COL. MEHAN SINGH (1834-1841 A.D)

Agriculrure, the mainstay of State’s economy and source of revenue to the Government, suffered for want of infrastructural defects in its assessment and collection. The system in vogue was based on assessment and land distribution made during 1517 A.D. and was only known to the officials like Muqqadmas, Patwaris and Qanungos who maintained the record in pocket books. Mehan Singh, with the help of Pandit Ganesh Dhar and Qazi Mohammad Afzal, got the land surveyed and recorded its utility and fixed the share of State with reference to quality of soil,production potential. Irrigation facilities available etc. A village directory called as Dasturul-Amal was prepared for every village which included information, besides land and its utility, about imports, exports, mosques, temples, gurdwaras, art and craft centres etc. availability of this kind of information with the Government enabled him to plan the development of the province vis-à-vis its resources.He encouraged people to make necessary investments in schemes aimed to increase the production and employment opportunities even if that would involve import of raw material at State expences. He himself monitered the stock position of food grains and controlled the market by keeping the grains available on subsidized rates. Hoarders and black-marketers were dealt with severely irrespective of their caste, creed and colour. There is no denying the fact that a considerable quantity of shawl wool was imported from Tibet and Central Asian countries but the mastery of Kashmiri artisans in its process of manufacture made it so delicate a product that a Kashmiri shawl in gift was considered a gesture of great honour. The Shawl Industry has, from times immemorial, given boost to State’s economy as it would provide opportunity to the masses to earn livelihood during the winter months when no outside activity was possible. Realizing this importance,he forthwith took necessary steps to revive the industry. He ensured the abundant supply of shawl wool to artisans of Kashmir which was earlier diverted to Rampur and Jammu by Maharaja Gulab Singh. Working conditions of shawl weaver were improved and certain abnoxious taxes on them were abolished. The role of a middleman was lessened when the Govt. offered services in arrangement of raw material and purchase of the shawls from weavers. He is credited with setting up Dharmarth Departmant an institution entrusted with the task of looking after the religious institutions.

Medieval period of history is full of such instances where bands of armed personnel were partronised by local chiefs and used as tools to enforce their nefarious designs.In other parts of the country these armed bands were called hugs but in the valley of Kashmir they were known as Gulwans. During Afgan and Sikh period of history, the groups of these lawless bands had struck terror and the journey on the highways was full of dangers. Some of the leaders of these gansters particularly Khaira Gulwan, was known for philanthropy also as he would distribute a major portion of his looted wealth among orphans,widows and the needy. Taking the act as a challenge to his authority, the Governor chased the bands who abandoned the valley and settled in Ladakh Region of the State. Their leader namely Khaira Gulwan was arrested and hanged.

During his tenure of office, Dewan Mahama Singh dealt away with the rulers of the territorial chiefs surrounding the Valley of Kashmir and made them vassals of the kingdom of Kashmir or Dogra rulers who had been granted these territories as Jagirs by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

From the foregoing pages it appears that Col. Mehan Singh inspite of heavy odds managed the affairs of the province efficiently. But somehow, there aroused suspicion in the mind of Maharaja Ranjit Singh that Mehan Singh has amassed wealth through fraudulent means. He tried to replace him by an Italian, General Venture but for some reason the choice did not materialize and Mehan Singh continued as Governor till his assassination by mutinous Sikh troops in 1841 A.D. The assassination of Mehan Singh also came amid confusion in Lahore Darbar where, after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839 A.D. courtiers were busy in intrigues to show down each other. But still, Maharaja Sher Singh deputed his son Kanwar Partab Singh with a contigent of Dogra and Gurkha troops to restore order in the province. He was accompanied by Bhai Gurmukh Singh, Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu and Shiekh Gulam Mohi-ud-Din. The mutinous army offered stiff resistance and there were pitched battles between the Dogra forces and Sikh army in and around the city of Srinagar. Raja Gulab Singh inflicted crushing defeat on Sikh forces and, thereby, restored peace in the province. He soon returned to Lahore leaving Sheikh Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din to assume the charge as Governor of Kashmir.