Maharaja Ghulab Singh

Gulab Singh is descended in direct line from Rajah Dhrov through his third son, Mian Soorut Deo . Soorut Deo , who was thus the third brother of Rajah Ranjit Deo, had a son, Mian Zorawar Singh . His son was Kishore Singh , who held the jagir of Andarwah in Jammu Tehsil . Gulab Sirgh was his eldest son.

Gulab Singh was born on 17 October 1792 in a Hindu Dogra Rajput family. His father was Kishore Singh Jamwal.

Gulab Singh is descended in direct line from Rajah Dhrov through his third son, Mian Soorut Deo . Soorut Deo , who was thus the third brother of Rajah Ranjit Deo, had a son, Mian Zorawar Singh . His son was Kishore Singh , who held the jagir of Andarwah in Jammu Tehsil . Gulab Sirgh was his eldest son.

In 1820, in appreciation of services rendered by his family and Gulab Singh in particular, Ranjit Singh bestowed the Jammu region as a hereditary fief upon Kishore Singh. Apart from their sterling services, the family’s intimate association with the region commended Kishore Singh’s candidature to the Lahore court.

In 1821, Gulab Singh captured conquered Rajouri from Aghar Khan and Kishtwar from Raja Tegh Mohammad Singh (alias Saifullah Khan). That same year, Gulab Singh took part in the Sikh conquest of Dera Ghazi Khan. He also captured and executed his own clansman, Mian Dido Jamwal, who had been leading a rebellion against the Sikhs

Kishore Singh died in 1822 and Gulab Singh was confirmed as Raja of Jammu by his suzerain, Ranjit Singh. Shortly afterward, Gulab Singh secured a formal declaration of renunciation from his kinsman, the deposed Raja Jit Singh.

In 1824 Gulab Singh captured the fort of Samartah, near the holy Mansar Lake.

In 1827 he accompanied the Sikh Commander-in-Chief Hari Singh Nalwa, who fought and defeated a horde of Afghan rebels led by Sayyid Ahmed at the Battle of Shaidu.

Between 1831 and 1839 Ranjit Singh bestowed on Gulab Singh the jagir of the salt mines in northern Punjab, and the nearby Punjabi towns like Bhera, Jhelum, Rohtas, and Gujrat.

In 1837, after the death of Hari Singh Nalwa in the Battle of Jamrud, the Muslim tribes of Tanolis, Karrals, Dhunds, Satis and Sudhans rose in revolt in Hazara and Poonch. Gulab Singh was given the task of crushing the rebellion. After defeating the insurgents in Hazara and Murree hills, Gulab Singh stayed at Kahuta for some time and promoted disunion among the insurgents. Then his forces were sent to crush the insurgents.