Sikh Rule in Kashmir: Short Notes, Facts & MCQs for JKSSB and JKPSC Exams

Dear aspirants, if you are preparing for JKSSB, JKPSC or other J&K competitive exams, Sikh Rule in Kashmir is an important topic in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

In this article, Exam Waves Academy provides short and simple notes on Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Diwan Moti Ram, Hari Singh Nalwa, Diwan Kripa Ram, Mihan Singh and Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin, along with the important events of Sikh rule in Kashmir.

Sikh Rule in Kashmir (1819–1846)

Sikh rule in Kashmir began in 1819 after the Sikh forces defeated the Afghans and continued until 1846.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh

• The capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was Lahore Darbar.
• He was requested by Pandit Birbal Dhar and Pandit Raj Kak Dhar of Kashmir to take over Kashmir.
• He occupied Kashmir on 5 July 1819 following the Battle of Shopian.
• Kashmir was annexed to the Lahore Darbar.
• Mohammad Khan and Sukhar Chakiya helped in the annexation of Kashmir in 1819.
• Udho was made Wazir by Ranjit Singh.

Diwan Moti Ram

Diwan Moti Ram was the first Sikh Governor of Kashmir.

Important facts:

• He closed Jamia Masjid in 1819.
• He was assisted by Birbal Dhar, Collector of Srinagar.
• He put a ban on Azaan.
• During his period, Moorcraft and Reynell Taylor arrived in Kashmir.
• He imposed a ban on Azaan

Hari Singh Nalwa

Hari Singh Nalwa was another important personality of the Sikh period.

• He was known as Baaghmar (Lion of Frontier).
• The Sikh Governor issued new copper and silver coins in 1821.
• These coins were named Hari Singhi Rupayas.

Quick Fact

Hari Singh Nalwa → Baaghmar → Hari Singhi Rupayas → 1821

Diwan Kripa Ram

• Diwan Kripa Ram was the author of Gulab Nama.
• During his period, Victor Jacquemont visited Kashmir.
• He participated in the Battle of Nowshera in 1823 against the Barakzai Afghans.
• The Rambagh Garden, where Gulab Singh’s monument stands, was laid by him.

Bhim Singh Ardali

• Bhim Singh Ardali was acting governor when Diwan Kripa Ram was recalled to Lahore.

Mihan Singh

Mihan Singh, also known as Colonel Sahib, is important for administrative developments during Sikh rule.

• He introduced popular weights and measurements.
• He established the Dharmarth Department.
• He established:
  • Guru Bazar
  • Shaheed Gunj
  • Basant Bagh
  in 1835.
• Sir Walter Lawrence, in his work The Valley of Kashmir, called him the best of all Sikh governors.

Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin (1841–1846)

Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin was an important Sikh governor of Kashmir.

• He was the first Muslim Sikh governor.
• He was appointed by Ranjit Singh in 1842, as stated in the supplied notes.
• He opened Jamia Masjid.
• He appointed Pandit Tilak Munshi as his Chief Minister.
• He repaired the Shankaracharya Temple.
• He restored Jagir and cash grants to scholars.
• After the defeat of the Sikhs by the British in Punjab, Kashmir was sold to Gulab Singh for 75 lakhs Nanak Shahi rupees under the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846.

Important Note

• Sheikh Imam-ud-din, son of Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin, succeeded his father.
• He was the last Sikh Governor under Dalip Singh.
• Kashmir under Sikh rule was divided into six Parganas.
• Every Pargana had a Kotwal (Police Officer).

Quick Revision Table

Topic	Important Fact
Sikh Rule in Kashmir	1819–1846
Capital	Lahore Darbar
Kashmir occupied	5 July 1819
First Sikh Governor	Diwan Moti Ram
Hari Singh Nalwa	Baaghmar/Lion of Frontier
Hari Singhi Rupayas	1821
Author of Gulab Nama	Diwan Kripa Ram
Victor Jacquemont	Visited during Kripa Ram’s period
Mihan Singh	Colonel Sahib
Dharmarth Department	Established by Mihan Singh
Guru Bazar, Shaheed Gunj & Basant Bagh	1835
Best of Sikh governors	Mihan Singh
Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin	First Muslim Sikh governor
Jamia Masjid	Reopened by Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin
Last Sikh Governor	Sheikh Imam-ud-din
Kashmir under Sikh rule	Divided into 6 Parganas
Treaty of Amritsar	1846
Kashmir transferred to	Gulab Singh
Amount	75 lakh Nanak Shahi rupees

Conclusion

Sikh Rule in Kashmir (1819–1846) began after the end of Afghan rule and lasted until the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846. Important personalities such as Ranjit Singh, Diwan Moti Ram, Hari Singh Nalwa, Diwan Kripa Ram, Mihan Singh and Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin are particularly important for competitive exams.

Important MCQs on Sikh Rule in Kashmir for all Competitive Exams

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the beginning of Sikh Rule in Kashmir:

1. Sikh rule in Kashmir began in 1819.
2. Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s capital was Lahore Darbar.
3. Pandit Birbal Dhar and Pandit Raj Kak Dhar requested Ranjit Singh to take over Kashmir.
4. Kashmir came under Sikh rule after the Battle of Hastivanj.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 1, 2 and 4 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: A

Q2. Match the following personalities with their correct associations:

List-I	List-II
A. Diwan Moti Ram	1. Author of Gulab Nama
B. Hari Singh Nalwa	2. First Sikh Governor
C. Diwan Kripa Ram	3. Known as Colonel Sahib
D. Mihan Singh	4. Known as Baaghmar

Select the correct answer:

A) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
B) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
C) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
D) A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4

Answer: B

Q3. Arrange the following events of Sikh Rule in Kashmir in the correct chronological order:

1. Treaty of Amritsar
2. Hari Singhi Rupayas were issued
3. Kashmir was occupied by Ranjit Singh
4. Guru Bazar, Shaheed Gunj and Basant Bagh were established

Which of the following represents the correct sequence?

A) 2 → 3 → 4 → 1
B) 3 → 4 → 2 → 1
C) 3 → 2 → 4 → 1
D) 4 → 3 → 2 → 1

Answer: C

Q4. Consider the following pairs regarding Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the annexation of Kashmir:

1. Occupation of Kashmir — 5 July 1819
2. Capital — Lahore Darbar
3. Mohammad Khan and Sukhar Chakiya — Helped in the annexation
4. Udho — First Sikh Governor of Kashmir

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched according to the notes?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: D

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Diwan Moti Ram:

1. He was the first Sikh Governor of Kashmir.
2. He closed Jamia Masjid in 1819.
3. He was assisted by Birbal Dhar, Collector of Srinagar.
4. He reopened Jamia Masjid and restored grants to scholars.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 1, 2 and 4 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: A

Q6. Match the following persons or developments associated with Diwan Moti Ram’s period:

List-I	List-II
A. Birbal Dhar	1. Arrived in Kashmir
B. Moorcraft	2. Collector of Srinagar
C. Reynell Taylor	3. Arrived in Kashmir
D. Diwan Moti Ram	4. First Sikh Governor

Select the correct answer:

A) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
B) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
C) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Answer: B

Q7. With reference to Hari Singh Nalwa, consider the following statements:

1. He was known as Baaghmar (Lion of Frontier).
2. New copper and silver coins were issued in 1821.
3. These coins were known as Hari Singhi Rupayas.
4. He wrote Gulab Nama during his governorship.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 1, 2 and 3 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: C

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Diwan Kripa Ram:

1. He was the author of Gulab Nama.
2. Victor Jacquemont visited Kashmir during his period.
3. He participated in the Battle of Nowshera in 1823 against the Barakzai Afghans.
4. He established the Dharmarth Department.

Which of the statements given above are correct according to the notes?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: D

Q9. Match the following personalities with their correct facts:

List-I	List-II
A. Diwan Kripa Ram	1. Acting governor
B. Bhim Singh Ardali	2. Visited Kashmir
C. Victor Jacquemont	3. Author of Gulab Nama
D. Mihan Singh	4. Colonel Sahib

Select the correct answer:

A) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
B) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
C) A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
D) A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2

Answer: A

Q10. Consider the following statements regarding Mihan Singh:

1. He was also known as Colonel Sahib.
2. He introduced popular weights and measurements.
3. He established the Dharmarth Department.
4. Sir Walter Lawrence described him as the worst of all Sikh governors.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: B

Q11. Which of the following places are associated in the supplied notes with the period of Mihan Singh?

1. Guru Bazar
2. Shaheed Gunj
3. Basant Bagh
4. Amira Kadal

Select the correct answer:

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 1, 2 and 3 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: C

Q12. Consider the following statements regarding Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin:

1. He is described as the first Muslim Sikh governor.
2. He opened Jamia Masjid.
3. He appointed Pandit Tilak Munshi as his Chief Minister.
4. He permanently closed the Shankaracharya Temple.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: D

Q13. Match the following developments with their correct associations:

List-I	List-II
A. Jamia Masjid	1. Repaired by Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin
B. Shankaracharya Temple	2. Reopened by Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin
C. Treaty of Amritsar	3. 1846
D. Sheikh Imam-ud-din	4. Last Sikh Governor

Select the correct answer:

A) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
B) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Answer: A

Q14. Consider the following statements regarding the end of Sikh Rule in Kashmir:

1. The Sikhs were defeated by the British in Punjab.
2. Kashmir was transferred to Gulab Singh for 75 lakh Nanak Shahi rupees.
3. The transfer was associated with the Treaty of Amritsar, 1846.
4. Kashmir was transferred to Jabbar Khan, who became the first Dogra ruler.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: B

Q15. Consider the following statements about the administration of Kashmir towards the end of Sikh rule:

1. Sheikh Imam-ud-din succeeded his father Sheikh Ghulam Mohiuddin.
2. He was the last Sikh Governor under Dalip Singh.
3. Kashmir was divided into six Parganas.
4. Every Pargana was headed by a Mansabdar who acted as the chief military commander.

Which of the statements given above are correct according to the supplied notes?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 1, 2 and 3 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: C