J&K Sikhs : Overlooked victims of Partition
IN the months following the Partition, Jammu & Kashmir faced one of the darkest chapters in its history. On October 22, 1947, tribal raiders from Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province launched a coordinated invasion into the then princely state of J&K, attempting to annex it.
In the eye of this storm, the princely state, which was never meant to be partitioned, became a crucible of unimaginable conflict. Maharaja Hari Singh’s attempt to remain independent failed when Pakistan-backed tribal raids forced his hand. Maharaja Hari Singh’s plea for military aid from New Delhi was delayed and the under-strength state forces, further weakened by internal revolt, were ill-prepared to repel the invaders.
On October 26, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession with India, which the Governor General of India formally accepted the following day. Indian troops, the Kumaon regiment, were finally dispatched to Kashmir to stem the tide of destruction.
While discussions about J&K’s socio-political landscape and its history, particularly the 1947 Kabaili (tribal) invasion, the siege of Poonch, the Mirpur tragedy and the Jammu massacre, often highlight the struggles and survival stories of various communities, the Sikhs, a micro-minority that symbolises the region’s multiculturalism, have been sidelined.
An Invisible Minority, a recent book by Kashmiri Sikh author Komal JB Singh, has done a remarkable job of documenting these forgotten survivor narratives before they get lost in time. But, beyond this work and a handful of academic papers, there is little scholarly or public discourse on their experiences.
They were the most affected during the October conflict of 1947, yet their stories of pain, resilience and fightback have been relegated to the footnotes of history. Sikhs from areas now in Pakistan-occupied J&K were massacred or displaced into refugee camps in Jammu. For instance, Jammu’s Simbal Camp is still home to refugees from Poonch, Rawlakote and Haveli, while Gol Gujral Refugee Camp houses those from Muzaffarabad.
Some chose to stay back and confront the onslaught. The Sikh community in J&K is multilingual, speaking Punjabi, Pahari, Kashmiri and Hindko, showcasing its rich regional diversity. Families from Rawalpindi also migrated and resettled in refugee camps.
Despite the challenges, their spirit remained unbroken as they gradually rebuilt their lives. Pahari poet Antar Nirav, whose family migrated from Rawlakote and now lives in Simbal Camp, recalls the resilience of the Sikh community. In 1947, after losing everything, they established their own schools, including the Govt Girls Higher Secondary School in Simbal Camp built in the 1950s.
Among the stories of survivors who lost everything is that of Sardar Dalip Singh Deepak, born in 1931 in Rainkipura, Budgam, to a teacher. He was just 16 when the 1947 Kabaili invaders tore through his village. Seeking safety, his family moved to Atina — only to face a night of horror on October 30, when raiders massacred over 100 Sikhs. Dalip’s mother was shot at their doorstep, his nine-year-old sister vanished in the chaos and his two brothers were fatally wounded. Orphaned, Dalip Singh rebuilt his life as a teacher and author.
Sikhs played a vital role in defending their homeland during the Kabaili raids. Dr Raminder Jit Singh, a resident of Sikh Kanhama village in Tangmarg, Kashmir, comes from a family that was part of the 3,000 Sikhs who mounted a heroic resistance on October 31, 1947 against the tribal raiders in the Battle of Icchama (Budgam).
His great-grandfather, Thanedar Sardar Darshan Singh of the J&K Police, along with his brother Sardar Kartar Singh and grandfather Sardar Saudagar Singh, fought a group of raiders led by Major Khursheed Anwar of the Pakistan Army. Their resistance stalled the raiders’ advance towards the Srinagar airport for two critical days, giving the Indian Army the opportunity to land and secure their positions. Tragically, Kartar Singh lost his life in this struggle.
My great-grandfather, S Puran Singh, a World War I veteran, led a morcha to defend the sanctity of Gurdwara Nangali Sahib in Poonch against the tribal raids. His efforts delayed the raiders’ arrival in Poonch, helping protect the city until Brigadier Pritam Singh took command of the Poonch garrison.
Not many are aware that over 2,000 men from the small border town of Poonch participated in World War I in 1914, highlighting the significant contributions of the Sikh community to both local and global history. Qila Darhal in Naushera stands as the only war memorial dedicated to civilians and Sikhs who fought against the invaders.
Despite facing immense challenges, the community has received little support from the government. Gurdev Singh, a refugee from Muzaffarabad who has long advocated the rights of POJK Sikh refugees, highlights that for the past 47 years, Sikhs have fought for rightful compensation for the properties lost in POJK and the allocation of a constituency seat for them.
Under the guidance of religious leaders in J&K, the community formed the J&K Sikh Sharnarthi Committee at Digiana Ashram, with Rangil Singh as its first pradhan. Despite their struggle, the Sikhs have yet to receive compensation. Their demand for the settlement of POJK Sikh refugees in accordance with the Permanent Settlement Act has been hindered by Article 370, and the Act was never applied to J&K.
When the matter was reviewed by the Parliamentary Committee in 1978, it concluded that if the government were to compensate or resettle POJK refugees, it would imply recognition of Pakistan’s claim over POJK. Consequently, the Sikhs continue to reside in refugee camps, now regularised as colonies, awaiting resolution.
The gurdwara atop Hari Parbat Fort, constructed by General Hari Singh Nalwa, the Sikh Governor of Kashmir in 1821, serves as a reminder of the Sikhs’ legacy in J&K, marking the visits of Guru Nanak and Guru Hargobind. Sikhism took root in J&K with the visit of Guru Nanak during his third udasi (religious sojourn), but the community began flourishing during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule, which marked J&K’s consolidation.
Today, the Sikh population is scattered across the region, including conflict-prone areas of Poonch, Rajouri and the Valley. But the community is still grappling with political neglect. The government must acknowledge the community’s contributions and address its long-pending grievances.
Kanwal Singh is policy analyst, writer and columnist from J&K.
Comments