My Malice and Bias

Gulab Singh (1792–1857) was the founder of Dogra dynasty and claimed the title of "Maharaja" of the Jammu and Kashmir, which was created after the downfall of the Sikh Empire in 1846. The Treaty of Amritsar (1846), formalized the sale of Jammu and Kashmir to Gulab Singh by the British for 7,500,000 Nanak Shahee Rupees. Raja Gulab Singh Dogra As Raja Gulab Singh was one of the most powerful chiefs of the Sikh Empire. Under the Imperial and Feudal Army arrangement, he was entitled to keep a personal army of 3 Infantry Regiments, 15 Light Artillery Guns and 40 Garrison Guns. He, however kept himself away from the politics of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's court. But the shadow of his presence was felt in the court with influence due to the high offices of his younger brothers, Raja Dhian Singh and Raja Suchet Singh. Instead of getting involved in the court, Gulab Singh preferred to stay in Jammu and consolidate Dogra power in Jammu and Kashmir. Dogra Palace in Jammu D...

(Continued from previous blog) ... Raja Hira Singh Dogra Heera Singh (1816-1844), prime minister of the Sikh Kingdom of Lahore from 17 September 1843 to 21 December 1844. He was the eldest son of Raja Dhian Singh Dogra , an influential courtier, who introduced him to his patron Maharaja Ranjit Singh . The Maharaja took very favourably to the young boy, bestowing upon him the title of Raja in 1828 and, then, proclaiming him Farzand-i-Khas , (a favourite son). He granted him numerous jagirs (properties) which in total amounted to nearly five lakhs rupees (Rs500,000) annually. The wiley Maharaja Ranjit Singh was groominmg his grandson Kunwar Naunihal Singh to succeed him as the next Maharaja of Lahore and his Prime Minister Raja Dhian Singh Dogra was grooming his son Hira Singh to be the prime minister. Maharaja Ranjit Singh with Hira Singh Dogra  Rise as Prime Minister After the assassination of Maharaja Sher Singh and Raja Dhian Singh at the hands of Sandhawal...

Raja Suchet Singh Dogra Commander of the Charyari Sowars (1801-1844.) Raja Suchet Singh Dogra The youngest of the Dogra trinity who rose to high positions at the court of Maharaja Ranjit. Singh, was born on 18 January 1801. He started his career at a young age, appointed to the duty of laying public petitions before the Maharaja in the wake of his elder brother, Dhian Singh assuming the office of Wazir-e-Azam. Suchet Singh was later appointed the important office of "Deorhidar" or the chamberlain to the royal household. He lacked the political and administrative ability of his brothers, Gulab Singh and Dhian Singh, yet he won the favor of the Maharaja by his handsome bearing and engaging manner. Charyari Cavalty Soldier Presence in Court In 1822, he was created Raja of Bandralta and Samba. He was also made the commander of the Charyari Sowars, Ranjit Singh's crack cavalry brigade. He usually remained at the court performing sundry protocol duties. Foreig...

Dogra Rajputs The Dogra  are a Rajput clan from Jammu region and speak Dogri language, a dialect of Punjabi. Dogra Rajputs origially from the Punjab foothills, migrated to the Shivalik Hills to escape the marauding Islamic invaders from Turkey. In 1808, Jammu was annexed to the Sikh Empire by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Raja Jit Singh Dogra was expelled and found refuge in British India. Ranjit Singh bestowed the Jammu region as a hereditary fief upon Mian Kishore Singh , a cousin of Raja Jit Singh. Dogra Rajputs of Jammu Mian Kishore Singh Dogra died in 1822 and Ranjit Singh divided the Jamwal territory between his three sons - Gulab Singh , Dhian Singh , and Suchet Singh . The Dogra brothers secured a formal declaration of renunciation from his kinsman, the deposed Raja Jit Singh. The declaration, drafted in Persian, reads: " I, Raja Jit Singh, grandson of Raja Sahib Ranjit Devji, on this occasion and out of internal inclination and dignified favors, in my own lifetime, ...