The Rise of the Dogra Brothers: Pioneers of Duggar’s Political Unity (AD 1810-1846)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66871/trf-j.v1i3.003Keywords:
Dogra Brothers, Sikh Empire, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh Campaign, 19th-Century Statecraft, Treaty of Amritsar.Abstract
The rise of the Dogra brothers Gulab Singh, Dhian Singh, and Suchet Singh within the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh marked a transformative era in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. This study examines their ascent from modest beginnings in the Duggar region(Jammu) to becoming pivotal political and administrative figures at the Lahore Durbar. By leveraging diplomacy, strategic alliances, and military astuteness, the Dogra brothers secured influential positions within the Sikh court and subsequently laid the foundation for the independent Dogra state. The research highlights Dhian Singh’s role as wazir, exploring his administrative and political impact, while examining Gulab Singh’s leadership in territorial expansion through campaigns in Ladakh, Baltistan, and Tibet and Suchet Singh’s contributions to diplomacy and regional stability are also emphasized, providing a balanced representation of their unified efforts. Key administrative reforms, including revenue collection and infrastructure development, are analyzed to illustrate their governance strategies. The establishment of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846, formalized through the Treaty of Amritsar, is presented as the culmination of their collective efforts. Employing a multidisciplinary methodology, the study integrates primary archival sources, traveler accounts, and historical analyses to provide a comprehensive understanding of their legacy. This research contributes to the historiography of South Asia by exploring how the Dogra brothers’ vision and leadership reshaped the political geography of the region.
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