Geopolitical Significance of Kashmir’s Accession: An Analysis of Dogra Rule

Submitted By: Supervisor:

Sameer Ahmad Bhat Dr. Nishtha KaushikiRegistration NO.:CUPB/MPh-

PhD/SGR/SCA/2013-14/24

Centre for South and Central Asian Studies

Pre-Submission Seminar of M. Phil

Knowledge gap:

There is ample literature available on Dogra Dynasty’s reign on Kashmir. However, the available literature lacks in the following aspects: How Kashmir’s political boundary was extended under the Dogra rule with the help of the British empire, How the British interferance in the administrative functioning of Kashmir increased in magnitude after the death of Maharaja Gulab Singh, An analysis of Maharaja Hari Singh’s Instrument of Accession and how Kashmir has become a bone of contention.

Objectives of the Study

To analyze how the rulers of Dogra dynasty politically integrated Kashmir in their reign of influence. For this purpose the rule of Maharaja Gulab Singh and Hari Singh have been taken case studies.

To examine how British politically controlled Kashmir and later made it a part of India. This became a bone of contention between India and Pakistan, which is yet to be resolved.

Organization of the DissertationSr. No. Content

Page Number

1 (Chapter- 1)Introduction.

1-11

2 (Chapter- 2)Literature Review

12-16

3 (Chapter- 3)Geopolitical significance in Historical context

17-33

4 (Chapter- 4)Kashmir’s Political Foundation as a Modern State:

Rule of Maharaja Gulab Singh

34-54

5 (Chapter- 5)Rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and the Accession of

State to Indian Union

55-68

6 (Chapter- 6)Conclusion

69-76

7

References

77-81

MethodologyThe methodology used in this research is

analytical and descriptive. The data for the research is collected from the

secondary sources which include books, articles, journals and Gazetteers.

Introduction The State of Jammu and Kashmir is one of the largest

States of the Indian Union and is situated in the part of the mighty Himalayas.

It is wedged between two arch rivals like India and Pakistan, and, both of them consider Kashmir as absolutely vital to their strategic, economic and defense requirements.

According to Rajatrangni, Kashmir acted as an independent kingdom after the death of emperor Ashoka in 232 BC, later it was ruled by Hindus, Muslims, Mughals, Sikhs and Dogras.

Expansion of the Dogra Dynasty And End of the Sikh Empire:

Kashmir was ruled by various dynasties from time to time and later was assimilated in the Dogra Dynasty in 1846, with Maharaja Gulab Singh as its founder. Kashmir was acceded to the Dogras by the Treaty of Amritsar.

Under the treaty, Gulab Singh was to pay 75 Lakh of Nanak Shahi rupees to the British Government. Thus, the treaty has been called as ‘Sale Deed of Kashmir’.

ContinuePrior to 1846, the political boundary of the

Dogra dynasty was confined to Jammu hills. Thus, the geopolitical importance of not only Kashmir, but also of the Dogra dynasty enhanced significantly.

With Kashmir’s merger to the Dogra dynasty, the boundaries of the Lahore Durbar shrinked, and hence, its political boundaries were extended to Baltistan, Hunza, Nagar and Gilgit (Modern PoK).

Bawa Satinder Singh (1974) in his book “The Jammu Fox: A Biography of Maharaja Gulab Singh of Kashmir 1792- 1857” has filled the gap in Kashmir History by writing about Maharaja Gulab Singh who under British paramountacy became the first ruler of Princely state of Kashmir by signing a treaty with the British on 16th March 1846. According to the treaty, the state was situated to the westward of the river Indus and eastward of the river Ravi, the regions of Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit and Chilas were added to the state.

Suhaib Matto (2010) in his article “March 16th 1846: A nation sold “and G. M. D. Sufi (1974) in his chapter “Kashmir under the Dogras” have discussed that Kashmir was sold to Maharaja Gulab Singh for Rupees Seventy five lakh along with the hopes, aspiration, dreams of the millions of people.

became the first ruler of Princely state of Kashmir by signing a treaty with the British on 16th March 1846.

Map showing the parts of territory of Lahore Durbar that were transferred to Maharaja Gulab Singh according to the treaty of Amritsar (16th March, 1846 )

History of Ladakh. Retrieved from http://History_of_Ladakh#mediaviewer/File:Ladakh_locator_map.svg

Expansion of Kashmir under Dogras

Kashmir And Its Region: A Historical Overview. Retrieved from http://kashmirstudygroup.com/awayforward05/p5_kashmirregion.html

Geopolitical significance of Kashmir and Dogra Regime

After coming under the Dogras the geopolitical significance of Kashmir increased because ofKashmir became a landlocked territory in South Asia- surrounded by then Afghan empire in the West, Chinese empire in the East, British India in the South and Soviet Union in the North.

ContinueIt has to be pointed out, that with the political

assimilation, the demographic composition too changed. Now, the majority were Muslims, followed by the Hindus and then the Sikhs. However, all these three sections became marginalized because they were denied jobs and other economic opportunities by the Dogras. And soon, what followed was economic dominance of the Dogras. And, other sections thus, became poor.

This resulted in political upheaval in the valley.

AdministrationBeggar or forced labour.Reorganisation of Shawl Industry.Supply of food grains to the people.Further, Gulab Singh thought that he has sold

Kashmir and in order to meet his demands he introduced some taxes on the people.

British interference

Appointment of British residents in Dogra Administration.

After the death of Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1857, the British wanted to make changes in the administration.

Before 1857, they had a very hospitable treatment towards the Dogra Rulers.

Formation of Muslim Conference and Quit Kashmir Movement

The National Conference played the most important role in creating political awakening among the masses.

Sheikh Abdullah was the main political figure.He made a public call to the Maharajah to quit

Kashmir in mid May 1946.

Movement Leading to the End of the Princely State

At the end of the World War-II, the questions of constitution making for India as a whole were once more in debate between Britain and the various Indian parties.

Jawaharlal Nehru demanded that the people rather than the Princes should be consulted as to the future of the states.

Sheikh Abdullah in memorandum to Cabinet Mission in 1946 denounced the Treaty of Amritsar (Thorner, 1948).

Freedom and AccessionAccording to the demographic status, Kashmir had a

Muslim majority but was ruled by a Hindu Raja.According to the 1901 Census of the British Indian

Empire, the population of the princely state of Kashmir was comprised of 90% Muslims, 8% Pandiths and about 2% Buddhists.

The Working Committee of the National Conference met under Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's presidency on 2 October 1947 and took the decision to support the accession of the State to India.

Maharaja Hari Singh was in dilemma. Pakistan’s eagerness to have Kashmir with them.

Maharaja’s Standstill Agreement

A standstill agreement was offered by the Maharaja to remain the status quo to both India and Pakistan.

Finally, Kashmir become the part of India when Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession.

It went against the wishes of Pakistan and a section within the Kashmiri society, causing militancy and unpeace in the valley even today.

ContinueBalraj Madhoc (1992) in the chapter “Hari singh’s

dilemma” of his book Kashmir the storm center of world describes about the Hari Singh’s accession to India as he was conceded by the British that he would be given independent status after the lapse of British paramountacy or the princely states would be given choice either to join Pakistan or to join India or remain free.

Prof. Bhim Singh (2014) in his article “After 65 years of Jammu and Kashmir Accession-A question!” Discusses about the signing of instrument of accession by Maharaja Hari Singh which was based on three main provisions of defense, foreign affairs and communications and was accepted by Mountbatten

Map Showing the Parts of the territory taken by Pakistan and China

Source: http://arisebharat.com/2010/10/11/accession-of-jk-with-india-is-full-final%E2%80%A6/z2

ConclusionKashmir was transferred to Maharaja Gulab

Singh by the treaty of Amritsar (16th March, 1846).

It resulted in the increase in geopolitical significance of Kashmir.

Located between the nations with Islamic, secular and Communist ideologies.

Contribution to Existing ResearchThus, the proposed research is novel in nature because:An attempt has been made to link up the extension of the boundaries of Kashmir under the Dogra rule along with their respective administrative reforms which permitted the inclusion of the British officers. The role & influence of the British after the death of Maharaja Gulab Singh has also been highlighted. Political subordination of Kashmir by British India and its assimilation later into India has also been highlighted.

Thanks

suggesTions