How did the Dogra dynasty become rulers of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846?

The Dogra dynasty’s rule over the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was established in 1846 following the First Sikh War.21

During the conflict, Gulab Singh, the Dogra ruler of Jammu, initially remained neutral before acting as a mediator between the British and the Sikhs. Following the British victory, the Treaty of Amritsar was signed, which formalized the transfer of the Kashmir region to Gulab Singh. The British, seeking to avoid the administrative burden of annexing the territory directly and desiring a buffer state against northern threats, sold the region to him in exchange for a cash payment.231

This agreement elevated Gulab Singh to the status of maharaja of an extensive Himalayan kingdom, marking the official beginning of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. This political arrangement served British strategic interests by creating a buffer zone between their Indian empire and the empires of Russia and China.1