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Sardar Shams Khan was the chief of the Sudhan tribe, an influential zamindar of Poonch and rebel leader during the 1837 Poonch Revolt.[1][2][3]
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Biography
editShams Khan was born in Poonch, into the Sudhan tribe, and was a zamindar which granted him much influence over the local region.
After the Sudhans submitted to the Dogras, Shams Khan was taken as "a hostage for the fidelity of his clan and family" to ensure that the Sudhans did not revolt in the future. He was placed under the care of Dhian Singh, who began to favor him.[3]
Dhian Singh promoted him in rank and granted him power. Unbeknownst to him, Shams had ulterior motives of seceding from the Sikh Empire and the rule of the Dogras [2] [3]
Rise to Power
editInitially, Shams was met with distrust by the administration of Dhian Singh, but managed to win Dhian over after a period of time. Dhian Singh then ordered for him to be integrated into the adminstration of Poonch, against the advice of his advisors, speaking of Shams "virtue of devotion"[3]
Rebellion and Demise
editAfter arriving in Poonch from the court of Dhian Singh, Shams would hear the grievances of the locals of the region, and began to take actions to alleviate their suffering which was contributed to by many factors such as excessive taxation. The people were emboldened by this, and became "refractory and rebellious". [3]
After the death of Hari Singh Nalwa and Battle of Jamrud threw the Sikh Empire into disarray, Shams Khan met with the local tribal chiefs of the region, including his two lieutenants Mali Khan and Sabz Ali Khan, and decided to start an all-out rebellion against the Dogras.[3] [4]
He won over the garrison of the main Poonch fort through dialogue and persuasion, marking the start of the rebellion. The local Pahari tribes of the region then joined forces with the Sudhan tribe, and began assaults on forts all over the region. This resulted in great success, and the forts of the region were captured or destroyed. This stretched from the region of Poonch to near the city of Jammu itself. [2][3]
Gulab Singh, who had been campaigning near Peshawar against the Yusufzai tribe, was then ordered by Ranjit Singh, the Emperor of the Sikh Empire to withdraw and crush the rebellion with haste. [2][3]
Gulab Singh soon arrived in Kahuta, and made camp. During this time, Shams would write a letter to Gulab stating “I am for your Lordship like a shadow. Howsoever you pursue to catch me I will run ahead. As you retreat, I will not give up following the trail”.[3]
Gulab Singh chose not to attack directly, but rather bribed local chiefs and spread terror within the region. This spread dissent within the ranks of the rebellion, and soon the rebels began to waver. After this, Gulab Singh attacked and attempted many times to have Shams Khan captured so that he could be punished, but Shams and his forces evaded him several times, aided by their much smaller size. [3][2][1]
The lieutenants of Shams, Sabz and Malli Khan were captured and skinned alive. Shams Khan and his nephew, Raj Wali were then betrayed by a local chief known as Sher Baz Khan, who guided the troops of Gulab Singh to their location. Shams and Raj Wali were then beheaded, and their heads were sent back to Gulab Singh.[3][1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Cunnigham, Alexander (1871). Four Reports Made During the Years 1862-63-64-65. National Library of Naples: Government Central Press. p. 13.
- ^ a b c d e Lepel H., Griffin (1865). The Panjab Chiefs. Oxford University, United Kingdom: T.C. McCarthy. p. 594.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Ram, Diwan Kirpa (1832–1876). Gulabnama A History Of Maharaja Gulab Singh Of Jammu & Kashmir. Srinagar: Gulshan Books. pp. 156 - 163 (Chapter 31). ISBN 9788186714898.
- ^ Kapur, Manohar Lal (1980). History of Jammu and Kashmir State: The making of the State. India: Kashmir History Publications. p. 51.