Maldiyal Mughal - War of Independence of 1831

War of Independence of 1831

Shams Khan Maldiyal was the Raja of Poonch, at the time of AapRaji (just before the foundation of modern state of Jammu and Kashmir by Gulab Singh). Rajwali was the nephew of the Shams Khan, gallant pahari warrior of Kashmir who went into revolt against Gulab Singh along with the Sudhan and other Pahari tribes in 1837.

During that revolt, Sabz Ali and Mallee Khan (both Sudhan Pathan), along with many companions were flayed alive in Mang (Palandri). Hundreds of Maldyal Mughal and Sudhan Pathan children and women were taken to Jammu as prisoner. Shams Khan and Rajwali were killed by a traitor Nur Khan Terola in the Daigwal village.

In Pahari language, the story of these gallant heroes of Kashmir is sung as a Waar or ballad, with the name "Shams Khan, Sabz Ali teh Mallee Khan née waar". The English translation by Bawa Satinder Singh, produced from his book Jammu Fox, is given below:

Song of the Pahari warriors of Kashmir

Shams te Malli Sabz Ali di Warr

Praised be the lord and his black-robed prophet.

Praised be the saint of Baghdad who rescued the wrecked ships from the sea.

Great was the Raja Rustam, lord of all Poonch, after him was born Raj Wali Shams khan the warrior, who from his youth dreamt of the independence.

He mounted a black stallion and rode to Jammu.

Where Gulab Singh inquired, "you are soldier? from what state?"

"O,Raja" said Shams, "Poonch is my land and I am a warrior of the Maldyal tribe"

And Gulab Singh bestowed on him a robe of honor, a horse and a pair of gold bangles.

The Shams Khan daringly demanded, "hand over the administration of Poonch to me" the Raja agreed but warned him, "Do not steal my revenues".

Shams promised to remit the taxes faithfully. Shams returned home, opened free kitchens for the poor, and arranged feasts. But soon, the village elders and accountants met to determine the amount of revenue owed to Gulab Singh. "Thirty-six thousand rupees", the told Shams, "are due". Stung by such oppressive taxation, Shams and his nephew Raj Wali decided to rebel. "Let us recruit a force of valiant soldiers", they said.

The forts of Tatwala and Bhalangai wala Shams took by storm. A dozen other fortresses fell, and Tara Dogra was captured. He begged for mercy in the name of God and offered submission.

Shams Khan then sent emissaries to the tribe of Kakka and Bamba, which gave Shams their full support. When news of revolt reached Gulab Singh, he became exceedingly angry. He commanded Dewan Dhannoo with five hundred soldiers to march on Poonch. Shams advanced to meet him. Looking scornfully at the Dogra commander he exclaimed,

"I know you are Dewan Dhannoo, But I am Shams Khan the warrior. I shall give you such a battle that people will sing tale about it..., I shall rip you apart with my sword and scatter your limbs around".

Dewan Dhannoo beat a hasty retreat down the hill from Chappra and galloped back to Jammu, there he raised a hue and cry and told Gulab Singh,

"O Raja, if you remain at Jammu, you shall have to wash your hands of Poonch. Shams has risen to open rebellion."

When Gulab Singh heard this, he trembled with rage. At once, he ordered his forces to return from Kishtwar. He recruited additional soldiers and collected laborers to work as porters. The iron of the blacksmiths was confiscated for casting shells; The yarn of the weavers was taken for making tents. Gulab Singh himself assumed command and hastened to Poonch. Hearing this, many of the camp followers deserted Shams.

The raja first marched to Pindi Jhelum and then entered Poonch. His other camps were established at the village of Mang and Bagh. He flayed alive Malli and Sabz Ali and stuffed their skins with straw at Mang. Even innocent young children he flayed alive.

Then the raja searched for Shams and questioned Muzaffar Khan of Uri, who feigned complete ignorance to save his own skin. But fate led Shams and Rajwali to the village of Dhagwala, where Nur Khan Terola, the chief, invited them to dinner, in order to ensnare and disarm them.

At midnight, Raj Wali woke and cried,

"O, Uncle! I had a terrible dream. I have seen myself being served a dish full of blood. Surely it is a sign that our death is near."

The ill-omened dream foretold the truth; they were betrayed. Shams felt deep chagrin at the way he had been tricked, and in the dead of night tried to escape over the wall, but Nur Khan saw him and dragged him down.

The cornered rebel looked to the left and looked to the right but no friend did he find. "Alas! Who could be his ally at this, his final hour?" Shams turned to the Nur Khan and cried,

"O, Brother! You seem determined to commit this treachery. But remember that valiant soldiers are not afraid to sacrifice their lives for the sake of holy Quran".

His enemies remained unmoved. They beheaded Shams and Raj Wali and carried their heads to Bagh.

There, Gulab Singh saw the severed heads and was filled with joy, "Praise be to your mother, O, Shams Khan; a son like you no other mother will ever bear." After this, a huge number of Maldyal warriors, elders, children and women were brutally assassinated in order to teach the lesson to other tribes. There was also sardar Kala Khan, whose bravery in Poonch district was recognised by Indian commander in 1947 and was given command of 50 soldiers in 1947. His nephew now resides in Canada and teaches flying in Manitoba, Canada.