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{{Short description|Dogra general of the Sikh Empire (1784–1841)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Vizir|Wazir]] [[General]]
| name = Zorawar Singh Kahluria
| image = Zorawarsingh.JPG
| caption = A statue depicting Zorawar Singh
| birth_date = {{birth-date|1784}}
| death_date = {{death-date and age|12 December 1842
|1784}}
| birth_place = Ansar, [[Kahlur]] (present-day [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]])
| death_place = [[Tibet]]
| allegiance = [[Gulab Singh]] of [[Jammu]]<ref name="Schofield2000">{{citation|last=Schofield|first=Victoria|title=Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rkTetMfI6QkC&pg=PA7|year=2000|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-1-86064-898-4|pages=7–}}</ref><ref name="Snedden2015">{{citation|last=Snedden|first=Christopher|title=Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s5KMCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA121|year=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-1-84904-342-7|pages=121–}}</ref><br/> (subsidiary to the [[Sikh Empire]])
| battles = [[Dogra–Tibetan War]]
| relations = [[Bhim Singh (politician)|Bhim Singh]] (great
grandson)
}}
[[File:Zorawar-Singh-Kahluria-338x250.jpg|thumb|253x253px|300 [[Indian paisa|paisa]] General Zorawar Singh postal stamp released by Government of India on December 31, 2000.]]
'''Zorawar Singh Kahluria''' (1784–12 December 1841) was a military general of the [[Dogra Rajput]] ruler, [[Gulab Singh]] of [[Jammu]]. <ref>{{cite book |author=Sanjeev Kumar Bhasin |title=Amazing Land Ladakh: Places, People, and Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8IZloNzI8BgC&pg=PA55 |year=2006 |publisher=Indus |isbn=978-81-7387-186-3 |pages=55–56}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=John Keay |title=India: A History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0IquM4BrJ4YC&pg=PT664 |year=2011 |publisher=Open Road + Grove/Atlantic |isbn=978-0-8021-9550-0 |page=664}}</ref> He served as the governor (''wazir-e-wazarat'') of [[Kishtwar]] and extended the territories of the kingdom by conquering [[Ladakh]] and [[Baltistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-renovates-zorawar-fort-in-leh/articleshow/1987796.cms|title=Army renovates Zorawar Fort in Leh|website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> He also boldly attempted the conquest of Western Tibet (''Ngari Khorsum'') but was killed in battle of To-yo during the [[Dogra-Tibetan War|Dogra-Tibetan war]]. In reference to his legacy of conquests in the [[Himalayas|Himalaya Mountains]] including [[Ladakh]], [[Tibet]], [[Baltistan]] and [[Iskardu]] as General and Wazir, Zorowar Singh has been referred to as the "[[Napoleon]] of India",<ref name=Outlook>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/kashmir-from-amritsar-to-agra/212532|title=Kashmir: From Amritsar To Agra|website=Outlook India|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref> and "Conqueror of Ladakh".<ref name="google190">{{cite book |last1=Sharma |first1=Shiv |title=India - A Travel Guide |url= https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8128400673 |year=2008 |publisher= Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. |location= India |isbn= 978-8128400674 |page=190 }}</ref><ref name="google304">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Harbakhs |title=War Despatches: Indo-Pak Conflict 1965 |url= https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1935501291 |year=2010 |publisher=Lancer International, Lancer Press |location= India |isbn= 978-1935501299 |page=304 }}</ref>

==Early life and career==
He was born in September 1784 in a Kahluria [[Rajput]] family in the princely state of [[Kahlur]] (Bilaspur) state, in present-day [[Himachal Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Sukh Dev Singh Charak |title=General Zorawar Singh |url=https://archive.org/details/generalzorawarsi00char |year=1983 |publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India |page=[https://archive.org/details/generalzorawarsi00char/page/14 14] }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Khushwant Singh |title=Ranjit Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D068dKeyGW4C&pg=PR14 |date=27 September 2008 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-306543-2 |page=14 |quote="And a couple of years later Zorawar Singh, a Dogra Hindu, planted the Sikh flag in the heart of Tibet."}}</ref> His family migrated to the [[Jammu]] region where, on coming of age, Zorawar took up service under Raja Jaswant Singh of Marmathi (modern [[Doda district|Doda]] district). Zorawar Singh was employed by the ambitious Raja [[Gulab Singh]] of [[Jammu]] and was placed under the commandant of the [[Reasi]] fort ([[Bhimgarh fort]]). While delivering a routine message to the Gulab Singh, Zorawar told him of the financial waste occurring in the fort administration and boldly presented his own scheme to effect savings. Gulab Singh was impressed by Zorawar's sincerity and appointed him commandant of [[Reasi]].{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

Zorawar Singh fulfilled his task and his grateful ruler made him commissariat officer of all forts north of Jammu. He was later made governor of Kishtwar and was given the title of ''Wazir'' (minister).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title = Ladák, physical, statistical, and historical with notices of the surrounding countries|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=s-VAAAAAcAAJ&q=5000|publisher = Allen|date = 1854|first = Alexander|last = Cunningham|pages = 10–19, 333–340, 349–354}}</ref>

Even though it was a newly conquered region Zorawar had no trouble in keeping the peace; many of the local Rajputs were recruited into his army. In 1835 the nearby region of [[Paddar]] was taken from [[Chamba, Himachal Pradesh|Chamba]] (now in Himachal Pradesh) in the course of a battle. Paddar later became known for its [[sapphire]] [[Mining|mines]]. But this was a mere sideshow to General Zorawar Singh's more famous expeditions, on which he had already embarked in the previous year.

==The Ladakh campaigns==
[[File:Zorawerfort.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Zorawar fort in Ladakh. Col. Mehta [[Basti Ram]] was the first ''Qiladar'' (commandant).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bansal|first=Bobby Singh|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jUiwDAAAQBAJ&q=Colonel+Mehta+Basti+Ram&pg=PT231|title=Remnants of the Sikh Empire: Historical Sikh Monuments in India & Pakistan|date=2015-12-01|publisher=Hay House, Inc|isbn=978-93-84544-93-5|location=|pages=|language=en|chapter=10}}</ref>]]
To the east of Kishtwar and Kashmir are the snow-clad mountains of the upper [[Himalayas]] — the rivers of [[Zanskar Gorge]], [[Suru River (Indus)|Suru River]], and [[Dras River|Drass]] rise from these snows, and flow across the plateau of [[Ladakh]] into the Indus River. Several petty principalities in this region were tributary to the [[Gyalpo of Ladakh]] (King). In 1834 one of these, the Raja of Timbus, sought Zorawar's help against the Gyalpo. Meanwhile, the Rajput general had been burning to distinguish himself by expanding the territory of Raja [[Gulab Singh]] — also at that time, according to the [[Gulabnama]], Kishtwar went through a drought that caused a loss of revenue and forced Zorawar to extract money through war.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Art of Generalship|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=uAmqCQAAQBAJ|publisher = Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|date = 2015-05-07|isbn = 9789382652939|first = K. K.|last = Khanna|page = 131}}</ref>

The Rajputs of Jammu and Himachal have traditionally excelled in mountain fighting; therefore Zorawar had no trouble in crossing the mountain ranges and entering Ladakh through the source of the Suru River where his 5000 men defeated an army of local [[Botis]].<ref name=":0" /> After moving to [[Kargil town|Kargil]] and subduing the landlords along the way Zorawar received the submission of the Ladakhis — however Tsepal Namgyal, the Gyalpo (ruler), sent his general Banko Kahlon by a roundabout route to cut off Zorawar's communications. The astute general doubled back to Kartse, where he sheltered his troops through the winter. In the spring of 1835 he defeated the large Ladakhi army of Banko Kahlon and marched his victorious troops towards [[Leh]]. The Gyalpo now agreed to pay 50,000 rupees as war-indemnity and 20,000 rupees as an annual tribute.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:General Zorawar Singh with the Gyalpo (King) of Ladakh.jpg|thumb|General Zorawar Singh with the [[Gyalpo spirits|Gyalpo]] (King) and Gyalmo (Queen) of Ladakh. Following his conquest the King of Ladakh agreed to pay 50,000 rupees war indemnity and 20,000 rupees tribute per annum in 1835.]]
Alarmed at the gains of the [[Dogra]]s, the governor of Kashmir, Mehan Singh, incited the Ladakhi chieftains to rebel but Zorawar quickly marched back to the Himalayan valleys and subdued the rebels, now forcing the Raja of Zanskar to also pay a separate tribute to Jammu. But in 1836 Mehan Singh, who was in correspondence with the Lahore durbar, this time instigated the Gyalpo to revolt — Zorawar force-marched his army in ten days to surprise the Ladakhis and forced them to submit. He now built a fort outside Leh and placed there a garrison of 300 men under Dalel Singh — the Gyalpo was deposed to an estate and a Ladakhi general, Ngorub Stanzin, was made King. But the latter did not prove to be loyal hence the Gyalpo was restored to his throne in 1838.

==Baltistan campaign==
To the northwest of Ladakh, and to the north of Kashmir, lies the region of [[Baltistan]]. Muhammad Shah, the son of the ruler of [[Skardu]], Raja Ahmad Shah, fled to Leh and sought the aid of the Gyalpo and Zorawar against his father. But some of the Ladakhi nobles allowed Ahmad Shah to imprison his son and sought his aid in a general rebellion against the Dogras. After defeating the Ladakhi rebels Zorawar invaded Baltistan in the winter of 1839/40 (Petech, Kingdom of ladakh, p. 144, Datta, Ladakh, p. 122 etc. etc.), adding a large contingent of Ladakhis to his army.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Buddhist Western Himalaya: A politico-religious history|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=R4VuovXa5YUC|publisher = Indus Publishing|date = 2001|isbn = 9788173871245|page = 194}}</ref>

The advance brigade of 5,000 under Nidhan Singh lost its way in the cold and snow and was surrounded by the enemy; many soldiers perished from the cold. Then [[Mehta Basti Ram]], a prominent Rajput from Kishtwar, established contact with the main force. On their arrival the [[Botis]] of Skardu were defeated and forced to flee. They were chased to the fort of Skardu which was invested by Zorawar for a few days. One night the Dogras scaled the steep mountain behind the fort and after some fighting captured the small fort on its crest. From this position the next day they began firing down at the main fort and forced the Raja to surrender. Zorawar built a fort on the banks of the Indus where he placed a contingent of his soldiers.

After placing Muhammad Shah on the throne for an annual tribute of 7000 rupees, a Dogra contingent under Wazir Lakhpat advanced westwards, conquered the fort of Astor and took its Darad Raja prisoner. However this Raja was tributary to Mehan Singh, the governor of Kashmir, who was alarmed at the Dogra conquests since they only expanded the kingdom of Gulab Singh while not bringing any benefit to the Lahore durbar. His complaint at [[Lahore]] was forwarded to Raja Gulab Singh at Jammu and he ordered the Darad Raja to be released.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title = General Zorawar Singh|url = https://archive.org/details/generalzorawarsi00char|publisher = Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India|date = 1983|first = Sukh Dev Singh|last = Charak}}</ref>

==Tibet expedition==
{{Main|Sino-Sikh war}}

One column under the Ladakhi prince, Nono Sungnam, followed the course of the [[Indus River]] to its source. Another column of 300 men, under Ghulam Khan, marched along the mountains leading up to the [[Kailas Range]] and thus south of the Indus. Zorawar himself led 3,000 men along the plateau region where the vast and picturesque [[Pangong Tso|Pangong Lake]] is located. Sweeping all resistance before them, the three columns passed the [[Lake Manasarovar]] and converged at [[Gartok]], defeating the small Tibetan force stationed there. The enemy commander fled to [[Taklakot]] but Zorawar stormed that fort on 6 September 1841. Envoys from Tibet now came to him as did agents of the Maharaja of [[Nepal]], whose kingdom was only fifteen miles from Taklakot.

The fall of Taklakot finds mention in the report of the Chinese Imperial Resident, Meng Pao, at [[Lhasa]]:<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=yKPdw2EkTwoC&pg=PA31&dq=On+my+arrival+at+Taklakot+a+force+of+only+about+1,000+local+troops+could+be+mustered,+which+was+divided+and+stationed+as+guards+at+different+posts&hl=en&sa=X&ei=sGWnUaPYIM_PrQe814HgCg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=On%20my%20arrival%20at%20Taklakot%20a%20force%20of%20only%20about%201%2C000%20local%20troops%20could%20be%20mustered%2C%20which%20was%20divided%20and%20stationed%20as%20guards%20at%20different%20posts&f=false Perspectives on South Asian Security by Shanthie Mariey D'Souza, Rajsthree Jetly]</ref> <blockquote>On my arrival at Taklakot a force of only about 1,000 local troops could be mustered, which was divided and stationed as guards at different posts. A guard post was quickly established at a strategic pass near Taklakot to stop the invaders, but these local troops were not brave enough to fight off the Shen-Pa (Dogras) and fled at the approach of the invaders. The distance between Central Tibet and Taklakot is several thousand li…because of the cowardice of the local troops; our forces had to withdraw to the foot of the Tsa Mountain near the Mayum Pass. Reinforcements are essential in order to withstand these violent and unruly invaders.</blockquote>

Zorawar and his men now went on pilgrimage to [[Mansarovar]] and [[Mount Kailash]].<ref>{{Cite book|title = Footprints in the Snow: On the Trail of Zorawar Singh|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=4S99oXkx_-cC&q=Zorawar%2520and%2520his%2520men%2520now%2520went%2520on%2520pilgrimage%2520to%2520Mansarovar&pg=PA124|publisher = Lancer Publishers|date = 2002|isbn = 9788170622925|first = G. D.|last = Bakshi}}</ref> He had extended his communication and supply line over 450 miles of inhospitable terrain by building small forts and pickets along the way. The fort Chi-T’ang was built near Taklakot, where Mehta Basti Ram was put in command of 500 men, with 8 or 9 cannon.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Indian Conquest of the Himalayan Territories: Military Exploits of General Zorawar Singh Dogra|url = https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12482|publisher = Ajaya|date = 1978|first = Sukh Dev Singh|last = Charak}}</ref> With the onset of winter all the passes were blocked and roads snowed in. The supplies for the Dogra army over such a long distance failed despite Zorawar's meticulous preparations.

As the intense cold, coupled with the rain, snow and lightning continued for weeks upon weeks, many of the soldiers lost their fingers and toes to frostbite. Others starved to death, while some burnt the wooden stock of their muskets to warm themselves. The Tibetans and their [[Han Chinese|Chinese]] allies regrouped and advanced to give battle, bypassing the Dogra fort of Chi-T’ang. Zorawar and his men met them at the Battle of To-yo on 12 December 1841—-in the early exchange of fire the Rajput general was wounded in his right shoulder but he grabbed a sword in his left hand. The Tibetan horsemen then charged the Dogra position and one of them thrust his lance in Zorawar Singh's chest.<ref name=":1" />

== See also ==
* [[Mehta Basti Ram]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [[Frederick Drew]], ''The Jummoo & Kashmir territories''
* Alexander Cunningham, ''Ladak''
* A. H. Francke, ''Antiquities of Indian Tibet''
* Fisher, Rose, and Huttenback, ''The Himalayan Battle-ground''

{{History HP}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Zorawar}}
[[Category:History of Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Dogra people]]
[[Category:People from Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:History of Kashmir]]
[[Category:Indian military leaders]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:18th-century Indian people]]
[[Category:19th-century Indian people]]
[[Category:History of Ladakh]]

Zorawar Singh Kahluria - Revision history

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