Indian history · Kings and empires · Princely states

Maharaja Hari Singh (1895–1961): The Last Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, the Standstill Agreement, the Tribal Invasion and the Instrument of Accession (26 October 1947)

Maharaja Hari Singh's decision to sign the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947 brought Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Union, shaping the history of South Asia ever since. This guide explains who he was, the Dogra dynasty he belonged to, the political movements of his reign and the dramatic events of 1947, along with the constitutional story that followed.

By PunjabExams Editorial Team · Updated 29 October 2026 · 7 min read · How we prepare guides

Maharaja Hari Singh at a glance

The Dogra dynasty

The state was the largest princely state by area, comprising Jammu, Kashmir valley, Ladakh, Gilgit and Baltistan, with a Muslim-majority population and a Hindu ruler.

Early reign and reforms

Hari Singh succeeded his uncle in 1925. He introduced several progressive measures:

• compulsory primary education in some areas;
• laws against child marriage;
• opening of temples to all castes (1932) and steps against untouchability;
• the State Subject definition (1927), restricting land ownership and government jobs to permanent residents.

At the Round Table Conference in London (1930), he spoke in favour of an Indian federation in which India would have equal status in the British Commonwealth — remarks that displeased the British.

Popular movements

• In July 1931, protests in Srinagar led to police firing on 13 July 1931, in which many protesters were killed.
• The Glancy Commission (1931–32) recommended reforms, and the Praja Sabha (legislative assembly) was established in 1934.
• Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah founded the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference (1932), renamed the National Conference in 1939 to include all communities.
• In 1946, the National Conference launched the Quit Kashmir movement against Dogra rule; Sheikh Abdullah was jailed.

1947: the choice

Under the Indian Independence Act, 1947, British paramountcy lapsed on 15 August 1947, and princely states were free to join India or Pakistan. Hari Singh hesitated, hoping for an independent Jammu and Kashmir.

• He offered a Standstill Agreement to both dominions; Pakistan signed it, India did not immediately.
• Communal violence in Punjab and disruptions in supplies raised tension.
• An uprising broke out in Poonch.

The tribal invasion (October 1947)

On 22 October 1947, thousands of armed tribesmen from the North-West Frontier Province, backed by Pakistan, crossed into Kashmir. They captured Muzaffarabad and advanced on Baramulla, where they killed and looted, and moved towards Srinagar. The state's forces were overwhelmed; Brigadier Rajinder Singh, chief of staff of the state forces, delayed the invaders at Uri, losing his life — he was awarded India's first Maha Vir Chakra.

The Instrument of Accession

Facing the collapse of his state, Hari Singh left Srinagar for Jammu and appealed to India for help. V. P. Menon, Secretary of the States Ministry, flew to meet him.

• On 26 October 1947, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession, acceding to India in three subjects: defence, external affairs and communications — the same standard terms as other states.
• Governor-General Lord Mountbatten accepted it on 27 October, adding in a letter that once law and order was restored, the people's wishes would be ascertained.
• On 27 October 1947, Indian troops of the 1st Sikh Regiment were airlifted to Srinagar. 27 October is marked as Infantry Day by the Indian Army.
• Major Somnath Sharma died defending Badgam airfield on 3 November 1947 and became the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.

The UN and ceasefire

India referred the matter to the United Nations Security Council on 1 January 1948. A ceasefire came into effect on 1 January 1949, leaving parts of the state under Pakistani control.

Hari Singh's later life

• In 1948, Sheikh Abdullah became the head of the state's emergency administration and later Prime Minister of J&K.
• Hari Singh left the state in 1949, and his son Yuvraj Karan Singh became Regent.
• The Constituent Assembly of J&K abolished the monarchy in 1952; Karan Singh became Sadr-i-Riyasat (elected head of state).
• Hari Singh spent his last years in Bombay, where he died in 1961. His ashes were scattered in J&K at his wish.

Article 370 and after

• Article 370 of the Indian Constitution (1950) gave Jammu and Kashmir special status; Article 35A (1954) protected the rights of permanent residents.
• J&K had its own Constitution, in force from 26 January 1957.
• On 5 August 2019, a Presidential Order and parliamentary resolution made Article 370's special provisions inoperative, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 created two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh — from 31 October 2019.
• The Supreme Court upheld the abrogation in December 2023.
• Since 2022, 23 September, Hari Singh's birth anniversary, has been declared a public holiday in the UT of J&K.

Exam traps

• Instrument of Accession signed 26 October 1947; accepted by Mountbatten 27 October 1947.
• Accession covered defence, external affairs and communications.
• The Dogra dynasty began with Gulab Singh via the Treaty of Amritsar (1846).
• Quit Kashmir (1946) was launched by Sheikh Abdullah's National Conference, not by the Congress.

Key points to remember

• Last Dogra ruler; reign 1925–1949.
• Glancy Commission; Praja Sabha (1934); National Conference (1939).
• Tribal invasion 22 October 1947; Instrument of Accession 26 October 1947.
• Indian troops reach Srinagar 27 October (Infantry Day).
• UN reference 1 January 1948; ceasefire 1 January 1949.
• Article 370 abrogated 5 August 2019; UTs from 31 October 2019.

Practice questions

1. Q1. Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on:

   • (a) 15 August 1947
   • (b) 22 October 1947
   • (c) 26 October 1947
   • (d) 1 January 1948
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) 26 October 1947 — He signed it on 26 October 1947.

2. Q2. The Instrument of Accession of Jammu and Kashmir covered:

   • (a) All subjects
   • (b) Defence, external affairs and communications
   • (c) Only defence
   • (d) Defence and finance
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Defence, external affairs and communications — Like other states, J&K acceded in three subjects.

3. Q3. The founder of the Dogra dynasty in Jammu and Kashmir was:

   • (a) Ranbir Singh
   • (b) Gulab Singh
   • (c) Pratap Singh
   • (d) Zorawar Singh
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Gulab Singh — Gulab Singh acquired Kashmir under the Treaty of Amritsar, 1846.

4. Q4. 27 October is celebrated by the Indian Army as:

   • (a) Army Day
   • (b) Infantry Day
   • (c) Vijay Diwas
   • (d) Kargil Diwas
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Infantry Day — It marks the landing of Indian troops in Srinagar in 1947.

5. Q5. The 'Quit Kashmir' movement of 1946 was launched by:

   • (a) Indian National Congress
   • (b) Muslim League
   • (c) National Conference
   • (d) Praja Parishad
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) National Conference — Sheikh Abdullah's National Conference launched it against Dogra rule.

6. Q6. India referred the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council on:

   • (a) 27 October 1947
   • (b) 1 January 1948
   • (c) 1 January 1949
   • (d) 26 January 1950
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) 1 January 1948 — The reference was made on 1 January 1948.

Frequently asked questions

Who was V. P. Menon?

Secretary of the States Ministry under Sardar Patel, who flew to Jammu in October 1947 to secure the Maharaja's signature on the Instrument of Accession.

Why did Hari Singh delay his decision?

He hoped to keep Jammu and Kashmir independent and offered standstill agreements to both India and Pakistan.

Who succeeded Hari Singh as head of the state?

His son Karan Singh, first as Regent (1949) and then as Sadr-i-Riyasat (1952).

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