Dr Bharti Gupta
The invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 by Pakistan, under the guise of tribal invaders is referred to as the “Kashmir War of 1947-48” or the “First Indo-Pak War”. It is one of the pivotal events in Indian history. This confrontation saw several crucial battles that significantly shaped the territorial boundaries and political scenario of Jammu and Kashmir. The bravery and sacrifices of soldiers in these battles not only safeguarded Jammu and Kashmir from falling into enemy hands but also solidified its Accession to India.
The British planned the invasion under the codename Operation Gulmarg. One of the most credible accounts of this conspiracy is provided by Major General O. S. Kalkat in his book – The Far-Flung Frontiers. On page 41, point 10, he writes: “A force of 10 Lashkars was to operate in the Poonch, Bhimber, and Rawalakot areas with the intention of capturing 
Poonch and Rajouri, and subsequently advancing towards Jammu.” Under this plan, attacks were initially concentrated in the Jammu province, targeting border areas such as Hiranagar, Suchetgarh, Bhimber, Mirpur, Kotli, and Poonch in September. The strategy was to create a diversion by focusing on Jammu, ensuring the state forces believed the primary threat was there. Meanwhile, no immediate action was taken at Muzaffarabad. This deliberate delay was designed to maintain the element of surprise and shift the state’s attention toward Jammu. Once the conditions were deemed favourable, the plan aimed to seize Kashmir by advancing through the Muzaffarabad route during the night of October 21-22. This strategic manoeuvre underscores the calculated nature of the invasion which can be appropriately labelled as the Jammu & Kashmir War of 1947-1948. Muzaffarabad was a key town that provided access to the rest of the Kashmir Valley, through Baramulla. The attack aimed to capture Srinagar, the state’s summer capital, and force its accession to Pakistan. The4th Jammu and Kashmir Infantry was deployed to defend Muzaffarabad that included the vital Domel Bridgewhich delayed the move of enemy forces of 6000 by a day, a vital day which saved Kashmir, commanded by Colonel Narain Singh.Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Colonel Narain Singh organized a spirited defence with a few people. The local betrayal, however, by some State Forces personnel sympathetic to the invaders severely weakened the defence. After fierce fighting, the invaders captured Muzaffarabad. However, his steadfast resistance delayed the attackers but could not prevent the fall of Muzaffarabad.The fall of Muzaffarabad opened the route for the invaders to proceed towards Baramulla and Srinagar.
After the fall of Muzaffarabad on 22nd October 1947 Maharaja Hari Singh ordered Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Chief of Staff of the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces, to defend Uri. Maharaja Hari Singh issued a direct order to Brigadier Singh, instructing him to hold the enemy at Uri “at all costs and to the last man.”Brig. Rajinder Singh with 100 gallant soldiers, fought four battles atGarhi, Uri, Mahura and Rampur-Buniyar to hold 6,000 invadersfrom October 23rd to 26th October, 1947. His leadership during this critical period was instrumental in delaying the advance of the invaders, thereby providing crucial time for the Maharaja to accede to India and for Indian forces to arrive in defence of the State. He saved Kashmir and earned the title of ‘Saviour of Kashmir’ and was awarded the first Maha Vir Chakra of Independent India.
The battleground of Garhi – 23rd October
While Brigadier Rajinder Singh’s orders were to defend Uri, his forces were engaged in delaying actions starting from Garhi, a strategic location before Uri. Colonel Prithi Singh led the immediate defense of Garhi, Brigadier Rajinder Singhtook command of the overall strategy.Subedar Duni Chand played a pivotal role in the battle of Garhi. Duni Chand led his men in fierce close-quarter engagements. Prithi Singh’s actions, alongside those of Subedar Duni Chand and others, were critical in slowing the enemy’s advance.Garhi quickly became indefensible as the enemy deployed across a broader front, including the heights dominating the road and the withdrawal route toward Uri. Recognizing this, Brigadier Rajinder Singh decided to pull back and occupy a more strategic fallback position to halt the enemy’s advance and impose further delays.
During the battle of Garhi, Brig. Rajinder Singh, finding appropriate time, rushed to Baramulla to inform Maharaja Hari Singh about the impending threat from Pakistan that he had observed. This made the Maharaja and the P.M., Meharchand Mahajan inform Delhi about the magnitude of the threat and the emphasis on the immediate dispatch of the army.
The battleground of Uri- 23rd October
The town of Uri, situated along the vital road to Srinagar, served as a crucial defensive position. The small defending force, after withdrawing from Garhi, took positions on the right bank of the Uri Nullah, covering the Uri Bridge along the road. These troops had been on the move for over 24 hours, traversing the distance from Srinagar to Garhi and back to Uri, enduring the gruelling march without food or supplies.
Brigadier Rajinder Singh devised a strategy to hold off the enemy throughout the day and withdraw close to midnight, aiming to occupy a rear position by the following daybreak. With this plan in mind, he organized the defences of Uri for October 24. The troops worked tirelessly through the night to strengthen their positions and make the defence as formidable as possible under the challenging circumstances. By the morning of October 24, preparations were completed to demolish the bridge over the Uri Nullah. However, the demolition was deliberately delayed to ensure the safe passage of refugees fleeing from Muzaffarabad and traveling through Garhi toward Srinagar via Uri. Brigadier Rajinder Singh further facilitated their movement by providing two vehicles to transport them safely.
As planned, the bridge was demolished, halting the enemy’s immediate progress. In the meantime, the enemy, on the other side of the demolished bridge, began looting the belongings that remained in the homes of the locals.
Following the demolition of the Uri bridge during the Battle of Uri, the invaders faced significant delays and obstacles in their advance. However, their knowledge of the terrain allowed them to adapt and continue moving forward without vehicles.Recognizing the enemy’s movements and the critical situation, Brigadier Rajinder Singh decided to withdraw to Mahura.
The battleground of Mahura-24th- 25thOctober
On the night of October 24, 1947, the first vehicle of Brigadier Singh’s retreating column reached Mahura around 10:30 PM. Mistaken for enemy forces, the staff at the Mahura power station cut the electricity supply, plunging Srinagar into darkness. It was Dussehra night, and to maintain public calm, Maharaja Hari Singh continued the traditional celebrations as though nothing unusual was happening. The formalities of the Dussehra Durbar were carried out, followed by dinner, powered by the palace generator. Meanwhile, negotiations for the state’s accession to India were underway. The Maharaja’s composed leadership during this turbulent time exemplified his resolve and commitment to safeguarding his people.
At dawn on October 25, the enemy launched a ferocious assault on Brigadier Singh’s forces at Mahura. Reinforcements from the Jammu Brigade are believed to have bolstered the defences. Despite being outnumbered, the defenders inflicted heavy casualties on the invaders, successfully repelling the attack. However, the enemy soon employed flanking tactics, attempting to encircle the position. By midday, the invaders launched another intense attack on the Mahura defences. Despite fierce resistance, the small garrison was eventually outflanked as over 1,000 Pathans assaulted the frontlines while another large contingent maneuvered over the hills. By evening, with the position no longer defensible, Brigadier Rajinder Singh was forced to withdraw to a new defensive line at Rampur-Buniyar.
Meanwhile, on receiving the vital information from the Maharaja and the P.M, the Govt. of India sent V.P. Menon and Col. Manekshaw to assess the situation. On reaching 25th in Kashmir, V.P. Menon realized that the situation is much worst than what was reported so he advised the Maharaja to leave for Jammu immediately. He stayed there in Kashmir to make sure that the Maharaja should leave for Jammu the same night to materialize the accession of J&K with India as this was the condition set for any Military support by the GoI.
The battleground of Rampur-Buniyar (26th October)
Brigadier Rajinder Singh deployed his small contingent of soldiers at Rampur Buniyar. The strategy was not to hold Rampur Buniyar indefinitely but to delay the invaders long enough for the Maharaja to finalize the Instrument of Accession and for Indian troops to arrive in Srinagar.
The invaders launched a relentless attack, attempting to overwhelm the defenders with sheer numbers and firepower.Brigadier Singh led from the front, personally overseeing the defence and inspiring his troops to fight with unwavering courage.Despite the defenders’ valiant efforts, their position was eventually overrun due to the overwhelming strength of the enemy. During the fighting, Brigadier Rajinder Singh was fatally wounded. True to the Maharaja’s command, Brig. Rajinder Singh laid down his life on the battlefield, becoming the first senior officer to make the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of Jammu and Kashmir.
The resistance at Rampura Buniyar delayed the invaders long enough to allow the Maharaja to formally sign the Instrument of Accession on October 26, 1947. This delay also ensured that Indian troops could be airlifted to Srinagar on October 27, just in time to secure the city.
The events of October 27, 1947, were pivotal in shaping the destiny of Jammu and Kashmir. After the Pakistanis overran Garhi,Uri, Mahura and Rampura Buniyar, they arrived in Baramulla by 6 a.m. with the objective of rapidly advancing toward Srinagar. However, instead of maintaining their momentum, the invaders paused in Baramulla, indulging in widespread looting, violence, and destruction, which significantly delayed their march. They plundered the wealth of local residents, regardless of religion, and subjected the town to chaos. The invaders committed heinous atrocities, including massacres and violence against women. They targeted hospitals, churches, and other places of refuge. Notably, the invaders attacked the St. Joseph’s Convent Hospitalin Baramulla and brutally murdered patients, nuns, and priests.
On October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh had signed the Instrument of Accession at Amar Mahal Jammu where he was born on 23 Sept 1895 legally making Jammu and Kashmir a part of India.In response, the Government of India ordered the immediate deployment of troops to Srinagar to protect the valley from falling into enemy hands.
The first Indian Army troops, comprising the 1st Sikh Regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai, were airlifted from Palam Airport in Delhi at 6:30 a.m. on October 27, 1947. The initial Dakota aircraft landed at Srinagar airfield at 9:40 a.m.This operation marked the beginning of India’s military intervention in Jammu and Kashmir during the 1947 conflict.Upon landing, Indian troops quickly moved to secure the Srinagar airport.
Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai moved to Baramulla to engage the invaders and slow their progress further, while reinforcements continued to arrive. The arrival of the Indian Army on October 27 marked a turning point. The balance of power shifted as the organized and well-equipped Indian forces began pushing back the invaders, eventually driving them out of the valley.
These four battles in 1947 were not just military engagements; they were decisive turning points that secured the future of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India. These confrontations showcased unparalleled bravery, strategic ingenuity, and selfless sacrifices by the defenders, including legendary figures like Brigadier Rajinder Singh, LtColonel Prithi Singh, Subedar Duni Chand,Narain Singh, and countless unsung heroes. Their resistance against overwhelming odds delayed the advancing Pakistani hordes, allowing time for the Instrument of Accession to be signed and for Indian forces to arrive and protect the valley.
Had the valley fallen to the Pakistanis, its rich cultural heritage, diversity, and the aspirations of its people would have been suppressed under a regime plagued by political instability and authoritarian rule. Instead, the sacrifices of the defenders and the people of Jammu &Kashmir ensured that the region became part of a vibrant and progressive democracy that fostered opportunities for growth, education, and development. One wonders what would have happened if Kashmir and the State had not been saved by Brigadier Rajinder Singh and his handful of Dogra Forces and if J&K had not been acceded by Maharaja Hari Singh. Kashmir would have been like Mirpur and Muzaffarabad and the Chinese would have been at Lakhanpur.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir owe their future and the prosperity of generations to come to the valiant soldiers who stood firm against overwhelming odds. Their sacrifices not only ensured the region’s integration into a nation that values pluralism and collective progress but also secured the freedom and opportunities its citizens enjoy today. This gratitude should transcend mere historical recognition, standing as a lasting tribute to the vision and courage that shaped Jammu and Kashmir’s destiny-guided by the foresight of Maharaja Hari Singh and the indomitable leadership of Brigadier Rajinder Singh, the Saviour of Kashmir.
Acknowledgement: The information has been received directly from the Oral history shared by Major General Goverdhan Singh Jamwal who is the first and the last General of the J&K State Forces of Maharaja Hari Singh, and from his book titled, “Valour and Betrayal, Last Man Last Round Battles of Brig Rajinder Singh, MVC”.
(The author is Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism and Travel Management, Central University of Jammu)
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