Thread by @TheReclaMission

Zorawar Singh Kahluria - The Liberator of Kailash

Original Art By: arsalanactual (Instagram)

#Ladakh #Rajput #Dogra #IndoChinaFaceoff

The year was 1841, a little more than a century before the Kingdom of Jammu & Kashmir acceded to the Indian Union. Under the liege of Maharaja Gulab Singh Jamwal, an ambitious Rajput general by the name of Zorawar Singh Kahluria crusaded to liberate Mount Kailash.

Commandeering a 6000-strong Dogra army, he marched onto Tibet, and Mount Kailash, an object of divine provenance to his people that was occupied by the Tibetans. The campaign was fueled by both pious and militaristic fervor, it was preceded by a successful conquest of Baltistan.

The army was divided into 3 columns. Ladakhi Prince Nono Sungnam's column followed the Indus River back to its source - Lake Mansarovar, Ghulam Khan with 300 men marched alongside mountains south of Indus leading up to Kailash, while the central thrust was lead by Zorawar Singh.

After passing through Lake Mansarovar, these three columns converged at Gartok that forced the Tibetans to make a hasty retreat to Taklakot.

Dogras quickly approached them there. As per the Chinese Imperial Resident in Lhasa, Tibetans ran away as soon as they saw the approaching Dogra army. The resident even called the local defenders "cowardly".

At this point, Zorawar Singh had liberated every major settlement between Leh and Kailash, including but not limited to, Daba, Tholing, Tsaparang, Rudok, Gartok and Taklakot. The areas were integrated within Jammu & Kashmir and dozens of forts were built to defend the frontiers.

What was won on the battlefield, was lost in Lahore. The treacherous conspirators along with the British sabotaged the winter supplies. Nepal also betrayed the cause of Kailash, and helped the Chinese and Tibetans, despite having shaky relations with the Sino-Tibetan alliance!

This was the final stab in back against the campaign. Dogra Force was more than 500 miles into the enemy territory, supply lines were thin, and were deeply cut short by the palace sabotage.

Nepal, which was just 15 kilometres away from the Dogra force refused supplies, and instead, aided the rogue enemy.

On December 12th 1841, Zorawar Singh achieved martyrdom. He was covering his army which was regrouping to avoid intense cold, rain, snow and lightning. His right hand was hit with musket fire, so he continued fighting with his left hand. Zorawar Singh fought to the very last.

The Sino-Tibetan alliance was finally obliterated in the battle of Chushul. The panicked Chinese made peace and Aksai Chin came under effective control of Jammu & Kashmir after the battle.

Lands from Aksai Chin and Kailash-Manasarovar to Gilgit Baltistan and Jammu are marked with blood, valor and sacrifice of Zorawar Singh and thousands of brave Dogra sons of the soil that have protected their motherland since eternity, and continue to protect it even now.

#End

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