Capt Diwan Singh—Maharaja Hari Singh’s ADC

Capt Diwan Singh, known as ADC to Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir shall always be remembered for his loyalty, bravery and dedication.

When Maharaja Hari Singh left his Princely State in June 1949 in virtual exile, Capt Diwan Singh had accompanied him to Bombay. Later, he resigned his Commission, sacrificed his Army career to serve Maharaja Hari Singh until his last breath in 1961.

Born on 25 December 1919 in the border village of Pallanwala in tehsil Akhnoor of district Jammu, Diwan Singh had  initially received his Primary education from his native village  and  then at Maharaja Hari Singh High School, Akhnoor. After passing his Matriculation examination from GGS Khalsa Labana High School, Tanda, Senate Hall Lahore in 1938, he had joined the State Forces in accordance with the tradition of his family. He was enrolled in the state forces on January 24, 1941 as Second Lieutenant. Later, Maharaja Hari Singh sent him to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, for training on state expenses. After the completion of his course, he became Lieutenant in 1942 and achieved the rank of Captain in 1947.

In March 1948, during the Poonch seize, he captured sensitive enemy piquet Pir Margo Gagzee with just two men later named Raghu Pratap Hill. Again, in December 1948, as company commander, he grappled with the attacking enemy whole night. Beating the raiders successfully he reverted the attack in Poonch. In this military operation, he was seriously wounded by the grenade splinters. For his commendable services in the Poonch sector, he was honoured with two gallantry awards. Later, after his recovery, he joined the Maharaja’s office as ADC. When Maharaja Hari Singh left Jammu and Kashmir in June 1949, Capt Diwan Singh was his ADC and being a faithful officer, he accompanied him to Bombay.

Great Votary of Education

Popularly known as `Capt Saheb’, Diwan Singh was a great votary of education. After returning to Jammu after Maharaja’s demise, he had dedicated his life to social work. He took keen interest in the development of DAV Agriculture Collegiate School Nagbani for which Maharaja had donated 500 Acres of his Stud Farm land. He was member of all India DAV working committee and Chairman of Nagbani School Management Committee. He was director of J&K Bank for a long stretch, President of Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha from 1965 to 67, President of J&K Hockey Federation and life member of Bombay Turf Club. He was bestowed with Dogra Rattan Award on 27 October 2006.

A great Dogra warrior, a promising personality and a saintly figure he left for heavenly abode on 27 October 2014, coinciding with Infantry Day.

Storehouse of information

Capt Diwan Singh was privy to so many inside decisions/happenings during the crucial days of October 1947.He used to narrate it so eloquently that one felt privileged and left more and more enlightened.   In one of his interviews with veteran journalist R. C. Ganjoo in 1994, Capt Diwan Singh revealed that Maharaja Hari Singh had declared at a round-table conference held in 1931 that he wanted his State to be merged with India.  In this very interview, Capt Diwan Singh had also talked about reasons for delayed Accession, Nehru’s stubbornness besides Maharaja-Sheikh trust-deficit.

Kashmir Rechords is thankful to Sh R C Ganjoo for sharing a copy of the   interview, published in Sunday Mail (Oct 3-Nov 5) 1994 edition.  The same is reproduced here.