The document analyzes the geopolitical significance of Kashmir's accession under Dogra rule. It discusses how the boundaries of Kashmir were extended under Maharaja Gulab Singh with British help. It examines how British interference in Kashmir's administration increased after Gulab Singh's death. The objectives are to analyze how Dogra rulers politically integrated Kashmir and how British made Kashmir part of India, causing ongoing tensions. The methodology uses analytical and descriptive approaches analyzing secondary sources like books, articles and gazettes.

1. Geopolitical Significance of Kashmir’s
Accession: An Analysis of Dogra Rule
Submitted By: Supervisor:
Sameer Ahmad Bhat Dr. Nishtha Kaushiki
Registration NO.:CUPB/MPh-
PhD/SGR/SCA/2013-14/24
Centre for South and Central Asian Studies
Pre-Submission Seminar of M. Phil

2. Knowledge gap:
There is ample literature available on Dogra Dynasty’s
reign on Kashmir. However, the available literature
lacks in the following aspects:
 How Kashmir’s political boundary was extended
under the Dogra rule with the help of the British
empire,
 How the British interferance in the administrative
functioning of Kashmir increased in magnitude after
the death of Maharaja Gulab Singh,
 An analysis of Maharaja Hari Singh’s Instrument of
Accession and how Kashmir has become a bone of
contention.

3. Objectives of the Study
To analyze how the rulers of Dogra dynasty
politically integrated Kashmir in their reign of
influence. For this purpose the rule of
Maharaja Gulab Singh and Hari Singh have
been taken case studies.
To examine how British politically controlled
Kashmir and later made it a part of India. This
became a bone of contention between India
and Pakistan, which is yet to be resolved.

4. Organization of the Dissertation
Sr. No. Content Page Number
1 (Chapter- 1)
Introduction. 1-11
2 (Chapter- 2)
Literature Review 12-16
3 (Chapter- 3)
Geopolitical significance in Historical context 17-33
4 (Chapter- 4)
Kashmir’s Political Foundation as a Modern State:
Rule of Maharaja Gulab Singh
34-54
5 (Chapter- 5)
Rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and the Accession of
State to Indian Union
55-68
6 (Chapter- 6)
Conclusion 69-76
7 References
77-81

5. Methodology
The methodology used in this research is
analytical and descriptive.
The data for the research is collected from the
secondary sources which include books,
articles, journals and Gazetteers.

6. Introduction
 The State of Jammu and Kashmir is one of the largest
States of the Indian Union and is situated in the part of the
mighty Himalayas.
 It is wedged between two arch rivals like India and
Pakistan, and, both of them consider Kashmir as absolutely
vital to their strategic, economic and defense
requirements.
 According to Rajatrangni, Kashmir acted as an independent
kingdom after the death of emperor Ashoka in 232 BC,
later it was ruled by Hindus, Muslims, Mughals, Sikhs
and Dogras.

7. Expansion of the Dogra Dynasty And End of the Sikh
Empire:
Kashmir was ruled by various dynasties from
time to time and later was assimilated in the
Dogra Dynasty in 1846, with Maharaja Gulab
Singh as its founder. Kashmir was acceded to
the Dogras by the Treaty of Amritsar.
Under the treaty, Gulab Singh was to pay 75
Lakh of Nanak Shahi rupees to the British
Government. Thus, the treaty has been called
as ‘Sale Deed of Kashmir’.

8. Continue
Prior to 1846, the political boundary of the
Dogra dynasty was confined to Jammu hills.
Thus, the geopolitical importance of not only
Kashmir, but also of the Dogra dynasty
enhanced significantly.
With Kashmir’s merger to the Dogra dynasty,
the boundaries of the Lahore Durbar
shrinked, and hence, its political boundaries
were extended to Baltistan, Hunza, Nagar and
Gilgit (Modern PoK).

9.  Bawa Satinder Singh (1974) in his book “The Jammu Fox: A
Biography of Maharaja Gulab Singh of Kashmir 1792- 1857”
has filled the gap in Kashmir History by writing about
Maharaja Gulab Singh who under British paramountacy
became the first ruler of Princely state of Kashmir by signing a
treaty with the British on 16th
March 1846. According to the
treaty, the state was situated to the westward of the river
Indus and eastward of the river Ravi, the regions of Hunza,
Nagar, Gilgit and Chilas were added to the state.
 Suhaib Matto (2010) in his article “March 16th
1846: A nation
sold “and G. M. D. Sufi (1974) in his chapter “Kashmir under
the Dogras” have discussed that Kashmir was sold to
Maharaja Gulab Singh for Rupees Seventy five lakh along with
the hopes, aspiration, dreams of the millions of people.
 became the first ruler of Princely state of Kashmir by signing
a treaty with the British on 16th
March 1846.

10. Map showing the parts of territory of Lahore Durbar that were
transferred to Maharaja Gulab Singh according to the treaty of
Amritsar (16th
March, 1846 )
History of Ladakh. Retrieved from
http://History_of_Ladakh#mediaviewer/File:Ladakh_locator_map.svg

11. Expansion of Kashmir under Dogras
Kashmir And Its Region: A Historical Overview. Retrieved from
http://kashmirstudygroup.com/awayforward05/p5_kashmirregion.html

12. Geopolitical significance of Kashmir and
Dogra Regime
After coming under the Dogras the geopolitical
significance of Kashmir increased because of
Kashmir became a landlocked territory in South
Asia- surrounded by then Afghan empire in the
West, Chinese empire in the East, British India in
the South and Soviet Union in the North.

13. Continue
It has to be pointed out, that with the political
assimilation, the demographic composition
too changed. Now, the majority were
Muslims, followed by the Hindus and then the
Sikhs. However, all these three sections
became marginalized because they were
denied jobs and other economic opportunities
by the Dogras. And soon, what followed was
economic dominance of the Dogras. And,
other sections thus, became poor.
This resulted in political upheaval in the
valley.

14. Administration
Beggar or forced labour.
Reorganisation of Shawl Industry.
Supply of food grains to the people.
Further, Gulab Singh thought that he has sold
Kashmir and in order to meet his demands he
introduced some taxes on the people.

15. British interference
Appointment of British residents in Dogra
Administration.
After the death of Maharaja Gulab Singh in
1857, the British wanted to make changes in
the administration.
Before 1857, they had a very hospitable
treatment towards the Dogra Rulers.

16. Formation of Muslim Conference and Quit
Kashmir Movement
The National Conference played the most
important role in creating political awakening
among the masses.
Sheikh Abdullah was the main political figure.
He made a public call to the Maharajah to quit
Kashmir in mid May 1946.

17. Movement Leading to the End of the Princely State
At the end of the World War-II, the questions
of constitution making for India as a whole
were once more in debate between Britain and
the various Indian parties.
Jawaharlal Nehru demanded that the people
rather than the Princes should be consulted as
to the future of the states.
Sheikh Abdullah in memorandum to Cabinet
Mission in 1946 denounced the Treaty of
Amritsar (Thorner, 1948).

18. Freedom and Accession
According to the demographic status, Kashmir had a
Muslim majority but was ruled by a Hindu Raja.
According to the 1901 Census of the British Indian
Empire, the population of the princely state of
Kashmir was comprised of 90% Muslims, 8% Pandiths
and about 2% Buddhists.
The Working Committee of the National Conference
met under Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's presidency
on 2 October 1947 and took the decision to support
the accession of the State to India.
 Maharaja Hari Singh was in dilemma.
 Pakistan’s eagerness to have Kashmir with them.

19. Maharaja’s Standstill Agreement
A standstill agreement was offered by the
Maharaja to remain the status quo to both
India and Pakistan.
Finally, Kashmir become the part of India
when Maharaja signed the Instrument of
Accession.
It went against the wishes of Pakistan and a
section within the Kashmiri society, causing
militancy and unpeace in the valley even
today.

20. Continue
Balraj Madhoc (1992) in the chapter “Hari singh’s
dilemma” of his book Kashmir the storm center of
world describes about the Hari Singh’s accession to
India as he was conceded by the British that he would
be given independent status after the lapse of British
paramountacy or the princely states would be given
choice either to join Pakistan or to join India or remain
free.
Prof. Bhim Singh (2014) in his article “After 65 years of
Jammu and Kashmir Accession-A question!” Discusses
about the signing of instrument of accession by
Maharaja Hari Singh which was based on three main
provisions of defense, foreign affairs and
communications and was accepted by Mountbatten

21. Map Showing the Parts of the territory taken by Pakistan and
China
Source: http://arisebharat.com/2010/10/11/accession-of-jk-with-india-is-full-final
%E2%80%A6/z2

22. Conclusion
Kashmir was transferred to Maharaja Gulab
Singh by the treaty of Amritsar (16th
March,
1846).
It resulted in the increase in geopolitical
significance of Kashmir.
Located between the nations with Islamic,
secular and Communist ideologies.

23. Contribution to Existing Research
Thus, the proposed research is novel in nature
because:
An attempt has been made to link up the
extension of the boundaries of Kashmir under
the Dogra rule along with their respective
administrative reforms which permitted the
inclusion of the British officers. The role &
influence of the British after the death of
Maharaja Gulab Singh has also been highlighted.
Political subordination of Kashmir by British
India and its assimilation later into India has also
been highlighted.

24. Thanks

25. suggesTions