DottyN0357445099: adding basic bio added tags

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{{Short description|Sikh governor of Kashmir}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Mihan Singh
| title =
| honorific_suffix = Kumedan
| image = Painting of Mihan Singh of the Sikh Empire, Sikh school, Punjab Plains, ca.1845–50.jpg
| caption = Drawing of Mihan Singh of the Sikh Empire, Sikh school, Punjab Plains, ca.1845–50
| office = Sikh governor of Kashmir
| term_start = July 1834
| term_end = 17 April 1841
| predecessor = [[Sher Singh]]
| successor = [[Shaikh Ghulam Muhy-ud-Din|Ghulam Muhy-ud-Din]]
| birth_date = Unknown
| birth_place = [[Maan, Punjab|Mann]], Gujranwala, Sikh Empire<ref>{{Cite book|oclc=1504631 |last=Sufi |first=G. M. D.|chapter= Chapter XI {{snd}} Kashmīr Under the Sikhs|title=Kashīr: Being a History of Kashmīr|volume=II|date=1949|publisher=The University of the Punjab|location=Lahore|page=738}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| death_date = 1841
| death_place = [[Srinagar]], Sikh Empire
}}

'''Mihan Singh''' (died 17 April 1841) was the [[Sikh Empire|Sikh]] governor (''[[Subahdar|nazim]]'') of [[Kashmir]] province from 1834 to 1841.{{Efn|His name is alternatively transliterated as 'Mehan' or 'Mian'. His name is commonly appended with the 'Kumedan' title.|group=note}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Col. Mihan Singh Kumedan. |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG150956 |access-date=1 March 2025 |website=British Museum}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Herrli |first=Hans |title=The Coins of the Sikhs |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal |year=2004 |isbn=9788121511322 |edition=2nd}}</ref>{{Rp|page=119}} He was the commander of a [[Sikh Khalsa Army|Sikh infantry battalion]], which led to him being bestowed with the ''Kumedan'' title.<ref name=":0" />''<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=120}}'' After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839, Mihan Singh advocated for the partial independence from Lahore.<ref name=":0" /> In the aftermath of his failed proposal, he was killed by rebellious troops on 17 April 1841.<ref name=":0" />

Mihan Singh was a [[Khatri]] from [[Gujranwala]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Saraf |first=M. Yusuf |author-link=Muhammad Yusuf Saraf |url= |title=Kashmiris Fight For Freedom (1819–1946) |date=1977 |publisher=[[Ferozsons]] |chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/part-i-kashmiris-fight-for-freedom-vol-1-1819-1946-by-yusuf-saraf/page/124/mode/1up |volume=I |location=Lahore |pages=124 |chapter=III. Subjugation of Kishtwar, Gilgit and Ladakh |oclc=4646571}}</ref> He had taken on the position of governor of Kashmir at a dire time for the region but was able to rehabilitate Kashmir during his governorship.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=4 November 2023 |title=A Great Sikh Governor who rehabilitated Kashmir |url=https://kashmir-rechords.com/a-great-sikh-governor-who-rehabilitated-kashmir/ |access-date=1 March 2025 |website=Kashmir Rechords}}</ref> Mihan Singh enacted many popular reforms that addressed hunger, poverty and unemployment in Kashmir during his tenure as governor.<ref name=":4" /> He was assisted in his administration by a [[Kashmiri Pandits|Kashmiri Pandit]] named Pandit Ganesh Dhar and a [[Punjabi Muslims|Punjabi Muslim]] named Mohammad Afzal Qazi.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Arora |first=A. C. |title=Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Politics, Society, and Economy |publisher=Publication Bureau, Punjabi University |year=1984 |pages=166}}</ref> He was the founder of [[Qila Mihan Singh]], which was named after him.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Early Nineteenth-Century Panjab |date=Dec 22, 2015 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |others=translated and edited by J. S. Grewal, Indu Banga |isbn=9781317336945 |chapter=Introduction |quote=Qila Mihan Singh was founded by Mihan Singh who is known best as the nāzim of Kashmir under Ranjit Singh and his successors.}}</ref>

== Background ==
[[File:Sikh map of Kashmir created shortly before their campaign in the region in 1819.jpg|thumb|Sikh map of Kashmir created shortly before their campaign in the region in 1819]]
Kashmir had been conquered by the [[Durrani Empire|Afghan Durranis]] in 1752, having taken it from its previous [[Mughal Kashmir|Mughal rulers]].<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=119}} In 1819, an invading Sikh force under the command of [[Misr Diwan Chand]] and [[Gulab Singh|Raja Gulab Singh]] annexed the region to the Sikh Empire.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=119}} The city of [[Srinagar]] came under the Sikhs on 5 July 1819.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=119}} Whilst initially the local Kashmiri residents welcomed their new Sikh overlords as liberators, this hope was shattered due to seemingly oppressive policies the Sikh administrators enacted onto the Kashmiris.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=119}} The total annual amount of revenue expected from Kashmir was fixed and the ''ijaradars'' (revenue farmers) were given a free rein to extract funds from the mostly Muslim populace in the Kashmir Valley through the levying of large sums, which enriched the ijaradars''.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=119}}'' Mihan Singh's brother, Gurmak Singh, had acted as the governor of Kashmir in 1825.<ref name=":1" />''{{Rp|page=120}}''

== Governance of Kashmir ==
[[File:Painting of Sikh soldiers stationed in the Jama Masjid in Srinagar, Kashmir, during Sikh-rule, by Godfrey Thomas Vigne, 1835.jpg|thumb|Painting of Sikh soldiers stationed in the Jama Masjid in Srinagar, Kashmir, during Sikh-rule, by [[Godfrey Vigne|Godfrey Thomas Vigne]], 1835]]
Mohan Lal Kashmiri recorded words praising the martial abilities of Mihan Singh in his diary on 14 February 1832.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Inderjeet |date=20 November 2017 |title=Evaluation of the Sikh Rule in Kashmir |url=https://www.sikhnet.com/news/evaluation-sikh-rule-kashmir |access-date=1 March 2025 |website=SikhNet}}</ref> Before the appointment of Mihan Singh to the governorship of Kashmir, there were mixed successes and failures of previous governors of the region.<ref name=":3" /> The predecessory acting governors under nominal governor Sher Singh consisted of two Sikhs (Khushal Singh and Gurmukh Singh{{Efn|Khushal Singh was born a Hindu and later converted to Sikhism.|group=note}}) and one Muslim (Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin), with there being instances of corruption amongst them.<ref name=":3" /> Prior to the trio, the former acting governor Wasakha Singh had also engaged in corruption.<ref name=":3" /> In 1833, a serious famine in Kashmir erupted with the Sikh state sending food supplies to relieve the populace.<ref name=":3" />

Mihan Singh succeeded the nominal governor [[Sher Singh]] and the acting governors Shaik Gholam Muhyi Addin and [[Khushal Singh Jamadar|Jamadar Kushal Singh]] as governor of Kashmir in July 1834.<ref name=":1" />''{{Rp|page=120}}'' Other sources claim he became the governor in October 1834.<ref name=":3" /> Pandit Ganesh Dar was appointed as Mihan Singh's Chief Minister and had experience in revenue and administration.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> A Punjabi Muslim named Mohammad Afzal Qazi, an officer of Mihan Singh, also assisted the administration.<ref name=":4" /> Mihan Singh was appointed to his post by the maharaja in Lahore.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Keay |first=John |title=Himalaya: Exploring the Roof of the World |date=Sep 15, 2022 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=9781408891124 |pages=273–74}}</ref> Mihan Singh was the first Sikh nizam (governor) of Kashmir to receive a salary.''<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=119}}'' The region of Kashmir was in a poor-state due to previous mismanagement, thus Mihan Singh's administration took-on new measures to recover the industrial and agricultural economy of Kashmir.<ref name=":4" /> Incentives were given to agriculturalists and horticulturists, improving the shawl economy.<ref name=":4" /> Thus, due to these reforms Kashmir had for the first-time since Afghan-rule become self-sufficient in food.<ref name=":4" /> It is said that Mihan Singh himself would pay visits to shops and ghats of Kashmir to inspect weights and measures an delve out punishments to violators.<ref name=":4" /> The administrative treasury managed to get replenished during his tenure.<ref name=":4" />
[[File:Court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, with important officials depicted, lithograph, Umdat-ut-Tawarikh (vol. II), Albert Press, Lahore, 1886.jpg|thumb|Court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, with important officials depicted, lithograph, Umdat-ut-Tawarikh (vol. II), Albert Press, Lahore, 1886. Mihan Singh is depicted in the top-right corner.]]
The following reforms and measures were undertaken during his governorship of Kashmir:<ref name=":3" />

* Abolishment of duties on grain and other essential items of daily consumption<ref name=":3" />
* Imported large amounts of grain and poultry from Punjab<ref name=":3" />
* Doled-out harsh punishments on black-marketers<ref name=":3" />
* Gave relief in land revenue to encourage cultivation, such as by granting ''taqavi'' loans generously to cultivators<ref name=":3" />
* Promotion of trade by lowering tariff duties<ref name=":3" />
* Loans were given to shawl factory owners to improve production<ref name=":3" />
* Development of a trade network consisting of imports and exports with Ladakh, Punjab, British India, Afghanistan, and Central Asia<ref name=":3" />
* Construction of ''[[Caravanserai|serais]]'' at convenient places for traders and travellers<ref name=":3" />
* Facilities of credit and correspondence through state postal service were provided<ref name=":3" />
* Suppression of the Galwans led by Khaira Galwan, an organized body of bandits or thugs who roamed around committing [[Dacoity|dacoities]], and abducted women and girls<ref name=":3" />
* Construction and planting of a garden known as the Basant Bagh, which partly consisted of chinar trees<ref name=":3" />
* Ending tribal revolts harshly<ref name=":3" />
* Compilation of the ''[[Tarikh-i-Kashmir]]<ref name=":3" />''
* Promotion of religious and cultural freedom<ref name=":4" />

Mihan Singh did not support [[Zorawar Singh (Dogra general)|Zorawar Singh's]] invasion of Ladakh due to disputes over the trade of shawl wool.<ref name=":2" /> Mihan Singh went as far as tampering with the peace-talks between the Ladakhis and Dogras.<ref name=":2" /> Mihan Singh had originally wanted to be the one to lead a Sikh invasion of Ladakh but instead the task was given to Gulab Singh, who appointed general Zorawar Singh to accomplish the feat, with Mihan Singh merely being instructed to assist the Dogras with their invasion of Ladakh.<ref name=":3" /> When the Ladakhis later rebelled, Mihan Singh was blamed for it.<ref name=":3" /> The shawl industry in Kashmir had been severely weakened due to Gulab Singh diverting the supply of wool from Ladakh to Jammu via the newly acquired Kishtwar, which opened a shorter albeit more difficult route for the supply of wool.<ref name=":3" /> According to Jia Lal Kalam, Sunni-Shia rivalry and riots led to many shawl weavers and merchants, who were mostly Shiites, to leave the Kashmir Valley for Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jammu.<ref name=":3" /> Thus, the shawl economy in Kashmir declined, increasing poverty.<ref name=":3" /> Mihan Singh's initial attempts at writing to the Sikh maharaja were intercepted by Dhian Singh Dogra.<ref name=":3" /> When word finally reached the maharaja, the Sikh ruler ordered for the supply of wool to Kashmir be restored.<ref name=":3" />

Mihan Singh established some gardens in Kashmir.<ref name=":4" /> In 1835, he established and planted the ''Basant Bagh'', with it being planted by Chinar trees.<ref name=":4" /> He is also responsible for planting the ''Mandir Bagh''.<ref name=":4" />

In 1836, Mihan Singh introduced a new silver rupee to Kashmir, known as the ''Hari Singhi'', to either boost exports or to meet the shortage of silver.''<ref name=":1" />''{{Rp|page=123}} The rupee had a value reduced by 1–2 annas (from 11 annas to 9 annas) and was 50% silver in-content.''<ref name=":1" />''{{Rp|page=123}}
[[File:Mihan Singh Kumedan, detail from 'The Court of Lahore', by August Schoefft, ca.1841–55 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Mihan Singh ''Kumedan'', detail from a photograph of a section of 'The Court of Lahore', by August Schoefft, ca.1840's–1855, Vienna, after drawings made at Lahore, ca.1841–55, with identifications for some of the figures]]
The Sikh governors of distant provinces, such as Kashmir, were suspected of harbouring secessionist sentiments by the Lahore court.''<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=119}}'' After the death of Maharaja Singh in 1839, Mihan Singh pushed for partial-independence of Kashmir from Lahore, being supported by Gulab Singh of Jammu.''<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=119, 136}}'' Shortly after the enthronement of Maharaja Sher Singh in early 1841, two battalions of the Sikh army stationed in Kashmir rose up in rebellion.<ref name=":3" /> On 17 April 1841, rebelling soldiers murdered Mihan Singh at his personal residence in Srinagar at night, leading to the failure of the proposal.''<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=119, 136}}''<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /> The soldiers who killed him were against his secessionist aims.''<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=136}}'' Shortly after the death of Mihan Singh, his official Pandit Ganesh Dar was also murdered.<ref name=":3" />

Order was restored in Kashmir by Gulab Singh after Mihan Singh's death.''<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=154}}'' Mihan Singh was succeeded as governor of Kashmir by Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin, who appointed Pandit Tilak Chand Munshi as his Chief Minister.<ref name=":3" /> They continued to carry-out effective and popular reforms, similar to Mihan Singh and Pandit Ganesh Dar before them.<ref name=":3" /> Kashmir would later fall into the hands of Gulab Singh, who obtained it through the [[Treaty of Amritsar (1846)|Treaty of Amritsar]], signed on 16 March 1846 between Gulab Singh and representatives of [[Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge|Sir Henry Hardinge]].''<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=119}}''

== Legacy ==
Sir Walter R. Lawrence stated the following about Mihan Singh in his 1895 work ''The Valley of Kashmir'':<ref name=":4" />
{{Blockquote|text=In 1834 Colonel Mian (Mihan) Singh, the best of all the Sikh Governors came to Kashmir, and by importing grain and eggs from the Panjab, he restored some measure of prosperity to the villagers who had lost their grain seed and fowls in the awful famine. Mian (Mihan) Singh, with a view to stimulating population, emitted the tax upon marriages, and set to work to bring some order into the administration. Revenue divisions were made, and the villages were either farmed out to contractors or leased on the principle that the State took half of the produce in kind. Agricultural advances were made free of interest, proper weights were introduced, and fraudulent middlemen were punished. Colonel Mian (Mihan) Singh decided cases justly and quickly and won a great reputation in Kashmir. But his useful life was cut short by mutinous soldiers.|author=Walter Roper Lawrence|title=''The Valley of Kashmir'' (1895)}}
[[File:Fresco from Samadh or Haveli at Qila Mihan Singh 08.jpg|thumb|Fresco from a Samadh at Qila Mihan Singh]]
Pearce Gervis in his 1954 book titled ''This is Kashmir'' praised Mihan Singh for being an enlightened ruler who brought relief to the Kashmir Valley.<ref name=":4" /> [[Qila Mihan Singh]], located around ten kilometres from Gujranwala, is named after him and is believed to have been founded by him.<ref name=":4" />

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
<references />

{{Sikh Empire}}

[[Category:1841 deaths]]
[[Category:Governors of Kashmir]]

Mihan Singh - Revision history

DottyN0357445099: adding basic bio added tags