KANWAR SHER SINGH (1831-1834 A.D)

Hostile climatic condition during the first year of his governorship added to the miseries of the people. Contemporary historians have recorded that the royal procession of the prince reached Srinagar from Baramulla after cutting the iced Jehlum which was frozen due to severe cold during the winter months. There was scarcity of fuel and water and a large number of cattle perished. A fire also broke out in official residence of the Governor at Shergari which engulfed the surrounding areas and shopping complexes. Sighs of distress were heard from nook and corner of the Valley. There was considerable fall in State revenues as the capacity of tax payers had gone down to the lowest ebb.

In order to maintain strong grip on the administration Wasakha Singh prevailed upon the Prince Governor to depute the senior and experienced local officer Ganesh Dhar for a military expedition against the Raja of Sakardu who had stopped paying presents to the Governor of Kashmir. Genesh Dhar with a little experience in conducting such kind of military operation accomplished the job successfully and reduced the Raja to submission. Malafide intentions of Wasakha Singh were soon exposed and reported to Maharaja Ranjit Singh who recalled him to Lahore and confiscated his property. A new group of officers namely Jamadar Khushal Singh, Bhai Gurmukh Singh and Shiekh Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din were sent to Kashmir to help Governor in restoration of normalacy and collection of revenue. But to the utter dismay of the people the officers particularly Jamadar Khushal Singh, instead of winning the confidence of people by taking rehabilative measures, harassed and tortured them to surrender before his authority. He used all tyrannical and ruthless measures in realizing the revenue from the people. A large section of population, in order to save themselves from the wrath of the Jamadar Khushal Singh, abandoned the valley and struggled for settlement in other provinces of India and many of them died on the streets “unwept, unsung and unburried”. Contemporary historians like Khalil Mirjan Puri, Sohan Lal and others have revealed some pathetic stories and situations like parents selling their children for food etc. He even did not spare To shakhana and took away utensils of gold and other valuables including a cash of rupees seven lakh. On hearing the tale of sorrow and sad state of affairs,Ranjit Singh immediately demoted him and his whole property was confiscated. The rulers of neighbouring principalities were ordered to remove restrictions and duties on the movement of goods to Kashmir particularly the food grains. The Governor was also removed and ordered to handover the charge of Kumedan Mehan Singh.