Col JP Singh
Maharaja Pratap Singh was the third Dogra ruler of J&K. He was born on 18 July 1848, (1st Sawan 1905). He ruled for 40 years from 1885 to 1925, the longest of all Dogra rulers. He was very generous in conduct, liberal in outlook, a dreamer by nature and a visionary by temperament. Out of the four Dogra rulers, Maharaja Pratap Singh’s era was a period of enlightenment for his subjects, particularly Kashmiris. He established local self governing bodies and initiated democratic processes, opened schools and colleges, expanded health care, promoted hygiene and sanitation and created infrastructure network. By the end of his rule, Kashmir region, particularly Srinagar, had undergone significant infrastructural, social and cultural transformation. Commenting upon his rule, British historian Walter Lawrence wrote, “He did much to change the condition of his subjects. His kindness to all classes in Kashmir has won the affection of his people”. Yet a little is known and heard of this benevolent ruler. Since born at Reasi, he is simply remembered in Reasi by General Zorawar Singh Memorial Committee on his birth anniversary.
Soon after his coronation he had to endure and agonize over the personal humiliation meted out to him by a diplomatic ‘coup-de-grace’ engineered by the British blaming him of hobnobbing with Russians against British. His authority over his state was abolished. Eventually nothing was proved against him. Though restored, yet his powers remained curtailed. Despite British apathy, he developed road network in the state. Jhelum Valley Cart road, a wonderful mountain road of the world was developed by him. Kohala was connected to Baramulla by road in 1889 which was extended to Srinagar. This was the 1st major road connectivity initiative in the state. The Bannihal Cart Road (BC Road), connecting Jammu with Srinagar was thrown open to the public in 1922. Besides these highways, other roads and tracks connecting Srinagar to Gilgit and Leh and many other places were completed. River Jhelum, which was the central artery of communication was further developed. Large and small size boats ferried people and goods up and down the river in a systematically regularized manner. The benefits of road and river transportation on general public may be judged form the fact that before Maharaja Pratap Singh’s reign, there wasn’t any Tonga / Bull-Cart (wheeled conveyance), nor even a hand driven cart seen in the state. By the time his rule ended, large boats, ‘B’ class buses and trucks (motor vehicles), Tongas and Bull-Carts became the principal means of conveyance and transportation.
Besides roads and river connectivity, Maharaja was keen to connect Srinagar with rail. Survey was completed but it could not be executed because of prohibitive costs. Another dream project of Maharaja was to build a 79 mile long mono-cable steel ropeway from Jammu to village Doru, across Bannihal and from there to connect Srinagar by a 46 mile long rail line. That too could not be started due to lack of finances. Seeing that Kashmir valley is still not connected by rail 71 years after the independence, his dream of connecting valley with rail approximately 130 years ago speaks volumes of Maharaja’s dreams for his subjects. However Jammu was linked to Sialkot by rail in 1890 after which Jammu got connected to Delhi and rest of India. Today when everyone is talking about Modi and Nitin Ghadkare’s push for speedy infrastructure network, let them be reminded that nineteenth century Dogra rulers were equally committed to develop their state despite absence of resources and the mandate as is available to them.
Dept of Agriculture and Cooperative Societies were the other initiatives taken to further improve the lot of farmers and cultivators. In 1887, Maharaja ordered land settlement. As a result, the rights of the agriculturists were clearly defined. The share of agriculture produce for the state was fixed at 1/3rd of the gross produce. Revenue was collected in cash. Land settlement gave much needed security to the cultivators and became responsible for increased productivity and prosperity. The revenue of the state doubled. A model agricultural farm was set up at Srinagar to project scientific methods of cultivation. By 1929, the number of Cooperative Credit Societies rose to 1,100 with a membership of 27,500. This enabled farmers to untangle from the clutches of money lenders. As a social reform, ‘Begar’ in its more objectionable form was abolished.
J&K was rich in forests resources but nothing had been done to exploit them. In a path breaking initiative in 1891, Maharaja established Forest Dept which soon began to give very good returns. In the very 1st year it gave a surplus revenue of two and a half lakh which rose to two million in 1921-22 and to a record five millions in 1929-30. Silk industry of Kashmir owes its origin to Maharaja. In 1897 he established first Silk factory at Srinagar under Sir Thomas Walter, President Silk Association of Great Britain, who was impressed with high quality of Kashmir Silk. Same year Directorate of Sericulture was established under the Inspectorship of C W Walton. Good quality silk seeds were imported from Italy and France and distributed free. The cocoons were sent to England for reeling and weaving. By 1909 Silk industry offered jobs to over 60,000 people producing Silk worth 10,000 pounds. By 1942 Kashhmir had the largest Silk factory of the world. It produced finest Silk of the world which started selling throughout the British empire.
Lot of stress was laid to popularise education. Number of boys and girls schools and hostels were opened. Primary education was made free. Grants for education were budgeted. Several initiatives were taken to educate Muslims. Unqualified teachers were sent to Lahore for training. A degree college was started in Srinagar in 1905 and was named ‘Sri Pratap College’. Degree College Jammu was started in 1907 which was named ‘Prince of Wales College’, commemorating the visit of His Royal Highness, Prince of Wales, the future King George V. As a great visionary, he created institutions of higher learning. Amar Singh Technical Institute was established in Srinagar in 1914 and Sri Pratap Technical School was set up at Jammu in 1924. By 1938, Sri Pratap College, with 1187 students was adjudged being the second largest college affiliated to Punjab University.
Some other stories about the Maharaja may interest the readers. He was a mild opium addict. Once out of concern for opium eaters, he instructed palace staff to call Jammu opium addicts over lunch daily and told them to place good dishes slight distant away. His Highness would watch them eating. They will eat whatever was just infront and miss out better ones. He then ordered the good dishes to be placed closer so that they have good meals. He would see the number of so called addicts increasing. He ordered to start keeping the good dishes slightly away again. Those who were the fake addicts would reach out to the good dishes and enjoy. That way he identified imposters. He created work for them to enable them earn livelihood rather than call them cheat.
In another story when British wanted to increase their hold over the Maharaja, he planned to ward them off. He boasted of Dogra forces. To check reality, British officers came on inspection. Maharaja ordered different types of new uniforms to be stitched and three to four pairs given to each soldier and some civilians also trained. Once the inspection started, contingent after contingent, in different outfits, kept marching to no end. Impressed and worried, the Brits requested end of the parade and decided to lay-off. Yet again during the visit of Prince of Wales, His Highness organized a grand lunch for the poor and down trodden in Parade Ground Jammu in which Dogras, Kashmiris, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christian came. Another lunch was organized for the beggars in which besides meals 187 Maunds (Quintals) of sweets were distributed infront of the Prince to tell him how miserable was the condition of masses. This act also warded-off the Brits from laying hands on a poor state which could be a financial liability.
His Benevolent Highness left for heavenly abode on 23 September 1925 at the age of 77 having done a great deal for his subjects. A question before us today is are we justified in forgetting such iconic ruler?
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