Prior to India’s Independence, Poonch was a Jagir which was being governed by
family of Maharaja Hari Singh. Subsequent to death of Raja Jagatdev Singh (Raja of
Poonch) in 1940, Maharaja Hari Singh tried to integrate Poonch Jagir into the state
of Jammu & Kashmir, this resulted Poonch losing its autonomous status and its
people being subjected to higher taxes, which created resentment in the people. The
people of Poonch have history of serving in Military and 60,000 residents from the
Poonch region had enrolled into British Indian Army during Second World War. After
the war many of the Poonchis retained their weapons. With the import of Sikhs and
Hindus from Punjab into the state forces by Maharaja Hari Singh, Poonchis were not
inducted into the state forces, resulting in large number of Poonchis being
unemployed.
In mid-1947, with the impending independence of India and Pakistan and division of
the British ruled India into two dominions, Maharaja Hari Singh indicated his
preference of remaining Independent. Maharaja’s decision was supported by all the
major political groups of the state except for the Muslim conference, which was in
favor of accession to Pakistan.By the time of independence of India and Pakistan
dominions, Poonchis started identifying themselves with Pakistan and started
supporting Muslim Conference’s pro-pakistan stance. Muslim troops of State Army
were conspiring to overthrow the Maharaja’s Government in Aug 1947. The protests
gained strength with the support from Muslim activists from Pakistan.
On 03 Oct 1947 Muslim Conference leaders proclaimed a provisional Azad Jammu
& Kashmir government and declared Muzaffarabad as its Headquarters and Khwalja
Ghulam Nabi Gilkar as its president. However with the arrest of Gilkar the Azad
Jammu & Kashmir government quickly fizzled out. 06 Oct 1947, armed rebellion
was started by deserters of the State Army, ex-servicemen and other unemployed
volunteers and they quickly gained control of Poonch district.On 21 Oct 1947, 4000
Pashtun tribesmen crossed over into Jammu & Kashmir near Muzaffarabad led by
Khushid Anwar (Chief of Muslim League National Guard’s), their strength quickly
grew to 12000 in few days. Maharaja Hari Singh facing the situation acceded to the
Indian Union. Upon accession Indian Army quickly air lifted troops on 27 Oct 1947 to
defend Srinagar. Hereafter Poonch rebellion proceeded simultaneously with the
invasion by tribesmen.
The Poonchis expressed their resentment by revolting against Maharaja Hari Singh
in 1947. The uprising was led by Sardar Mahamad Ibrahim Khan who later escaped
to Lahore and sought help from Pakistan authorities to back the rebellion. Prime
Minister Liaquat Ali extended support by authorizing an invasion led by Major
Khurshid Anwar from the North and ex Indian Army personnel from the south, which
eventually led to the First Kashmir War and the Poonch Jagir was divided in Azad
Kashmir (Now occupied by Pakistan) and the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
