AFGHAN RULE (1753-1819 A.D.)

The shift in authority from Delhi to Kabul did not yield any kind of relief to economically distresses people rather added more to their miseries as the new masters proved more selfish and cruel. They ruled Kashmir through there governors and deputy governors and did not make any change in the system if administration.

The nefarious designs of the Afghans began to manifest at the very outset of the rule when Abdullah Khan Aqasi,the first Afgan Governor of Kashmir, set himself to amass riches by fair and foul means.The nobles and merchants were summoned and tortured to surrender their wealth. He also laid his covetous hands on the rich art treasures and precious stones that had been used by Mughals to beautify the pavilions at various gardens. Many traders and businessmen closed their business establishment and left the valley with all their assets.The drain wealth caused a financial crunch an people lived a life of abject poverty. Before there would be rebellion in Kashmir, Abdullah Khan Kabuli with Lala Sukhjewanmal, a Khatri from Punjab, as his Wazir.

But mere replacement of the governor was of no significance to the common man and the resentment against the rule continued, resulting in assassination of the newly appointed governor alongwith his two sons. Sukhjewanmal continued to govern the province and served his connections with Kabul.Abdali behaved diplomatically and, instead of punishing Sukhjewanmal for his treacherous behaviour, confirmed him as the governor of province and appointed Khawja Kijak as his deputy. But soon the relations between Kabul and Kashmir deteriorated at Sukhjewanmal failed to pay the tribute which obviously he could not collect from the masses whose economic condition had worsened due to excessive taxation by Abdullah Khan Ishq Aqasi.He served his relations with Abdali and showed his allegiance to Mughal emperor Alamgir-II who conferred on him the title of a Raja.

In course of these events a sever famine occurred in 1755 A.D. but the government advanced loans of seed grains to famine striken people and thereby saved many starvation deaths.

A contemporary,namely Gulam Ali Azad, while describing the qualities of Sukhjewanmal remarks that he was a handsome youth, possessed good qualities and had friendly feelings towards muslim subjects. He repaired all the shrines and gardens and thereby created the avenues of earning fro the people. His literary tastes get reflected in the fact that he would organize a poetical conversations every week and ensure that all leading poets attend the function. In order to compile the history of Kashmir from earliest times,he engaged a group of historians under the supervision and guidance of Mohmmad Taufiq.

But the benevolent rule of Sukhjewanmal was cut short by Durrani’s who got encouraged by the victory against Maratha in the third battle of Panipat and decided to regain control of Kashmir and launched an expedition under the command of Nur-ud-Din Khan Bamzai. Raja Ranjeet Dev of Jammu also joined hands with Afgans and the combined forces entered the valley through Tosha Maidan and inflicted a crushing defeat on the Kashmir forces.Sukhjewanmal was captured and taken to Lahore where he was trampled down to death by horses.

After regaining control over the Kashmir, Nur-ud-Din Khan Bamzai administered the province as governor for a brief spell of 3 months during which period he remained busy in consolidating his victory. He was succeded by Blund Khan Bamzai who was not worthy enough to hold the country together and gave free hand to the unscrupulous and anti-social elements. There were communal and sectarian clashes which disturbed the peace in the country. The governor was soon deposed and Nur-ud-Din Khan Bamzai was appointed governor for the second time. He associated Mir Muqim Kanth and Pt. Kailash Dhar, the two leading nobles of Kashmir, with the administration and appointed them as Diwan (Chief Secretary) and Wazir (Chief Minister) respectively. But both the officers were jealous of each other and adopted an uncompromising attitude towards one another and failed to give any relief to their natives. In 1766 A.D. Nur-Ud-Din Khan was removed from office and for the next four years five governors were deputed, none of them enjoying authority beyond one year.

In 1770 A.D., Amir Khan Jawansher was appointed Governor of Kashmir. He made Mir Fazil Kanth as his Chief Minister and allowed him a free hand in the administration. The latter, in order to avenge the murder of his father Mir Muqim Kanth, unleased a reign of terror upon his rivals and beheaded Pt.Kailash Dhar.

In 1772 A.D., Ahmad Shah Abdali passed away and was succeeded by his son Timur Shah. Emboldened by the pre-occupation of Timur Shah outside his kingdom, Amir Khan declared his independence and began to rule with oppression and high-handedness. The Hindus and Sunni Muslims in particular became a target of his religious fanaticism and many of their leaders were executed on flimsy grounds.

The arbitrary and atrocious rule of Amir Khan was, however, marked by a number of building activities.Amira Kadal, the stone pillars of which only exist near concrete cement bridge, and Sher Ghari, where present Legislative Assembly and Old Secretariat Complex exist, were built by him. He is also accredited with the construction of a magnificent palace on Sona Lank in Dal Lake and canal known as Nallah Amir Khan, connecting Dal Lake with Anchar Lake.But it is an irony of fate that the governor attached a stigma to his reputation as a builder by restoring to gross vandalism and destroyed many palaces and gardens that had been built during Mughal period.

Haji Karimdad Khan who succeeded Amir Khan as governor, immediately after subjugating the frontier chiefs, introduced abnoxious taxes like Zari Niaz or presentation tax, on nobles and Jagirdars; Zari Ashkhas, tax on goods imposed on traders and shopkeepers; Zari Habub grain tax on Hindus and Dagh Shawl, merchantile tax on the shawl weavers. The heavy burden of these taxes, coupled with harsh methods of their exaction reduced the populace to the penuary so much so that many of the traders migrated to distant lands.Admist their hardships a calamity fell upon the people, when a series of intense earthquakes, occurred intermittently for six months and rendered thousand of people homeless. This was followed by a severe winter which gripped the valley for month’s togther and further worsened the plight of the people.

His son namely Azad Khan, immediately after taking the realms of power into his hands, displayed remarkable valour in establishing his authority. He re-organised his army and recruited three thousand Sikh Jawans intentionally to launch a campaign against neighbouring Rajas of Poonch, Rajouri and Kishtwar.The rulers of these states submitted without any resistance. These easy victories of the governor boosted his morale and confidence so much so that he threw off his allegiance to Timur Shah and asserted his independence with the title of Nadir Sahah II. Timur Shah being enmeshed in his forth the enmeshed in his fourth invasion if India (1785 A.D) sent his envoy Kifayat Khan to admonish the governor and exact tribute from him, but he had to return with a tribute of 3 lakh rupees only.Timur Shah later made several attempts to chastise him but they proved futile and Azad Khan continued his carrier as independent ruler of Kashmir.

As a ruler, Azad Khan out-matched his father in committing atrocities on the people and tyrannizing them. During his regime natural calamities in the shape of a severe famine and a ruinous epidemic grabbed the valley and added to his miseries of people. The bright aspect of his reign,however as that he encouraged export of indigenous articles to India which led to the development of means of communication and transport and brought considerable income to the country in gold,silver and commodities not found in Kashmir.Thus,the economy of country, indirectly received a fillip.

The strained relations between Timur Shah and Azad Khan took a serious turn and led to various skirmishes and pitched battles between the two opposing forces, resulting into the end of Azad Khan’s life and Timur Shah’s regaining control of Kashmir.

The new Afgan Governor of Kashmir, was Madad Khan. His short term of ten months was characterized by such repression and cruelity upon the distressed and dejected people, that ,in certain matters, he surpassed his predecessors. He was recalled in 1785 A.D., handing over the charge to Mirdad Khan.

Under Mirdad Lhan, the post of duputy governor was held Mulla Gaffar Khan and that of Dewan or chief Secrtary by Pt. Dila Ram Quli. But the governor and the deputy governor could not pull togther which resulted in mismanagement of government affairs and considerable fall in state revenue. Unable to deposit the stipulated amount as revenue with Kabul Government, Mirad Khan imposed some burden-some taxeson his subjects. Actuated by selfish political aggrandizement, his Chief secretary Pt.Dila Ram Quli, exploited some malevolent persons for inciting sectarian clashes. In these clashes, the Sunni community was subjected to harassment which provoked them for rebellion but the timely intervention of the governor helped to restore normalacy.Soon after Mirdad Khan died and the charge of government was held by his deputy Mulla Gaffar for four months, whereupon,he was releved by Juma Khan Alkozai.

With Juma Khan Alkozai’s taking over as governor in 1788 A.D., Kashmir had a little respite from repression, for about four years. In order to secure his position and at the same time to ensure an effective administration, he associated his three sons with the government. However, one of them Mohabbat Khan,holding the charge of governship,in the absence of his father, came under the evil influence of some malfators and behaved like an intolerant and fanatic ruler. But the situation got pacified on the return of Juma Khan.

Noticing a rebellious tendency among the frontier chiefs, he led a campaign against them and they were reduced to submission one after another.Having thus established peace, both internally and externally, he was recalled to Kabul and the governorship was held by his Son Rehmatullah Khan temporarily, till the arrival of new governor Mir Hazar Khan.

In the beginning of Mir Hazar Khan’s reign, Timur Shah passed away at Kabul on 18 May 1793 A.D., and was succeeded by Zaman Shah. Soon Mir Hazar, set himself independent and started a rule of tyranny over the people.He became bitterly intolerant towards Shias and Hindus. The Hindus in particular were subjected to unbearable physical and economic hardships.Jazia was imposed upon them and many of their leaders were killed. The governor also had his father imprisoned, who had been sent by Zaman Shah to admonish him.This unbecoming conduct of the governor infuriated Zaman Shah, who now took to offensive and dispatched a contingent of force chastise him.Mir Hazar, after being defeated was arrested and taken to Kabul while the governorship was temporarily entrusted to Rehamatullah Khan. In the coming two years there was further increase in anarchy and disorder,on account of quick changes of governors,none of them proving himself up to the mark in establishing peace and order.

In 1796 A.D., Abdullah Khan Alkozai took over as Governor of Kashmir, but he soon went to Kabul and entrusted the care of administration of the province to his brother Rehmatullah Khan, with Pt. Sahaz Ram as his revenue collector.During his absence the Bombas carried out ravages and created havoc in Baramulla and its surrounding areas, which impelled Abdullah Khan to return to valley in 1798 A.D. He made necessary reshuffle in the administration and at the same time raised a contingent of 20,000 Kashmiris, with whose help he kept a strong vigil on the movement of Bombas and khokas and checked their infiltration into residential areas. Besides, he reduced the Chiefs of Rajouri and Poonch to submission. Thereupon, he concentrated more upon ameliorating the condition of masses.

In 1800A.D., the governor fell out with his revenue collector,Huru Dass, whose brother Nand Ram was holding an important portfolio in Kabul administration. The strained relations between the two ultimately resulted into recall and finally imprisonment of Abdullah Khan Alkozai.

Prior to his departure to Kabul, Abdullah Khan entrusted the charge of governorship to his brother Atta Mohammad Khan Alkozai, but the Kabul Government nominated their third brother Vakil Khan as governor. This decision was not acceptable to Atta Mohammad Khan who got Vakil Khan killed and retained the governorship of Kashmir with himself.

In 1801 A.D., there was turmoil in Kabul when Mohammad Shah usurped the throne. Taking advantage of chaotic condition, Abdullah Khan Alkozai managed to escape from Balla Hissar fort and came to Kashmir where his brother had already declared his independence.Thereupon, he once assumed the charge of government in 1805 A.D.

The people of Kashmir had to face great hardships during the regime of these two brothers. The Shia-Sunni once again occurred the disturbed the peace. In 1804 A.D., there was a severe earthquake which was followed by a devastating flood in the following year. Life and honour was threatened and large number of people migrated to safer places to avoid molestation of their women folk.

At Kabul Mahmud Shah was deposed by his brother Shuja-ul-Mulk, who, in 1806 A.D., dispatched Sher Mohammad Khan Mukhtar-ud-Duala to bring Kashmir under subjugation.After receiving reinforcement from the neighbouring Raja, he succeeded in establishing his authority in Kashmir. Shortly after, he went back to Kabul, leaving his son Atta Mohammad Khan Barakzai in charge of the government.

Unlike many Afgan Governors, Atta Mohammad Khan Barakzai, governed the province efficiently and his of seven years is marked by overall peace and prosperity. Trade and commerce,which had received a great set back during past reigns flourished and there was remarkable increase in the state revenue.He administered justice on the merits of the case. He reorganized his military and took appropriate measures for the security of the country. The massive fort on the top of Hari Parbat Hillock, was built by him in1810 A.D.

Kabul was once again a scene of internecine strife and wars in 1810 A.D., in which Sher Mohammad Muktar-ul-Daula was killed and Shuja-ul-Malik being defeated by Azam Khan took asylum with Ranjit Singh, thereby, including him to indulge in the affairs of Kashmir.

Atta Mohammad Khan was wise enough to understand the intention of Mahraja Ranjit Singh. To thwart his plans,he sent a secret mission to Shah Suja with the offer to provide him protection and make king of Kashmir in case he comes to Kashmir.Shah Suja responded positively but on reaching Kashmir, he was imprisoned, contrary to the agreement.

Meanwhile Fateh Mohammad Khan approached Maharaja Ranjit Singh and sought his help in lieu of payment of eight lakh rupees annually.The Maharaja dispatched General Mukam Chand with a contingent of forces to help him.Atta Mohammad Khan had already made preparations to confirm them, but unable to stand for long against united forces retreated to Srinagar, where he released Shah Suja and proclaimed him king. But this diplomatic move did not serve any purpose, as their combined efforts could not lead them to victory due to the desertion of their commanders. Fearing death at the hands of Fateh Mohammad Khan, both Shah Suja and Atta Mohammad Khan avoided their arrest by offering gifts to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Shah Suja promised to present the Kohinoor, the world famous diamond to Ranjit Singh,for not being given into the hands of Fateh Mohammad Khan, and on the same conditions Atta Mohammad Khan promised to surrender the Attock fort to Maharaja. Accepting the offer, Mukam Chand escorted both of them to the court of Ranjit Singh. The General also received the first instalment of eight lakh rupees from Fateh Mohammah Khan, who now assumed the charge of Governor of Kashmir.

Fateh Mohammad Khan left for Kabul, entrusting the charge of Government to his brother, Azim Khan. Soon, he made an attempt to recover the Attock fort which infuriated Maharaja. Meanwhile, Azim Khan rendered his rule oppressive and annoyed the public. He also refused to pay the second instalment of eight lakh rupees to Ranjeet Singh, who therefore, got an excuse to launch an attack upon Kashmir and commissioned General Dal Singh for this expedition. The Sikh army attempted their attack via Hirpur but had to suffer heavy casualities at the hands of Azim Khan’s forces. The later returned to the capital in great triumph and began to think of future precautions. Considering the Hindus solely responsible for Ranjit Singh’s, invasion he treated the Hindu subjects harshly.

Pt. Birbal Dhar whom Azim Khan had entrusted the job of collecting the revenue was punished and his house ransacked as he failed to collect the targeted revenue. He secretly approached Maharaja Ranjit Singh and requested him for conquest of Kashmir which was ecceded and Sikh army consisting of 30,000 soldiers was dispatched to conquer Kashmir.

Jabar Khan who had by now replaced his brother Azim Khan, conforted the Sikh force at Shopian. A fierce battle ensued in which Jabar Khan was wounded and his forces were routed. Jabar Khan fled to Kabul, allowing the Sikhs to occupy Kashmir on 15^th June, 1819 A.D.