Remembering Maharaja Hari Singh on His Death Anniversary: The Visionary Leader Who Secured Jammu and Kashmir’s Future with India

Today marks the death anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruling Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, who passed away on April 26, 1961. Even after six decades, his contributions continue to be deeply respected and remembered across J&K and the country.

 

 

Born on September 23, 1895, Maharaja Hari Singh was much more than a royal figure. He was a progressive leader committed to the welfare and modernization of his people. Throughout his reign, he introduced reforms in education, law, and social justice, leaving behind a lasting legacy of development and progress.

 

 

However, his most significant and historic contribution came in 1947 during the partition of India. At a time when princely states were given the choice to join either India or Pakistan, Maharaja Hari Singh made the momentous decision to accede Jammu and Kashmir to India. Despite immense pressure and challenges, his decision ensured that the region became an inseparable part of the Indian Union, shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir and safeguarding its identity.