# Maha Singh's Invasions of Jammu

The Invasions of Jammu of 1784 and 1786 were two expeditions of Maha Singh Sukerchakia, leader of the Sukerchakia Misl to the city of Jammu. He was opposed by Brij Raj Dev, the ruler of Jammu, whose unpopularity had weakened his position. The first attack resulted in the sacking of the city, with immense wealth plundered over three days. Braj Dev fled into the hills of Vaishno Devi, and the event led to tensions among the Sikh chieftains, contributing to the death of Haqiqat Singh Kanhaiya. Two years after the first sack, Maha Singh invaded Jammu again and plundered the palace and made Raja Braj Dev his tributary.

## Background

In the 1780s, Maha Singh Sukerchakia aimed to establish himself in northwestern Punjab by defeating the Bhangi Misl and subjugating Muslim chiefs. However, Punjab faced severe economic hardships due to foreign invasions, oppressive government, and Sikh military campaigns. Jammu, a prosperous city in north India, was largely credited to Ranjit Dev, who established stability and security, enabling prosperity among nobles, bankers, and merchants.
After Ranjit Dev's death in 1781, Raja Braj Dev ascended the throne but was inefficient and unpopular. His administration caused discontent and weakened city security. Maha Singh and Haqiqat Singh Kanhaiya planned to raid Jammu to take its riches, but Maha Singh executed the attack alone.

## Invasions
### First Invasion of 1784

At the end of January 1784, Mahan Singh led his army towards Jammu. The Kanhaiya Misl, under Haqiqat Singh Kanhaiya, had also set out for Jammu, advancing through the Zafarwal route. However, their forces were delayed and did not arrive in time. Upon hearing the news of the pending invasion, Brij Raj Dev abandoned his city and took to the Vaishno Devi hills. The most influential persons of Jammu, with a desire to avoid destruction, visited Mahan Singh on the way and offered him tribute in return for their safety. Having promised them that he had come to take over and not to plunder. But at night, he commanded his soldiers to encircle the city and seal all the gates. Over the course of the next three days and nights, Jammu was looted systematically and comprehensively. No house was left intact, for women were stripped of their jewelry and ornaments, floors were dug up in pursuit of hidden riches, and the city's treasures were plundered. The value of the loot amounted to more than one crore rupees.
When Haqiqat Singh arrived with his Kanhiya forces, he was disheartened to see a devastated city and its people in ruins. He was further infuriated when Mahan Singh broke their agreement by refusing to share any of the booty with him. Having to leave empty-handed, Haqiqat Singh returned to the hills, burning with anger at Mahan Singh's betrayal, which is reported to have hastened his untimely death.

### Second Invasion of 1786

Only the inhabitants of Jammu had been sacked during the first invasion. Because of the size of the plunder taken from them, the Raja's palaces and treasury had not been damaged. Soon after Mahan Singh retired, Brij Raj Dev returned to Jammu with his treasure from Vaishno Devi. In due time, the villagers also made their homes in their quiet activities. It had been two years. Suddenly, Mahan Singh was in charge of 5,000 troops on a second invasion of Jammu. Both the people and the administration were caught off guard. The Raja's entire treasury, armoury, and remaining wealth were all plundered.
Maha Singh came into possession of enormous amounts of gold, silver, jewelry, gems, pearls, and decorations valued at a crore of rupees. Massive quantities of ammo and weapons were seized. The chiefs who lived nearby were terrified. They paid tribute to Mahan Singh and protected their lands from his ravages.

## Aftermath

As a consequence the Shawl manufacturers relocated to Amritsar, Lahore, and Nurpur, which included Shahpur, Kandi, and Lakhanpur and extended up to Pathankot. The route from Pathankot to Kangra passes through Nurpur, where Khatirs and Rajputs were the first settlers. The town became known for its Kashmiri settlers who specialized in manufacturing pashmina shawls and other woolen products.