princely state · Indian princely states

Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)

1846 CE – 1952 CE · capital Srinagar

The Dogra kingdom created by the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846, whose disputed accession in 1947 began the Kashmir conflict.

Origins

Gulab Singh, a Dogra noble who had served Ranjit Singh and became Raja of Jammu, extended his rule to Ladakh. After the First Anglo-Sikh War, the British sold him the Kashmir valley by the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846, creating a large state under the Dogra dynasty.

Rule and society

The Dogra Maharajas, Hindu rulers of a Muslim-majority population, governed Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and later Gilgit. Ranbir Singh codified laws; Pratap Singh accepted British supervision. Heavy taxes and discrimination against Muslims provoked the 1931 agitation that brought Sheikh Abdullah to prominence. Kashmiri shawls, saffron and timber were key products.

Decline and legacy

Hari Singh delayed choosing between India and Pakistan in 1947. After a Pashtun tribal invasion he acceded to India in October 1947, triggering war and a ceasefire in 1949 that divided the state. The monarchy was abolished in 1952.

Lineage

Sikh Empire 1799 CE – 1849 CEJammu and Kashmir (princely state)

Connections (8)

  • Jammu and Kashmir (princely state) was a protectorate of Company rule in India1846 CE – 1858 CE
  • Chenani State was a vassal of Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)1846 CE – 1947 CE
  • Poonch State was a vassal of Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)1850 CE – 1947 CE
  • Jammu and Kashmir (princely state) was a protectorate of British Raj1858 CE – 1947 CE
  • Nagar State was a vassal of Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)1868 CE – 1947 CE
  • Chitral State was a vassal of Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)1878 CE – 1895 CE
  • Hunza State was a vassal of Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)1891 CE – 1947 CE
  • Jammu and Kashmir (princely state) was part of Dominion of India1947 CE – 1950 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Jammu and Kashmir (princely state). In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/jammu-and-kashmir-princely-state
MLA
“Jammu and Kashmir (princely state).” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/jammu-and-kashmir-princely-state. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Jammu and Kashmir (princely state).” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/jammu-and-kashmir-princely-state.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/jammu-and-kashmir-princely-state (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻