Maharaja Hari Singh: A Visionary Ruler of Jammu & Kashmir : A Tribute on his 50th Death Anniversary || By V.K. Wattal || LIVE IMAGE

“If I am considered worth governing this state, then I will say that for me, all communities, religions and races are equal. As a ruler, I have no religion – all religions are mine, and my religion is “JUSTICE”.

This is the first-ever public speech Maharaja Hari Singh made after acceding to the throne. Maharaja made his intentions abundantly clear. The Maharajas of pre-1947, numbering more than 500, were the butt of ridicule and derisive laughter of the public. It was not for nothing, but they deserved it. They had earned this dubious distinction /sobriquet by their abnormal behaviour, eccentric habits, indulging in excessive drinking, being sex maniacs, waking up the whole night watching the dancing girls dance and sleeping the entire day, unusual hobbies such as raising dogs in hundreds and also performing their marriages and spending money lavishly.

But as the old saying goes, there is always light at the end of the tunnel or a silver lining in an otherwise black, overcast sky. A few Maharajas could be counted on the tips of the fingers who stood heads and shoulders above the rest. They were very well educated ( most of the Maharajas were illiterates or, at best, semi-literates), normal people who had a firm knowledge of the conditions of their states, had a desire to improve the lot of their subjects and made the best of their whatever finances were available to them.

They hired the best people from their state or from outside to give efficient and good governance to their subjects. They delegated all the powers of governance to these efficient administrators and did not interfere with their day-to-day work. They carefully listened to their suggestions and implemented them for the benefit of the people. To name a few, we had Sir C P Ramaswami Iyer (Travancore), Sir Gopalaswami Iyengar ( Jammu and Kashmir ) and Sir Mirza Ismail Ali ( Jaipur). 

Maharaja Hari Singh was one of the rulers belonging to this small group. The Jammu & Kashmir State was considered as one of the best-administered states of pre-1947 India.

Maharaja Hari Singh was born on September 23, 1895, at the palace of Amar Mahal, Jammu. His father, Raja Amar Singh, was the brother of Maharaja Pratap Singh. Since Maharaja Pratap Singh had no children, it was obvious that the nephew would ascend to the throne after him. Raja Amar Singh foresaw the writing on the wall and brought up his son to learn the traditions and values that were the general hallmark of the Dogras and the ruling family in particular.

Maharaja Hari Singh began his early education at Mayo College, Ajmer, a prestigious institution catering to the needs of the modern teaching of the royal families at the hands of British teachers. At this time, Britishers took a personal interest in the education of Hari Singh and entrusted the task to Major H K Brar, who became his guardian. After completing his education at Mayo, he was sent to Imperial Cadet Corp, Dehradun. After completing his Military training, he returned to the state in 1914 and was appointed Commander–in–Chief of the State Forces. In addition, he held the position of Senior Member of the State Council and later was in charge of Defence and Foreign Affairs. During the period of his Ruler –, he was sent abroad with the intention that this would broaden his vision. He married Maharani Tara Devi after his three earlier wives died at a very young age. It was Maharani Tara Devi who bore her the only son, Dr Karan Singh, in 1931. 

Maharaja Hari Singh ascended to the throne in 1925 after the demise of Maharaja Pratap Singh. 

The State of Jammu and Kashmir is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious state divided into Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. All three regions have their own distinct culture, language and style of living. 

Maharaja Hari Singh began the reign of the state with an excellent educational background and exposure to the then-modern world, which broadened his vision. He initiated comprehensive Economic, Agricultural, Social, Legal, Administrative and Political reforms. He introduced several new laws which modernised every branch of public affairs. The highest priorities were given to Agriculture, Education and Health.

AGRICULTURE

Maharaja was very well aware of the fact that Agriculture was the main occupation of the state, especially in the valley, so he paid extraordinary attention to modernising this sector. A very brief reference is given for the benefit of readers:- 

“Agriculture Relief Act” enabled the Debtors to bring the creditors to the court for settlement and freed the peasants and rural population from the yoke of Money Lenders and Creditors.

“The Land Alienation Act” forbade the transfer of agricultural land to Non-Agriculture and gave ownership rights to the tiller. The rural population and farmers without any land were given the Khalsa Land with ownership rights.

The BEGAR or the FORCED LABOUR was wholly abolished.

The Department of RURAL DEVELOPMENT was established in 1937. The Panchayats, which till then were used to resolve the community conflicts, were associated with implementing plans for Rural Development.

ECONOMIC REFORMS

Maharaja was very keen on the industrialisation of the state. Despite this fact, there were numerous problems. His primary focus was on those which could be established with the raw material available in the state. The manufacturing units of matchboxes, carpets, tents, woodwork tannery goods, and silk yarn were set up during this period. Several Taxes were abolished by way of incentives and encouragement to the trade and industry.

The State Government established a Silk factory in Jammu and a production unit in Srinagar. The opening of Industrial Centres and Emporias in Srinagar and Jammu gave a fillip to the state trade. Together, these provided employment to thousands of workers and the rural families who raised the cocoons for the silk yarn.

Maharaja realised that because of the valley’s natural beauty, TOURISM played a vital role in the economy. In addition to the benefits to the State Exchequer, it brought benefits to people connected with it. In a planned way, he developed the facilities at Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg.

Establishment of Jammu and Kashmir Bank:-

The revolutionary step of establishing Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited in 1938 will remain the hallmark of Economic Reforms. The bank took control of the Government Treasury. Branches were opened at all the essential places in the state.

During World War – II, when essential commodities like food, rice, wheat, sugar and fuel had become scarce. A rationing system was introduced where these items were provided to the people at controlled prices. Also, a fund was created by the Maharaja for the poorest population to alleviate their distress. 

HEALTH REFORM

After the Agriculture and Economic reforms, the Health Reforms were highest on the priority list. Maharaja was aware of the fact that his subjects needed to get proper Health care. It was mainly the foreign missionaries giving health care to the people within their limited means.

The number of Hospitals at the District Headquarters and the Dispensaries deep into the interiors was significantly increased. Qualified Doctors and the Nursing Staff operated them. The Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS Hospital) — now attached to Govt. Medical College Srinagar was opened in Srinagar in 1945 with 320 Beds and was considered the largest Hospital in the country. Similarly, The Sri Maharaj Gulab Singh Hospital (SMGS Hospital) —- now attached to Govt. Medical College, Jammu, was opened in 1943 at Jammu. The state had the distinction of having “TUBERCULOSiS DEPARTMENT, attached to the Health department in India.   

The Cholera epidemic that broke out in 1935 made the Maharaja understand that polluted drinking water was the root cause of the diseases in the state. A special branch was opened in the Public Works Department to provide clean, potable water to the people. Tank wells were constructed, and Tube wells were bored all over the state to provide fresh and potable water to the people. 

EDUCATIONAL REFORMS

Maharaja Hari Singh, himself an educated person having studied in the prestigious educational Institute of Mayo College, Ajmer, was firmly convinced that education is the only firm plank which can give his subjects an honorable standing, which in the long run will be beneficial to the state. 

To begin with, Primary education was made compulsory for all the children in 1930. The locals nicknamed the schools opened under this scheme in all the towns as “JABRI SCHOOLS”. Primary and Secondary education was made FREE all over the state. New Schools, Colleges and Institutes were established to accommodate the increasing number of students. A campaign against Adult illiteracy was also launched with considerable success. Urdu language was made the medium of instruction in schools. Also, a Scholarship Selection Board was established to grant scholarships and financial assistance to deserving and bright students. They were sent for higher studies to principal institutions in India and abroad.      

SOCIAL REFORMS

Maharaja focused his serious attention on the social evils of Trafficking of women, Child Marriages, untouchability, and female infanticide. To prevent female infanticide, he constituted two committees in 1926 and 1929., which recommended that severe action be taken against the guilty. An ordinance was promulgated in which the marriage of boys and girls under 18 and 14 years was prohibited, and the breach of the ordinance invited imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of one thousand rupees. Dhandevi Memorial Fund was established for the marriage of poor girls. The prostitution or the organizing of prostitution was declared a punishable crime. Legislations against such social evils were introduced.

Maharaja will be remembered for the bold step against the evils of untouchability common against the low caste communities. He opened all the schools, colleges and wells to the untouchables in 1931. In 1932, all the temples were thrown open to them, and by 1941, untouchability was proclaimed as a crime. Maharaja’s removal of legal disabilities on the marriages of Hindu Widows is regarded as a doctrine in the sub-continent.

It will surprise the readers that Maharaja set the example of worshipping Harijan Girls during Navratras.

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS

After assuming the reigns of the state, Maharaja was very much aware that political and economic dissatisfaction had started among the people, keeping in mind the strike of Silk factory workers in 1924. The political awareness was also on the rise. He initiated the process of replacing the totalitarian administration with a more secular and non-communal one.  

Maharaja faced the problem of a lack of local professionals, officers and administrators. The English language had been declared necessary for the civil services, resulting in people from outside the state being inducted into the civil services. This had caused a wave of anger among the people. The government resolved the crisis that only people born in the state before 1846 and settled before 1885 could be employed in the civil services. 

The Muslim community, which had remained behind in education as compared to the other communities, wanted a special quota in the services, but the government refused the demand, which resulted in Government disturbances and communal riots in 1931. Maharaja took serious notice of the agitation and appointed the Glancey Commission to investigate the grievances of the Muslims and other communities. Maharaja accepted the recommendations of the commission and declared by a proclamation on July,9,1931. The recommendations included “For a fair and adequate representation in services to all the communities, grant of freedom of Press and Platform and the establishment of the representative Assembly”. But at the same time, due consideration will be given to the public interest, and the obligation of maintaining the efficiency of the administration will not be overlooked. Maharaja, though, was able to satisfy the Muslims but incurred the wrath of minority communities.

POLITICAL REFORMS

Maharaja, a keen observer who had been abroad, was watching the changing political scenario in the sub-continent. He endorsed the formation of a Legislative Assembly called the Jammu & Kashmir Praja Sabha, in 1934. The sabha comprised 75 Members, including 33 Elected Members ( 21 Muslims, 10 Hindus, and 2 Sikhs). Respecting the people’s demands, the number of elected Members was raised from 33 to 40., in 1939. The Praja Sabha was empowered to make laws and pass legislation about taxes and the Budgetary allocations. In 1944, Maharaja again took a noteworthy step by appointing Ministers from the Elected Praja Sabha Members. This led to the appointment of Mirza Afzal Beg and Sh Ganga Ram as ministers.

FOREIGN POLICY

Maharaja Hari Singh maintained cordial relations with the British. There is a school of thought that at one time, Britishers tried to weaken him and sent some people from the political department for this purpose. During the war, Maharaja assisted the British and their allies with armed forces and Funds. He visited the Middle East in 1941 and 1944 to meet his soldiers and enhance their spirits.

This writer has purposely not delved into the happenings between 1947 and 1949 because it is a different subject.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir underwent a total change with these reforms. The readers will agree that all these Reforms mentioned above were people-oriented and brought a sea change in their outlook. The systemic changes and the reforms that were brought with the passage of time sound like an Election Manifesto being released by the different parties before going to the hustings. The readers know that the writing in the manifestos remains only on paper and is hardly implemented once the party comes to power. 

Maharaja Hari Singh never released any manifesto, but being a visionary and being advised by efficient people, he had his hand on the pulse of his subjects and was fully aware of their needs, which would make their lives better and better. Like other Maharajas, he did not waste his time and meagre finances in conducting the marriages of the dogs, watching Nautch girls dancing the whole night, waking up the entire night and drinking and sleeping during the day. Absolutely ignorant of what is happening in their state.         

It is quite surprising that the Dogra rule is being termed Tyrant and autocratic. They were not invaders but had purchased the state. But it goes to their credit that they never treated the state as a “Purchased Commodity”. They handled it with the utmost care, unlike Pathan and Sikh rulers which brings shivers to the spine. 

The fact remains that all the Dogra rulers never were a law unto themselves. Their personal lives were above board when compared to other rulers. They had the best possible Advisors/administrators. Maharaja Hari Singh had the distinction of having the best Prime Ministers and Ministers. This was why this state was considered the best-administered state in India. 

My humble submission to Respected Hon’ble Dr. Karan Singh, Maharaja’s only son, why he has chosen to remain silent about the excellent work carried out in the state during his father’s regime. Is it because you were totally carried away by the charisma of Pt. Nehru. It is a fact that Maharaja and Pt Nehru rubbed each other on the wrong side. The bone of contention is that Pt. Nehru was fascinated by Sheikh Abdullah, while the Maharaja was allergic to him. Maharaja had incurred the wrath of having him arrested at the Kohala bridge and did not allow him to enter the state. Who was right or who was wrong? The historian will decide. At the same time, it is known that Pt. Nehru did not leave any stone unturned to humiliate the Maharaja; it goes to the credit of Maharaja. Being highly egoistic, he also did not beg for favors.

Respected Honb’le Dr Sahab, I have been going to Jammu every month for the last forty years because of my professional and social obligations. During these forty years, I have never encountered a function or a Memorial Lecture, a seminar organized in memory of Maharaja Hari Singh. The people of J&K State need to be told about Maharaja’s excellent work for the state. This writer never knew that Jammu & Kashmir Bank was established in 1938, as a step towards the Economic Reforms. It is a foregone conclusion that the bank was established after 1947 by the popular government. I humbly request that Maharaja not be dubbed a Ruler but a true Democrat who loved the state and its people.

This writer would conclude this write-up on this legend of Dogras:-

“You could land up where you are because of your good Karma. But your thoughts and intentions give you the direction in life”.   

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