Geographical significance of Jammu Kashmir - When we look at the map of Jammu Kashmir, we see that it is at the junction of Northern Afghanistan and China and the region’s significance can be traced to the international developments that happened in the early 19th century where the British were tightening their grip over India. If we look closely, during that period, the Chinese and Russian powers were just next doors, which meant the British Indian empire had more interest in acquiring the tri-junction.

 

 

 

 

Raja Gulab Singh’s kingdom stretched across 1.35 lakh sq. kilometres that ranged from Punjab to Sinkiang and Tibet. And so, it was significant for the British to have a stronghold of the region. Further into Raja’s kingdom, he had warriors like Zoravar Singh – who helped him conquer the Principalities of Bhimber, Rajouri, Bhadarwah and Kishtwar, meaning extending from Rawalpindi to Ladakh. So, today we are going to learn about the great warrior General Zoravar Singh.

 

 

 

 

General Zorawar Singh Kalhuria in 1786 was born to a Rajput family of Kulhar, (present day Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh). Although very little is known about his early life, it is learned that young Zorawar had left his home at the age of 16. He took up a job as a private servant of Rana Jaswant Singh, the Jagirdar of present day Ramnagar.

 

Expansion of Raja Gulab Singh’s Empire - When Raja Gulab Singh decided to extend his kingdom to Ladakh and Baltistan and in 1834, he gave this job to Wazir Zorawar Singh who successfully led six expeditions into Ladakh between 1834 and 1841.

 

 

 

 

 

The Chronology - Zorawar Singh initially conquered Kishwar from its Nawab and by the manner Kishwar was acquired, it encouraged him to conquer Ladakh in 1834. He led his Dogra warriors into the remote and previously thought inaccessible region of Ladakh where he defeated the Botis, resulting in the capture of Kargil.

 

This led the Ladakhis to gather a huge reinforcement from the Chinese, here despite limited supplies, the enemies of Zoravar Singh faced a decisive defeat under the leadership of the Dogra General Gyalpo.

 

 

 

 

 

Later in 1836, the Ladakhis along with Sikh Governor, Mehen Singh clashed again with Dogras against Zoravar Singh, but faced a devastating defeat by his hands thus adding the vast Ladakhi regions to India.

 

Then to the north of Ladakh is Baltistan, that is now under the illegal acquisition of Pakistan, General Zorawar Singh now turned his attention towards the Nawab, Muhammad Shah, who had attempted to help Ladakhis in the previous battles. In 1841 the Baltistani Nawab too faced bitter retribution from Zorawar Singh and lost the region to his Dogra warriors. After which he pledged to capture the alien territory of Tibet.

 

 

The conquest to Tibet - Now that the remaining part of Kashmir valley was not under Gulab Singh at that time, the route followed towards Tibet by Zorawar Singh was through Kishtwar, Padar and Zanskar. And so, in May 1841 with a force of about five thousand men, General Zoravar left for Tibet and had pledged not to return until winning Lhasa.

 

 

In the Tibetan territory, facing fierce engagements with Chinese troops who were successfully refuted, the Dogra warriors with Zorawar Singh reached Minsar that was near the holy lake of Manasarovar and Kailash Mountain. Here he built a fort near Taklakot a village near Nepal and North West Province (currently Uttarakhand) and stayed there due to extreme cold weather.

 

By this time, the Chinese sent a large reinforcement towards him. On learning this, Zoravar Singh instead of defending the advancing army, chose to attack which unfortunately turned out to be a bad decision and after fighting on 11th and 12th December 1841, he succumbed to injuries in the battle of To-Yu.

 

 

He fought courageously with a few soldiers who died more by the blistering cold than due the war at the height of sixteen thousand feet above sea level.

Post death - Death of Zorawar Singh was a grave blow to Gulab Singh's prestige, taking advantage, the Tibetan army retailated. But a huge force under Dewan Hari Chand from Jammu suppressed the rebellion of the Tibetan forces who faced a crushing defeat that avenged the defeat of To-yu.

 

Then the Tibetan Government approached for a peace treaty, that was signed on the 2nd of Asuj, 1389 Vikrami (September, 1842) between by Diwan Hari Chand and Wazir Ratnu on behalf of Gulab Singh and Kalon Surkhan with Depon Pishy on behalf of Dalai Lama. By this treaty, the traditional boundary between Ladakh and Tibet was accepted as boundary between Jammu and Tibet as 'recognized by both sides since olden times.'