Dogra Rule : State of Jammu and Kashmir ( 1846-1952 )

The occupation of Kashmir by Gulab Singh on 1846, was a landmark in the socio-religious and cultural history. As for the first time the state of Jammu and Kashmir is having its own identity provided by the treaty of Amritsar. But the intervention of foreign elements as British proved very harmful for Kashmiris. Nodoubt different developmental measures were taken, but actually they were taken to fulfill their own pockets. Kashmir as such was very rich in resources but every time were exploited by them for their personal benefits. Harsh taxation policy resulted in the migration of artisans towards other areas. Each and every industry was at first instance patronized but later on was put under the burden of illegal taxes. The revenue earned activities of arts and crafts for which Kashmir valley was famous were completely ruined. Skilled section cut their fingers and thumbs in order to have disability. Whatever was earned was taken forcibly and were left with the mercy of God. People raised their voice against the atrocities of Dogras that resulted in mascare of innocents


INTRODUCTION
The Jammu and Kashmir state came in to existence in 1846, under the treaty of Amritsar signed between the Maharaja Gulab Singh on the one hand and the British Government on the other side, after the first Anglo-Sikh war of,1845-46,and Maharaja Gulab Singh 1 was nominated as its first ruler. On the eve of, 1846 Kashmir, Jammu as well as Ladakh were under the control of Lahore Darbar of Sikh Kingdom ,while as Kashmir was ruled by a Subedar deputed by the Lahore Darbar. Jammu and Ladakh were under a Jammu Dogra, Gulab Singh, who too was under the dominance of Lahore Darbar. The three distinctive geographical, cultural and political entities namely Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh were merged into one political entity for the first time in history. The territories of the state had constituted a part of the Sikh Kingdom and being ruled by different dynasties at different time's .It is only the valley of Kashmir which has retained the position of an empire the position it enjoyed for centuries together. On the contrary Jammu and Ladakh regions were fragmented into petty states, each under a local potentate.
The colonial expansion policy had a direct bearing on the political situation of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The Britishers had a covetous eye on Punjab which led Anglo-Sikh wars. Since Gulab Singh was a very influential member of Lahore darbar. The Britishers in a bit to create defection among the Sikh generals to ensure their success and succeeded in wooing in Gulab Singh to their side. This proved fatal for the Sikhs and Punjab fell in the hands of the Britishers. At the end of the war a treaty known as treaty of Lahore was concluded on 9 th March 1846, between the British Government and the Darbar of Sikhs at Lahore 2 under which Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions were snatched away from the Sikhs. On 16 th March 1846 another treaty commonly known as Treaty of Amritsar was concluded. Because the treaty was enunciated at Amritsar between the British Government and the Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu who until the conclusion of the war was a feudatory of the Sikhs, by virtue of the aforementioned treaty, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were transferred to

Provisions of the Treaty
The British Government has demanded from the Lahore, as indemnification for the war expenses. The payment of one and a half crore of rupees and the Lahore government being unable to pay the whole of sum at this time, or to give security satisfactory to the British government for its eventual payment. The Maharaja cedes to the Company in perpetual sovereignty, as equivalent for one crore of rupees, all his forts, territories, rights and interests, which are situated between the rivers Beas and Indus, including the provinces of Kashmir and Hazara. In consideration of the services rendered by Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu to the Lahore state, towards procuring the restoration of the relations of amity between the Lahore and British government, the Maharaja hereby agrees to recognize the independent sovereignty of Raja Gulab Singh, in such territories and districts in the hills as may be made over to the Raja Gulab Singh by separate agreement between him and the British Government, with the dependencies, thereof, which may have been in the Raja's possession since the time of the late Maharaja Kharrak Singh and the British Government, in consideration of the good conduct of Raja Gulab Singh, also agrees to recognize his independence in such territories and admit him to the privileges of a separate treaty with the British government.
Article: i, The British Government transfers and makes over, forever in independent possession, to Maharaja Gulab Singh and heir males of his body, all the hilly or mountainous country, with its dependencies situated to the Eastward of the river, Indus and Westward of the river Ravi, including Chamba and excluding Lahol, being part of the territories ceded to the British government by the Lahore Darbar .
Article: ii, The Eastern boundary of the tract transferred by the foregoing Article to Maharaja Gulab Singh shall be laid down by commissioners appointed by the British government and Maharaja Gulab Singh respectively for that purpose and shall be defined in a separate engagement after survey.
Article: iii, In consideration of the transfer made to him and his heirs by the provisions of the foregoing Articles, Maharaja Gulab Singh will pay to the British Government the sum of seventy five lakhs of rupees (Nanakshahi), fifty Lakhs to be paid on ratification of this treaty and twenty-five lakhs on or before the 1st October of the current year, 1846 A.D.
Article: iv, The limits of the territories of Maharaja Gulab Singh shall not be at any time changed without the concurrence of the British Government.
Article: v, Maharaja Gulab Singh will refer to the arbitration of the British government any disputes or questions that may arise between him and the government of the Lahore or any other neighbouring state and will abide by the decision of the British government.
Article: vi, Maharaja Gulab Singh engages for himself and his heirs to join with the whole of his military forces, the British troops when employed in the hills or in the territories adjoining his possessions.
Article: vii, Maharaja Gulab Singh engages never to take or retain in his service neither any British subject nor the subject of any European or American state without the consent of the British government.
Article: viii, Maharaja Gulab Singh engages to respect, in regard to the territory transferred to him, the provisions of the Articles, v, vi, vii, of the separate engagement between the British government and the Lahore Darbar, dated, 11th March, 1846 A.D.
Article: ix, The British government will give its aid to Maharaja Gulab Singh in protecting his territories from external enemies.
Article: x, Maharaja Gulab Singh acknowledges the supremacy of the British government and will in token of such supremacy present annually to the British government one horse, twelve perfect shawl goats of approved breed (six male and six female) and three pairs of Kashmiri Shawls.  Pratap Singh, 1885-1925,Hari Singh,1925-1949, and Karan Singh, 1949-1952,Karan Singh as Sadari Riyasat,1952-1965, and as governor, 1965.No doubt number of initiatives were taken to develop the economy of state and to connect Kashmir with other parts through different routes like, Banihal cart road, Jehlum valley cart road, Zojilla pass etc. Health and educational facilities were provided to people, so that they could think in terms of change. But on other side number of illegal taxes were imposed to reduce their position like medieval" Balhars". The skilled workers of famous and revenue earned industries Shawl and Silk were taxed severely. Even a Shawl weaver earns only four paisa in a day. While as the authorities used to exploit them as much they could. With the result they lost interest in their art that resulted in the downfall of art and craft centers. Besides the legalized tax on their crafts they have to pay other taxes also. Keeping in view their problems they cut their thumbs and fingers in order to have disability. They also drowned into different streams of Zaldagar Srinagar on, 1865.One can realize the cruelity of Dogra rulers through the imposition of taxes like, Revenue tax as traki, (tax on rice), shaqdar tax(grain watchers), malikana tax (paid to Maharaja as owner of land), patwari tax (related with land records), nazrana, rasum, mandri/ashgal, (construction and maintenance of temples),sathrashahi (marriage tax), rassudar(house tax), tax on graves (grave digger), zari chopan(tax on sheeps), tax on chinars (chinar leaves), plough tax, zari meva(fruit tax), rassdart (annual tax on house), horse tax, rasum(village exactions),shawl tax (tax on weavers), silk tax(tax on workers), tax on wine ,beggar (forced labour) and others etc. The taxation was so heavy that more than ninety percent of total income was snatched by Dogra 15 rulers only less than ten percent was left with them. The people managed to save their life with the help of fruits. All was taxed, looks like that only air was left without taxation.
Ultimately the people of state remained silent just the cattles. As they were sold for a petty amount.As stated by G.M.D.Sufi, "each Kashmiri was thus sold for Rs.7 (seven) by a handful of British officials to Gulab Singh.
Their fields,their crops,their streams, Even the peasants in the vale They sold,they sold all ,alas! How cheap was the sale! And thus the Kashmiri became,a stranger in his own country" To see and to understand the character of people especially of Kashmiris, it is very very difficult. On one side they will look for better profitable options and on another side they raise their voice against the administration. Actually their desires are limitless, rather uncontrolled and without proper guidance. The leaders have never tried to work for the benefit of commoners irrespective of faith. The role of leader is actually just like the head of family. Every time the masses have been deceived and the people too are equally responsible for having the tendency of resistance and that silence has ultimately shown it's result.

CONCLUSION
On the whole every one suffered a lot under the Dogra rule. With the result people raised their voices against the mismanagement that resulted in the emergence of social, political and religious movements with an aim to liberate themselves from onslaughts of Dogras.