131st Birth Anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, last ruling monarch of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir-Puri
Jaswant Singh Puri/ September 23, 2025
Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir of the Dogra dynasty is a significant figure in Indian history. He was the son of Amar Singh and Bhotiali Chib, and born on 23 September, 1895 at Amar Mahal Palace, Jammu. He was the only surviving son of Raja Amar Singh, the brother of Maharaja Pratap Singh. Following the death of his uncle Pratap Singh, Hari Singh ascended the throne in 1925 whose royal title was “Lieutenant General His Highness Shriman Rajrajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Sri Sir Hari Singh Indar Mahindar Bahadur, Sipar-i-Sultanat, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir”.
He was a progressive ruler and a man with a vision. Educated at Mayo College, Ajmer and later trained at the Imperial Cadet Corps, Dehradun, Hari Singh aimed at the welfare of his people, expanded education, improved healthcare facilities and encouraged women education.
However, Hari Singh’s rule coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in Indian history – the struggle for independence and the eventual partition of India in 1947. His passion to maintain Jammu and Kashmir as an independent state, rather than acceding to either India or Pakistan, remained unaccomplished. He was forced to seek India’s military assistance, and signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October, 1947, thus joining Jammu and Kashmir with India. Maharaja Hari Singh later appointed Sheikh Abdullah as the Prime Minister of the State under India’s advice. The monarchy was formally abolished in 1952. Maharaja Hari Singh settled in Bombay and led a quiet life until his death on 26 April, 1961. He was blessed with a son Dr. Karan Singh, who was born to his wife Maharani Tara Devi.
Maharaja Hari Singh’s famous quote is significant which would define his reign: “For me, all communities, religions and races are equal. My religion is justice”. As a mark of respect, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha announced the public holiday on 23 Spetember. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh.
The author feels honoured that his book ‘Rise and Decline of the Mughal Empre’ was released by the former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Late Satya Pal Malik.
Note: The views expressed by the writer are personal.
