Zorawar Singh

(1786-1841) he is known as the “Napoleon of India” because of his conquests as General in the Himalayas including Ladakh, Tibet, Baltistan and Iskardu and Wazir. Zorawar was employed by the ambitious Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu and was placed under the commandant of the Reasi fort. While delivering a routine message to the Maharaja, Zorawar told him of the financial waste occurring in the fort administration and boldly presented his own scheme to effect savings. Gulab Singh was impressed by Zorawar’s sincerity and appointed him commandant of Reasi. As promised, the Rajput youth fulfilled his task and his grateful ruler made him commandant of all forts north of Jammu. He was later made governor of Kishtwar and was given the title of Wazir (prime minister).