Tweet
Storyteller soldier remembered Nehru arrest
Subedar Dharam Singh Jamwal, who passed away on Friday at the age of 105 years after a brief illness, had served as the last Dogra ruler of the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir.
He had seen many wars and also defended the borders at the time of invasion of Kashmir by invaders supported by the Pakistani Army.
As one of the eldest surviving soldiers who witnessed historic events of 20th century Subedar Dharam Singh always took pride in narrating episodes of valour of Dogra soldiers along the frontiers of Gilgit and Ladakh in harsh weather conditions.
After 1947 he was commissioned in the 9 JAK rifles of the Indian Army and retired from services on July 29, 1951. He was surviving on his monthly pension for over last six decades.
The six feet tall stoutly built disciplined soldier was famous in his native village of Badhori in Samba district for motivating youth to join the ranks of the Indian Army and serve the mother nation.
Where ever he went on his favorite bicycle he regaled his audience with interesting anecdotes and commanded respect of all.
He used to proudly describe events where his ancestors had fought and sacrificed their lives under Gen Baj Singh in the defence of Chitral Fort in 1885.
The famous events which were close to his heart included arrest of Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru by the soldiers of Maharaja Hari Singh near Kohala and carrying heavy weaponry on his shoulders in rough terrain of Drass sector.
Born on November 15, 1907 Subedar Dharam Singh was commissioned in the Maharaja’s Army on January 17, 1925.
Few years ago when the State Governor Lt Gen (Retd) SK Sinha had a chance meeting with him at a ex-serviceman rally he took out a currency note of `1000 from his pocket and in a sweet gesture touched Governor’s forehead before showering blessings on him.
The Governor reciprocated the gesture by organising a special felicitation ceremony in Raj Bhawan and honoured him along with several other veteran soldiers.
Paying glowing tributes to the Dogra brave heart president of the ex-servicemen league Maj General (retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal told The Pioneer, “Subedar Dharam Singh, son of late Sarban Singh, was a die hard infantry soldier, ever ready to accept any challenge.” He said he was the oldest ex-serviceman of J&K and received his pension for over 60 years taking 100 per cent additional pension for four years after completing hundred years of age in 2007.
He was always full of energy and guided youth to join the armed forces. Maj Gen (Retd) Jamwal said I had the rare honour of working along side him. He was posted as JCO along the Suchetgarh border while I was Adjutant.
Villagers and local politicians while paying glowing tributes to the brave soldier said Subedar Dharam Singh was a true solider. He never said ‘no’ to any task. He devoted quality time to social work and looked after his villagers nicely, local BJP leader Chandra Prakash Ganga said.
