CHATAR SINGH COLLECTION,

CHATAR SINGH COLLECTION, comprising correspondence, papers, treaties, etc., particularly relating to transactions among the Dogra chiefs of Jammu (Dhian Singh, Gulab Singh and Suchet Singh) and between them and the Lahore Darbar, was put together by Thakur Chatar Singh of Dharamsala and is now preserved in the Punjab State Archives, at Patiala. These documents are mostly certified copies, very few of them being the original ones. The Handlist in the Archives (Nos. 490551) enumerates sixty-two documents in this collection, beginning from 9 March 1846 and contains correspondence of 0. St. John, the British Resident in Kashmir (No. 497) ; Col. Nisbet (No. 498) ; H.S. Barnes (No. 500) ; and Sir Frederick Currie (No. 501) all relating to Raja Gulab Singh and Kashmir.

Copies of the treaty for the transfer of Kashmir to Raja Gulab Singh by Viscount Hardinge, dated 16 March 1846 (No. 491) and the Deed, dated 18 February 1859 (No. 494) also form part of the collection. So is the copy of the award of Punjab Board of Administration dividing territory between Raja Jawahar Singh and Moti Singh of Punchh (No. 493). Among the documents relating to the Dogra family are the Deed of Agreement, dated 15 Maghar 1877 Bk, whereby Kishora Singh, Gulab Singh, Dhian Singh and Suchet Singh received the grant of the ta`aluqa of Jammu made to them by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (No. 503) and the Deed of Affirmation (undated) by Maharaja Kharak Singh confirming all grants of estates, titles, etc. to Gulab Singh, Dhian Singh, and Suchet Singh (No. 504).

The collection also contains a copy of the Deed of Grant by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to Raja Dhian Singh conferring on him the special title of Raja and the state of Bhimbar, etc. (No. 507). There is a confirmation by Maharaja Kharak Singh of all grants and awards to Raja Dhian Singh (No. 508). There is also a Deed of Grant by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to Hira Singh, son of Dhian Singh (No. 509), followed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s instructions as to the payments to be made to Hira Singh.

The papers dealing with the Jammu chiefs contain the division of Raja Suchet Singh`s property between Gulab Singh and Hira Singh (No. 51415); Gulab Singh`s correspondence with Wazir Jawahar Singh concerning disputes, adjustment of dues of money and jewellery (Nos. 51623); Gulab Singh`s letter to Jawahar Singh (dated 7 Chet 1902 Bk) claiming the title of Maharaja as well as the hill territory from Jasrota to Hazara (No. 526); robakars of H.M.

Lawrence toJawahar Singh; sanads granted by Maharaja Gulab Singh to various persons (Nos. 53536 and 538); and a complaint ofJawahar Singh to the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab that he had suffered much at the hands of Maharaja Gulab Singh (No. 541). Besides, the collection contains letters and robakars from the Lt. Governor of the Punjab to Raja Amar Singh of Punchh and other hill chiefs on diverse matters. Totally, these documents reveal how the hill chiefs looked up to the British for help and for the redress of their complaints against each other.