Gulab Singh was a prominent figure in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, known for founding the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir in the mid-19th century. Born in 1792, he was originally a general in the army of the Sikh Empire. After the First Anglo-Sikh War, he negotiated the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846, which granted him control over the region. As the first Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulab Singh ruled from 1846 until his death in 1857. His leadership established a centralized administration and promoted trade and agriculture, significantly impacting the region's development. His legacy continues to influence the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir today.