autocracy to Democracy

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After becoming the ruler, Hari Singh conducted free elections and formed the Praja Sabha Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to rule with laws implemented under Ranbir Penal Code (R.P.C) which Praja Sabha decreed.[12] In April 1932, as per recommendations of the Glancy Commission, the Praja Sabha was established, made up of 75 members – 12 government officials, 16 state councillors, 14 nominated, and 33 elected (21 Muslims, 10 Hindus and 2 Sikhs). By September 1934 the elected members started making laws under the Praja Sabha which made Jammu and Kashmir a forerunner state for other Princely Indian States.[13][14] On 7 September 1939 Maharaja Hari Singh and his law and Revenue Minister, Justice Sir Lal Gopal Mukherjee, a former judge of the Allahabad high court (1926–1934) who had served the state of Jammu and Kashmir from 1935 to 1940, produced a written constitution for Jammu and Kashmir which was the "pioneer" in the annals of Asia's constitutional history; despite the fact that it was anything but a people-friendly "Magna Carta" for the state.[15] He made primary education compulsory in the state, introduced laws prohibiting child marriage, and opened places of worship to low caste subjects.[16]

Seal of Maharaja Hari Singh as printed on the Civil List of his government

Confederation

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In 1930, Hari Singh attended the First Round Table Conference in London. He suggested that the Indian Princely states should join an “All India Federation” and pleaded for equal status for Indians in the British Commonwealth of Nations.[17] While replying to the inaugural address by King-Emperor George V, Hari Singh said:

I must express our deep gratitude to His Most Gracious Majesty for the cordial welcome tendered to us and I pray that providence may grant us the vision and the will to realize the hopes expressed in the inspiring words uttered this morning by our beloved Emperor. This is the first occasion on which the Princes of India meet in person at a Conference Table along with the representatives of British India and His Majesty's Government to discuss the political future of India. ... I feel deeply gratified at the progress which has been made with the scheme of an All-India Federation as worked out in the Report of the Federal Structure Sub-Committee. But ever since the idea of a Federation was taken up in this Conference, some surprise has been expressed in various quarters in India and in England at the willingness of the Princes to join an All-India Federation. It is said that Princes have forced the pace and that in any case they should have opposed a Federation with British India. I have never disguised from my friends, my warm support of the idea of an All-India Federation.[17]

Partition and accession

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Hari Singh in 1943

In 1947, after India gained independence from British rule, Jammu and Kashmir had the option of joining one of the new dominions, India and Pakistan, or remaining independent. Hari Singh opted to remain independent for the immediate future since the dominions were beset with partition violence and he needed time to weigh the options in the context of his Muslim-majority population. In October 1947, he faced an armed uprising in Poonch instigated by the Muslim Conference party, followed by Pakistan-backed Pashtun tribal invasion.

Hari Singh appealed to India for help following the invasion.[18] India's British Governor-General, Lord Mountbatten, advised the Maharaja to accede to India before India could send its troops. The Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947, joining the princely state to the Dominion of India.[19][20][21] India sent troops to repel the invaders, which soon evolved into the first Indo-Pakistan War.

Pressure from Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Vallabhbhai Patel eventually compelled Singh to appoint his son and heir, Yuvraj (Crown Prince) Karan Singh, as Prince Regent of Jammu and Kashmir in 1949, although he remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952 when the monarchy was abolished by Nehru's government. He was also forced to appoint the popular Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdullah as the prime minister of Kashmir. He had a contentious relationship with both Nehru and Abdullah.[22] Karan Singh was appointed 'Sadr-e-Riyasat' ('Head of State') in 1952 and Governor of the State in 1964.[22]

Final years and death

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After signing the instrument of accession with India, Hari Singh was banished from Jammu and Kashmir. He spent the rest of his life in Bombay. He died on 26 April 1961, after fourteen years of banishment. As per his will, his ashes were brought to Jammu and spread all over Jammu and Kashmir, and immersed in the Tawi River at Jammu.[23]


Tributes

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Statue of Maharaja Hari Singh at Hari Singh Park, Jammu

Memorials

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  • On 13 April 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi inaugurated Amar Mahal Museum and Library in Jammu exhibiting 120 Kg 'Dogra Gold Throne' on which Hari Singh once reigned. The French designed cheâteau constructed in 1890 was donated by Dr Karan Singh to Hari-Tara Charitable Trust on 15 January 1970, displays permanent painting galleries and encompasses 25,000 books of antique value.[24][25][26]
  • In 1983 Hari Singh's jewellery, which includes crowns, ceremonial swords, necklaces, bracelets, rings, bangles, robes, daggers, watches, and even toys stored in trunks to be turned into a museum, was revealed by Srinagar's Treasury office.[27]
  • On 24 January 2000, Captain Dewan Singh and Padma Shri Punam Suri President D.A.V. College Managing Committee unveiled a bust of Hari Singh at Maharaja Hari Singh Agricultural Collegiate School MHAC, formerly Hari Singh's polo and horse racing ground.[28]
  • In 2007, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad inaugurated the 'Hari Singh Janana Park' for women. It is landscaped by the Gardens and Floriculture Department at New Secretariat.
  • On 1 April 2012, the occasion of Ram Navami, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and MP Karan Singh unveiled a statue of Hari Singh near the Tawi bridge in Jammu.[29]
  • Sh Kavinder Gupta Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation erected a statue of Maharaja Hari Singh in standing posture near Bagh-e-Bahu Police Station adjoining junction crossings linking Gujjar Nagar Tawi Bridge, Jammu University, Bagh-e-Bahu, Narwal[30][31]
  • On 16 May 2018, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti along with Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh inaugurated 'Maharaja Hari Singh Park' wherein statue of Maharaja Hari Singh in sitting posture is the main attraction of this park.[32][33]
  • On 23 September 2019, the Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha (AKRS) installed a life-sized statue of Hari Singh on his 124th birthday at Samba district, near Veer Bhoomi Park.[34]
  • On 23 September 2020, an audio-video song album in Dogri was released highlighting social reforms introduced by Hari Singh from 1930 onwards.[35]
  • On 23 September 2021, Sh Ravinder Raina BJP Jammu President unveiled a statue of Hari Singh at Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Bhawan, Sec. 3 Extn, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, the party headquarters.[36]
  • 23 September 2022 is declared as public holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh under Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 (Central Act 26 of 1881) across Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.[37]

Legacy

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Institutions bearing his name

  • Hari Singh School, Kanji House Jammu since 1933, located next to Mubarak Mandi Palace is Govt. Education Department's co-educational J&K Board affiliated school from 9th to 12th class.[38]
  • Sri Maharaja Hari Singh SMHS Hospital or Headwin Hospital Gole Market, Karan Nagar area of Srinagar since 1945, inaugurated by Viceroy of India Lord Wavell, then subcontinent's biggest hospital, built by Hari Singh at the cost of Rupees Thirty five lakhs, now is a Government owned general hospital and medical college.[39]
  • Maharaja Hari Singh Agricultural Collegiate (MHAC) School Nagbani, P O Domana Jammu since 1976, a C.B.S.E affiliated residential as well as day boarding school. [40]
  • Maharaja Hari Singh DAV Sr. Sec. School Akhnoor City since 1982 is a C.B.S.E affiliated school from nursery to 12th class.[41]
  • Maharaja Hari Singh DAV Sr. Sec. Public School Poonch Kanuyian since 1982 is a J&K Board affiliated school from nursery to 12th class.[42]
  • Maharaja Hari Singh DAV Sr. Sec. Public School R. S Pura since 1982 is a J&K Board affiliated school from nursery to 12th class.[43]
  • Government Hari Singh Higher Secondary School Prem Nagar via Residency Road Jammu, is a J&K Board affiliated school from 1st to 12th standards and since 2018 an additional school for specially-abled children provisioned in new building with residential facilities.[44]
  • Government Hari Singh Higher Secondary School Anand Nagar Rd. (Camp) Bohri Jammu, is a J&K Board affiliated school from 1st to 12th standards. [45]

Commercial places bearing his name

  • Hari Singh High Street Srinagar, is named for him. It contains 105 gold adornment shops and numerous luxury item boutiques.[46]
  • Hari Niwas Palace Jammu on the shores of River Tawi, his Jammu guest house, is now run as a heritage hotel with views of the Trikuta Hills and Vaishno Devi.[47]
  • Hari Market Jammu is located on the outskirts of Raghunath Temple Jammu and is connected by multi-tier parking. The market primarily sells dried fruits and souvenirs. [48]

Intrigues

[edit]
Hari Singh in 1920

Black Prince Conspiracy case

[edit]

In 1919 France during Christmas, a lawyer Hobbs, professional conmen Monty Newton and Rodolphe Lemoine along with aide de camp Captain Arthur and Mrs Maud (Maudie) Robinson laid a blackmailing trap on Rajah Sir Hari Singh to pay up in order to avoid citation in a divorce case. The Mayfair Mob had set the whole thing up and Singh had to pay £300,000 (approximately £15,900,000 in today's value) to the gang which blackmailed him. However, Singh 's witty best friend Mahmood stopped payments done through checks and the issue resulted in a court case in 1921 during which the India Office tried to keep his name out of proceedings by arranging for him to be referred to as Mr. A. but couldn't stop the media from publicizing his name in December 1924. India Office in Britain decided to close the files for a hundred years rather than the usual thirty years as the case involved espionage.[49][50][51] [52][53]

Muzafarabad Betrayal

[edit]

Muzafarabad was the gateway to Kashmir then part of Singh’s kingdom. The regimental records of British India shows that, by the last week of August, the Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry (PAVO Cavalry) regiment was briefed about Operation Gulmarg, the invasion plan by Colonel Sher Khan, the Director of Military Intelligence, Colonel Akbar Khan and Colonel Khanzadah of Pakistan Army.[54] The involvement of British officers is also narrated by Lieutenant Labh Singh of 4th J&K State Forces posted at Kohala bridge who was told to surrender all their weapons other than personal arms by two British officers, a Brigadier and a Lieutenant Colonel of the Pakistani Army on 24 October 1947 at 1700 hours at Kohala bridge so that they could be repatriated to India via Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Instead Labh Singh's company chose to retreat to India along with refugees and reached Bagh at 1430 hours on 31 October 1947, after seven-day gruelling and harrowing experience. [55] [56]

Marriages

[edit]
Hari Singh with his fourth wife, Maharani Tara Devi, 1950

Singh married four times as he faced disturbances in his private life. Two of his wives passed away childless and a third Rajasthani bride was sent back with honour, to her parents' house as the couple could not establish an emotional connection.[57] Also, Hari Singh faced political and domestic conspiracies at this time and thought it appropriate to send back the third wife to safety. With his last wife, Tara Devi Sahiba of Kangra, he had a son, Karan Singh.[58][59]

No. Name Date of marriage Fate of marriage Issue and fate
1 Rani Sri Lal Kunverba Sahiba 7 May 1913 Ended with her death Died during pregnancy in 1915. No issue.
2 Rani Sahiba Chamba 8 November 1915 Ended with her death Died 31 January 1920. No issue.
3 Maharani Dhanvant Kunveri Baiji Sahiba 30 April 1923 Ended Died young. No issue.
4 Maharani Tara Devi Sahiba of Kangra 1928 Separated Separated in 1950. Died in 1967.
Mother of Karan Singh

Honours

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Title and style

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Titles of Maharaja Hari Singh and Yuvraj Karan Singh on the first page of his Civil List of 1945

As Maharaja, Hari Singh's full style was:

Lieutenant-General His Highness Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Shri Hari Singhji Bahadur Indar Mahindar, Sipar-i-Saltanat-i-Inglishia, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, LLD

Medals

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Honorary degrees

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Coronation of Sir Hari Singh as the Maharajah of Kashmir . 29 March 1926
  2. ^ Mridu Rai, Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects 2004.
  3. ^ Raina, Ajay (2021). Kashmir Narratives: Myths vs Facts of J&K. Sabre and Quill. ISBN 978-9390372478.
  4. ^ General Sir Raja Amar Singh Jamwal : 14 January 1865 – 26 March 1909
  5. ^ Kwarteng, Kwasai (28 May 2012). Ghosts of Empire. Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781408829004.
  6. ^ Wakhlu, S.N. (2004). Hari Singh: The Maharaja, the Man, the Times : a Biography of Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir State, 1895-1961. National Publishing House. p. 32. ISBN 978-81-214-0231-6.
  7. ^ Snedden, Christopher (2015). Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris. Oxford University Press. p. 128. ISBN 978-1-84904-342-7.
  8. ^ "Letter from Lt. Col. Bannermann to J.B Wood 17 November 1917". The British Library:BL IOR R 1/1/917.
  9. ^ Lamb, Alastair (1994). Birth of a Tragedy: Kashmir, 1947. Roxford Books. p. 58. ISBN 0907129072.
  10. ^ "Pratap Singh's British Rule". Kasmirlife. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Coronation of Maharaja Hari Singh". dailyexcelsior. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  12. ^ Hussain, Masood (2 May 2011). "Kashmir's Last Maharaja". Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  13. ^ Schofield, Kashmir in Conflict 2003, p. 18.
  14. ^ Mridu Rai, Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects 2004, Ch. 5, Sec. v (Constructing Kashmiriyat).
  15. ^ "Hari Singh's 1939 constitution in J&K marked a first in South Asia". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  16. ^ Anand, Ragubhir Lal (1 February 2014). IS God DEAD?????. Partridge Publishing. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-48281-823-9.
  17. ^ a b "Remember Maharaja Hari Singh". Daily Excellsior. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  18. ^ "Maharaja Hari Singh's Letter to Mountbatten". www.jammu-kashmir.com. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  19. ^ Ramachandra., Guha (1 January 2008). India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy. Harper Perennial. ISBN 978-0060958589. OCLC 474262656.
  20. ^ Justice A. S. Anand, The Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir (5th edition, 2006), page 67
  21. ^ Kashmir, Research Paper 04/28 by Paul Bowers, House of Commons Library, United Kingdom. Archived 28 July 2004 at the Wayback Machine, page 46, 30 March 2004
  22. ^ a b Ramachandra., Guha (1 January 2008). India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy. Harper Perennial. p. 92. ISBN 978-0060958589. OCLC 474262656.
  23. ^ Dynasty clash in Kashmir: Hari Singh's grandson Ajatshatru challenges Abdullahs, The Economic Times, 14 March 2013.
  24. ^ "Jammu:Amar Mahal Palace". Archived from the original on 10 April 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
  25. ^ "Amar Mahal Museum and Library". Karansingh.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  26. ^ Gandhi, Kishor; Singh, Karan (Sadr-i-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir) (1991). The Transition to a global society. Allied Publishers. p. 251. ISBN 81-7023-320-8. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  27. ^ "A Kashmir treasure is the subject of a big controversy". India Today. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  28. ^ "MAHARAJA HARISINGH AGRICULTURAL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL, A UNIT OF DAV COLLEGE TRUST".
  29. ^ "Maharaja's Statue unveiled". The Tribune. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  30. ^ "City's statues in a sorry state". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  31. ^ "Man behind the idea cold-shouldered". The Tribune. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  32. ^ "JDA sold Maharaja Hari Singh Park!". Dainik Jagran. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  33. ^ "Mehbooba inaugurates Hari Singh park in Jammu". Business Standard. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  34. ^ "Maharaja Hari Singh's statue unveiled on his 119th Birthday anniversary". Early Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  35. ^ "Album on Maharaja Hari Singh released". Tribune. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  36. ^ Ganai, Naseer (4 February 2022). "Why Statues Of Dogra Kings Are Political Fodder For Kashmiri Politicians". Outlook. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  37. ^ "J&K Govt announces public holiday as tribute to Maharaja Hari Singh". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  38. ^ "HSS".
  39. ^ "SMHS Hospital".
  40. ^ "MAHARAJA HARISINGH AGRICULTURAL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL, A UNIT OF DAV COLLEGE TRUST".
  41. ^ "MHS DAV Akhnoor".
  42. ^ "MHS DAV Poonch".
  43. ^ "MHS DAV R. S Pura".
  44. ^ "Hari Singh HSS to be converted into school for special children". Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  45. ^ "Government Hari Singh Higher Secondary School".
  46. ^ "Jewellery Showrooms Hari Singh High Street".
  47. ^ "Hari Niwas".
  48. ^ "Hari Market in Jammu".
  49. ^ Jeffrey, Barbara (2019). Chancers. Amberley. ISBN 9781445689784.
  50. ^ "05 Dec 1924 - BLACKMAIL CASE. MR. "A's" NAME REVEALED. - Trove". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  51. ^ "The Indian Maharajas in Love Traps". Asian Voice. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  52. ^ Kwarteng, Kwasai (28 May 2012). Ghosts of Empire. Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781408829004.
  53. ^ "Hari Singh's blackmailing and love in London". The Kashmir Walla. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  54. ^ Effendi, Col. M. Y. (2007). Punjab Cavalry: Evolution, Role, Organization and Tactical Doctrine 11 Cavalry, Frontier Force, 1849-1971. Karachi: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-547203-5.
  55. ^ Singh, Major (Retd.) Dr. K. Brahma (1991). history-of-jammu-and-kashmir-rifles-1820-1956. Lancer International. pp. 232, 235. ISBN 9788170620914.
  56. ^ Jamwal, Major General (Retd.)Goverdhan Singh (2021). Valour & Betrayal. Sabre & Quill Publishers. pp. 158–164. ISBN 9789391970024.
  57. ^ K.C. Agnihotri. 2016. Jammu Kashmir ke jannayak Mahraja Hari Singh
  58. ^ Kashmir’s Last Maharaja, Kashmir Life, 2 May 2011.
  59. ^ Mufti, Kashmir in Sickness and in Health 2013, p. 157.

Bibliography

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hari Singh.
Hari Singh
Born: September 1895 Died: 26 April 1961
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Pratap Singh
(as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir)
 Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir
1925–1952 		Succeeded by
Republic of India
Karan Singh as titular Maharajah of Jammu and Kashmir
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