Maharaja Hari Singh: The central government has declared a state holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh. For a long time, the Dogra organizations here were demanding to declare a holiday on his birth anniversary. Know who was Maharaja Hari Singh…
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. He reached Jammu on Monday. He said, Maharaja Hari Singh has played an important role in making Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India. Paying tribute to him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared a state holiday on his birth anniversary. For a long time, the Dogra organization here had been demanding to declare a holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, which was accepted by the government.
Maharaja Hari Singh ruled in Jammu and Kashmir, but the thinking of the people of both the places about him has been different. The people of Jammu believe that he was the last ruler of the Dogra dynasty and is his pride. At the same time, the people of Kashmir consider him a symbol of oppression.
took power at the age of 30
Raja Hari Singh was born on 23 September 1895 in Jammu. His father Amar Singh was a Dogra Rajput ruler of Hinduism. Hari Singh took power in 1925. After the coronation, many such announcements were made which were given the name of revolutionary change. HL Saxena writes in his book ‘The Tragedy of Kashmir’ that in his first speech after the coronation, he said, I am of course a Hindu but as a ruler my religion is justice. During his time, he used to participate in Eid and also in Hindu festivals.
Historical announcements that became the subject of discussion
He announced the opening of 50-500 schools in Jammu and Kashmir, 10-10 schools in Gilgit and Ladakh. Not only this, for the construction of the building, it was announced to give free wood from the forest department. He gave many orders like opening dispensary in the state, expanding technical education, fixing the age for marriage and immunization system.
To free the farmers from the trap of moneylenders, the Agriculture Relief Act was enacted. It was made mandatory to send children to school in the state. In October 1932, taking a historic decision, he opened all the temples to the Dalits as well. However, after this announcement, the priest of Raghunath temple protested and resigned.
How Jammu and Kashmir got
Gulab Singh, the great-grandfather of Raja Hari Singh, was appointed general by the Queen of Punjab in 1846. He acquired the right to rule Jammu and Kashmir from the British under the ‘Amritsar Treaty’ for 75 lakhs. It is also called ‘Amritsar Bainama’ in common language.
Jammu and Kashmir was a state whose border was with Pakistan, Tibet and Afghanistan. After independence, Raja Hari Singh refused to merge Jammu and Kashmir with India and Pakistan. He believed that if Jammu and Kashmir merges with Pakistan, it will be an injustice to the Hindus of Jammu. On the other hand, if the state merges with India, it will be an injustice to the Muslims of Kashmir.
After refusing to merge, Pakistan attacked Jammu and Kashmir on 22 October 1947, then Hari Singh sought help from the Government of India. He finally signed the documents of merger for peace in the state. Only after that the army was deployed and Jammu and Kashmir became a part of India.
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