Hari Singh

Maharaja Sir Hari Singh (September 1895 – 26 April 1961) was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hari Singh was the son of Amar Singh and Bhotiali Chib. In 1923, following his uncle's death, Singh became the new Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. After Indian Independence in 1947, Singh wanted Jammu and Kashmir to remain as an independent kingdom. He was required to accede to the Dominion of India to get the support of Indian troops against an invasion by tribal armed men and the Pakistan Army into his state. Singh remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by the Indian government. After spending his final days in Bombay, he died on 26 April 1961.

Singh ruled in controversial times when autocracy had to tolerate politicians often raising anti establishment narratives leading to an agitation in Kashmir in 1931 and successful rebellions in Poonch and Gilgit-Baltistan. He is often accused in recent books and articles as a complicit of 1947 Jammu massacres, Provided by Wikipedia