Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 19: A lecture on “Jammu and Lahore Darbar: A Historian’s Narrative” was organized by Maharaja Gulab Singh Research Centre at Gulab Bhawan, Shalimar Chowk, Jammu.
The lecture was delivered by Dr Daljeet Singh, who is one of the senior faculties of the Department of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala and also holds the charge of the prestigious Shri Guru Teg Bahadur National Integration Chair, located in the Punjabi University
Daljeet Singh underlined the context in which Maharaja Ranjeet Singh rose to political prominence. He dwelt upon how prior to his rise, the Punjab region had numerous warring misls (confederacies), twelve of which were under Sikh rulers and one Muslim. This difficult situation was soon overcome by Ranjit Singh through valor and diplomacy and he successfully absorbed and united the Sikh misls and took over other local kingdoms to create the Sikh Empire.
Dr Daljeet also pointed out that Maharaja Gulab Singh and his two brothers played a significant role in elevating the status of Lahore Darbar. In fact several of the military achievements and successful negotiation of internal strife in Lahore Darbar was done by the Dogra brothers. It was possibly this importance of Maharaja Gulab Singh which earned him the status of Raja from Ranjeet Singh. He further pointed out how Ranjeet Singh introduced reforms, modernization, leading to general prosperity.
In the process of his discussion, Dr Daljeet also brought about how Maharaja Gulab Singh also played an important role by virtue of enjoying hegemonic status in the Lahore Darbar.
The lecture was attended by faculty members of the University, research scholars, students and members of civil society.
Earlier, Dr Sushama J Barnawal, the Research Consultant of Maharaja Gulab Singh Research Centre, highlighted the aims and objectives of the Centre in expanding the existing academic canvas of the past and the present of the State of Jammu and Kashmir by organizing lectures, debates, seminars, workshops, conferences etc.
Dr. S P Gupta, from Maharaja Gulab Singh Trust, honored the speaker by presenting him a memento. The vote of thanks was delivered by Deepika Devi. The programme was anchored by Jasleen Kaur.
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