Sikh Rule & Rise of Gulab Singh — 1808 to 1846 AD
1. Ranjit Singh's Conquest of Jammu
- Invasion: 1808
- Ruler of Jammu: Raja Jit Singh (of Dev Dynasty)
- Commander of Sikh Army: Sardar Hukam Singh Chimni
- Jit Singh surrendered without a tough fight.
- Invaders were able to cross the Tawi and almost reached the Gumat Gate.
BATTLE OF GUMAT
- Mian Mota — from Jit Singh's family, did not approve of Jit Singh's act.
- He held consultation with the Rani Bandrahli (mother of Jit Singh).
- Organised a stiff resistance in which many were killed.
- During the Battle of Gumat, Gulab Singh and Dhian Singh together with their father Kishore Singh fought against the Sikh forces.
FURTHER CONQUESTS (by the end of 1810)
- Chenab valley
- Akhnoor
- Deva Batala
- The Chib and Bhaw territories
KEY NOTES
- Jit Singh was deposed in 1816.
- Jammu was finally annexed to the Lahore Kingdom (Sikh Empire) in 1816.
- Jammu became a district under the control of Prince Kharak Singh (assisted by Bai Ram Singh).
- Kharak Singh received Jammu as a Jagir.
- 1808: Invasion by Sikh Empire
- 1816: Annexation to Sikh Empire (Jit Singh of Dev Dynasty was deposed)
THE DOGRA COURT — TWO FACTIONS
- 1) Mian Mota + Raja Jit Singh
- 2) Rani Bandrahli + others
NOTE
- Kharak Singh was the son of Ranjit Singh.
2. Rise of Gulab Singh
FAMILY BACKGROUND
- Grandfather: Zorawar Singh (Mian Mota was his brother)
- Father: Kishore Singh
- Brothers: Dhian Singh, Suchet Singh
- Sons: Randhir Singh, Sohan Singh, Ranbir Singh
- He belonged to the Dev family. Descendant of Raja Dhruv Dev.
- Lineage: Raja Dhruv Dev → Surat Singh → Zorawar Singh → Kishore Singh → Gulab Singh
- He was not from Raja Ranjit Dev's family.
- Born: 21 Oct, 1792 A.D.
- Their family had inherited a few jagirs at Ismailpur, Dayavan & Purmandal.
IN RANJIT SINGH'S SERVICE
- Gulab Singh was the first in the Dev family to enter Ranjit Singh's service.
- He started his career as a horseman in Ranjit Singh's irregular cavalry.
- He entered Ranjit Singh's service as a trooper.
- 1810 A.D.: He was summoned to the Lahore Darbar.
3. Battle of Chach Hazara and Hazaru
- Date: 13th July 1813
- Led by: Diwan Hukam Chand
- Between: Sikhs and Afghans
- Gulab Singh and his father Kishore Singh were among the Sikh fighters.
- This battle gave proof of Gulab Singh's qualities.
- Start of the rise of Gulab Singh.
4. Jagirs & Conquests
JAGIRS
- Jagir of Reasi: Given to Gulab Singh in 1817. He raised Bhimgarh Fort in Reasi. Suppressed the revolt at Kainthi and Kirghal.
- Jagir of Kishtwar: Bestowed upon Gulab Singh in Nov. 1820 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
CONQUEST OF KISHTWAR
- With the death of Ranjit Dev (in 1782), the direct rule of Jammu over Kishtwar came to an end.
- Raja Teg Singh was the last independent ruler of Kishtwar.
- 1821: Gulab Singh personally led his armies for the conquest of Kishtwar.
- 1822: Gulab Singh appointed Zorawar Singh as the Hakim or Governor of Kishtwar. He also exalted Zorawar Singh with the title of Wazir.
- Through Kishtwar, Gulab Singh advanced towards Ladakh, Baltistan and Tibet.
MIAN DIDO (1780 - 1821)
- Cousin of Gulab Singh.
- Refused to join the Sikh army.
- He resisted Sikh dominance.
- He was exterminated under the command of Gulab Singh.
5. Raj Tilak of Gulab Singh (1822)
- Date: Jan 16th, 1822 A.D.
- Venue: Jia-Potha (Akhnoor)
- Gulab Singh was made Raja of Jammu by Ranjit Singh.
THREE DOGRA BROTHERS — VASSALS OF THE KINGDOM
- Gulab Singh — Jammu
- Suchet Singh — Bandral
- Dhian Singh — Chibba or Poonch
6. Expansion (1822 - 1846)
- Gulab Singh conquered Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Chenani, Kishtwar, Maukot, Kashmir, Ladakh, Baltistan, Zanskar, Skardu, Dardistan etc. for Sikh rulers at Lahore.
LADAKH (1834)
- Attacked in 1834.
- Led by: Zorawar Singh
- Architect of expedition: Gulab Singh (placed 5000 Dogra army under the Sikh General).
- Tse Palnangyal: Ladakhi King (agreed to become a vassal of Gulab Singh).
- Munshi Daya Ram was kept at Leh as representative of the Jammu court.
BALTISTAN (1839-40)
- Battle of Thamo Khon.
- Led by: Zorawar Singh.
- Balti chief was defeated.
- Bhagwan Singh: Appointed as Dogra Thaneedar.
- Raja Ali Khan: Became In-charge of Skardu (agreed to pay annual tribute to Gulab Singh).
TIBET (1841-42) — DOGRA-TIBET WAR
- Led by: Zorawar Singh.
- Zorawar's campaign was defeated.
- Zorawar was killed.
- Gulab Singh sent reinforcements under the command of Jawahir Singh (his nephew).
- Battle near Leh (1842): Tibetan defeat.
- The Treaty of Chushul was signed in 1842.
KASHMIR (1841-1846)
- During the revolt of 1841, Sikh Governor of Kashmir, Col. Mian Singh died.
- Gulab Singh appointed his own close: Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din as the next Sikh Governor in Kashmir.
- During the 1st Anglo-Sikh war (1845-46), Gulab Singh deliberately joined the Sikh army at a later stage (he had made a secret pact with the British).
- Sikh army was defeated.
- After the war, under the Treaty of Amritsar (16 Mar, 1846), Gulab Singh became the Maharaja of J&K.
- Son of Gh. Mohi-ud-Din → Sheikh Imam-ud-Din (Last Sikh Governor of Kashmir).
- After the Treaty of Amritsar, Sheikh Imam-ud-Din refused to hand over power to Gulab Singh.
- Nov. 1846: Gulab Singh with the help of the British government established his rule.
7. JKSSB Previous Year Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. Ranjit Singh invaded Jammu in which year?
- A) 1808
- B) 1810
- C) 1816
- D) 1822
Q2. The ruler of Jammu at the time of Ranjit Singh's invasion was:
- A) Gulab Singh
- B) Raja Jit Singh
- C) Ranjit Dev
- D) Dhruv Dev
Q3. The commander of the Sikh army during the invasion of Jammu was:
- A) Diwan Hukam Chand
- B) Sardar Hukam Singh Chimni
- C) Kharak Singh
- D) Zorawar Singh
Q4. The stiff resistance organised by Mian Mota and Rani Bandrahli is known as:
- A) Battle of Chach Hazara
- B) Battle of Gumat
- C) Battle of Thamo Khon
- D) Battle of Shopian
Q5. Jammu was finally annexed to the Sikh Empire in:
- A) 1808
- B) 1810
- C) 1816
- D) 1822
Q6. Gulab Singh belonged to which family?
- A) Ranjit Dev's family
- B) Dev family (descendant of Raja Dhruv Dev)
- C) Dogra family
- D) Jasrotia family
Q7. The family jagirs of Gulab Singh were at:
- A) Reasi and Kishtwar
- B) Ismailpur, Dayavan & Purmandal
- C) Jammu and Akhnoor
- D) Poonch and Rajouri
Q8. The Battle of Chach Hazara and Hazaru took place in:
- A) 1810
- B) 1813
- C) 1817
- D) 1821
Q9. The Jagir of Reasi was given to Gulab Singh in:
- A) 1813
- B) 1816
- C) 1817
- D) 1820
Q10. Gulab Singh raised which fort in Reasi?
- A) Bahu Fort
- B) Bhimgarh Fort
- C) Nagar Fort
- D) Durrani Fort
Q11. The Jagir of Kishtwar was bestowed upon Gulab Singh in:
- A) 1817
- B) 1819
- C) 1820
- D) 1822
Q12. The last independent ruler of Kishtwar was:
- A) Ranjit Dev
- B) Raja Teg Singh
- C) Gulab Singh
- D) Zorawar Singh
Q13. Gulab Singh appointed Zorawar Singh as the Hakim of Kishtwar in:
- A) 1821
- B) 1822
- C) 1834
- D) 1846
Q14. The title 'Wazir' was given to Zorawar Singh by:
- A) Ranjit Singh
- B) Gulab Singh
- C) Kharak Singh
- D) Dhian Singh
Q15. Mian Dido was the cousin of:
- A) Ranjit Singh
- B) Gulab Singh
- C) Dhian Singh
- D) Suchet Singh
Q16. The Raj Tilak of Gulab Singh took place at:
- A) Jammu
- B) Jia-Potha (Akhnoor)
- C) Reasi
- D) Lahore
Q17. The Raj Tilak of Gulab Singh took place on:
- A) 16th Jan 1816
- B) 16th Jan 1822
- C) 16th Mar 1846
- D) 16th Nov 1846
Q18. Ladakh was attacked in:
- A) 1822
- B) 1831
- C) 1834
- D) 1841
Q19. The Dogra-Tibet War was fought in:
- A) 1834-35
- B) 1839-40
- C) 1841-42
- D) 1845-46
Q20. The Treaty of Chushul was signed in:
- A) 1834
- B) 1839
- C) 1842
- D) 1846
8. Summary: Sikh Rule & Rise of Gulab Singh at a Glance
| Event | Year | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sikh Invasion | 1808 | Raja Jit Singh; Battle of Gumat; Mian Mota |
| Annexation | 1816 | Jit Singh deposed; Jammu annexed to Sikh Empire |
| Battle of Chach Hazara | 1813 | Proof of Gulab Singh's qualities |
| Jagir of Reasi | 1817 | Bhimgarh Fort; suppressed Kainthi & Kirghal |
| Jagir of Kishtwar | 1820 | Conquered by Gulab Singh (1821); Zorawar Singh as Hakim |
| Raj Tilak | 1822 | Gulab Singh made Raja of Jammu at Jia-Potha |
| Ladakh | 1834 | Led by Zorawar Singh; Tse Palnangyal became vassal |
| Baltistan | 1839-40 | Battle of Thamo Khon; Bhagwan Singh as Thaneedar |
| Dogra-Tibet War | 1841-42 | Zorawar Singh killed; Treaty of Chushul (1842) |
| Maharaja of J&K | 1846 | Treaty of Amritsar (16 Mar); Gulab Singh became Maharaja |
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC
- Sikh Invasion: 1808; Ruler: Raja Jit Singh; Battle of Gumat
- Annexation: 1816; Jammu annexed to Sikh Empire
- Gulab Singh: Born 21 Oct 1792; Dev family; descendant of Raja Dhruv Dev
- Family Jagirs: Ismailpur, Dayavan & Purmandal
- Battle of Chach Hazara: 1813 — start of Gulab Singh's rise
- Jagir of Reasi: 1817 — raised Bhimgarh Fort
- Jagir of Kishtwar: 1820 — Zorawar Singh appointed Hakim (1822)
- Raj Tilak: 16 Jan 1822 at Jia-Potha (Akhnoor)
- Three Dogra Brothers: Gulab Singh (Jammu), Suchet Singh (Bandral), Dhian Singh (Chibba/Poonch)
- Ladakh: 1834 — Zorawar Singh; Tse Palnangyal became vassal
- Baltistan: 1839-40 — Battle of Thamo Khon
- Tibet: 1841-42 — Zorawar Singh killed; Treaty of Chushul (1842)
- Treaty of Amritsar: 16 Mar 1846 — Gulab Singh became Maharaja of J&K
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Sikh Rule & Rise of Gulab Singh)
Q1. Ranjit Singh invaded Jammu in which year?
Correct Answer: B. Ranjit Singh invaded Jammu in 1808. The ruler of Jammu at that time was Raja Jit Singh of the Dev Dynasty.
Q2. The Battle of Gumat was fought between:
Correct Answer: B. The Battle of Gumat was fought between the Sikh forces and the Dogra forces led by Mian Mota and Rani Bandrahli. Gulab Singh and Dhian Singh also fought against the Sikh forces.
Q3. Jammu was finally annexed to the Sikh Empire in:
Correct Answer: C. Jammu was finally annexed to the Sikh Empire in 1816 when Raja Jit Singh was deposed.
Q4. Gulab Singh was born on:
Correct Answer: A. Gulab Singh was born on 21 October 1792 AD. He belonged to the Dev family and was a descendant of Raja Dhruv Dev.
Q5. The Jagir of Reasi was given to Gulab Singh in:
Correct Answer: C. The Jagir of Reasi was given to Gulab Singh in 1817. He raised Bhimgarh Fort in Reasi and suppressed the revolt at Kainthi and Kirghal.
Q6. Gulab Singh was made Raja of Jammu at:
Correct Answer: B. Gulab Singh was made Raja of Jammu at Jia-Potha (Akhnoor) on 16th January 1822 AD by Ranjit Singh.
Q7. The Dogra-Tibet War was fought in:
Correct Answer: C. The Dogra-Tibet War was fought in 1841-42. Zorawar Singh was killed in this campaign, and the Treaty of Chushul was signed in 1842.
Q8. The Treaty of Chushul was signed in:
Correct Answer: C. The Treaty of Chushul was signed in 1842 after the Battle near Leh where the Tibetans were defeated.
Q9. The Treaty of Amritsar was signed on:
Correct Answer: B. The Treaty of Amritsar was signed on 16th March 1846 between Gulab Singh and the British East India Company, making Gulab Singh the Maharaja of J&K.
Q10. The last Sikh Governor of Kashmir was:
Correct Answer: C. Sheikh Imam-ud-Din was the last Sikh Governor of Kashmir. He refused to hand over power to Gulab Singh after the Treaty of Amritsar, but Gulab Singh established his rule with British help in November 1846.