Zorawar singh biography of michael

General of the Disciple Empire (1784–1841)

Zorawar Singh (1784–12 December 1841) was a military general of dignity Dogra Rajput ruler, Gulab Singh, who served as the Raja of Jammu under the Sikh Empire.^[3][4] He served as the governor (wazir-e-wazarat) of Kishtwar and extended the territories of illustriousness kingdom by conquering Ladakh and Baltistan.^[5] He also boldly attempted the domination of Western Tibet (Ngari Khorsum) however was killed in battle of To-yo during the Dogra-Tibetan war. In concern to his legacy of conquests control the Himalaya Mountains including Ladakh, Thibet, Baltistan and Skardu as General tell Wazir, Zorowar Singh has been referred to as the "Napoleon of India",^[6] and "Conqueror of Ladakh".^[7][8]

Early life stomach career

He was born in September 1784 in a Kahluria HinduRajput^[9][10] family tutor in the princely state of Kahlur (Bilaspur) state, in present-day Himachal Pradesh.^[11][12] Emperor family migrated to the Jammu take off where, on coming of age, Zorawar took up service under Raja Jaswant Singh of Marmathi (modern Doda district). Zorawar Singh was employed by honesty ambitious Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu and was placed under the skipper of the Reasi fort (Bhimgarh fort). While delivering a routine message come to get the Gulab Singh, Zorawar told him of the financial waste occurring cover the fort administration and boldly tingle his own scheme to effect provision for a rainy d. Gulab Singh was impressed by Zorawar's sincerity and appointed him commandant curst Reasi.^{[citation needed]}

Zorawar Singh fulfilled his stint and his grateful ruler made him commissariat officer of all forts direction of Jammu. He was later masquerade governor of Kishtwar and was affirmed the title of Wazir (minister).^[13]

Official Registry of the Sikh Empire show focus Zorawar Singh was in command support his personal battalion of 875 rank and file with a salary of Rs. 7,604 per month.^[14]

Even though it was wonderful newly conquered region Zorawar had maladroit thumbs down d trouble in keeping the peace; distinct of the local Rajputs were recruited into his army. In 1835 primacy nearby region of Paddar was enchanted from Chamba (now in Himachal Pradesh) in the course of a hostility. Paddar later became known for closefitting sapphiremines. But this was a swimming pool sideshow to General Zorawar Singh's mega famous expeditions, on which he confidential already embarked in the previous epoch.

Ladakh campaigns

To the east of Kishtwar and Kashmir are the snow-clad rural area of the upper Himalayas — high-mindedness rivers of Zanskar Gorge, Suru Rush, and Drass rise from these snows, and flow across the plateau chide Ladakh into the Indus River. Diverse petty principalities in this region were tributary to the Gyalpo of Ladakh (King). In 1834 one of these, the Raja of Timbus, sought Zorawar's help against the Gyalpo. Meanwhile, picture Rajput general had been burning wish distinguish himself by expanding the district of Raja Gulab Singh — too at that time, according to honourableness Gulabnama, Kishtwar went through a hankering that caused a loss of takings and forced Zorawar to extract method through war.^[16]

The Rajputs of Jammu captain Himachal have traditionally excelled in point fighting; therefore Zorawar had no be important in crossing the mountain ranges current entering Ladakh through the source slope the Suru River where his 5000 men defeated an army of stop trading Botis.^[13] After moving to Kargil tell off subduing the landlords along the not giving anything away Zorawar received the submission of authority Ladakhis — however Tsepal Namgyal, honesty Gyalpo (ruler), sent his general Banko Kahlon by a roundabout route restriction cut off Zorawar's communications. The quick on the uptake general doubled back to Kartse, swivel he sheltered his troops through representation winter. In the spring of 1835 he defeated the large Ladakhi crowd of Banko Kahlon and marched sovereignty victorious troops towards Leh. The Gyalpo now agreed to pay 50,000 rupees as war-indemnity and 20,000 rupees by reason of an annual tribute.^[13]

Alarmed at the prize of the Dogras, the governor vacation Kashmir, Mehan Singh, incited the Ladakhi chieftains to rebel but Zorawar ostentatious marched back to the Himalayan valleys and subdued the rebels, now forcing the Raja of Zanskar to very pay a separate tribute to Jammu. But in 1836 Mehan Singh, who was in correspondence with the City durbar, this time instigated the Gyalpo to revolt — Zorawar force-marched rulership army in ten days to stagger the Ladakhis and forced them contain submit. He now built a be outside Leh and placed there exceptional garrison of 300 men under Dalel Singh — the Gyalpo was deposed to an estate and a Ladakhi general, Ngorub Stanzin, was made Drenched. But the latter did not flatten to be loyal hence the Gyalpo was restored to his throne always 1838.

Baltistan campaign

To the northwest position Ladakh, and to the north lady Kashmir, lies the region of Baltistan. Muhammad Shah, the son of representation ruler of Skardu, Raja Ahmad Queenly, fled to Leh and sought nobility aid of the Gyalpo and Zorawar against his father. But some homework the Ladakhi nobles allowed Ahmad Queen to imprison his son and sought after his aid in a general insurrection against the Dogras. After defeating excellence Ladakhi rebels Zorawar invaded Baltistan do the winter of 1839/40 (Petech, Nation of ladakh, p. 144, Datta, Ladakh, p. 122 etc. etc.), adding a large subject to accidental of Ladakhis to his army.^[17]

The elicit brigade of 5,000 under Nidhan Singh lost its way in the physically powerful and snow and was surrounded prep between the enemy; many soldiers perished use up the cold. Then Mehta Basti Press on, a prominent Rajput from Kishtwar, long-established contact with the main force. Annexation their arrival the Botis of Skardu were defeated and forced to escape. They were chased to the assemble of Skardu which was invested surpass Zorawar for a few days. Edge your way night the Dogras scaled the excessive mountain behind the fort and aft some fighting captured the small cause on its crest. From this glance the next day they began end down at the main fort ride forced the Raja to surrender. Zorawar built a fort on the phytologist of the Indus where he tell untruths a contingent of his soldiers.

After placing Muhammad Shah on the presiding officer for an annual tribute of 7000 rupees, a Dogra contingent under Wazir Lakhpat advanced westwards, conquered the turret castle of Astor and took its Darad Raja prisoner. However this Raja was tributary to Mehan Singh, the director of Kashmir, who was alarmed delay the Dogra conquests since they single expanded the kingdom of Gulab Singh while not bringing any benefit give somebody the job of the Lahore durbar. His complaint exploit Lahore was forwarded to Raja Gulab Singh at Jammu and he shipshape the Darad Raja to be released.^[18]

Tibet expedition and Death

Main article: Dogra–Tibetan War

Zorawar Singh had expressed his desire dispense expand the territories of Gulab Singh and the Sikh Empire. According feign Sohan Lal Suri, an attorney difficulty the court of the Sikh Ascendancy, Zorawar Singh had met Maharaja Ranjit Singh in March 1836 and intentionally him for permission to start well-organized campaign in Tibet, the Maharaja nevertheless had declined his request.^[19] However, Zorawar Singh would finally get permission go downwards Maharaja Sher Singh in 1841, which allowed the Sikh Empire to become fuller northwards without violating their treaties disconnect the East India Company.

One structure under the Ladakhi prince, Nono Sungnam, followed the course of the River River to its source. Another assist of 300 men, under Ghulam Caravansary, marched along the mountains leading resolve to the Kailas Range and way south of the Indus. Zorawar myself led 4,000 men along the spartan region where the vast and interesting Pangong Lake is located. Sweeping keep happy resistance before them, the three columns passed the Lake Manasarovar and converged at Gartok, defeating the small Asian force stationed there. The enemy head of state fled to Taklakot but Zorawar stormed that fort on 6 September 1841. Envoys from Tibet now came test him as did agents of position Maharaja of Nepal, whose kingdom was only fifteen miles from Taklakot.

The fall of Taklakot finds comment in the report of the Asian Imperial Resident, Meng Pao, at Lhasa:^[20]

On my arrival at Taklakot a power of only about 1,000 local unit base could be mustered, which was apart and stationed as guards at winter posts. A guard post was freely established at a strategic pass close by Taklakot to stop the invaders, on the contrary these local troops were not use up enough to fight off the Shen-Pa (Dogras) and fled at the closer of the invaders. The distance in the middle of Central Tibet and Taklakot is not too thousand li…because of the cowardice fall foul of the local troops; our forces confidential to withdraw to the foot realize the Tsa Mountain near the Mayum Pass. Reinforcements are essential in distressed to withstand these violent and badly behaved invaders.

Zorawar and his men now went on pilgrimage to Mansarovar and Worthy Kailash.^[21] He had extended his notice and supply line over 450 miles of inhospitable terrain by building mignonne forts and pickets along the unchanged. The fort Chi-T’ang was built realistically Taklakot, where Mehta Basti Ram was put in command of 500 other ranks, with 8 or 9 cannon.^[22] Acquiesce the onset of winter all say publicly passes were blocked and roads snowed in. The supplies for the Dogra army over such a long improve on failed despite Zorawar's meticulous preparations.

Owing to intense cold and fatigue, numerous of the soldiers lost their fingers and toes to frostbite. Mehta Basti Ram writes of men being not able to use weapons effectively due contain cold.^[23] Others starved to death, to the fullest some burnt the wooden stock round their muskets to warm themselves. Say publicly Tibetans and their Chinese allies regrouped and advanced to give battle, bypassing the Dogra fort of Chi-T’ang.^[18]

Zorawar be proof against his men met them at depiction Battle of To-yo on 12 Dec 1841 — in the early alternate of fire the general was end in his right shoulder by span matchlock ball.^[18] Zorawar was tired recall the fighting and said, "Either blue blood the gentry Tibetans will take my head abstruse neck, or I shall take bloom myself (commit suicide)!" Then, shouting Gulab Singh's name, Zorawar said, "The omens are not good!". After he difficult to understand killed four or five Tibetans, systematic lance hurled against him thrust readily understood through his chest. He fell rescind the ground, not uttering a unique sound and his sword escaped circlet hand. Once more the thought occurred to him to seize his wrangle the sword aggre, but he could not. The Asiatic executioner drew out the lance yield Zorawar's chest and also took authority sword from the belt. He therefore cut off Zorawar's head and bamboozle b kidnap and murder it off. Zorawar Singh's head, safe and sound and ears were cut off final sent to Lhasa authorities.^[24][25]

Then the Dogra soldiers lost their way. When loftiness Tibetan infantry also pressed into character entrenchments, the Dogra officers as be a success as the Ladakhi noblemen became disorderly. He who could save his insect fled, the remainder were killed. Undiluted little after noon the battle came to an end.^[26]

Legacy

The Zorawar LT problem an Indian light tank, named unpolluted Zorawar Singh.^[27]

See also

References

Further reading

• Frederick Drew, The Jummoo & Cashmere territories
• Alexander Cunningham, Ladak
• A. H. Francke, Antiquities of Indian Tibet
• Fisher, Rose, and Huttenback, The Himalayan Battle-ground