Zorawar Singh

General Zorawar Singh (1786-1841 A.D.) was a Dogra warrior who joined the army of Maharaja Gulab Singh of Kashmir as a sepoy (soldier) and rose on account of his soldierly qualities and military acumen to become the Governor of Kishtwar and earned the title 'Wazir'. Ladakh was annexed for the first time in history by Zorawar Singh in 1834. After Ladakh fell,  he campaigned in Baltistan among the three states of Skardu, Gilgit and Hunza. The techniques of mountain warfare employed by him are considered text book examples of military science even today. 

General Zorawar Singh (1786-1841 A.D.)
Stamp honoring the bravery of General Zorawar Singh

In 1841, he set out on an ambitious expedition into Tibet, over-running Rudak and Gor. Fighting the numerically stronger Tibetan troops in extremely inclement whether conditions, General Zorawar Singh laid down his life in the battlefield. For his military skills, inspiring leadership and administrative acumen, General Zorawar Singh has been named 'Little Napoleon of India' by some historians. 

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India, 2000