Maharaja Hari Singh

Why is in news? J&K Govt to declare Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary on Sept 23 as public holiday

• Hari Singh (23 September 1895 – 26 April 1961) was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, who the hindu ruler, ruled the muslim majority area.
• Hari Singh was the son of Amar Singh and Bhotiali Chib.
• In 1947, after India gained independence from British rule, Jammu and Kashmir could have joined India, joined Pakistan, or remained independent. Singh wanted Jammu and Kashmir to remain as an independent kingdom.
• Pashtun tribe members from Pakistan then invaded Kashmir in October 1947 and took control over a large area. Hari Singh appealed to the Governor General of free-India, Lord Mountbatten for assistance.
• India assured help on condition Hari Singh should sign the Instrument of Accession.
• Hence, considering the emergency, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947, joining the whole of his princely state (including Jammu, Kashmir, Northern Areas, Ladakh, Trans-Karakoram Tract, and Aksai Chin) to the Dominion of India. These events triggered the first Indo-Pakistan War.
• Indian and Pakistani forces thus fought their first war over Kashmir in 1947-48.
• India successfully drove out most of the Pak-supported tribal militants from Kashmir occupation.
• However, one part of the State came under Pakistani control. India claims that this area is under illegal occupation. Pakistan describes this area as ‘Azad Kashmir’. India however, does not recognize this term. India uses the term Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) for the area of Kashmir under the control of Pakistan.