CHATAR SIṄGH COLLECTION, comprising correspondence, papers, treaties, etc. , particularly relating to transactions among the Ḍogrā chiefs of Jammū (Dhiān Siṅgh, Gulāb Siṅgh and Suchet Siṅgh) and between them and the Lahore Darbār, was put together by Ṭhākur Chatar Siṅgh of Dharamsālā and is now preserved in the Punjab State Archives, at Paṭiālā. These documents are mostly certified copies, very few of them being the original ones. The Handlist in the Archives (Nos. 490-551) enumerates sixty-two documents in this collection, beginning from 9 March 1846 and contains correspondence of O. St. John, the British Resident in Kashmīr (No. 497); Col. Nisbet (No. 498) ; H. S. Barnes (No. 500) ; and Sir Frederick Currie (No. 501) - all relating to Rājā Gulāb Siṅgh and Kashmīr. Copies of the treaty for the transfer of Kashmīr to Rājā Gulāb Siṅgh by Viscount Hardinge, dated 16 March 1846 (No. 491) and the Deed, dated 18 February 1859 (No. 494) also form part of the collection. So is the copy of the award of Punjab Board of Administration dividing territory between Rājā Jawāhar Siṅgh and Motī Siṅgh of Puṇchh (No. 493). Among the documents relating to the Ḍogrā family are the Deed of Agreement, dated 15 Maghar 1877 Bk, whereby Kishorā Siṅgh, Gulāb Siṅgh, Dhiān Siṅgh and Suchet Siṅgh received the grant of the ta'aluqā of Jammū made to them by Mahārājā Raṇjīt Siṅgh (No. 503) and the Deed of Affirmation (undated) by Mahārājā Khaṛak Siṅgh confirming all grants of estates, titles, etc. to Gulāb Siṅgh, Dhiān Siṅgh, and Suchet Siṅgh (No. 504). The collection also contains a copy of the Deed of Grant by Mahārājā Raṇjīt Siṅgh to Rājā Dhiān Siṅgh conferring on him the special title of Rājā and the state of Bhimbar, etc. (No. 507). There is a confirmation by Mahārājā Khaṛak Siṅgh of all grants and awards to Rājā Dhiān Siṅgh (No. 508). There is also a Deed of Grant by Mahārājā Raṇjīt Siṅgh to Hīrā Siṅgh, son of Dhiān Siṅgh (No. 509), followed by Mahārājā Raṇjīt Siṅgh's instructions as to the payments to be made to Hīrā Siṅgh.

         The papers dealing with the Jammū chiefs contain the division of Rājā Suchet Siṅgh's property between Gulāb Siṅgh and Hīrā Siṅgh (No. 514-15); Gulāb Siṅgh's correspondence with Wazīr Jawāhar Siṅgh concerning disputes, adjustment of dues of money and jewellery (Nos. 516-23); Gulāb Siṅgh's letter to Jawāhar Siṅgh (dated 7 Chet 1902 Bk) claiming the title of Mahārājā as well as the hill territory from Jasroṭā to Hazārā (No. 526); robakārs of H. M. Lawrence to Jawāhar Siṅgh; sanads granted by Mahārājā Gulāb Siṅgh to various persons (Nos. 535-36 and 538); and a complaint of Jawāhar Siṅgh to the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab that he had suffered much at the hands of Mahārājā Gulāb Siṅgh (No. 541). Besides, the collection contains letters and robakārs from the Lt. -Governor of the Punjab to Rājā Amar Siṅgh of Puṇchh and other hill chiefs on diverse matters. Totally, these documents reveal how the hill chiefs looked up to the British for help and for the redress of their complaints against each other.

B. J. Hasrat