A Great Sikh Governor who rehabilitated Kashmir
(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)
During the short span of Sikh Rule, 10 Governors had administered Kashmir on behalf of the Lahore Darbar. Among these Governors, Col Mehan (or Mihan) Singh was considered the best Sikh Governor of Kashmir. Known for his loyalty, efficiency and capacity, Col Mihan Singh had served as Governor of Kashmir from 1834 to 1841 to the satisfaction of common masses.
As a Governor of Kashmir, this Sikh valiant soldier had met a number of challenges, which included hunger, poverty and unemployment. When he took over the Governorship of Kashmir in April 1834, he was distressed to find everything in shambles and economy in a state of mess. However, by his intelligence and hard work, Col. Mehan Singh rehabilitated Kashmir.
In his mission to provide solace to people of Kashmir, he was assisted by both a Kashmiri Pandit and a Punjabi Muslim.
Afzal Qazi and Ganesh Dhar
Col Mehan Singh’s Punjabi Officer, Mohammad Afzal Qazi and Pandit Ganesh Dhar, an expert in Revenue and administration, had helped this Sikh Governor to re-establish industrial and agricultural economy of Kashmir, which was earlier in doldrums.
For the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir, the Sikh Governor on the advice of Qazi and Dhar, had abolished duties on grain and other necessary articles of daily consumption, imported large quantities of grain and poultry from Punjab and had severely punished black marketers.
He had promoted trade by reducing tariff duties. Shawl factory owners were given loans to increase production. Imports and exports with Ladakh, Punjab, British India, Afghanistan and Central Asia were developed. Everyone was given due religious and cultural freedom. Inns were built at convenient places for traders and travellers.
During Col Mihan Singh Kashmir was Self-sufficient in Food
It was for the first time after Afghan rule that Kashmir was self-sufficient in food and there was peace everywhere after a long time. He would personally visit shops and Ghats to inspect weights and measures and treated the adulterators ruthlessly. The Government treasury was got refilled. Agriculturists and horticulturists were given incentives and Shawl Industry was revived.
This Sikh Governor had also laid out a garden known as ‘Basant Bagh’ in 1835 where he planted fine Chinar trees. He had also established `Mandir Bagh’. His greatest contribution was in the compilation of ‘Tarikh- i Kashmir’, a document of much historical and economic importance. To his credit also goes minting of coins in 1836.
Victim of Conspiracy
Col Mehan Singh unfortunately became the victim of a conspiracy, as a result of which, on the fateful night of 17 April 1841, he was killed in cold blood at his residence in Srinagar. His confidant, Pandit Ganesh Dhar was also killed within a fortnight of Col Mihan Singh’s death.
Kashmir Rechords is reproducing a write-up on Col Mehan Singh, written by a noted Kashmiri writer Jawaharkaul Ganhar which was published in Kashmir Times on December 11 ( Sunday), 1988.
Views of Lawrence, Gervis
Sir Walter R Lawrence in his famous book, “The Valley of Kashmir’ published in 1895 writes: “In 1834 Colonel Mian (Mihan) Singh, the best of all the Sikh Governors came to Kashmir, and by importing grain and eggs from the Panjab, he restored some measure of prosperity to the villagers who had lost their grain seed and fowls in the awful famine. Mian (Mihan) Singh, with a view to stimulating population, emitted the tax upon marriages, and set to work to bring some order into the administration. Revenue divisions were made, and the villages were either farmed out to contractors or leased on the principle that the State took half of the produce in kind. Agricultural advances were made free of interest, proper weights were introduced, and fraudulent middlemen were punished. Colonel Mian (Mihan) Singh decided cases justly and quickly and won a great reputation in Kashmir. But his useful life was cut short by mutinous soldiers.”
Pearce Gervis in his famous book “This is Kashmir” (1954) also terms Col Mihan Singh as an “enlightened ruler and one Sikh Governor who is remembered for the relief he gave to the valley”.
About ten kilometers from Gujranwala, there is a village known as Qila Mian Singh. This village is believed to have been established by Kumedan (“Colonel”, “Aala Fouji Afsar”, “Sardar Fouj) Mihan Singh and was named after him.
References for further reading:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG150956
https://www.sikhnet.com/news/evaluation-sikh-rule-kashmir
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qila_Mihan_Singh
http://pakgeotagging.blogspot.com/2018/12/096-old-garden-at-qila-mian-singh.html
