SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2019 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU daily Excelsior Established 1965 The story of Raja Gulab Singh Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra Prof. Suresh Chander The Katoch Chief viewed the proposal with thrown in 1819. Around 1822, Poonch Jagir was Singh. Raja Dhian Singh himself seems to have abhorrence. In those days, a Raja's daughter given to Raja Dhian Sngh. controlled the entire track between Chenab and he story of Gulab Singh and his brothers could marry only a hereditary Raja or his off- The last ruling Raja of Bhimber including Jhelum. Surge in mental disorders is very fascinating. Their achievements of spring. He could not have refused Ranjit Singh. Naushera, Sultan Khan, made a brave resistance Dhian Singh and Hira Singh resided mostly Textending their hold on small jagirs, Afraid of his wreath Anirudh took his family and against Sikhs in 1810-12 but was overpowered at the Sikh Court. ilaqqas etc. is the subject of another article. There ental disorders and diseases are continu- all his belongings and fled into British territory and imprisoned for seven years in Lahore. He Thus most of present-day Jammu was under were many: Mankot, Jasrota, Lakhanpur, Sam- across Satluj. He preferred to sacrifice his king- was set at liberty to assist Raja Ranjit Singh in Maharaja Ranjit Singh till his death. However, ously on the rise in the country and if data ba, Bhau (not to be confused with Bahu), Bhoti dom rather compromise with the traditions. the invasion of Kashmir in 1819. He was after- the state was managed by three brothers on his Mand the requisite figures compiled by pro- to name only the major States at that time. With the rise of the three brothers to power, wards killed in Jammu. His nephew succeeded behalf. fessional agencies are to be believed , those This story is about the time the three broth- smaller states between the Ravi and Chenab lost him but Gulab Singh unseated him in 1840. He Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839. ers had established their sway in the hills of Jam- reveal that contribution of mental disorders to the all autonomy and became completely subject. retired to British territory in 1847 on a pension. Later on there were palace intrigues. Udham mu and were seeking greater role in the Sikh Dar- Kishtwar and Mankot Rajouri Chiefs contin- Singh, eldest son of Gulab Singh, died due to wall total diseases burden has doubled between 1990 bar. Their valour and administrative capabilities were the first to fall in ued to rule their state as collapse along with Nau Nihal Singh, grandson and 2017. Quite latest figures are not available were well established. 1821. After 1822 vassal of Sikh Empire till of Ranjit Singh. Raja Dhian Singh was assassi- Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in recognition of their Bandhralata and Cha- 1842, and the reigning nated in 1843. which by the trend as recorded during the past 17 services and talent, conferred the title of Raja on years, could be more alarming which , however, as neni were. annexed. chief went to reside in Later Raja Hira Singh became the Prime Min- all the three brothers. However, on represen- British territory on a pen- ister of Dalip Singh. on 2017, it was found that 1 among 7 Indians suf- It was on the 17th of June 1822 A.D. that the tation to Lahore Dur- sion. Raja Suchet Singh also aspired to be Prime fered from one or the other mental problem. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, coronated Gulab Singh bar, Chennai Raja was Mirpur had become Minister of the Sikh Empire. In a battle with Sikh as Raja of Jammu region at Jia Pota, Akhnoor, granted permission, by part of Chibb ruled state of army under Hira Singh, Suchet Singh with his 45 Depression and anxiety, though seemingly and was entrusted with the Government of Jam- appearing in-consequential in the beginning , pro- Maharaja Ranjit Khari Khariyali with cap- followers fought bravely against an army of mu Hills. Singh, to reside in his ital at Mangla Fort. about 20,000 men. Suchet Singh died without an gressively often lead to chronic ailments starting About the same time his brothers Dhyan own state in the enjoy- Around 1810, Ranjit heir. His jagir was merged in Jammu. from hallucinations and conduct disorders and Singh and Suchet Singh were also conferred the ment of the Jagir. Singh invaded Khari In December 1844, a conspiracy was hatched title of Raja. While Gulab Singh and Suchet Smaller Jagir states Khariyali ruled by Raja against Raja Hira Singh. He fled from Lahore even violence. What are precisely the reasons and Singh were actively engaged in military opera- causes, we often find getting ourselves confused around Jammu - Riasi, Umar Khan. with Pandit Jalla, and Sohan Singh, second son tions in the hills. Dhyan Singh spent all the time Samba, Dalpatpur The state was assigned of Gulab Singh; they were all slain while flee- with verbatim academic explanations and clinical at the court in the discharge of his official duties must have been to the ruling family of Jam- ing. versions and when anxiety disorders, emotional and also in advancing and safeguarding the inter- annexed at an earlier mu. Jagir of rupees 4000 Hira Singh also died without an issue. His est of the family. In 1818 he had already been bursts, behavioural breakdowns and other abnor- date. Akhnoor was was assigned to the ruling Poonch jagir was given to his brother Jawahir appointed to the office of the Dhariwala or annexed in 1812. family of Khairi in Jammu. Singh while Jasrota and Basohli became part of mal tendencies become deep rooted , resolution of Chamberlain, a position of great importance, as Bandhralta was Smaller property was Jammu. Ten thousand strong Sikh army was sent the particular disorder becomes very difficult. it rested chiefly with him to grant permission to given to Raja Suchet granted in British Territo- to Jammu to recover the large amount of plun- A common parlance and ordinary analysis see Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Singh after the old ry afterwards. Thus Mir- der. Jawahir Singh and Gulab Singh transferred About 1828 Dhyan Singh became Prime Min- would lead to, rather stop for most of the time, at lines of Rajas were pur became part of Ranjit the valuables to the interiors in the ister of the Sikh Empire, he continued in this expelled. Jasrota managed to maintain its exis- Singh's territories mountains.Sikh attack was repelled by Gulab vulnerable people being exposed to too much of position until his death in 1843. tence as a state till 1834, Basohli till 1836 and Raja Gulab Singh exercised chief authority Singh. stress, high decibel noise - on roads from vehicles Dhyan Singh's eldest son Hira Singh was a Bhadu till 1841. being virtually the Governor of the hills, and cen- Now Raja Gulab Singh was the only one left favourite of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In 1828, Hira Lakhanpur had probably been annexed by the tral tracks around Jammu and in the Chenab Val- in control of the territories of Jammu. He kept , in lanes, during days and especially during dead Singh, then 12 years old, was conferred the title of the nights from blaring loudspeakers and DJs ; Mughals in Akbar's reign and afterwards held by ley were all under his control. away from the Sikh Darbar because of palace of Raja. In 1934 the principality of Jasrota was Jasrota and Basohli in turn and finally it was From Bandhralta (Ramnagar), Raja Suchet intrigues till the First Sikh war in 1846. less of rest , deficit of calm composed and silent given to him. Ranjit Singh was desirous of seized by Nurpur towards the end of the 17th cen- Singh ruled over the country to the east of Jam- Now Gulab Singh was in full control of Jam- position, less concentration , fragmented and low arranging a suitable matrimonial alliance for his tury. It came directly under Sikh rule in 1816. mu including Samba, Chaneni, Mankot mu. favourite. A proposal was made to Anirudh Boiti or Krimchi was annexed in 1836. To the (Ramkot) and Bhadhu. (The author is former Head of Computer Engineering quality sleep, pressures of office, business, Chand of Kangra, on a visit to Lahore, to give west of the Chenab the state of Poonch was over- Jasrota and Basohli were with Raja Hira Department in G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology) career and examination related issues , non nutri- one of his sisters in marriage to Hira Singh. [email protected] tious and adulterated diet , channels of less purga- tives of emotions and pent up feelings , domestic Ashok Sharma life.They would always have neglect and discrimination , failures in ambitions, time after the day's work to share he generation gap has their day's experiences with each remissness in marriage and love related matters, always existed in the The Generation Gap other and offer help to those who seclusion and forlorn conditions and the like. As Tsociety.But there have needed it.People of a village lages and towns.These have now make them look more white, got ever there was breakdown of ten to live commentary on the never been so fast changes as would help each other in plough- many as 197 million Indians in latest findings (in been replaced by video games punishment by the teachers, and power,people would take their match favourite programmes occured over the last few years , ing land,cutting grass and har- and browsing of social network- would have such a respect for the cots and bedsheets to the such as Fauzi Bhaiyon ke the year 2017), were found to be suffering from especially between the two gen- vesting crops and participate in ing sites.People were coopera- elders that none dared to argue rooftops and as the showers fell, Liye,Desh Suhana,Dhareeche mental disorders and how many as of now , can eration-those born after ninteen festivals and fairs in large num- tive and social and they had suf- with them.Life was tough and they would come down with etc.Those were the times when nineties and those born before ber.In other words,they had really be imagined and felt to be causing concern. ficient time to share sorrows and hard but it taught the survival their bedsheets.On the rooftop, it old people would read novels nineties ,with the birth of new strong inerpersonal bonds.But In our Southern states and that also among joys, emotions and feelings on skills and facing the changed sit- was customary to count bats often by taking them on rent and values and attitudes and crum- then came the time when Mobile both sad and joyous occasions uation by adapting to the going towards Kashmir for food the younger ones would long for women , two most common diseases of depression bling of old values.Not long ago Phone, Laptops, Desktops, but we have no time to do this changed circumstances.There and the child who counted the comics such as Chacha Choud- and anxiety were found in alarming proportions . we used to hear tales of fairies Video games and Social media now.People enjoyed participat- were few ACs, coolers, heaters most would be adjudged as the hary.These books will be read who were beautiful and helpful have dealt such a deathblow to The position in rural and far flung areas is even ing in the functions and made fast lest the borrower should and kings and queens who stood television and the radio and TV worse for two reasons, firstly non reporting of the preparations months before and Social traits are fast vanishing and the have to pay extra money as for truth, righteousness, devo- that people have little time to waited patiently for the days to rent.Radio used to be a major cases or no data compilation and secondly, treat- tion and even sacrificed their watch TV or listen to radio.They come.Dishes such as fermented children are becoming more self centred source of entertainment and ment from quacks or resorting to superstitious lives for these values.We used to are always found glued to the cakes, keurs, saag toda and tim- information and programmes hear tales of Harishchandra, mobile phones and have little "remedies". Many such areas reveal another gory bru ki chatni were relished on and less tolerant.There is strong need such as Binaca Geet Mala, Vivid Rama and other kings who pre- time for eachother.Not to talk of picture that of ill treatment, bashing and even such occasions. Those were the Bharti,Fauzi Bhayion ke liye etc ferred to bear hardships rather different people in the village, days when the wild fruits such to develop social traits in the children were so popular that people chaining of the patients . There are certain ques- than compromise with the basic different members of the same as mangoes, kakoae, figs, mul- would never miss them.BBC tions and queries needing to be replied . Whether human values.Mothers used to by involving them in community work family especially the youth pre- berry, raspberries etc were eaten News was heard over a cup of tea sing lullabies to put their chil- fer to take meals in their own there is a national level strategy evolved to address with joy and happiness.People in the morning to know what was dren to sleep and all the mem- such as Bhandaras,family rooms. Social traits are fast van- the issue or it is treated as states and UTs spe- used to have kutcha houses but happening across the bers would take dinner while sit- ishing and the children are their relations with each other world.Then came the era of tel- cific problem . Whether these diseases are viewed ting together.But now a days as functions,ensuring their participation becoming more self centred and were strong and cordial.There evision and serials such as a result of fast and materialistic less tolerant.There is strong need with the same seriousness as other prevalent dis- were few banquet halls ; yet mar- Ramayana, Mahabharata were life, parents have no time for in fairs and festivals and inculcating to develop social traits in the eases . Whether policies and plans are evolved to riages were organised and so popular that people would their children.The tradition of children by involving them in solemnised in kutcha houses. close their shops and houses and address those causes which are responsible for telling stories and singing lulla- in them love for our rich Dogra culture. community work such as Bhan- Life used to be hard but there throng the shop/house which had the vulnerable to fall prey to various mental disor- bies have almost vanished.Chil- daras,family functions,ensuring were few cases of suicides.There and other gadgets but people winner.Similarly children would a TV Set.The serials such as dren used to play various games their participation in fairs and ders? Whether data has been compiled to find the were no gems yet few people managed to face each situation count the shooting stars while Hum log, Buniyaad, Chan- and sports to develop their body festivals and inculcating in them particular age group becoming more susceptible to died of diabetes and other health and live happily .In case of hot reclining in their cots in the derkanta, Surbhi,Hum Panch, and muscles.Games such as mar- love for our rich Dogra culture. such diseases and strategies evolved accordingly? bles, gulli danda, malkham, hide related diseases. weather during summer, people dusk.In those days, radio used to etc and programmes such as Chi- (The writer is serving as lecturer in and seek, which developed Those were the days when would take their cots underneath rule the hearts and minds of peo- trahar and Rangoli were eagerly Whether incidences of committing suicides were English Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Thial, strong intersocial skills and rela- we soiled our hands with the trees and slept restfully after ple and people would sit around awaited.In those days, people the effect of certain mental disorders like depres- (Udhampur). tions used to be played in vil- ink,applied chalk on the shoes to hard day's work.At night when- the person having radio and lis- used to have hard but peaceful [email protected] sion and unfounded feeling of self guilt or being of no import or unable to be found useful to the soci- ety? Last but not the least, whether regular status audit of designated hospitals was conducted to find The Kashmiri Pandit "Biradari" out the quality of treatment and care made avail- Dr Etee Bahadur them quite absorbing in more than one way. The The river Saraswati has disappeared but Kashmiri culture somewhat distinguishes them from other able to such patients. experiences of the second and third generation of Pandit worships Sharada as the incarnation of North Indian Hindu communities. Maybe owing Now, no one can dispute that most of the health he Kashmiri Pandits often take pride in Kashmiri Pandits in exile in comparison to their Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. to their universalism being the gift of adherence referring to their community as Biradari. first generation in exile differ in essence. This nar- Their ancestors used to visit the Sharda tirtha after to Shaivite philosophy, their inoffensive centres and institutions in the country "treating" The term comprises almost all facets of mental disorders lack not only matching infrastruc- T rative needs to be recorded precisely and with surmounting hazards of a perilous mountain track. demeanour towards Hindu/Muslim culture did not identity. This remained their social milieu for cen- accuracy so as to bring out the impressions of the The tradition in Banaras Hindu University is that go well with the non-resilient Hindus of North tural facilities but the general condition of and the turies. But with the passage of time Kashmiri Pan- actors on the stage of the history of the commu- at the time of receiving his degree, the student India except, of course, the Kayastha community. treatment received by the patients needed lot of dits often ponder over the changes that have nity. Their identity remains embedded in their day walks few steps towards the north as obeisance to The familiarity of the Kashmir Pandits with the occurred in the cultural identity their recent gen- to day activities of life, the chores of life in exile Saraswati chanting the hymn "Sharada Narda Devi Persian language could be traced back to the six- improvement. We have National Mental Health erations. Changes are visible in the ways Kash- Policy (NMHP) with impressive vision, goals and and the reminiscences of the past. It is their every- Mukesh data Saraswati". Prof. Pandit has made teenth century. It was during the first decade of miri Pandits have identified themselves afresh; day story of a life that reflects their identity. These efforts to revive the link between the Kashmiri the eighteenth century, that the migrants from objectives but it is widely seen that implementation changes in the ways in which they have been iden- stories reach us either from individuals or through Saraswat Pandits and the Saraswats of South India. Kashmir moved to Delhi. Most of the Kashmir and ground results are not as impressive as the tified by others. These changes have become loud- the medium of collective memory. He has been participating in the annual world con- Pandits were absorbed into the administrative er in the wake of the forced displacement of the The term Kashmiriyat coined by its origina- ference of Saraswats and making a presentation. structure of the Mughal rulers or their nobles. Pro- crux of the NMHP claims. One of the main objec- community in 1990 and the agonizing aftermath tives of the policy is focus on rural and remote tors speaks of a unique identity and culture held In Pune, where there is a large concentration of ficiency in Farsi got the Kashmiri Pandits materi- of the exodus the entire community. They remi- close to their heart by the Kashmiris. They give it exiled Kashmiri Pandits of 1990, an organization al wealth and also status in the Mughal court.Edu- areas , educationally and socially backward areas niscence the drastic changes that have taken place much importance in geographical and political led by Ramesh Sheopuri and Jagmohan Kaul cation always gave the Kashmiri Pandits a strong- and to identify and address their social, biological in their homeland. terms. Kashmiri Pandits trace their origin in the works on the subject of reviving ancient links hold, be it Sanskrit or Persian lore. Becoming a Sources that depict the traditional social struc- and psychological problems and provide adequate legend of the creation of Kashmir as recorded in between the two branches of Saraswat Brahmans. government functionary and part of the adminis- ture of the community are numerous. The com- the Nilamatapurana of the sixth or seventh centu- In Kashmir, the Pandits are known as Bhatta trative structure under the Mughals gave them interventions but much needs to be done as very munity's journal from Lahore, Moradabad (Safir- ry A.D. The Nilamatapurana gives the story of which is the corrupted or abbreviated form of San- some prominence. Educating their boys in Farsi less is being actually seen achieved on the ground. i-Kashmir,Urdu monthly), Lucknow, the family Kashyapa Rishi making long penance and suppli- skrit Bhattarika meaning the Brahman. Pandit learning now became an economic factor for the trees, manuscripts in Sanskrit/Sharada and Farsi, cation to Brahma and other gods to help him dry nomenclature is of later period perhaps of later Kashmiri Pandit families who had settled in Del- Revamping DRDO interviews, biographies, memoirs in Urdu or Far- up the huge water body and punish the sea-mon- Mughal times. It is a Sanskrit word meaning the hi around the 18th century. Kashmiri Pandit boys si language, civil lists and etc. all are among the ster, Jalodbhava, that lived in the lake Satisaras, erudite or the learned. Since literacy was ingrained in Delhi were sent to maktabs (Islamic schools) sources that reflect the society and identity of the and troubled the people living in that area. The in their blood and scholarship was their patent pro- where they learnt Farsi language and acquainted he need is increasingly felt of involving the pri- community of Kashmiri Pandits. vate sector and other agencies , i.e.; academic legend is that Lord Vishnu asked his brother Bal- fession, they came to be called Pandits. themselves with Farsi literature. Muslim teachers Vagaries and atrocities of history turned this abhadra to pierce the surrounding mountains for Incidentally, in early days of conversion to called Moulvis or Akhunds were their teachers. Tinstitutions like universities, IITs, Indian Institute community of this once reputed Kashmir Hindu drain down the lake. Jalobhava refused to emerge Islam, the Pandit prefix to a Hindu name changed Chandra Bhan gives a list of Persian literary and of Science etc for a complete revamping and reorien- kingdom into a minority onwards of the middle of out of the lake. With orders from Brahma, Shari- into Mulla in his Muslim name. We find that most historical works he read and a list of the Hindu tation of Defence Research Development the 14th century A.D. The much less story about ka appeared in the form of a bird mayna, picked of the Muslim scholars and men of erudition of scholars in the 17th century and learning Persian them is how as a minority the Kashmiri Pandits up the part of Sameer mountain in its beak and the early period of conversion invariably adopted poetry from a master (ustad). Many Kashmiri Pan- Organisation . These recommendations having come managed to survive in highly unfavourable cir- from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on dropped it on the sea monster in the lake. This the prefix of Mulla. Mulla Naderi said to have dit Farsi versifiers adopted their pen name (takhal- cumstances. How under dire circumstances a hillock called Sharika Parvata (Kashmiri Haripar- translated Rajatarangini from Sanskrit into Farsi, lus) from Farsi vocabulary. Some of them have Defence with an aim to reduce dependence on for- minority survives against civilizational onslaught bat) is the most prominent shrine destination of obviously must have been a Sanskrit scholar who left behind Diwans (compilation) of Farsi poems eign vendors need thorough exercise and planning. is a saga unparalleled in history. One needs to Kashmiri Pandits who are ardent devotees of later on obtained proficiency in Farsi language. or lyrics (ghazals). This reveals that Kashmiri Pan- These objectives, though not possible to be achieved understand their resilience in times of adversity Mother Sharika. The Pandits are literate people and they have dits had perfected the linguistic and poetic skills and the tremendous capacity of adaptability they 'Rishi Kashyap brought people from the plains produced extensive literature in almost all fields of Farsi language as well as the prose writings in the short run, however, can progressively pave way developed under oppressive conditions. One is for defence related requirements being met indige- of Bharata to settle down in the desiccated land of of scholarship. However, the only written docu- specimens of which are available to us. Interest- amazed to imagine how they could adapt to the Kashmir mandala.' ment recording the genealogical traditions of the ingly, Kashmiri Pandits had also acquired the nously. Nawabi culture of Lucknow and the Lahore Dur- The most authentic and exhaustive source for Pandits is to be found in their basic meaning some- great artistic skill of Farsi calligraphy. Shankar Private and Public sectors needed to work togeth- bar. the pre-Islamic history of Kashmir is Kalhana's thing like a family dossier. This copious record in Nath Zutshi (a corruption of Jyotshi), the mater- er as less dependence on foreign sellers meant mas- Centuries ago, perhaps during the reign of twelfth-century celebrated Sanskrit chronicle, files has been kept by the Pandas (meaning fam- nal grandfather of Motilal Nehru, a Kashmiri Pan- Shahjahan and Aurangzeb, they departed from Rajatarangini. It is considered as the first ever ily chroniclers) at Matan in Anantnag district. The dit of Delhi acquired skill in a form of calligraphy sive research and investments in the country. their birthplace and went to settle down in Lahore Dependence on foreign sellers has often proved full of comprehensive historical record of ancient India. bahis (files) contain the record of the clientele called Shikasta. Abdul Malik Sharar(1860-1926) and Lucknow, the cultural cosmopolitans or the The legend commonly accepted by the vast (Sk.,Jajman = kmr yesman). The Hindu pilgrim writes that the Lucknow Kashmiri Pandits, the hassles and delays and not enough procurement from centres of political power in those days. Many of Saraswat community of South India, especially would pay visitation to Matan to offer oblations Muslims and the Kayastha's had won repute in the our own sources has added to the problems. It shall them have settled in Punjab and in Rajasthan. Western Maharashtra and Goa down to Konkan to their ancestors almost every three years. The art of Farsi calligraphy. Despite this happy mix of definitely prove economically and militarily favourable Some prominent personalities of the traditional ghats is that their ancestors originated in Kashmir yazman has to give Dakshina (cash offer) to the Indo Persian connectivity, Kashmiri Pandits nev- Kashmiri Pandit fraternity of the 19th century like and steadily over the centuries migrated to South Panda which is why they are often regarded as er forgot their distinct identity, for Munshi Chan- if procurements were made from indigenous available Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru have nostalgically recalled sources besides the same giving a chance to home India and settled down on the Western Ghats. mean and greedy. dra Bhan 'Brahman'writes,"I possess the heart of the life and times of the Kashmiri Pandits of the In a small 30-page booklet, Prof. K.N.Pandit Like the Hindus of Northern India, the Kash- an infidel. Many a time, I carried it to the Kaba, sector to develop and expand. Collaboration with for- later nineteenth century. It shows that the Pandit traced the origin of Sharada-Saraswati legend in miri Pandits worship Shiva. They belong to a but always brought it back a Brahman'' Diaspora has played a historic role that was essen- eign manufacturers by the Indian private firms would Kashmir and established that Saraswati river once region which has been the cradle of the Shaivite (The author teaches Development Studies at the Centre for tially healthy and creative. Any inquisitive student provide a level playing field in manufacturing and pro- flowed from the Madhumati in Gurez sector and philosophy. Kashmiris also practice veneration of Jawaharlal Nehru Studies , Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi) into their history and activities will surely find viding items required for our defence needs. joined the Krishna Ganga at a place called Shardi. their own community holy men. Their regional (The views of the author are personal)