Need for dissemination of balanced knowledge about J-K's history: Dr Karan Singh

Jammu, Oct 22: Veteran Congress leader and former Member of Parliament Dr Karan Singh Tuesday advocated for a broader dissemination of informed and balanced knowledge about the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

He was addressing the illustrious gathering in the national seminar, focussing on the life and legacy of Maharaja Pratap Singh.

Two day seminar, organised by the Department of History, University of Jammu, in collaboration with the Maharaja Gulab Singh Research Centre, Jammu, was inaugurated in the Seminar Hall of the MCA Department at the University of Jammu, on October 22.

Dr Karan Singh, who was the chief guest, threw light on the remarkable legacy of the Dogra rulers, particularly Maharaja Pratap Singh, whose contributions to the socio-economic transformation of Jammu and Kashmir were both significant and far-reaching. He enriched the discussion by unveiling lesser-known and fascinating aspects of Dogra history, offering a more nuanced understanding of their governance, vision, and impact on the region.

Dr Singh also underscored the importance of integrating the Dogra narrative into mainstream historiography. He stressed that the rich cultural and political contributions of the Dogra dynasty had often been sidelined and called for more concerted scholarly efforts to bring these stories to the forefront.

Dr Singh also revealed plans to organize a national seminar next year focussing on Raja Amar Singh, furthering the initiative to explore and celebrate the rich history of the Dogra rulers.

Earlier, the inaugural session commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by esteemed guests including Dr Karan Singh, Prof Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Ashutosh Bhatnagar, Director, JKSC, New Delhi, Professor Suman Jamwal, Head of Department, History, University of Jammu and Prof Shyam Narayan Lal, Seminar Director.

This was followed by recitation of hymns by students from the Department of Sanskrit, University of Jammu.  The other prominent presence included the members of the Dogra royal family namely Ajatshatru Singh, Ritu Singh, Dr Jyotsana and Ranvijay Singh.

In his presidential remarks, Prof Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu, commended the organizers for hosting such a significant event. He emphasized the importance of revisiting history to reclaim the cultural heritage and identity of the Jammu region. Prof Rai also stressed the need to restructure the academic curriculum to reflect this renewed focus. Furthermore, he called upon civil society to actively participate in this important endeavour, highlighting that collective efforts were crucial for preserving and promoting the region's rich legacy.

Prof Suman Jamwal, Head of the History Department, in her address, highlighted how the life and contributions of Maharaja Pratap Singh were historically overlooked and marginalized. She also addressed the negative portrayal of Maharaja Pratap Singh in Western historiography, calling for a re-evaluation of his legacy. She emphasized that this seminar aimed to restore Maharaja Pratap Singh to his rightful place in history, shedding light on his significant yet underappreciated role in shaping the region's socio-political and cultural landscape.

Seminar Director, Prof Shyam Narayan Lal, underscored the importance of scholarly discourse in re-evaluating Maharaja Pratap Singh's legacy within the broader framework of India's national history. He called for a critical re-examination of the Maharaja's reign, highlighting the need to recognize his pivotal contributions to the socio-economic, political, and cultural transformation of Jammu and Kashmir. Prof Lal emphasized that understanding the true impact of Maharaja Pratap Singh's leadership was essential for appreciating his enduring influence on the region's historical narrative.

In his keynote address, Ashutosh Bhatnagar urged the need to challenge entrenched colonial narratives and restore a more balanced historical perspective, emphasizing the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir’s rightful place in Indian history. He elaborated on the significant contributions of the Dogra dynasty in shaping the nation, stressing that their role had often been overlooked or misrepresented.

Bhatnagar called for a fresh rewriting of Jammu and Kashmir’s history, free from colonial biases, to ensure that the region’s rich heritage and the legacy of its rulers were accurately portrayed and appreciated.

A key highlight of the event was the release of the book Life and Legacy of Maharaja Ranbir Singh, co-edited by Prof Suman Jamwal, Prof Shyam Narayan Lal, and Dr Sushma Jamwal.

The book was unveiled by Dr Karan Singh, alongside members of the royal family and the editors.

Dr Madhulika Singh, Senior Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of Jammu presented vote of thanks.

The first session, chaired by Dr Jyotsana, included presentations by prominent scholars. Padma Shri Prof K N Pandita, Brigadier (Retd) Dr Vijay Sagar Dheman, and Harbans Sambyal each contributed insights into various facets of the historical narrative.

The second session, chaired by retired Major General Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, offered a series of diverse papers. Dr Younus Rashid, Assistant Professor at the University of Jammu, discussed socio-religious reforms in Kashmir with a focus on the Nusrat-Ul-Islam movement (1889-1930). Nidhi Bahuguna provided an in-depth analysis of Maharaja Pratap Singh’s geo-political legacy, while Dr Madhulika Singh, Senior Assistant Professor at the University of Jammu, explored mechanisms of cultural transformation in Kashmir during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The third session, chaired by Padma Shri Prof K N Pandita, further expanded on these themes. Professor Daljit Ahluwalia from Punjabi University, Patiala, presented a paper on the life and legacy of Maharaja Pratap Singh. Dr Siraz Ahmad, Assistant Professor at the University of Kashmir, examined the sericulture and silk industry in Kashmir from 1885 to 1925. Alaknanda Mahajan, a research scholar from the University of Jammu, discussed the influence of the Great Game on the frontiers of the state during Maharaja Pratap Singh’s reign.

Puneet Sharma, a research scholar from Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Jalandhar, elaborated on the modernization and progress seen in Jammu and Kashmir during the Maharaja's rule.