The correct answer is A. Maharaja Gulab Singh.
Maharaja Gulab Singh was the first Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. He was born in 1792 in Sialkot, Punjab, India. He was the son of Raja Suchet Singh, the ruler of Jammu. Gulab Singh joined the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the ruler of the Sikh Empire, in 1803. He rose through the ranks of the army and became a trusted general of Ranjit Singh.
In 1839, Ranjit Singh died. After his death, the Sikh Empire began to decline. In 1845, the British East India Company invaded the Sikh Empire. The war lasted for two years and ended with the defeat of the Sikhs.
In 1846, the Treaty of Amritsar was signed between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire. The treaty gave the British control of the Punjab, while the Sikh Empire retained control of Jammu and Kashmir.
Gulab Singh was appointed as the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846. He ruled the state for 32 years until his death in 1877. He was succeeded by his son, Maharaja Ranbir Singh.
Maharaja Gulab Singh was a powerful and influential ruler. He expanded the boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir and brought peace and stability to the state. He also built many roads, bridges, and canals in the state.
Maharaja Gulab Singh was a controversial figure. He was accused of being a tyrant and of oppressing his subjects. However, he was also respected for his military prowess and his administrative skills.
Maharaja Gulab Singh was a complex and fascinating figure. He was a product of his time and place, but he also made a significant impact on the history of Jammu and Kashmir.