Col J P Singh, Retd
Mian Dido was a brave Dogra Jamwal who lived in Jagti, North of Jammu. He rebelled against Sikh dominance and Sahukari exploitation. He represented the uncurbed fighting spirit of people of Jammu. His defiance of Sikh authority had popular backing. Hence despite being a mighty power, Lahore Darbar failed to stamp out the rebel.
After Jammu had been conquered by Sikhs in 1808 in which Gulab Singh gallantly fought in the battle of Gumat, it became a Jagir of Prince Kharak Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. A garrison of 2000 men was established in Jammu. Jammu people resented the application of Sikh rule. New land taxes enabled money lenders to exploit zamindars most. Lot of bounty was drawn from Dogra kingdom which was not acceptable to Dogras. Mian Dido was disturbed with the surrender of Jammu sovereignty to Lahore. To save people from economic exploitation by Sikhs and money lenders, he took up arms against the unjust demands of Sikh administrators. Peasantry and Bahu and Chib Rajputs came out in open against Sikh rule. Hence he became a folk hero of Jammu. Despite large Sikh force in Jammu, Mian was never scacred to attack them whenever he wanted even with 50 to 60 rebels. In one such assault he burnt the Sikh camp and carried lot of booty which he distributed to the poor. Following guerrilla tactics, after such exploits he would disappear as fast as he would descend. Sikhs never dared to pursue him in the hills. It is said that he himself slew over three hundred soldiers. At times the brigands will enter Jammu with 2 to 3 hundred men and kill all the Sikh soldiers they would encounter. They will spend the night at Jammu city, cook meals in the fire they will lit with their belongings. In the morning they would leave with whatever booty they had looted.
In 1812, tired of such life and allured of pardon from Sikh authorities, Mian surrendered. But no sooner he had done so, he suspected treachery, set upon his guards and escaped after killing five. He again returned to wild predatory way of life and created mayhem. Sikhs found it impossible to govern and collect revenue.
Hawking had been a favourite amusing sport of Sikh Chiefs. Many of hawks employed in this sport were caught from Trikuta Hill. It was learnt that Mian had caught a remarkably fine hawk. Sikhs had considered Hawks as property of Prince Kharak Singh. Hence they demanded it which Mian stoutly refused. On this one officer and twelve men were sent to snatch it. They reached his hut and the parleys started for handing over the bird. Dido agreed to accompany them to their Jammu Camp with the Hawk. Time was settled for the departure. Mian thereafter gave them rations to prepare meal in the adjoining hut. As they got busy in cooking, Mian gave the Hawk to his wife and asked her to disappear in the Jungle. Seeing his unwelcome guests busy in cooking, he rushed upon them with sword and before they could recover from the shock of sudden attack, he killed seven of them and fatally wounded four. Only two survived. After that he made hills his permanent abode to continue guerrilla warfare. Sometimes he would lead upto two thousand men in such exploits. He was favoured and sheltered by the people who were against Sikhs and Sahukars.
Mian and his followers became scourge of Sikhs in Jammu. Once more Mian was captured by a trick. On pretext of nature’s call, he struck the head of his guard with the water filled ‘Lota’ that he was carrying. While the blood covered the face of the soldier, Mian escaped. Many a time large force was despatched from Lahore but in vain. Meanwhile a ‘Dali’ of dry fruits sent by Pt. Birbar Dhar for the emperor Ranjit Singh was intercepted by Mian. Instead, he packed cow dung cakes and sent it to the ruler. This pricked Emperor’s honour. While Emperor was brooding over the plan to capture Mian, Gulab Singh is said to have humbly submitted, “Sarkar, there is a proverb that once while a fierce lion was sleeping, a mouse nibbled his moustaches. Lion tried to revenge but mouse being small could not be caught. He became gloomy. Seeing this, a cat said to the lion, ‘with all the valour confined in you it will be below your dignity to seek quarrel with such trifle little thing’. ‘If this meek Cat is allowed, she may possible chastise it. The lion was grateful to the cat to consider relieving him of anxiety and promised to always set apart a portion of flesh for her survival. As the mouse is cat’s natural pray, she caught him. In the same manner if the work of capturing Dido is given to him, it will be readily accomplished”. The Emperor, amused with this eloquence, took off his shawl and put it on Gulab Singh’s shoulders. Hence in 1921, he thus exalted Gulab Singh on the expedition. Gulab Singh drew cunning plans to isolate the rebel and capture him.
Mian used to go to the villages where zamindars used to offer him food. Gulab Singh also, in the same manner, started going to the villages and would announce arrival of Mian Dido. Whosoever came with food was arrested and punished. As a result when Mian went to a village nobody will come out feared of Gulab Singh having come impersonating Dido. This completly isolated Mian.
Once a contingent was sent to Jagti under Atar Singh Kalal but Dido was not there. His old father, Mian Hazari, drew his sword when Atar asked him to surrender. Mian Hazari said, “don’t you know that to lay down life bravely is pride of warriors. Surrendering before the enemy like you is a cowardice”. He was killed by Atar Singh because of infirmity of age. That time Mian resided with family at Cherai near Painthal. Gulab Singh camped at Painthal. Mian moved to Trikuta Peak. Gulab Singh was once attacked by Mian’s brigand but before he could be hit, he struck the attacker. Gulab Singh divided his force in three groups to surround Mian. Mian Dharam Singh was deputed to the right, Atar Singh Kalal in the middle and himself took up the left flank. Having spent the first night in complete vigil and caution, Gulab Singh directed Wazir Zorawar Singh Kalhuria and Mian Bishna to Trikuta Peak with instructions to bring him alive in his presence.
Finding no escape, Mian went to the Shrine and requested the Priest to take his family to his care; on which, the holy Priest said, “I saw a dream last night in which I saw tree of your fortune uprooted with its blossoming rose falling in the courtyard of Gulab Singh. Take the blessings of Mata Vaishno and go into the sharan of Gulab Singh”. Paying no heed to the counsel of priest, he reiterated that in no case he will seek any body’s protection. Thus fully armed he reached Sanji Chhat and finding no passage through the army, he charged the column of Atar Singh Kalal. Atar Singh struck him on the head with his sword which cut through the turban. On this Mian got furious on Atar who had slain his father and exclaimed, “O coward, I will instantly cut you in two”. With one blow, his sword cut through Atar’s shoulder to the belly and tearing through the thigh hit the ground. Seeing this spectacle no one dared to come closer to him. He thus sat in a perfect composure on a rock and asked for his ‘Huqa’ and began to smoke. Since nobody could catch or defeat him, soldiers resorted to firing. A bullet pierced through his throat. He fell down dead. When Gulab Singh was told of his death, he was anguished since he had decided to present him alive before the Emperor. More so because he was his relative and a warrior.
After Main’s death Gulab Singh took the responsibility of bringing up his sons, Basant Singh and Gushan. He enrolled them in Cavalry Unit. Basant Singh reached to an exalted position of Commandant of the Unit. It deserves to be mentioned that Gulab Singh carried the regret of murder of Mian in his heart for long. One day while hunting, Gulab Singh alone chased his hunt while others lagged behind. Only Basant Singh managed to catch up. When they travelled far Gulab Singh removed his weapons and handed them over to Basant and declared, “O Basant, Your illustrious father has been killed by me. A Rajput always revenges his father’s blood. I am without weapons and alone. What more favourable opportunity will you get to avenge”. Hearing this Basant felt bewildered, dropped the weapons and fell on the feet of his benefactor and said, “I am brought up by your blessings. How can I do such an act”. ‘Such trials of fortune rarely favours the brave’. This shows regret and endurance for the sufferings for killings under his command.
Mian’s popularity in Dogra society can be gauged from the folk songs sung in his memory. Lesson from Mian’s struggle is that Dogras will never compromise with identity and dignity and would fight for justice.
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