Hari Singh: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Last king of Kashmir}}
{{short description|Last ruling Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir princely state in India}}
{{other uses|}}
{{other uses|}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{refimprove|date=November 2015}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2015}}
{{Copy edit|date=August 2021}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
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| name        = Hari Singh  
| name        = Hari Singh  
| image      = Hari Singh 1931.jpg
| image      = Hari Singh 1931.jpg
| image_size=
| caption    = Hari Singh in 1931
| succession  = [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir]]
| succession  = [[Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir]]
| reign      = 23 September 1925 — 17 November 1952  
| reign      = 23 September 1925 — 17 November 1952  
| predecessor = [[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh]]
| predecessor = [[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh]]
| successor  = Monarchy abolished  
| coronation  = 29 March 1926<ref>[https://www.alamy.com/coronation-of-sir-hari-singh-as-the-maharajah-of-kashmir-29-march-1926-image359836764.html Coronation of Sir Hari Singh as the Maharajah of Kashmir . 29 March 1926]</ref>
| regent      = [[Karan Singh]] (1949-1952)
| successor  = ''Monarchy abolished''
| issue      = [[Karan Singh]] (titular Maharajah)
| regent      = [[Karan Singh]] (1949–1952)
| spouse      = Maharani Tara Devi (4th wife)
| issue      = [[Karan Singh]]
| spouses = {{Plainlist|
* {{marriage|Sri Lal Kunverba Sahiba|1913|1915|end={{abbr|d.|died}}}}
* {{marriage|Rani Sahiba Chamba|1915|1920|end={{abbr|d.|died}}}}
* {{marriage|Dhanvant Kunveri Baiji|1923|end={{abbr|d.|died}}}}
* {{marriage|Tara Devi|1928|1950|end={{abbr|sep.|separated}}}}
}}
| house      = [[Dogra dynasty|Dogra]]
| house      = [[Dogra dynasty|Dogra]]
| father      = Sir Amar Singh
| father      = Amar Singh
| mother      =  
| mother      = Bhotiali Chib
| birth_date  = {{birth date|df=yes|1895|9|23}}
| birth_date  = {{birth date|df=yes|1895|9|23}}
| birth_place = [[Jammu]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[British Raj|British India]] (present-day [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]])
| birth_place = [[Jammu]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]],(present-day [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]])
| death_date  = {{death date and age |df=yes|1961|4|26 |1895|9|23}}  
| death_date  = {{death date and age |df=yes|1961|4|26 |1895|9|23}}  
| death_place = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India (present-day [[Mumbai]])
| death_place = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India (present-day [[Mumbai]])
| religion    = [[Hinduism]]{{sfn|Rai|2004}}
| religion    = [[Hinduism]]{{sfn|Mridu Rai, Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects|2004}}
| signature  =  
| signature  =  
}}
}}
[[File:The last Maharaja of Kashmir.jpg|thumb|The last Maharaja of Kashmir]]
[[Maharaja]] '''Sir Hari Singh ''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|GCSI|GCIE|GCVO}} (23 September 1895 – 26 April 1961) was the last ruling [[Maharaja]] of the [[princely state]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] during [[British Raj]], a landlocked kingdom bordered by five nations: Afghanistan, Russia, India, Pakistan and China. In 1947 Hari Singh through its Legistlative Assembly (Praja Parishad)  decided to remain independent but factions from Poonch & Gilgit (western Kashmir) led an armed struggle resulting to [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948]] than Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 & Kargil 1999, yet the conflicts didn't resolve the confusion as who really owns Kashmir as Pakistan could grab only 1/4 of Jammu & Kashmir while the prized 'Vale of Kashmir' remained with India. Pakistan often questions on the legalities of 'ownership of Kashmir' which has led to detailed disclosure of all events revolving around 'Hari Singh' again and again. His personality is under scrutiny and politicians continuously use his placard to arouse public sympathies even though he legally handed over Kashmir to India, an area with diverse ethnicities and retired to Mumbai where he died in 1961.


[[File:An Indian Durbar in 1926.webm|thumb|Film of the coronation of Maharaja Hari Singh at [[Mubarak Mandi Palace|Mubark Mandi palace]] in Jammu in 1926. In this film by [[Eastman Kodak]] it states, he is "wearing jewels valued at twenty million dollars" (approximately ${{Inflation|US|20000000|1926|r=-5|fmt=c}} in today's value).]]
[[Maharaja]] '''Sir Hari Singh''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|GCSI|GCIE|GCVO}} (23 September 1895 – 26 April 1961) was the last ruling [[Maharaja]] of the [[princely state]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]].


==Early life==
Born in the city of Jammu in 1895, Singh was the son of Amar Singh and Bhotiali Chib. His father, who was the heir to his brother [[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh]], died in 1909, making him the heir to the throne. In 1923, following his uncle's death, he became the new Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. He married four times, and his fourth wife bore him a son, [[Karan Singh]]. After [[Indian Independence Act 1947|Indian Independence]] in 1947, he wanted Jammu and Kashmir to remain an independent kingdom, but was forced to accede to the [[Dominion of India]], to get the support of Indian troops against an invasion by Pakistani forces.


[[File:Sir Hari Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, 1920.jpg|left|thumb|Hari Singh in 1920]]
Singh remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by the Indian government. After spending his final days in [[Bombay]], he died on 26 April 1961. As per his will, his ashes were brought to Jammu and spread all over Jammu and Kashmir and immersed in the [[Tawi River]] at Jammu.
Hari Singh was born on 23 September 1895 at the palace of [[Amar Mahal]], [[Jammu]], the only surviving son of Raja Amar Singh,<ref>General Sir Raja Amar Singh Jamwal : 14 January 1865 – 26 March 1909</ref> the brother of Maharaja [[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh Jamwal]], then the [[Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir]] in a [[Rajput]] family. Since the Maharaja had no issue, Hari Singh was heir to the throne of Jammu and Kashmir.


In 1903, Hari Singh served as a [[page of honour]] to [[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston|Lord Curzon]] at the grand [[Delhi Durbar]]. At the age of thirteen, he was sent to [[Mayo College]] in [[Ajmer]]. A year later, in 1909, his father died, and the British took a keen interest in his education and appointed Major H. K. Brar as his guardian. After Mayo College,  Hari Singh went to the British-run Imperial Cadet Corps at [[Dehradun]] for military training.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}
Singh was also a controversial figure due to his involvement in a blackmail scandal by a prostitute in Paris in 1921, the [[1931 Kashmir agitation|agitation in Kashmir]] against his government in 1931, and the [[1947 Poonch rebellion|rebellion against him in Poonch]] in 1947.


Maharaja Pratap Singh appointed him as the commander-in-chief of the [[Jammu and Kashmir State Forces|State Forces]] in 1915.<ref name="snedden">{{cite book |title=Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris |first=Christopher |last=Snedden |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-84904-342-7 |page=128 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s5KMCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA128}}</ref>
==Early life==


==British Connection==
[[File:Amar_Mahal_Museum,_Jammu.jpg|thumb|left|[[Amar Mahal Palace]], the birthplace of Hari Singh]]
During first world war (1914-1918), Hari Singh seeked permission for his visit to [[Flanders]] and [[France]] so he can encourage morale of his troops, which was not obliged as his presence could have been misunderstood by native Indians who were fighting in harsher winters in trench warfare.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Letter from Lt. Col. Bannermann to J.B Wood 17 November 1917|url=http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/BriefDisplay.aspx|publisher=The British Library:BL IOR R 1/1/917}}</ref>On his maiden visit to Britain in 1919, Hari Singh's heart was lonely. Hari Singh was raised by [[Francis Younghusband]], British Resident of Kashmir (1906-1909) family and their daughter [[Eileen Younghusband]] had played with him in childhood. Hari Singh aged 24 met Mrs Maud (Maudie) aged 18 who resembled Eileen on the celebration of Armistice day Ball at Albert Hall on 4 November 1919 and instantaneously fell in love, it was like returning of old playfull days. He left for Paris where Mrs Maud (Maudie) joined to celebrate French Christmas. Little he realized that affair is going to end within a month and he will fall prey to the plans of 'Mayfair Mob': Monty Newton and Rodolphe Lemoine the two of the most notorious conmen in history.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Ghosts of Empire|first=Kwasai|last=Kwarteng|url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/ghosts-of-empire-9781408829004/|publisher=Bloomsbury|
isbn=9781408829004|year=28 May 2012}}</ref> The "youthful escapades" of Hari Singh, whilst [[crown prince]] included paying two cheques of £150,000, the second cheque was later stopped after suspicion for blackmailing by the fake ex-husband of Maudie Robinson of [[Knightsbridge]],
the affair 'Black Prince Conspiracy' came into the limelight of media in 1921.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2013-12-13|title=Hari Singh's blackmailing and love in London|url=https://thekashmirwalla.com/2013/12/hari-singhs-blackmailing-love-london/|access-date=2021-05-22|website=The Kashmir Walla|language=en-US}}</ref> That issue had resulted in a court case in London in 1924 during which the [[India Office]] tried to keep his name out of proceedings by arranging for him to be referred to as "Mr A."<ref name="snedden"/> However "the secret of the Kashmiri Prince and the beautiful blonde quickly became the subject of salacious gossip throughout London society."<ref name=":0" /> Realizing many sensitive information involved around conman which included espionage, India Office in Britain decided to close the files for a hundred years rather than the usual thirty.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Chancers|first=Barbara|last=Jeffrey|url=https://shop.nationalarchives.gov.uk/products/chancers|publisher=Amberley|year=2019|isbn=9781445689784}}</ref>
[[File:British War Cabinet including Churchill and Hari Singh the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.jpg|thumb|Maharaja of Kashmir and [[Feroz Khan Noon]] as the only two members from India on [[Churchill]]'s British War Cabinet during [[World War II]] at Downing Street. 1944]] He was one of the two members from India on [[Churchill]]'s British War Cabinet in [[World War II]]. Hari Singh supplied 75,000 troops from the [[Jammu & Kashmir Rifles]]  ( J&K State Forces ) for the [[Allied forces (World War II)|Allied Forces]]
[[File:THE MAHARAJAH OF KASHMIR VISITS AN AIR DEFENCE OF GREAT BRITAIN STATION.jpg|thumb|Hari Singh with British jet fighter pilots who have been flying daily over [[Normandy]] during [[World War II]]. 1944]]
[[File:Hari Singh Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir Inspecting British Soldiers in Dover During World War II.jpg|left|thumb|Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir inspecting British soldiers in Dover, Kent during World War II. 1944]]
[[File:Hari Singh Maharaja of Jammu Kashmir in Dover during World War II.jpg|left|thumb|Hari Singh in [[World War II]], with Major General [[Eric Miles|E.G. Miles]], commander East Kent District, talking to [[Royal Artillery]] officers on a coastal gun site at [[Dover]], Kent. 1944]]
[[File:MAHARAJA OF KASHMIR VISITS A.A. GUN SITE.jpg|left|thumb|Maharaja Hari Singh inspects a telescope indicator on the gun site in the United Kingdom. 1944]]


==Reign==
Hari Singh was born on 23 September 1895 at the palace of [[Amar Mahal]], [[Jammu]], the only surviving son of Raja Amar Singh Jamwal,<ref>General Sir Raja Amar Singh Jamwal : 14 January 1865 – 26 March 1909</ref> the brother of Maharaja [[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh]], then the [[Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir]] in a [[Dogra]] [[Rajput]] family. Since the Maharaja had no issue, Hari Singh was heir to the throne of Jammu and Kashmir.


[[File:Seal of Maharaja Hari Singh on the cover of the Civil List.jpg|thumb|right|Detail of the Seal of Maharaja Hari Singh as printed on the Civil List of his government]]
In 1903, Hari Singh served as a [[page of honour]] to [[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston|Lord Curzon]] at the grand [[Delhi Durbar]]. At the age of thirteen, he was sent to [[Mayo College]] in [[Ajmer]]. A year later, in 1909, his father died, and the British took a keen interest in his education and appointed Major H. K. Brar as his guardian. After Mayo College, Hari Singh went to the British-run [[Imperial Cadet Corps]] at [[Dehradun]] for military training.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}
The Seal of Maharaja Hari Singh had a Crown at the top. A ''[[Katar (dagger)|katar]]'' or ceremonial dagger sat below the crown. Two soldiers held the flags. An image of the sun was between them, that symbolised his [[Suryavansha]] [[Kshatriya]] lineage]] from Lord [[Rama]], the [[Hindu pantheon|Hindu]] [[Solar deity|Sun God]].
Following the death of his uncle Pratap Singh in 1925, Hari Singh ascended the throne of Jammu and Kashmir. Singh was known as a lavish spender of money. The funeral of his uncle and former ruler [[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh]] is believed to have expended much gold and jewellery in the funeral pyre.<ref name=KashmirLife>[https://kashmirlife.net/kashmirs-last-maharaja-1413 Kashmir's Last Maharaja], Kashmir Life, 2 May 2011.</ref> Immediately, Hari Singh conducted free elections and formed Praja Sabha ( Legistlative Assembly of King's People) to rule with laws implemented under [[Ranbir Penal Code ]](R.P.C) which Praja Parishad decreed. Hari Singh served as second Prime Minister (1925-1927) [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kashmir's Last Maharaja|url=https://kashmirlife.net/kashmirs-last-maharaja-1413/amp/|first=Masood|last=Hussain|access-date=2 May 2011}}</ref>As per recommendations of Glancy Commission 75 members – 12 government officials, 16 state councillors, and 14 nominated and 33 elected (21 Muslims, 10 Hindus and 2 Sikhs)  formed Praja Parishad members. The laws under Praja Parishad made Jammu & Kashmir a forerunner state for other Princely India. Primary education was made compulsory in the state, introduced laws prohibiting child marriage, widow remarriage and opened places of worship to the low [[Caste system in India|caste]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|title = IS God DEAD?????|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nQniAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA25|publisher = Partridge Publishing|date = 1 February 2014|isbn = 978-1-48281-823-9 |first=Ragubhir Lal |last=Anand |page=26}}</ref> Maharaja Hari Singh and his law and revenue minister, Justice Sir Lal Gopal Mukherjee, a former judge of the Allahabad high court (1926-1934), who had served the state of J&K from 1935 to 1940 brought a written Constitution of J&K on 7 September 1939 which was the "pioneer" in the annals of Asia's constitutional history; despite the fact that it was anything but a people-friendly "Magna Carta" for the state.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hari Singh's 1939 constitution in J&K marked a first in South Asia
|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/op-ed/050919/hari-singhs-1939-constitution-in-jk-marked-a-first-in-south-asia.html|publisher=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref>


=== Partition and accession ===
Maharaja Pratap Singh appointed him as the commander-in-chief of the [[Jammu and Kashmir State Forces|State Forces]] in 1915.<ref name="snedden">{{cite book |title=Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris |first=Christopher |last=Snedden |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-84904-342-7 |page=128 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s5KMCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA128}}</ref>


In 1947, after India gained independence from British rule, Jammu and Kashmir could have joined India, joined Pakistan, or remained independent. [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu & Kashmir]] princely state originally maintained its independence by signing standstill agreement ( provision in accession agreement ) with Pakistan to which India declined and insisted on full accession.<ref>https://newsroom24x7.com/2020/09/23/tributes-to-the-last-maharaja-of-jammu-kashmir/|date= September 2020</ref>Urged by Patel, Gowalkar (Guruji) the RSS chief reached Srinagar on 17 October and met Maharaja on 18 October and pleaded him to join India.<ref>{{Cite book|title=India: Shedding the Past, Embracing the Future, 1906-2017|first= Arun|last=Bhatnagar|url=https://books.google.co.in/books/about/India.html?id=o0svtAEACAAJ&redir_esc=y|publisher=Konark Publishers|year=2018|isbn=9322008903}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Sri Guruji Samagra Darshan|first=Madhavrao|last=Mule}}</ref>. On the night of 21/22 October 1947 nearly 20,000 Pashtun tribesmen funded by Pakistan infiltrated into border of Jammu & Kashmir at Muzaffrabad. 4 J&K State forces deployed at Muzaffrabad joined hands with invaders and Maharaja Hari Singh's C-I-C [[Rajinder Singh (brigadier)]], left with only 200 men withheld invaders at Uri ( gateway to Kashmir)  from 23-26/27 October 1947. While, Maharaja Hari Singh kept appealling to India for help.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/documents/harisingh47.html|title=Maharaja Hari Singh's Letter to Mountbatten|website=www.jammu-kashmir.com|access-date=10 January 2020}}</ref>
==Personal life==
As invaders neared Srinagar, V.P Menon & Sam Manikshaw arrived at Srinagar to assess the situation of Kashmir and adviced [[Maharaja Hari Singh]] to proceed to Jammu on 25 October 1947. On next day [[V.P Menon]] along with [[Mehr Chand Mahajan]] (Prime Minister J&K) left for New Delhi by air on the morning of 26 October 1947. Although the Indian Prime Minister Nehru was ready to send troops, the [[Governor-General of India]], [[Lord Mountbatten of Burma]], advised the Maharaja to accede to India before India could send its troops. Lord Mountbatten assured militarily intervention in J&K only after instrument of accession were signed. V.P Menon then left from New Delhi to Jammu by air in afternoon on 26 October 1947 and got the legal documents signed and came back on the same day by evening by air to New Delhi.  Hence, considering the emergency situation, the Maharaja signed the [[Instrument_of_Accession_(Jammu_and_Kashmir)|Instrument of Accession]] on 26 October 1947, joining the whole of his princely state (including [[Jammu]], [[Kashmir]], [[Northern Areas]], [[Ladakh]], [[Trans-Karakoram Tract]] and [[Aksai Chin]]) to the [[Dominion of India]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kashmir 1947, Rival Versions of History|first= Prem Shankar|last=Jha|url=https://www.amazon.in/Kashmir-1947-Rival-Versions-History/dp/0195637666|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1996|isbn=0195637666}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy|last=Ramachandra.|first=Guha|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Harper Perennial|isbn=978-0060958589|oclc=474262656}}</ref><ref>Justice A. S. Anand, ''The Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir'' (5th edition, 2006), [https://books.google.com/books?id=wSXRUwNnMB0C&pg=PA67 page 67]</ref><ref>[http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2004/rp04-028.pdf Kashmir, Research Paper 04/28 by Paul Bowers, House of Commons Library, United Kingdom.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040728194805/http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2004/rp04-028.pdf |date=28 July 2004|page= 46}}</ref> On 27 Octobr 1947 [[Lord Mountbatten]] accepted the accession of Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir to India and Indian Army landed on Srinagar airport on the same day. These events triggered the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|first Indo-Pakistan War]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan Invasion| url=http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=248744|publisher=Early Times|access-date=26 October 2018}}</ref>
Pressure from [[Nehru]] and [[Sardar Patel]] eventually compelled Hari Singh to appoint his son and heir, [[Yuvraj]] (Crown Prince) [[Karan Singh]], as Prince Regent of Jammu and Kashmir in 1949, although he remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by Nehru's government. He was also forced to appoint the popular Kashmiri leader [[Sheikh Abdullah]] as the prime minister of Kashmir. He had a contentious relationship with both Nehru and Abdullah.<ref name="Ramachandra. 92">{{Cite book|title=India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy|last=Ramachandra.|first=Guha|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Harper Perennial|isbn=978-0060958589|pages=92|oclc=474262656}}</ref> Karan Singh was appointed 'Sadr-e-Riyasat' ('Head of State') in 1952 and [[Governor of Jammu and Kashmir|Governor of the State]] in 1964.<ref name="Ramachandra. 92"/> Abdullah would later be dismissed from his position as prime minister of Kashmir and jailed by Karan Singh.<ref>{{Cite book|title=India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy|last=Ramachandra.|first=Guha|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Harper Perennial|isbn=978-0060958589|pages=262|oclc=474262656}}</ref>


Nehru and Abdullah conspired to banish Singh from Jammu and Kashmir and forced him to live in exile in Bombay. Singh spent his final days in [[Bombay]]. He died on 26 April 1961, after fourteen years of his banishment. As per his will, his ashes were brought to Jammu and spread all over Jammu and Kashmir and immersed in the [[Tawi River]] at [[Jammu]].<ref>[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/dynasty-clash-in-kashmir-hari-singhs-grandson-ajatshatru-challenges-abdullahs/articleshow/18963571.cms Dynasty clash in Kashmir: Hari Singh's grandson Ajatshatru challenges Abdullahs], The Economic Times, 14 March 2013.</ref>
[[File:Sir Hari Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, 1920.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Hari Singh in 1920]]


==Mahatma Gandhi Connection==
Hari Singh payed £300,000 to a prostitute who blackmailed him in Paris in 1921. That issue resulted in a court case in London in 1924 during which the [[India Office]] tried to keep his name out of proceedings by arranging for him to be referred to as Mr. A.<ref name="snedden"/>
[[Sheikh Abdullah]] has acknowledged that Hari Singh believed in the philosophy of Mahatma's peacefull [[satyagrah]] and treated his opposition with respect. [[Sheikh Abdullah]] a satyagrahi during his period was on a trial proceedings during 1947 and was released after Mahatma adviced him to do so. [[Sheikh Abdullah]] was again on trial in 1961 in India on [[Kashmir Conspiracy Case]] when news of passing away of Hari Singh arrived. Sheikh Abdullah showed his anger on the continuation of court proceedings for that day and requested a day off as a tribute to Hari Singh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gandhi on Kashmir, Gandhians on Kashmir|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/gandhi-in-kashmir-gandhians-on-kashmir/cid/1698228|publisher=The Telegraph|access-date=16 August 2019}}</ref>
<br />[[Round Table Conferences (India)]] held at Britain, Hari Singh shocked English by taking his stand to freedom of India instead of continuation of Raj in 1930 following which Mahatma was brought out of jail and Irwin-Gandhi pact signed so that Mahatma can attend second round table conference in 1931.
{{quote| Hari Singh replyed to George V: "I must express our deep gratitude to His Most Gracious Majesty for the cordial welcome tendered to us and I pray that providence may grant us the vision and the will to realize the hopes expressed in the inspiring words uttered this morning by our beloved Emperor."
"This is the first occasion on which the Princes of India meet in person at a Conference Table along with the representatives of British India and His Majesty's Government to discuss the political future of India."
"As Indians and loyal to the land where we derive our birth and infant nurture, we stand as solidly as the rest of our countrymen for our land's enjoyment of a position of honour and equality in the British Common Wealth of Nations".
" Neither England nor India can afford to see this Conference in failure. The task confronting this Conference is a gigantic one. Two years ago, speaking at a meeting of the Chamber of Princes, I said, with regard to certain activities in British India, that is my view, Federation was a higher ideal than isolation. I feel deeply gratified at the progress which has been made with the scheme of an All-India Federation as worked out in the Report of the Federal Structure Sub-Committee. But ever since the idea of a Federation was taken up in this Conference, some surprise has been expressed in various quarters in India and in England at the willingness of the Princes to join an All-India Federation. It is said that Princes have forced the pace and that in any case they should have opposed a Federation with British India."
"I have never disguised from my friends, my warm support of the idea of an All-India Federation".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Remember Maharaja Hari Singh|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/remember-maharaja-hari-singh/|publisher=Daily Excellsior|access-date=23 September 2017}}</ref>}}
<br />[[Nai Talim]], an education programme developed for children in 1937 by Gandhi was first adopted by Hari Singh among other Princely States of British India. Hari Singh was very much interested in education. He opened jabran schools whose numbers rose from 706 to 20,728; jabran means forceful education to children. Sheikh Abdullah received his education from one such school.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A bipolar universe: Maharaja Hari Singh's 'great betrayal'|first=Shiv|last=Verma|url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/bipolar-universe-maharaja-hari-singhs-great-betrayal|publisher=The Guardian|access-date=17 October 2020}}</ref>


==Family==
Singh was known as a lavish spender of money. The funeral of his uncle and former ruler [[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh]] is believed to have expended much gold and jewelry in the funeral pyre.<ref name=KashmirLife>[https://kashmirlife.net/kashmirs-last-maharaja-1413 Kashmir’s Last Maharaja], Kashmir Life, 2 May 2011.</ref>
He was married four times. Three of them died during child births and custom enforced him to immediately take a new bride. With his fourth wife, Maharani Tara Devi (1910–1967), he had one son, [[Yuvraj]] (crown prince) [[Karan Singh]].{{sfn|Mufti|2013|p=157}} Hari Singh had reserved the entire third floor of the hotel for the occasion where his son was born in Suite 318-319-320 at the [[Martinez hotel|Martinez Hotel]] in [[Cannes]], France.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Karan Singh recalls his French Connection|url=https://www.netindian.in/news/people/karan-singh-recalls-his-french-connection|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-22|website=NetIndian|language=en}}</ref>


* Spouses:
===Marriages===
# Dharampur Rani Sri Lal Kunverba Sahiba; married at [[Rajkot]] 7 May 1913, died during pregnancy in 1915. No children.
# Rani Dhan Deiji Sahiba; married at Chamba 8 November 1915, died 31 January 1920. No children. [[File:Princesses of Chamba.jpg|thumb|]]
# [[Maharani]] Dhanvant Kunveri Baiji Sahiba (1910–19?); married at Dharampur 30 April 1923. No children.
# [[Maharani]] Tara Devi Sahiba of Kangra,(1910–1967); married 1928, separated 1950, one child:
:* [[Yuvraj]] (crown prince, i.e. heir apparent) [[Karan Singh]] (born 9 March 1931)
Dhandevi Memorial Kanya Fund named after the Maharaja’s Chamba wife granted orphan girls a sum of up to Rs 200 and an acre of state land.


==Honours==
[[File:The Maharaja and Maharani of Kashmir.jpg|thumb|Hari Singh with his fourth wife Maharani Tara Devi, 1950]]


[[File:Titles of Maharaja Hari singh and Yuvraj Karan Singh.jpg|thumb|Titles of Maharaja Hari Singh and Yuvraj Karan Singh on the first page of his Civil List of 1945]]
Singh married four times as his first three wives failed to give birth to his heirs. Each of them died within a few years of childlessness allowing Hari Singh to immediately take a new bride. With his last wife, Tara Devi Sahiba of [[Kangra District|Kangra]], he had a son, [[Karan Singh]].<ref name=KashmirLife/>{{sfn|Mufti, Kashmir in Sickness and in Health|2013|p=157}}


<center>
{| class="wikitable"
(ribbon bar, as it would look today; incomplete)
|-
! No. !! Name !! Date of marriage !! Fate of marriage !! Issue and fate
|-
| 1 ||Rani Sri Lal Kunverba Sahiba
|7 May 1913
| Ended with her death  ||Died during pregnancy in 1915. No issue.
|-
| 2 ||Rani Sahiba Chamba
|8 November 1915
| Ended with her death||Died 31 January 1920. No issue.
|-
| 3 ||[[Maharani]] Dhanvant Kunveri Baiji Sahiba
|30 April 1923
| Ended with her death  || Died young. No issue.
|-
| 4 ||[[Maharani]] Tara Devi Sahiba of Kangra
| 1928 || Separated ||Separated in 1950. Died in 1967.<br> Mother of [[Karan Singh]]
|-
|}


[[File:Ord.Stella.India.jpg|100px]]
==Reign==
[[File:Order of the Indian Empire Ribbon.svg|100px]]


[[File:Royal Victorian Order ribbon sm.jpg|100px]]
[[File:An Indian Durbar in 1926.webm|thumb|A film of the coronation of Maharaja Hari Singh at [[Mubarak Mandi Palace|Mubark Mandi palace]] in Jammu in 1926]]
[[File:India Service Medal BAR.svg|100px]]
[[File:39-45 Star BAR.svg|100px]]
[[File:Africa Star BAR.svg|100px]]


[[File:War Medal 39-45 BAR.svg|100px]]
Following the death of his uncle Pratap Singh in 1925, Hari Singh ascended the throne of Jammu and Kashmir. He made primary education compulsory in the state, introduced laws prohibiting child marriage, and opened places of worship to the low [[Caste system in India|caste]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|title = IS God DEAD?????|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nQniAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA25|publisher = Partridge Publishing|date = 1 February 2014|isbn = 978-1-48281-823-9 |first=Ragubhir Lal |last=Anand |page=26}}</ref>
[[File:Med.DelhiDurbar1903.png|100px]]
[[File:King George V Coronation Medal ribbon.png|100px]]
[[File:GeorgeVSilverJubileum-ribbon.png|100px]]


[[File:GeorgeVICoronationRibbon.png|100px]]
The Seal of Maharaja Hari Singh had a Crown at the top. A ''[[Katar (dagger)|katar]]'' or ceremonial dagger sat below the crown. Two soldiers held flags. An image of the sun was between them, to symbolise his [[Suryavansha|Rajput lineage]] from Lord [[Surya]], the [[Hindu pantheon|Hindu]] [[Solar deity|Sun God]].
[[File:Indian Independence medal 1947.svg|100px]]
[[File:Cavaliere di Gran Croce OCI Kingdom BAR.svg|100px]]
[[File:Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg|100px]]
</center>


*Delhi Durbar Medal-1903
<gallery class="center" widths="200px">
*Delhi Durbar Medal-1911
Seal of Maharaja Hari Singh on the cover of the Civil List.jpg|Seal of Maharaja Hari Singh as printed on the Civil List of his government
*Prince of Wales Visit Medal-1922
</gallery>
*[[Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]] (GCIE)-1929 (KCIE-1918)
*Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Crown of Italy]]-1930
*[[Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India]] (GCSI)-1933
*[[King George V Silver Jubilee Medal]]-1935
*[[King George VI Coronation Medal]]-1937
*Hon. [[LL.D]] from [[Panjab University|Punjab University]]-1938
*Grand Officer of the [[Legion d'Honneur]]-1938
*[[1939-1945 Star]]-1945
*[[Africa Star]]-1945
*[[War Medal 1939-1945]]-1945
*[[India Service Medal]]-1945
*[[Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]] (GCVO)-1946 (KCVO-1922)
*[[Indian Independence Medal]]-1947
{{Clear}}


{{s-start}}
In 1930, Hari Singh attended the [[Round Table Conferences (India)|First Round Table Conference]] in London. He suggested that the Indian [[Princely state]]s would join an “All India Federation” and pleaded for equal status for Indians in the British Commonwealth of Nations.<ref name=table/> While replying to the inaugural address by [[George V|King-Emperor George V]], Hari Singh said: {{quote|"I must express our deep gratitude to His Most Gracious Majesty for the cordial welcome tendered to us and I pray that providence may grant us the vision and the will to realize the hopes expressed in the inspiring words uttered this morning by our beloved Emperor. This is the first occasion on which the Princes of India meet in person at a Conference Table along with the representatives of British India and His Majesty's Government to discuss the political future of India. ... I feel deeply gratified at the progress which has been made with the scheme of an All-India Federation as worked out in the Report of the Federal Structure Sub-Committee. But ever since the idea of a Federation was taken up in this Conference, some surprise has been expressed in various quarters in India and in England at the willingness of the Princes to join an All-India Federation. It is said that Princes have forced the pace and that in any case they should have opposed a Federation with British India. I have never disguised from my friends, my warm support of the idea of an All-India Federation".<ref name=table>{{Cite news|title=Remember Maharaja Hari Singh|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/remember-maharaja-hari-singh/|publisher=Daily Excellsior|access-date=23 September 2017}}</ref>}}
{{s-hou|[[Dogra dynasty]]||23 September 1895||26 April 1961}}
{{s-reg|}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh]]<br /><small>(as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir)</small>}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir]]|years=1925–1952}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Republic of India]] [[Karan Singh]] as titular Maharajah of Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{s-end}}
== Pioneer in India==
Story goes that 12 Kg of willow seeds and some fine artisans were imported from European lands by Maharaja Hari Singh during his reign to start wicker craft industry in Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The woven willows of Kashmir|url=https://gaatha.com/the-woven-willows-of-kashmir/}}</ref>
The only successful Willow plantation outside England was done by Forester Mr Steanes (Kamraj Forest Division) at Haran Shallabug Plantation  in ( Sindh Forest Division) & Ningli Plantation in ( Bandipora Forest Division) at Kashmir. The varieties that have survived are Slaix alba, Salix nigra for bat manufacturing, Salox babylonica for mighty appearance as ornamental tree, Salix traindra for basket manufacturing have survived till today.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SWOT Analysis of Willow/Salix|url=https://in.docworkspace.com/d/sIIuzxsVruojbhgY|publisher=Rajeshwar Singh Jamwal}}</ref>


Hari Singh was a tireless women’s rights champion encouraging widow remarriage and ownership of property by women. To ensure that women were included in the revolutionary changes being made in the field of education, he established the department of women education and appointed a Deputy Director for it. His many reforms in the health sector included women-centric measures like additional maternity wards in zenana hospitals.
=== Partition and accession ===


==Legacy==
[[File:The last Maharaja of Kashmir.jpg|thumb|The last Maharaja of Kashmir]]
Hari Parbat & Qilla are visible features in the centre of Srinagar. Inspired by it Hari Singh was named after this Hindu deity. Hari Singh Nalwa, captured the only fort of Kashmir from Afghans and remained its first Governor, so its name was changed from Koh-i-Maran to Hari Hill & Fort by Sikhs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reviews|url=https://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g297623-d338347-r284647251-Hari_Parbat-Srinagar_Srinagar_District_Kashmir_Jammu_and_Kashmir.html}}</ref>


On the death of Hari Singh, Pandit Prem Nath Dogra of Praja Parishad, the person who led an agitation to arrest Sheikh Abdullah took out a mourning procession to the banks of Tawi, where the rituals were performed on 26 April 1961. As Govt. didn't announce state mourning the youth reacted and marched to the civil secretariat to bring down the flag to half-mast but in vain.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Maharaja Hari Singh was Exiled and Betrayed by Nehru & Sheikh Abdullah|url=https://www.hindupost.in/politics/how-maharaja-hari-singh-was-exiled-and-betrayed-by-nehru-sheikh-abdullah/|publisher=Hindu Post|access-date=24 August 2019}}</ref>
In 1947, after India gained independence from British rule, Jammu and Kashmir could have joined India, joined Pakistan, or remained independent.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} Hari Singh originally manoeuvred to maintain his independence by playing off both India and Pakistan. Pashtun tribesmen from Pakistan then invaded Kashmir and defeated Hari Singh's forces. Hari Singh appealed to India for help.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/documents/harisingh47.html|title=Maharaja Hari Singh's Letter to Mountbatten|website=www.jammu-kashmir.com|access-date=10 January 2020}}</ref> Although the Indian Prime Minister Nehru was ready to send troops, the [[Governor-General of India]], [[Lord Mountbatten of Burma]], advised the Maharaja to accede to India before India could send its troops. Hence, considering the emergency situation, the Maharaja signed the [[Instrument_of_Accession_(Jammu_and_Kashmir)|Instrument of Accession]] on 26 October 1947, joining the whole of his princely state (including [[Jammu]], [[Kashmir]], [[Northern Areas]], [[Ladakh]], [[Trans-Karakoram Tract]] and [[Aksai Chin]]), to the [[Dominion of India]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy|last=Ramachandra.|first=Guha|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Harper Perennial|isbn=978-0060958589|oclc=474262656}}</ref><ref>Justice A. S. Anand, ''The Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir'' (5th edition, 2006), [https://books.google.com/books?id=wSXRUwNnMB0C&pg=PA67 page 67]</ref><ref>[http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2004/rp04-028.pdf Kashmir, Research Paper 04/28 by Paul Bowers, House of Commons Library, United Kingdom.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040728194805/http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2004/rp04-028.pdf |date=28 July 2004 }}, page 46, 30 March 2004</ref> These events triggered the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|first Indo-Pakistan War]].


The Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha (AKRS) J&K installed a life size statue of late Maharaja at district Kashtriya Rajput Sabha Samba near Veer Bhoomi Park Samba Jammu Pathankot national highway on his 119 birthday on 23 September 2019<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maharaja Hari Singh's statue unveiled on his 119th Birthday anniversary|url=http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=112539|publisher=Early Times|access-date=23 September 2019}}</ref>
Pressure from [[Nehru]] and [[Sardar Patel]] eventually compelled Hari Singh to appoint his son and heir, [[Yuvraj]] (Crown Prince) [[Karan Singh]], as Prince Regent of Jammu and Kashmir in 1949, although he remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by Nehru's government. He was also forced to appoint the popular Kashmiri leader [[Sheikh Abdullah]] as the prime minister of Kashmir. He had a contentious relationship with both Nehru and Abdullah.<ref name="Ramachandra. 92">{{Cite book|title=India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy|last=Ramachandra.|first=Guha|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Harper Perennial|isbn=978-0060958589|pages=92|oclc=474262656}}</ref> Karan Singh was appointed 'Sadr-e-Riyasat' ('Head of State') in 1952 and [[Governor of Jammu and Kashmir|Governor of the State]] in 1964.<ref name="Ramachandra. 92"/> Abdullah would later be dismissed from his position as prime minister of Kashmir and jailed by Karan Singh.<ref>{{Cite book|title=India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy|last=Ramachandra.|first=Guha|date=1 January 2008|publisher=Harper Perennial|isbn=978-0060958589|pages=262|oclc=474262656}}</ref>


Dr Karan Singh (his son) dedicated Hari Singh's properties in Jammu to Hari-Tara Charitable Trust on 15 January 1970. The Palace where Hari Singh once played hosts permanent painting galleries known as Amar Mahal Museum and displays 25,000 books Library
==Final years and death==
inside 1890 French designed cheâteau also, houses 'Dogra Gold Throne' on which Hari Singh reigned.<ref>{{Cite web|title=JK royal family moves court claiming ownership of Raj Bhawan|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/jk-royal-family-moves-court-claiming-ownership-of-raj-bhawan/|publisher=Hindustan Times|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref>


Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad & MP Karan Singh unveiled the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh near the Tawi bridge in Jammu on Ramnavmi 1 April 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maharaja's Statue unveiled.|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120402/jmtrib.htm|publisher=The Tribune|access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref>
Nehru and Abdullah conspired to banish Singh from Jammu and Kashmir and forced him to live in exile in Bombay. Singh spent his final days in [[Bombay]]. He died on 26 April 1961, after fourteen years of his banishment. As per his will, his ashes were brought to Jammu and spread all over Jammu and Kashmir and immersed in the [[Tawi River]] at [[Jammu]].<ref>[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/dynasty-clash-in-kashmir-hari-singhs-grandson-ajatshatru-challenges-abdullahs/articleshow/18963571.cms Dynasty clash in Kashmir: Hari Singh's grandson Ajatshatru challenges Abdullahs], The Economic Times, 14 March 2013.</ref>


Hari Niwas Palace, the home of Hari Singh in Jammu is now been run as a heritage hotel which provides the visitors with great services. Located on the shores of River Tawi, this hotel provides views of the Trikuta Hills and Vaishno Devi.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Hari Niwas|url=http://hariniwaspalace.in/}}</ref>
==Legacy and memorials==
===Tributes and memorials===


Jammu Municipal Corporation erected a statue of Maharaja Hari Singh in standing posture near Bagh-e-Bahu Police Station adjoining junction crossings linking Gujjar Nagar Tawi Bridge, University, Bagh-e-Bahu, Narwal<ref>{{Cite news|title=City's statues in a sorry state|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/citys-statues-in-a-sorry-state/|publisher=[[Daily Excelsior]]|access-date= 27 April 2014}}</ref>
* In 2007, Chief Minister [[Ghulam Nabi Azad]] inaugurated the 'Hari Singh Janana Park' for women. It is landscaped by Gardens and Floriculture Department at New Secretariat.
* On 1 April 2012, the occasion of Ramanavmi, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and MP [[Karan Singh]] unveiled a statue of Hari Singh near the Tawi bridge in Jammu.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maharaja's Statue unveiled.|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120402/jmtrib.htm|work=The Tribune|access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref>
* Jammu Municipal Corporation erected a statue of Maharaja Hari Singh in standing posture near Bagh-e-Bahu Police Station adjoining junction crossings linking Gujjar Nagar Tawi Bridge, University, Bagh-e-Bahu, Narwal<ref>{{Cite news|title=City's statues in a sorry state|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/citys-statues-in-a-sorry-state/|publisher=[[Daily Excelsior]]|access-date= 27 April 2014}}</ref>


Hari Singh High Street Srinagar is named after him. It has 105 gold ornament shops and many luxurious items showrooms.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jewellery Showrooms Hari Singh High Street|url=https://www.justdial.com/Srinagar/Jewellery-Showrooms-in-Hari-Singh-High-Street/nct-10282098}}</ref>
* On 16 May 2018, Chief Minister [[Mehbooba Mufti]] inaugurated 'Maharaja Hari Singh Park' and a statue of Hari Singh in sitting posture.<ref>{{Cite news|title=JDA sold Maharaja Hari Singh Park!|url=https://m.jagran.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-jammu-development-authority-sold-maharaja-hari-singh-park-18705820.html|publisher=Dainik Jagran|access-date=2 December 2018}}</ref>


A trust has converted Hari Singh's polo and horse racing ground into a school:
* On 23 September 2019, the Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha (AKRS) installed a life-sized statue of Hari Singh on his 119th birthday at [[Samba]] district, near Veer Bhoomi Park.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maharaja Hari Singh's statue unveiled on his 119th Birthday anniversary|url=http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=112539|publisher=Early Times|access-date=23 September 2019}}</ref>
Maharaja Hari Singh Agricultural Collegiate School MHAC, a residential as well as day boarding school at Nagbani, P O Domana Jammu.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MAHARAJA HARISINGH AGRICULTURAL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL, A UNIT OF DAV COLLEGE TRUST|url=https://mhacnagbani.com/}}</ref>
* On 23 September 2020, an audio-video song album in [[Dogri]] was released highlighting social reforms introduced by Hari Singh from 1930 onwards.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Album on Maharaja Hari Singh released|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/album-on-hari-singh-released-145790|publisher=Tribune|access-date=24 September 2020}}</ref>


Maharaja Hari Singh DAV Public School Poonch started in 1982 with the Nursery class, the institution grew to secondary school and became the first choice of the locality. School affiliated with DAV is located 3 Km away from Poonch in village Kanyuin.<ref>{{Cite web|title =MHS DAV Poonch|url=http://www.mhsdavkpoonch.com/}}</ref>
==Titles and honours==


Govt. of India decided to start separate schools for specially-abled children across the State in 2018, Jammu region got its first such school in Government Hari Singh Higher Secondary School, Prem Nagar Jammu; provisioned in new building with residential facilities.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hari Singh HSS to be converted into school for special children|url=http://www.thenewsnow.co.in/newsdet.aspx?q=53402|access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref>
===Title and style===
[[File:Titles of Maharaja Hari singh and Yuvraj Karan Singh.jpg|thumb|Titles of Maharaja Hari Singh and Yuvraj Karan Singh on the first page of his Civil List of 1945]]


Established in 1933, Hari Singh School, Kanji House Jammu is located next to Mubarak Mandi Palace is being run today by Govt. Education Department for 9 to 12 class. The school is co-educational and it doesn't have an attached pre-primary section.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HSS|url=https://schools.org.in/jammu/01131903410/hss-hari-singh.html}}</ref>
As Maharaja, Hari Singh's full style was:  


India Today in 1983 disclosed that Srinagar's Treasury office holds Hari Singh's jewellery which includes crowns, ceremonial swords, necklaces, bracelets, rings, bangles, robes, daggers, watches and even toys kept in trunks and nothing has been decided about their future destiny.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Major controversy ensues on ownership of Kashmir treasure|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/19831115-major-controversy-ensues-on-ownership-of-kashmir-treasure-771208-2013-07-12|publisher=India Today|access-date=27 June 2014}}</ref>
<div style="padding: 1px; text-align:left; margin:left; border:1px solid #7BA05B; color:#000000; width:55%;">{{quote|Lieutenant-General His Highness Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Shri Hari Singhji Bahadur Indar Mahindar, Sipar-i-Saltanat-i-Inglishia, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, LLD}}</div>


Hari Singh's 1924 Vauxhall 30-98 OE Velox Tourer, fetched 390,000 pounds in auctions at Bonhams Bond Street, Britain on December 2 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Rare, vintage sports car of Hari Singh, Maharaja of Kashmir, to fetch over $425K in auction|url=https://www.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/rare-vintage-sports-car-of-hari-singh-maharaja-of-kashmir-to-fetch-over-425k-in-auction/|access-date=1 Nov 2018}}</ref>
===Honours===


Maharaja Hari Singh Park, built at a cost of Rs 4.72 crore in 43 kanals along the Tawi river, was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of the state Mehbooba Mufti on 16 May 2018. The statue installed in the middle of park is a Metallic replica of Maharaja Hari Singh sitting on his gold throne.<ref>{{Cite news|title=JDA sold Maharaja Hari Singh Park!|url=https://m.jagran.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-jammu-development-authority-sold-maharaja-hari-singh-park-18705820.html|publisher=Dainik Jagran|access-date=2 December 2018}}</ref>
* 1903: [[File:Med.DelhiDurbar1903.png|50px]] Delhi Durbar Medal
* 1911: [[File:GeorgeVICoronationRibbon.png|50px]] Delhi Durbar Medal
* 1922: Prince of Wales Visit Medal
* 1929: [[File:Order of the Indian Empire Ribbon.svg|50px]] [[Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]] (GCIE) (KCIE in 1918)
* 1930: [[File:Cavaliere di Gran Croce OCI Kingdom BAR.svg|50px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Crown of Italy]]
* 1933: [[File:ImperialOrderCrownIndiaRibbon.gif|50px]] [[Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India]] (GCSI)
* 1935: [[File:GeorgeVSilverJubileum-ribbon.png|50px]] [[King George V Silver Jubilee Medal]]
* 1937: [[File:UK King George VI Coronation Medal ribbon.svg|50px]] [[King George VI Coronation Medal]]
* 1938: [[File:Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg|50px]] Grand Officer of the [[Legion d'Honneur]]
* 1945: [[File:39-45 Star BAR.svg|50px]] [[1939-1945 Star]]
* 1945: [[File:Africa Star BAR.svg|50px]] [[Africa Star]]
* 1945: [[File:War Medal 39-45 BAR.svg|50px]] [[War Medal 1939-1945]]
* 1945: [[File:India Service Medal BAR.svg|50px]] [[India Service Medal]]
* 1946: [[File:Royal Victorian Order ribbon sm.jpg|50px]] [[Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]] (GCVO) (KCVO in 1922)
* 1947: [[File:Indian Independence medal 1947.svg|50px]] [[Indian Independence Medal]]


An exclusive park for woman 'Hari Singh Janana Park' was landscaped by Gardens and Floriculture Department at New Secretariat during Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's tennure
===Honorary degrees===


Amar Singh Club Srinagar, established by Hari Singh in 1933 became the first modern club in Srinagar. Designed in British style it covers an overall area of ten acres of spacious lush green lawns, one tennis court, badminton court, two Squash courts and one billiard hall.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amar Singh Club|url=http://www.jktourism.jk.gov.in/List/Listdetails.aspx?}}</ref>
* 1938: Hon. [[LL.D]] from [[Panjab University|Punjab University]]


Formation of Jammu & Kashmir Bank by Maharaja on 1st October 1938 was a visionary approach for uplifting the society.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Maharaja Hari Singh a true visionary, pioneer of landmark initiatives|url=https://news.statetimes.in/maharaja-hari-singh-a-true-visionary-pioneer-of-landmark-initiatives-paviter/|publisher=State Times|access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref>
{{Clear}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|30em}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==


* {{citation |first=Mridu |last=Rai |title=Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects: Islam, Rights, and the History of Kashmir | publisher=C. Hurst & Co |year=2004 |isbn=1850656614}}
* {{citation |first=Mridu |last=Rai |title=Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects: Islam, Rights, and the History of Kashmir | publisher=C. Hurst & Co |year=2004 |isbn=1850656614 |ref={{sfnref|Mridu Rai, Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects|2004}}}}
* {{citation |last=Mufti |first=Gulzar |title=Kashmir in Sickness and in Health |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AoAcAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT171 |year=2013 |publisher=Partridge Publishing India |isbn=978-1-4828-0998-5}}
* {{citation |last=Mufti |first=Gulzar |title=Kashmir in Sickness and in Health |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AoAcAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT171 |year=2013 |publisher=Partridge Publishing India |isbn=978-1-4828-0998-5 |ref={{sfnref|Mufti, Kashmir in Sickness and in Health|2013}}}}
 


==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal|India|Politics}}
{{Portal|India|Politics}}
* {{commonscatinline}}
 
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100612114256/http://jammukashmir.nic.in/govt/cntit1.htm#1 Proclamation of 1 May 1951 on Jammu & Kashmir Constituent Assembly by Yuvraj (Crown Prince) Karan Singh (Son of Maharajah Hari Singh) from the Official website of Government of Jammu and Kashmir, India]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100612114256/http://jammukashmir.nic.in/govt/cntit1.htm#1 Proclamation of 1 May 1951 on Jammu & Kashmir Constituent Assembly by Yuvraj (Crown Prince) Karan Singh (Son of Maharajah Hari Singh) from the Official website of Government of Jammu and Kashmir, India]
* [http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/SSEAL/SouthAsia/kashmir.html ''Conflict in Kashmir: Selected Internet Resources by the Library, University of California, Berkeley, USA'']; [[University of California at Berkeley]] Library Bibliographies and Web-Bibliographies list
* [http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/SSEAL/SouthAsia/kashmir.html ''Conflict in Kashmir: Selected Internet Resources by the Library, University of California, Berkeley, USA''; [[University of California at Berkeley]] Library Bibliographies and Web-Bibliographies list]
* {{cite web|url=http://newstodaynet.com/2006sud/06jan/1201ss1.htm |title=Salutations to Guruji Golwalkar – IV|author=V Sundaram|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204190403/http://newstodaynet.com/2006sud/06jan/1201ss1.htm|archive-date=4 December 2008}} The role of Shri Guruji Golwalkar (Sarsanghchalak of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] – RSS)
* {{cite web|url=http://newstodaynet.com/2006sud/06jan/1201ss1.htm |title=Salutations to Guruji Golwalkar – IV|author=V Sundaram|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204190403/http://newstodaynet.com/2006sud/06jan/1201ss1.htm|archive-date=4 December 2008}} The role of Shri Guruji Golwalkar (Sarsanghchalak of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] – RSS)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140911151945/http://www.niticentral.com/2013/01/13/nehru-abdullah-betrayed-raja-hari-singh-37857.html Nehru, Abdullah betrayed Maharaja Hari Singh]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140911151945/http://www.niticentral.com/2013/01/13/nehru-abdullah-betrayed-raja-hari-singh-37857.html Nehru, Abdullah betrayed Maharaja Hari Singh]
* [https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/banished-from-his-own-land-818375 Banished from his own land]
* [https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/banished-from-his-own-land-818375 Banished from his own land]
{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[Dogra dynasty]]||23 September 1895||26 April 1961}}
{{s-reg|}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh]]<br><small>(as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir)</small>}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir]]|years=1925–1952}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Republic of India]] [[Karan Singh]] as titular Maharajah of Jammu and Kashmir}}
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{{Indian civil servants}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Revision as of 11:43, 30 August 2021


For other uses, see Hari Singh (disambiguation).

Hari Singh
Hari Singh in 1931
Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir
Reign23 September 1925 — 17 November 1952
Coronation29 March 1926[1]
PredecessorPratap Singh
SuccessorMonarchy abolished
RegentKaran Singh (1949–1952)
Born(1895-09-23)23 September 1895
Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir,(present-day Jammu and Kashmir, India)
Died26 April 1961(1961-04-26) (aged 65)
Bombay, Maharashtra, India (present-day Mumbai)
Spouses
Sri Lal Kunverba Sahiba
​
(
m. 1913;
d. 
1915)
Rani Sahiba Chamba
​
(
m. 1915;
d. 
1920)
Dhanvant Kunveri Baiji
​
(
m. 1923,
d.
)
Tara Devi
​
(
m. 1928;
sep. 
1950)
IssueKaran Singh
HouseDogra
FatherAmar Singh
MotherBhotiali Chib
ReligionHinduism[2]

Maharaja Sir Hari Singh GCSI GCIE GCVO (23 September 1895 – 26 April 1961) was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Born in the city of Jammu in 1895, Singh was the son of Amar Singh and Bhotiali Chib. His father, who was the heir to his brother Pratap Singh, died in 1909, making him the heir to the throne. In 1923, following his uncle's death, he became the new Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. He married four times, and his fourth wife bore him a son, Karan Singh. After Indian Independence in 1947, he wanted Jammu and Kashmir to remain an independent kingdom, but was forced to accede to the Dominion of India, to get the support of Indian troops against an invasion by Pakistani forces.

Singh remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by the Indian government. After spending his final days in Bombay, he died on 26 April 1961. As per his will, his ashes were brought to Jammu and spread all over Jammu and Kashmir and immersed in the Tawi River at Jammu.

Singh was also a controversial figure due to his involvement in a blackmail scandal by a prostitute in Paris in 1921, the agitation in Kashmir against his government in 1931, and the rebellion against him in Poonch in 1947.

Early life

Amar Mahal Palace, the birthplace of Hari Singh

Hari Singh was born on 23 September 1895 at the palace of Amar Mahal, Jammu, the only surviving son of Raja Amar Singh Jamwal,[3] the brother of Maharaja Pratap Singh, then the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir in a Dogra Rajput family. Since the Maharaja had no issue, Hari Singh was heir to the throne of Jammu and Kashmir.

In 1903, Hari Singh served as a page of honour to Lord Curzon at the grand Delhi Durbar. At the age of thirteen, he was sent to Mayo College in Ajmer. A year later, in 1909, his father died, and the British took a keen interest in his education and appointed Major H. K. Brar as his guardian. After Mayo College, Hari Singh went to the British-run Imperial Cadet Corps at Dehradun for military training.[citation needed]

Maharaja Pratap Singh appointed him as the commander-in-chief of the State Forces in 1915.[4]

Personal life

Hari Singh in 1920

Hari Singh payed £300,000 to a prostitute who blackmailed him in Paris in 1921. That issue resulted in a court case in London in 1924 during which the India Office tried to keep his name out of proceedings by arranging for him to be referred to as Mr. A.[4]

Singh was known as a lavish spender of money. The funeral of his uncle and former ruler Pratap Singh is believed to have expended much gold and jewelry in the funeral pyre.[5]

Marriages

Hari Singh with his fourth wife Maharani Tara Devi, 1950

Singh married four times as his first three wives failed to give birth to his heirs. Each of them died within a few years of childlessness allowing Hari Singh to immediately take a new bride. With his last wife, Tara Devi Sahiba of Kangra, he had a son, Karan Singh.[5][6]

No. Name Date of marriage Fate of marriage Issue and fate
1 Rani Sri Lal Kunverba Sahiba 7 May 1913 Ended with her death Died during pregnancy in 1915. No issue.
2 Rani Sahiba Chamba 8 November 1915 Ended with her death Died 31 January 1920. No issue.
3 Maharani Dhanvant Kunveri Baiji Sahiba 30 April 1923 Ended with her death Died young. No issue.
4 Maharani Tara Devi Sahiba of Kangra 1928 Separated Separated in 1950. Died in 1967.
Mother of Karan Singh

Reign

A film of the coronation of Maharaja Hari Singh at Mubark Mandi palace in Jammu in 1926

Following the death of his uncle Pratap Singh in 1925, Hari Singh ascended the throne of Jammu and Kashmir. He made primary education compulsory in the state, introduced laws prohibiting child marriage, and opened places of worship to the low castes.[7]

The Seal of Maharaja Hari Singh had a Crown at the top. A katar or ceremonial dagger sat below the crown. Two soldiers held flags. An image of the sun was between them, to symbolise his Rajput lineage from Lord Surya, the Hindu Sun God.

  • Seal of Maharaja Hari Singh as printed on the Civil List of his government
    Seal of Maharaja Hari Singh as printed on the Civil List of his government

In 1930, Hari Singh attended the First Round Table Conference in London. He suggested that the Indian Princely states would join an “All India Federation” and pleaded for equal status for Indians in the British Commonwealth of Nations.[8] While replying to the inaugural address by King-Emperor George V, Hari Singh said:

"I must express our deep gratitude to His Most Gracious Majesty for the cordial welcome tendered to us and I pray that providence may grant us the vision and the will to realize the hopes expressed in the inspiring words uttered this morning by our beloved Emperor. This is the first occasion on which the Princes of India meet in person at a Conference Table along with the representatives of British India and His Majesty's Government to discuss the political future of India. ... I feel deeply gratified at the progress which has been made with the scheme of an All-India Federation as worked out in the Report of the Federal Structure Sub-Committee. But ever since the idea of a Federation was taken up in this Conference, some surprise has been expressed in various quarters in India and in England at the willingness of the Princes to join an All-India Federation. It is said that Princes have forced the pace and that in any case they should have opposed a Federation with British India. I have never disguised from my friends, my warm support of the idea of an All-India Federation".[8]

Partition and accession

The last Maharaja of Kashmir

In 1947, after India gained independence from British rule, Jammu and Kashmir could have joined India, joined Pakistan, or remained independent.[citation needed] Hari Singh originally manoeuvred to maintain his independence by playing off both India and Pakistan. Pashtun tribesmen from Pakistan then invaded Kashmir and defeated Hari Singh's forces. Hari Singh appealed to India for help.[9] Although the Indian Prime Minister Nehru was ready to send troops, the Governor-General of India, Lord Mountbatten of Burma, advised the Maharaja to accede to India before India could send its troops. Hence, considering the emergency situation, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947, joining the whole of his princely state (including Jammu, Kashmir, Northern Areas, Ladakh, Trans-Karakoram Tract and Aksai Chin), to the Dominion of India.[10][11][12] These events triggered the first Indo-Pakistan War.

Pressure from Nehru and Sardar Patel eventually compelled Hari Singh to appoint his son and heir, Yuvraj (Crown Prince) Karan Singh, as Prince Regent of Jammu and Kashmir in 1949, although he remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by Nehru's government. He was also forced to appoint the popular Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdullah as the prime minister of Kashmir. He had a contentious relationship with both Nehru and Abdullah.[13] Karan Singh was appointed 'Sadr-e-Riyasat' ('Head of State') in 1952 and Governor of the State in 1964.[13] Abdullah would later be dismissed from his position as prime minister of Kashmir and jailed by Karan Singh.[14]

Final years and death

Nehru and Abdullah conspired to banish Singh from Jammu and Kashmir and forced him to live in exile in Bombay. Singh spent his final days in Bombay. He died on 26 April 1961, after fourteen years of his banishment. As per his will, his ashes were brought to Jammu and spread all over Jammu and Kashmir and immersed in the Tawi River at Jammu.[15]

Legacy and memorials

Tributes and memorials

  • In 2007, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad inaugurated the 'Hari Singh Janana Park' for women. It is landscaped by Gardens and Floriculture Department at New Secretariat.
  • On 1 April 2012, the occasion of Ramanavmi, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and MP Karan Singh unveiled a statue of Hari Singh near the Tawi bridge in Jammu.[16]
  • Jammu Municipal Corporation erected a statue of Maharaja Hari Singh in standing posture near Bagh-e-Bahu Police Station adjoining junction crossings linking Gujjar Nagar Tawi Bridge, University, Bagh-e-Bahu, Narwal[17]
  • On 16 May 2018, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti inaugurated 'Maharaja Hari Singh Park' and a statue of Hari Singh in sitting posture.[18]
  • On 23 September 2019, the Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha (AKRS) installed a life-sized statue of Hari Singh on his 119th birthday at Samba district, near Veer Bhoomi Park.[19]
  • On 23 September 2020, an audio-video song album in Dogri was released highlighting social reforms introduced by Hari Singh from 1930 onwards.[20]

Titles and honours

Title and style

Titles of Maharaja Hari Singh and Yuvraj Karan Singh on the first page of his Civil List of 1945

As Maharaja, Hari Singh's full style was:

Lieutenant-General His Highness Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Shri Hari Singhji Bahadur Indar Mahindar, Sipar-i-Saltanat-i-Inglishia, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, LLD

Honours

Honorary degrees

References

  1. ↑ Coronation of Sir Hari Singh as the Maharajah of Kashmir . 29 March 1926
  2. ↑ Mridu Rai, Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects 2004.
  3. ↑ General Sir Raja Amar Singh Jamwal : 14 January 1865 – 26 March 1909
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Snedden, Christopher (2015). Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris. Oxford University Press. p. 128. ISBN 978-1-84904-342-7.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kashmir’s Last Maharaja, Kashmir Life, 2 May 2011.
  6. ↑ Mufti, Kashmir in Sickness and in Health 2013, p. 157.
  7. ↑ Anand, Ragubhir Lal (1 February 2014). IS God DEAD?????. Partridge Publishing. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-48281-823-9.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Remember Maharaja Hari Singh". Daily Excellsior. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  9. ↑ "Maharaja Hari Singh's Letter to Mountbatten". www.jammu-kashmir.com. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  10. ↑ Ramachandra., Guha (1 January 2008). India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy. Harper Perennial. ISBN 978-0060958589. OCLC 474262656.
  11. ↑ Justice A. S. Anand, The Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir (5th edition, 2006), page 67
  12. ↑ Kashmir, Research Paper 04/28 by Paul Bowers, House of Commons Library, United Kingdom. Archived 28 July 2004 at the Wayback Machine, page 46, 30 March 2004
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ramachandra., Guha (1 January 2008). India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy. Harper Perennial. p. 92. ISBN 978-0060958589. OCLC 474262656.
  14. ↑ Ramachandra., Guha (1 January 2008). India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy. Harper Perennial. p. 262. ISBN 978-0060958589. OCLC 474262656.
  15. ↑ Dynasty clash in Kashmir: Hari Singh's grandson Ajatshatru challenges Abdullahs, The Economic Times, 14 March 2013.
  16. ↑ "Maharaja's Statue unveiled". The Tribune. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  17. ↑ "City's statues in a sorry state". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  18. ↑ "JDA sold Maharaja Hari Singh Park!". Dainik Jagran. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  19. ↑ "Maharaja Hari Singh's statue unveiled on his 119th Birthday anniversary". Early Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  20. ↑ "Album on Maharaja Hari Singh released". Tribune. Retrieved 24 September 2020.

Bibliography


External links


Hari Singh
Born: 23 September 1895 Died: 26 April 1961
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Pratap Singh
(as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir) 		Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir
1925–1952 		Succeeded by
Republic of India Karan Singh as titular Maharajah of Jammu and Kashmir

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