National Seminar on General Zorawar Singh begins at Jammu University

A two-days national seminar on “General Zorawar Singh: Revisiting his Life, Legacy and Legendary Conquests of the Himalayan Territories” was organized by the Department of History, University of Jammu in collaboration with the Maharaja Gulab Singh Research Centre, Jammu, here today at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu. The program started with the lighting of the “Ceremonial Lamp” along with the recitation of “Manglacharan” by the studnets of Sanskrit department which was followed by a welcome address by Prof. Suman Jamwal, HoD History.
She also introduced the dignitaries, including Hon’ble Dr. Karan Singh, Prof. Umesh Rai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; Dr. Kuldeep C. Agnihotri, Former VC, Central University Himachal Pradesh; Major General Gaurav Gautam, GOC, 26 Infantry Division, Major General Vikram Singh Sekhon, GOC, 10 Infantry Division and others for gracing the event. Earlier, Prof. Suman Jamwal, in her opening remarks, provided the rationale for the seminar and emphasized the need for such a program. She said that it is important to bring out General Zorawar Singh in light of historical discourse. The theme of the seminar was introduced by Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal, Seminar Convenor, who gave a description of the legacy of General Zoawar Singh and his contributions in the formation of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir and how his role was neglected in the historical discourse. He further added regarding the seminalcontributions of Unsung Hero General Zorawar Singh in unifying traditional boundaries which was an integral part of the geography of Indian civilization. The keynote address was presented by Dr. Kuldeep C. Agnihotri, Former VC, Central University Himachal Pradesh, who spoke about Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of India and its strategic importance and how General Zorawar Singh and his army reclaimed the cultural frontiers of India. He emphasized the necessity of situating the history of this region in the larger perspective. The chief guest on the occasion was Dr. Karan Singh who appreciated the efforts of the Department of History, University of Jammu and Maharaja Gulab Singh Research Centre, Jammu. He focused on the consolidation of this region by General Zorawar Singh and the sacrifices made by Dogras in the region.

“General Zorawar Singh and his soldiers faced hardships in Gilgit, Baltistan, Tibet and Ladakh region, but they were firm with their vision in expanding this region,” Dr.Karan Singh said and lauded the first five Maharajas starting with Maharaja Gulab Singh and their contributions for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Karan Singh said that General Zorawar Singh was a multifaceted and valiant personality. His achievements and contributions unfortunately have remained a matter of marginal concern in the existing historiography on him.
Major General Gaurav Gautam & Major General Vikram Singh Sekhon were the guests of honour. In their address they underlined the fact that the greatest warrior General Zorawar is remembered across all the Army sections from all directions.
The presidential remarks were presented by Prof. Umesh Rai, VC, Jammu University. He said that the need of the hour is to review our curriculum and recognize where General Zorawar's contributions can be added in the syllabus of schools and higher institutions.
He further recommended that this must also be added to the syllabus of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commission (PSC). The Basohli paintings that recently got the GI tag recognition were presented as mementos to all the dignitaries by Prof Umesh Rai. The seminar was attended by academicians, journalists and eminent members of the civil society, historians, students and scholars of various departments from University of Jammu, Central University, IIT, IIMC and other universities from the North. The inaugural session was conducted by Dr. Jasleen Kour and Dr. Madhulika Singh presented the vote of thanks.