Gulabnama (A History of Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu & Kashmir by Diwan Kripa Ram)

Back of the Book "GULABNAMA, written in Persian by Diwan Kirpa Ram, the Maharaja's private secretary and the son of Diwan jwala Sahai, the Maharaja's Prime Minister... This work, though. written in the flowery style of the Persian panegyrists, is none the less a remarkable Persian document, as the Diwan published in it many original documents which are not now 'available anywhere else. Its facts and chronology are beyond dispute the Diwan was also fully conversant with the political conditions of the Punjab at the time, and his descriptions of events are vivid and informed by direct knowledge of men and things".

About the Book A History of Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu & Kashmir he Dogras of Jammu are a stout T people with a tradition of culture and chivalry going back to the hoary past. Their contribution to the cultural heritage of India in the shape of painting of Jammu and Basohli schools and their various offshoots, is priceless. Precious still are the annals of their chivalrous conquests of the Himalayan and Trans Himalayan territories which pushed India's frontiers to verge on central Asia, an achievement of national pride which places Maharaja Gulab Singh in the frontline of the builders of India's destiny.

GULABNAMA is the history of Dogras in general since ancient ages, and a comprehensive biography of Maharaja Gulab Singh in particular, for which it is a reliable and first hand source. Its translation into English and historical annotation by a renowned scholar and historian of the region, has rendered the book a more valuable study on the history of the Dogras.

"GULABNAMA, written in Persian by Diwan Kirpa Ram, the Maharaja's private secretary and the son of Diwan jwala Sahai, the Maharaja's Prime Minister... This work, though written in the flowery style of the Persian panegyrists, is none the less a remarkable Persian document, as the Diwan published in it many original documents which are not now 'available anywhere else. Its facts and chronology are beyond dispute the Diwan was also fully conversant with the political conditions of the Punjab at the time, and his descriptions of events are vivid and informed by direct knowledge of men and things".

About the Author Sukhdev Singh Charak, born at Jammu in 1923 graduated in 1944, passed Adeeb-Fazil, acquired degrees of MA Pol Science and History, and did Pho later The degree of D.Lit and Doctor of historical Afars were conferred on him by the world development parliament who also appointed him Vice Chancellor of their faculty of history for two sessions.

Pioneer in female education he established a women's College at pathankot before he was invited to head the local SD College later he became the founder-principal of a college under HP University, hi 1977 he came to Jammu University as senior fellow ICHR for three years 1977-80 after which he served the same University as Reader in Medieval History and Culture up to 1985 when the university awarded him Emeritus felowship for five years, 1985 90,during which period he worked on prestigious projects Socio-Cultural History of Jammu and photo preservation of wall paintings.

Dr. Charak is a prolific research scholar, writer and poet. Among his numerous publications 25 are on History, including 9 Vols.of History and culture of Himalayan states 2 annotated English translation of Persian texts, Gulabnama and Rajdarshani A short History of Jammu Raj. Me and times of Maharaja Ranbir Singh Indian Conquest of Himalayan Territories and general zorawar Singh, published by Govt of India in 1983 Among his latest publications are Historiography on jammu Pahar styles of Indian Murals and Jammu Ragamala Paintings, the latter reproducing the two Ragmala sets which have been stolen and smuggled to Europe. Recently he has published two books of national importance-India's westem land and The Kargil Combat Dr Charak is Intrinsically a poet composing under the Takhallus "Sha'ur" His two collections of Urdu verse have been published under the title Abro-bar (Rubayisjand Sarkatey Saye.

In recognition of the worth of his work, Dr.charak has been accepted as a historian of significant potential by history forums. He was associated with a research project of New York university, USA, 1981 83 he is also on the national Editorial board of govt of India's project on the people of india. He also had the honor of addressing the 19th session of the Punjab History Conference, March, 1985.The Himotkarsh Sanskrit sahitya and jana-Kalyan parishad (H.P) conferred on Dr. Charak the award of "Best educationist (North India) for 1994-95.He has also been honored by the award of "jubilee Momento" on the occasion of Jammu Kashmir's 50 years of Accession to India ,celebrated at Delhi on 26 October 1997.

He has specially done extensive research work on general Zorawar Singh and written 3 book and 12 research papers on the general, prepared large maps of his military campaign, and collected more than a dozen painting and a photos of his campaigns A set of all these he presented to the general Zorawar Singh jayanti Committee on the occasion of celebration on 12 April 2000 held at Nadaun (kangra) under the chairman ship of the prof.Vishnu kant, The then govemor of HP who praised Dr.Charak for his work and honored him with award of Zorawar Singh Momento.

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