| Conflict: | 1837 Poonch revolt |
| Partof: | Kashmir Conflict |
| Date: | 1837 |
| Place: | Poonch |
| Result: | Rebellion suppressed, Poonch's merger with the Sikh Empire |
| Combatant1: | Sudhans and other martial tribes of Poonch[1] |
| Combatant2: | Sikh Empire Dogra Dynasty |
| Commander1: | Sardar Shams Khan |
| Commander2: | Maharaja Gulab Singh Dhian Singh |
The 1837 Poonch Revolt, also known as the 1837 Poonch Rebellion, was a revolt in the Princely state of Poonch against the Sikh Empire's Dogra rulers, Raja Dhian Singh and Raja Gulab Singh. The revolt took place in what is now present day Poonch Division, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.[2] It was led by an influential zamindar of Poonch and headman of the Sudhans, Sardar Shams Khan. [3]
Previously, in 1832, Ranjit Singh had attacked Poonch with an army numbering up to sixty-thousand. The local tribes, led by the Sudhans, under the leadership of Sardar Shams Khan had formed a coalition to defend Poonch. However, after realizing the overwhelming superiority of the Sikh forces and inevitability of a defeat, the tribal coalition had accepted the Maharaja's sovereignty over Poonch, ending the conquest without much bloodshed.To ensure the loyalty of the tribes of Poonch, the leader of the coalition, Shams had been taken as a hostage. He was given to the care of Dhian Singh, who began to grow a liking for him.[4] [5] [6]
In the year 1836, Shams had arrived home from the court of Dhian Singh with his permission, and began to rally support with the local tribes. At around the same time, the Yusufzai had begun a revolt against the Sikh Empire, the leader of the Dogras Gulab Singh had to march to Peshawar deal with the threat.[7]
In 1837, the significant battle of Battle of Jamrud occurred. The battle did not have a clear victor, but Hari Singh Nalwa, a respected and valued general of the Sikh Empire whom took part in the conquest of Kashmir and other regions had been killed. Rumors of the death of Gulab Singh in the campaign too sprung up, alongside that of a total Sikh defeat which promoted dissidence in Poonch. Taking advantage of this, Shams backed clashes between the local militias and Sikh garrisons. Gulab Singh became aware of Shams involvement, and issued a warrant for the arrest of him and his family. Shams eluded the chasing authorities. After this, an all-out rebellion began.[8]
Led by Shams Khan and chieftans of the Sudhan tribe, other local tribes too rose up in a revolt. Local garrisons and forts were attacked and captured. In response to this, Gulab ordered his son, Ottam Singh to suppress the revolt. He arrived with an army of five thousand troops, but was defeated by the rebels. The prince was able to escape with some remnants of the army. Local garrisons and forts were thereon under the control of Shams and the rebels, and the rebellion almost reached Jammu itself. [9] [10]
Realizing the severity of the rebellion, Gulab Singh was forced to withdraw from his campaign against the Yusufzai. He marched with an army of eight thousand regular infantry and twelve thousand irregulars, and encamped himself in Kahuta. He chose not to engage immediately, and rather sought to promote dissent and treachery within the rebellion. He bribed the local Sardars and enemies of Shams, both through actual bribes and lavish promises. This either neutralized them as foes or turned them to his side completely. After this had been accomplished, Gulab Singh then entered Poonch through Jhelum, and marched towards the heartland of the Sudhans and the rebellion itself, Mong, and Pallandri.[11]
Major clashes occurred at Pallandri, Pallangi, Pachhiot, Paral, Panthal, Baral, Narian and Chokian. The deadliest of which occurred in Mang, resulting in back and forth control over some of the territories, but ultimately after Sikh reinforcements arrived the Sudhan and other rebels were overwhelmed. To spread terror throughout the ranks of the rebels, Gulab Singh devastated all captured territories, permitting total plunder and terror in great excess. He also set a reward of five rupees for the head of every insurgent and anyone that was connected to him, regardless of age or gender. The rebels were outmatched both in number and arms. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, resistance began to disperse as rebels raced to protect their own families. Homes of the locals were ransacked, survivors who could not escape either massacred or enslaved. Shams Khan had evaded arrest up to this point, but eventually had his hiding place exposed to the Dogras. He was beheaded, alongside his nephew Rajwali. Their heads were later put in two cages of iron at the very top of the Adha Dek pass. Leaders such as Sabz Ali Khan and Malli Khan were flayed alive, alongside other commanders and notable members of the Sudhan tribe. The rebellion was then ultimately crushed, as all ring leaders were either dead or captured, and no opposition was left.[12]
Contemporary British commentators stated that the local population suffered immensely.[13] Captured rebels were treated vengefully — their hands and feet were severed. The skins of chieftans Mali Khan and Sabz Ali Khan Sudhan, two of Shams's close accomplices and lieutenants, were peeled off their bodies and their heads were hung on a gallows in a crossroad to deter others.[14] [15]