At a Glance
According to the most popular legend, Jammu city was founded by Raja Jamboolochan in 14th century BC as he found divine power here. During one of his hunting's he reached near a river(Tawi) where he saw a goat and a lion drinking water at the same place. The king was impressed and decided to set up a town after his name. With the passage of time the name became "Jammu".
Maldev and Ranjit dev were among the eminent rulers. Ranjit dev ruled this kingdom from 1723-1783. His successors were week, which ultimately brought Sikh regime to Jammu. When Maharaja Ranjit Singh faced with a rebellion he sent Gulab Singh, a scion of Dogra family to control it. He was a descendent of Maharaja Ranjit dev. Gulab Singh and his brothers Dhian Singh and Suchet Singh starting their careers as ordinary soldiers under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. They gradually rose to the highest positions in the State. In lieu of their outstanding services, all of them were made Rajas. While Dhian Singh came to serve primarily as an administrator and rose to become the Chief Minister or Wazir, Gulab Singh played an eminent role in extending the boundaries of the Maharaja's kingdom and his reward was the grant of the kingdom of Jammu in 1822. Gulab Singh was further authorized to enlarge his boundaries but he had to inform the Maharaja when this happened. Making good use of this authority, the former carried his arms up to Ladakh in 1834.
After Gulab Singh, Maharaja Ranbir Singh became the ruler in 1857 and ruled up to 1885. On his death Partap Singh became the ruler and presented many reforms. His nephew Maharaja Hari Singh succeeded Maharaja Partap Singh in 1925 who signed the instrument of accession on October 26, 1947 in favour of Union of India. He abdicated his responsibilities on June 20, 1949 and made his son Dr. Karan Singh as a regent who was the last monarch. |
