Part of: Jammu And Kashmir Gk set 6

Who was the ruler of Kashmir at the time of independence

Category: Jammu And Kashmir Gk

Hint: Consider the timeline of Kashmir's rulers around 1947.

Correct Answer: A) Hari sing.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The question pertains to the historical context of Kashmir's rulers at the time of India's independence in 1947. To understand this, it is essential to delve into the political landscape of the princely states during the partition of India.

At the time of India's independence, the princely states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan, or to remain independent. The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh, who was the last ruler of the state. Hari Singh was a Dogra ruler and had inherited the throne from his father, Maharaja Pratap Singh, in 1925. He was a significant figure in the political events surrounding the partition of India.

During the partition, Hari Singh faced a difficult decision regarding the future of Jammu and Kashmir. Initially, he tried to maintain the state's independence, but the situation changed when Pakistan-backed tribal raiders invaded the state. In response, Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, which brought Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Union on October 26, 1947. This decision was a crucial moment in the history of Kashmir and India.

It is important to note that the other options provided in the question refer to other significant figures in Kashmir's history but were not rulers at the time of independence. Farook Abdullah, for instance, was a prominent political figure in Kashmir but came to power much later, in the 1970s. Sainul abidin, on the other hand, was a ruler of Kashmir in the 15th century, long before the events of 1947. Muhammad Abdullah, the father of Farook Abdullah, was also a political figure but not the ruler of Kashmir at the time of independence.

Understanding the historical context and the timeline of rulers is crucial to answering such questions accurately. The correct answer, Hari Singh, was the ruler of Kashmir at the time of India's independence and played a pivotal role in the political events of 1947.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is correct. Hari Singh was the ruler of Kashmir at the time of India's independence in 1947. He was the last Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and played a significant role in the political events surrounding the partition of India.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. Farook Abdullah was not the ruler of Kashmir at the time of independence. He was a prominent political figure in Kashmir but came to power much later, in the 1970s.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. Sainul abidin was a ruler of Kashmir, but he ruled much earlier, in the 15th century, and was not the ruler at the time of India's independence in 1947.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. Muhammad Abdullah was not the ruler of Kashmir at the time of independence. He was a political figure and the father of Farook Abdullah, but he was not the ruler in 1947.

Mnemonic: HS: Hari Singh, the ruler at independence.

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