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1931 Kashmir Uprising

Syllabus Areas:

GS I - Modern History

Martyrs' Day was historically observed on July 13 in Jammu & Kashmir to commemorate 22 Kashmiri Muslims killed in 1931 during protests against the Dogra rule.
It was a state holiday until 2019, when J&K’s special status was revoked under Article 370.

Dogra Rule Background

The Dogra dynasty ruled the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir from 1846 to 1947.
It was founded by Gulab Singh, a Dogra Rajput and general in the Sikh empire.
After the First Anglo-Sikh War, under the Treaty of Amritsar (1846), the British sold Kashmir to Gulab Singh for 75 lakh rupees.
This made J&K a princely state under British suzerainty, with the Dogras as hereditary rulers.

Key Features of Dogra Rule

Aspect	Details
Rulers	Gulab Singh (1846–1857), followed by Ranbir Singh, Pratap Singh, Hari Singh (last ruler)
Language & Culture	Ruling elite were Dogra Hindus, while the majority population in Kashmir Valley were Muslims.
Administrative Setup	Feudal and centralized; heavily tilted towards Dogra elites
Religious Divide	Kashmiri Muslims often faced discrimination, lack of political rights, and poor socio-economic conditions.
Revenue System	Harsh land taxes; economic oppression of peasants, especially Muslim cultivators
No Representation	Political rights were nearly absent for the general population till the 1930s

Martyrs’ Day Background

On July 13, 1931, during the trial of Abdul Qadeer Khan, thousands of Kashmiri Muslims gathered outside Srinagar Central Jail.
Khan openly criticised the Dogra monarchy for its discriminatory policies and oppression of Kashmiri Muslims, He was arrested by Dogra authorities and charged with sedition.
The protest turned violent when Dogra police opened fire, killing 22 people.
The martyrs were buried near the shrine of Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshband in Srinagar.
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah later declared July 13 as Martyrs' Day.

Political Controversy

After abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, official commemoration ended.
September 23 (birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh) was declared a public holiday by the L-G in 2022.
Recent controversy (2025):
- Elected government in J&K (Omar Abdullah’s NC) wanted to visit the martyrs' grave.
- Police refused permission; some leaders were put under house arrest.
- Omar called it a "blatantly undemocratic move"

Prelims Questions:

Which of the following statements regarding the 1931 Kashmir uprising is/are correct?
1. It was triggered during the trial of Abdul Qadeer Khan.
2. It led to the killing of 22 unarmed protesters by Dogra forces.
3. The event led to the formation of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh in Kashmir.

1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: The 1931 uprising was triggered during Abdul Qadeer Khan’s trial and led to the death of 22 Kashmiris. Bharatiya Jan Sangh has no link to this event.

Which of the following leaders played a pivotal role in transforming the Muslim Conference into the secular National Conference in 1939?
1. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
2. Mirwaiz Yusuf Shah
3. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah
4. Syed Mir Qasim
Answer: C

Explanation: Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah transformed the Muslim Conference into the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference to represent all communities.
What was the primary aim of the land reforms introduced by Sheikh Abdullah’s government after 1947?
1. Industrialisation of Kashmir
2. Ending landlordism and redistributing land to tillers
3. Protecting forest lands from encroachment
4. Promoting tourism in rural areas