HARI SINGH NALWA

It is true that Afghan had suffered a defeat at the hands of Sikh Army and lost Kashmir but they had kept their efforts on to regain the political control of the territory and were exploring all the possibilities to create trouble for the Sikh rulers. The hilly area of the State, down below Baramulla, is contiguous to north-west frontier of the country and is inhabited by the people whose life style is like that of the people living in Afghanistan. Any kind of trouble in this hilly territory of the State finds support in whole of the belt right upto Afghanistan. This mountainous region on the State, though rich in resources is less suited for agriculture activities which had rendered its population dependent on the people living in the plains. Any laxity in the supply of food grains from plains would shoot trouble in the hilly area of the State and the situation was exploited by neighbouring countries.Ancient and medieval period of history of Kashmir is full of such instances when hill tribes have clashed with the people living in the plains. At this moment of history, besides economic factors,religious sentiments of the people of mountainous territory were exploited for political gains. The rulers of Kabul who had not reconciled to the occupation of Kashmir by Ranjit Singh, excited Khokka and Bomba Chiefs to carry fire and loot in the Kashmir Valley. Hari Singh Nalwa moved his troops and there was a fierce fighting at Baramulla. The tribesmen were pushed back to hilly areas and one of their leaders namely Gulam Ali Khan was captured and sent to Lahore. To maintain a watch on the movement of the tribals, Hari Singh built a strong fort at Uri and garrisoned it with Sikh soldiers. He was soon recalled by Ranjit Singh and a new Governor namely Dewan Moti Ram appointed for second term.