Maharaja Hari Singh (Aged 65), the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, was born on 23 September 1895 in Jammu, India. He was the youngest son of Raja Amar Singh, brother of former Maharaja Pratap Singh, and the son of Maharaja Ranbir Singh. At the age of 13, he was sent to Mayo College, Ajmer, and a year later, in 1909, his father passed away, after which Major H.K.Bar was declared his guardian. At the age of 20, he became the Chief Commander of the Jammu State, and he inherited the throne of Jammu and Kashmir from his uncle, Maharaj Pratap Singh. He was married four times in his lifetime, and he had a son named Karan Singh with his fourth wife, Maharani Tara Devi.
Maharaja Hari Singh implemented several reforms during his reign, including making elementary education compulsory in his state and prohibiting child marriage. He also opened places of worship for lower-class people and was against the communal thinking of the Muslim League and its members. During World War II, he served as a member of The Imperial War Cabinet from 1944–1946. On 26 October 1947, Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, annexing his Jammu State to the Dominion of India. Under the pressure of Nehru and Sardar Patel, he appointed his son and heir Yuvraj Karan Singh as the regent of Jammu in 1949. He spent the last moments of his life in his palace, Hari Niwas, in Jammu and passed away on 26 April 1961, in Mumbai. As per his wish, his ashes were brought to Jammu and thrown into the Tawi river.
Hari Singh was the last king of the Dogra regime that held the state of Jammu together for a century. The state of Jammu enjoyed autonomy and internal sovereignty until 1947. This kingdom was multicultural and multi-religious, and its far-reaching borders are a testimony to its formidable military might and unique history.
Maharaja Hari Singh
(1895 – 1961) – (Jammu & Kashmir)
Maharaja Hari Singh (Aged 65), the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, was born on 23 September 1895 in Jammu, India. He was the youngest son of Raja Amar Singh, brother of former Maharaja Pratap Singh, and the son of Maharaja Ranbir Singh. At the age of 13, he was sent to Mayo College, Ajmer, and a year later, in 1909, his father passed away, after which Major H.K.Bar was declared his guardian. At the age of 20, he became the Chief Commander of the Jammu State, and he inherited the throne of Jammu and Kashmir from his uncle, Maharaj Pratap Singh. He was married four times in his lifetime, and he had a son named Karan Singh with his fourth wife, Maharani Tara Devi.
Maharaja Hari Singh implemented several reforms during his reign, including making elementary education compulsory in his state and prohibiting child marriage. He also opened places of worship for lower-class people and was against the communal thinking of the Muslim League and its members. During World War II, he served as a member of The Imperial War Cabinet from 1944–1946. On 26 October 1947, Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, annexing his Jammu State to the Dominion of India. Under the pressure of Nehru and Sardar Patel, he appointed his son and heir Yuvraj Karan Singh as the regent of Jammu in 1949. He spent the last moments of his life in his palace, Hari Niwas, in Jammu and passed away on 26 April 1961, in Mumbai. As per his wish, his ashes were brought to Jammu and thrown into the Tawi river.
Hari Singh was the last king of the Dogra regime that held the state of Jammu together for a century. The state of Jammu enjoyed autonomy and internal sovereignty until 1947. This kingdom was multicultural and multi-religious, and its far-reaching borders are a testimony to its formidable military might and unique history.
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