History of Jammu and Kashmir

(1846 - 1947 A.D.)

(Solutions)

Q.1. Describe the circumstances that led Jammu & Kashmir to come into being?

Answer:-  Gulab Singh was born in 1792 CE in Dogra Rajput family of Mian Kishore Singh, who held a jagir at Anderwah near Samba. He joined the Sikh court at Lahore, and became Jagirdar then Raja of Jammu in 1822 CE. Death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839 CE gave way to political instability and led to first Anglo - Sikh war in 1846 CE won by East India Company. 

In order to end the the war, the Treaty of Lahore was signed on March 9th, 1846. The company imposed a war indemnity of rupees one and a half crore. The Lahore Darbar agreed to cede the territories between the Beas ans Indus river, including Kashmir valley and Hazara. Then the Treaty of Amritsar was signed on March 16th, 1846 between the British East India Company and Maharaja Gulab Singh, transferring the territories ceded from the Sikh State to Gulab Singh aganist Seventy Five Lakh rupees. 

Consequently, Maharaja Gulab Singh obtained complete control over the territories of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and Baltistan. Thus, the State of Jammu and Kashmir was formed.

Q.2. Comment on the reorganisation and reformation of the administration during the period (1846 - 1947)

Answer:- Maharaja Gulab Singh took many steps for reformation and reorganization of the administration like streamlining of the faltering economy, reforms in finance, agriculture and revenue departments. The jagirdari system was reorganised and the revenue free grants were revoked. Maharaja also controlled and regularized the Shali System.

Maharaja Ranbir Singh reorganised the state and introduced civil and criminal code of law in the form of Ranbir Penal Code on the pattern of Macaulay Code. Maharaja subdued the ever rebellious trans-Himalayan tribal territories of Hunza, Nagar and Gilgit. Network of postal and telecommunication services in 1877 CE were extended upto the districts of Gilgit and Askardu.

Maharaja Pratap Singh also introduced several reforms. In 1885 the British Government appointed Resident and to discharge the duties of administration a state council was formed. Therefore Maharaja was divested of his powers in 1889 CE.

Maharaja Hari Singh ascended the throne of State in 1925 AD. He adopted a policy of moderation and proved to be more accommodative. He took a number of steps to transform the lives of his subjects. He constituted an administration council to assist him. The expansion of education and healthcare institutions saw a tremendous increase. A legislature called the Prajasabha having 75 members was constituted and elections were held to elect its members.

Q.3. What were the developments in the field of communication under the Dogra rulers?

Answer:- The important developments in the field of communication under Dogra rule are:

1. Jhelum Valley Cart Road: the most wonderful mountain road in the world that linked Srinagar with Peshawar via Kohala and Muree was completed in 1895 CE.
2. The work on Gilgit Road was started in 1890 CE dhich linked the state with Europe through Central Asia.
3. Banihal Cart Road and Ladakh Road were also constructed.
4. Railway was also laid down between Jammu and Sialkote in 1905 AD.

Q. 4. Sketch out the progress in the sphere of education ond medicare facilities?

Answer:- Progress in Education: Maharaja Ranbir Singh encouraged religious education through the study of classical languages - Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit. Raghunath Temple Pathsala, a liberary and a Mahavidyalya were established. In 1882 CE Maharaja established Ranbir Press. During the regin of Maharaja Pratap Singh a school named Sri Pratap College was opened in Srinagar in 1905 AD. To commemorate the visit of Prince of Wales, the Prince of Wales College (now known as Govt. Gandhi Memorial Science College) was opened in 1906 AD in Jammu. Education for agriculturists and artisans was given impetus with the establishment of Amar Singh Technical Institute at Srinagar in 1923 AD. In order to impart education to all communities irrespective of caste and religion, free and compulsory education was made available to all.

Efforts were made to ameliorate the position of women through education. Gurmat Kanya Pathshala was the first girls school in Jammu region. Establishment of Maharani Taradevi Mahila College ( now known as Govt. College for Women, Parade) with the efforts of Mahila Education Society in June 1944 AD was a great leap in this sphere.

Progress in Medicare Facilities: The modern medical facilities came into existence during the later period of the Dogra rule. The first dispensary in Srinagar was opened by Rever end Robert Clark in 1864. Next year, another dispensary was opened by Dr. Elmsile. In 1874 CE Maharaja Ranbir Singh granted a site to the mission hospital on the hill called Rustam Garhi beneath the Shankracharya hill. This building came to be known as Drugjan hospital. During the reign of Maharaja Hari Singh, Sri Maharaja Gulab Singh Hospital (SMGS) was established in Jammu and Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS) was opened in Srinagar.

Q. 5. Describe the revenue structure and reforms during the period?

Answer:- Taxation: About 80% of the total population was engaged in agriculture and peasants had the right to cultivate as long as they paid one half of the produce as Government's share. In addition they had to pay other taxes called rasum. Not only was the land produce subjected to taxation but nearly everthing except air and water was brought under taxation. There was tax on sale of wood, marriage tax known as Zari-i-Nikah.

Reforms: In 1889 CE, Walter Lawrence was appointed as Revenue Commissioner to reform the Land Revenue system. Some of the important steps suggested by Walter Lawrence were:- 

1. The land revenue was reduced from half to one third.
2. The peasants were granted occupancy rights.
3. The cooperative socities were set up which further helped in abolishing money lending system.

Later Maharaja Hari Singh granted propriety rights to the peasants. Abolition of big Land Estates Act, 1953 proved a major leap in the agrarian reforms in the state.