The Battle of Suru was an uprising against Dogra rule in the region following General Zorawar Singh's conquest of Ladakh. The chief of Sod, taking advantage of Zorawar Singh's temporary absence, captured the Dogra fort at Suru and massacred the entire garrison of 55 Dogra soldiers. The rebellion, however, was not merely a local revolt; it was secretly supported by Mian Singh, the Sikh governor of Kashmir, who sent his servant Fateh Singh Jogi with 50 men to aid the rebels. In response, General Zorawar Singh launched a swift military campaign, marching to Sod and Suru, where he defeated the rebels with a surprise night attack. The rebels were captured and executed.[1][2][3]
| Battle of Suru | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Dogra invasion of Ladakh | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Dogra dynasty | Chief of Sod | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
General Zorawar Singh Mehta Basti Ram | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
13 killed 200 Prisoners Executed | |||||||
Background
editAfter successfully securing the submission of the Ladakhi king, Tsehpal Namgyal, General Zorawar Singh solidified Dogra control over the region. He stayed in Leh for four months, overseeing the stabilization of the newly conquered territory. Before departing, Zorawar Singh appointed Munshi Daya Ram as the Jammu Sarkar's representative at the court of the Gyalpo, ensuring Dogra influence remained in Ladakh through diplomatic.[1][4] Zorawar then withdrew his forces and moved to Lama Yuru. while at Lama Yuru, he received news of a rebellion in Sod. The chief of Sod had revolted, attacking the Dogra fort at Suru and capturing it. In a brutal act of defiance, the rebel forces executed the entire Dogra garrison of 55 men including Mian Nidhar Singh kiledar of dras and Kargil.[1][5][6][4][7][3][2]
Battle
editUpon receiving news of the rebellion in Sod and the massacre of the Dogra garrison at Suru, General Zorawar Singh responded with swift action. Undertaking forced marches, he quickly reached Sod, only to find that the rebels had already dispersed. He halted there for 15 days to assess the situation and reorganize his forces. From Sod, Zorawar marched towards Suru, covering the 21 km distance in just two days. Upon arriving, he launched a surprise night attack on the Rebels, catching them off guard. The Dogras decisively overwhelmed the enemy, and thirteen captured rebels were hanged as a warning to others. In a further display of retribution, Zorawar offered a reward of Rs. 50 per person, which led to the capture of 200 prisoners, all of whom were promptly beheaded.[1][5][6][4][7][3][2] Zorawar’s fierce response quickly quelled further resistance, as the zamindars of the surrounding region, intimidated by the show of force, submitted to his authority.[1][4][3]
Aftermath
editDuring his campaign to suppress the rebellion in Suru and Sod, General Zorawar Singh uncovered that the uprising had not been merely a local revolt, but had been instigated by Mian Singh, the Sikh governor of Kashmir. Mian Singh, secretly dispatched his servant, Fateh Singh Jogi, along with 50 men, to support the rebels. The motive behind Mian Singh’s involvement was rooted in economic and territorial rivalry.[1][5][6][4][3]The Dogra conquest of Ladakh had disrupted the traditional supply routes of shawl wool, a valuable commodity, which had previously flowed to Kashmir. With Ladakh under Dogra control, the wool trade was now being redirected through Jammu and the Punjab, bypassing Kashmir altogether. This redirection caused a significant decrease in the wool supply to Kashmir, undermining the economic interests of Mian Singh and fueling his jealousy towards the Dogra rulers.[1][6][4][3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Charak, Sukh Dev Singh (1983). General Zorawar Singh. Public Resource. Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 39-40.
- ^ a b c Franck, a h (1970). A History Of Ladakh. p. 147-148.
- ^ a b c d e f CHARAK, SUKHDEV SINGH (1978). INDIAN CONQUEST OF THE HIMALAYAN TERRITORIES. AJAYA PRAKASHAN, JAMMU. p. 82.
- ^ a b c d e f Ladakh. p. 337-338– Alexander Cunningham.
- ^ a b c Palit (1972). Jammu and Kashmir Arms--History of the J&K Rifles. p. 40.
- ^ a b c d Datta (1973). Ladakh and Western Himalayan Politics 1819-1848. p. 112-113.
- ^ a b Panikkar, K. M. (1930). Gulab Singh 1792 1858. Osmania University, Digital Library Of India. Martin Hopkinson Limited. p. 78.