Maharaja Hari Singh’s letter to Lord Mountbatten `In Haste’

(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

Following the October 1947 tribal raid on the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to the Indian Union after signing the Instrument of Accession with India. Along with the accession documents, Maharaja Hari Singh had also written a letter to Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India.  The letter, written on October 26, 1947 was, however, addressed to Lord Mountbatten in the capacity of the first Governor General of free India. (Lord Mountbatten had taken over as first Governor General of India after August 15, 1947 till June 21, 1948)

Kashmir Rechords is reproducing the historic letter, written `In Haste’’ by Maharaja Hari Singh to Lord Mountbatten. In the letter, Maharaja Hari Singh touches upon issues like Standstill Agreement, Pakistani tribals’ mass infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir from many areas, burning of Mahora Power House, kidnapping and raping of women-folk by Pakistani-backed raiders.  The Maharaja regrets that in spite of his repeated requests, “no attempts were made to check these raiders or stop them from coming into my State’’.

`I have no option but to ask for help from India’

In his letter addressed to Lord Mountbatten, Maharaja Hari Singh mentions that he had “no option but to ask for help from the Indian Dominion’’. ”Naturally, they cannot send the help asked for by me without my State acceding to the Dominion of India. I have accordingly decided to do so and I attach the Instrument of Accession for acceptance by your Government. The other alternative is to leave my State and my people to free-looters. On this basis, no civilized Government can exist or be maintained. This alternative I will never allow to happen as long as I am Ruler of the State and I have life to defend my country’’.