19 Facts About Hari Singh

Maharaja Sir Hari Singh was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

In 1923, following his uncle's death, Singh became the new Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hari Singh was required to accede to the Dominion of India to get the support of Indian troops against an invasion by tribal armed men and the Pakistan Army into his state.

Hari Singh remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by the Indian government.

Hari Singh was a controversial ruler, who faced an agitation in Kashmir in 1931, a rebellion in Poonch in 1947 and for his alleged complicity in 1947 Jammu massacres.

Hari Singh was born on September 1895 at the palace of Amar Mahal, Jammu.

Since the Maharaja had no issue, Hari Singh was heir presumptive to the throne of Jammu and Kashmir.

In 1903, Hari Singh served as a page of honor to Lord Curzon at the grand Delhi Durbar.

Hari Singh was appointed the commander-in-chief of the State Forces in 1915 by Maharaja Pratap Singh.

Hari Singh ascended the throne of Jammu and Kashmir in February 1926 under British intervention, who overruled Pratap Singh's choice of an adopted son, Raja Jagat Dev Singh of Poonch.

Hari Singh made primary education compulsory in the state, introduced laws prohibiting child marriage, and opened places of worship to low caste subjects.

In 1930, Hari Singh attended the First Round Table Conference in London.

Hari Singh originally maneuvered to maintain his independence by playing off India and Pakistan.

Pressure from Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Vallabhbhai Patel eventually compelled Hari Singh to appoint his son and heir, Yuvraj Karan Hari Singh, as Prince Regent of Jammu and Kashmir in 1949, although he remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952 when the monarchy was abolished by Nehru's government.

Hari Singh was forced to appoint the popular Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdullah as the prime minister of Kashmir.

Hari Singh had a contentious relationship with both Nehru and Abdullah.

Karan Hari Singh was appointed 'Sadr-e-Riyasat' in 1952 and Governor of the State in 1964.

Hari Singh died on 26 April 1961, after fourteen years of banishment.

Hari Singh married four times as his first three wives failed to give birth to his heirs.