Editing Skardu (section)

=== Dogra rule ===
In 1839, Dogra commander [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria]] defeated Balti forces in battles at Wanko Pass and the Thano Kun plains, clearing his path to invade the Skardu valley.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Ladakh Through the Ages, Towards a New Identity |last1=Kaul |first1=Shridhar |last2=Kaul |first2=H. N. |date=1992 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=9788185182759 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8J3YdskW00sC&pg=PA75}}</ref> He seized Skardu Fort on behalf of the [[Dogra dynasty|Dogra fiefdom]] of [[Jammu]] in the [[Sikh Empire]].{{sfn|Pirumshoev & Dani, The Pamirs, Badakhshan and the Trans-Pamir States|2003|p=245}} Singh's forces massacred a large number of the garrison's defenders, and publicly tortured Kahlon Rahim Khan of [[Chiktan|Chigtan]] in front of a crowd of local Baltis and their chiefs.<ref>{{Cite book |title=GENERAL ZORAWAR SINGH |last=Charak |first=Sukhdev Singh |date=8 September 2016 |publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting |location=New Delhi |isbn=9788123026480 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_qk-DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT49}}</ref>

Dogra forces failed in their 1841 attempt to conquer [[Tibet]]. Following their defeat, Ladakhis rebelled against Dogra rule.<ref name="Kaul-1998"/> Baltis under the leadership of Raja Ahmed Shah soon also rebelled against the Dogras, so Maharaja [[Gulab Singh]] dispatched his commander Wazir Lakhpat to recapture Skardu. His forces were able to convince a guard to betray the garrison by leaving a gate unlocked, thereby allowing Dogra forces to recapture the fort and massacre its Balti defenders.<ref name="Kaul-1998">{{Cite book |title=Rediscovery of Ladakh |last=Kaul |first=H. N. |date=1998 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=9788173870866 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mg8My6WaWRcC&pg=PA79}}</ref> The raja of the Baltis was forced to pay an annual tribute to the Dogra maharaja in Jammu, and also to supply the fort's provisions.<ref name="Kaul-1998" />

Following the Dogra victory, Muhammad Shah was crowned Raja of Skardu in return for his loyalty to the Jammu crown during the rebellion, and was able to exercise some power under the Dogra administration.<ref name="Kaul-1998" /> Military commanders held real governing power in the area until 1851, when Kedaru Thanedar was installed as a civilian administrator of Baltistan.<ref name="Kaul-1998" /> During this time, Skardu and Kargil were governed as a single district.<ref name="Kaul-1998" /> Ladakh would later be joined to the district, while Skardu would serve as the district's winter capital, with [[Leh]] as the summer capital, up until 1947.<ref name="Kaul-1998" />

Under the administration of [[Mehta Mangal]] between 1875 and 1885, Skardu's ''Ranbirgarh'' was built as his headquarters and residence,<ref name="Kaul-1998" /> as well as a [[cantonment]] and various other government buildings.<ref name="Kaul-1998" /> Sikhs from [[Punjab]] were also encouraged to migrate to Skardu to set up commercial enterprises during this period.<ref name="Kaul-1998" /> The Sikh population prospered, and continued to grow, eventually also settling in nearby [[Shigar]] and [[Khaplu]].<ref name="Kaul-1998" />