PRE and Post Independent History

In 1820 Maharaj Gulab Singh got the Jagir of Jammu from Maharaj Ranjit Sigh. Jammu & Kashmir became a single geographical and political entity due to an agreement signed on March 16, 1846 between the British Government and Gulab Singh. This Treaty handed over the control of Kashmir state to the Dogra ruler of Jammu who had earlier annexed Ladakh. This laid the foundation of Dogra dynasty. Thus a new state comprising of three distinct regions came to being with Maharaja Gulab Singh as its founder ruler.Hari Singh was the last ruler of Kashmir. After India got its freedom in 1947, the land was divided into two parts – India and Pakistan. Most of the princely states of India were united to form the Indian Union. Kashmir was an independent state ruled by Raja Hari Singh. He decided to join India due to great similarity in culture and other social aspects. The “instrument of accession” was signed between Lord Mountbatten and Raja Hari Singh in terms of defense, external affairs and rehabilitation of refugees.