Glimpses of Duggar Pradesh

When we make a mention of Duggar Pardesh, we find that it was, the then combination of 22 small and big states falling in two circles known as Jullundur circle and Dogra circle. Chamba (Some part), Nurpur, Guler, Dtarpur, Siba, Jasbal, Kangra, Kutler, Mandi, Suket and Kullu states falling within the anbit of Jullunder Circle and Chamba (Some part), Billawar/Basohli, Bhadu, Mankot/Ramkot, Bandralta/Ramnagar, Jasrota, Jammu, Bhuti, Chenani, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah, were within the ambit of Dogra circle . Agnigarba is considered to be the first Dogra ruler whose forefather Agnigir migrated to Nagarkot (Kangra) H.P from Ayodya, where his elder brother Agnibarg was the ruler. Being married with the daughter of Raja Nagarkot, he was given some villages as Jagir adjoining to river Ravi to administer them independently. The son of Agnigir namely Vayusharv solemnized his marriage with princess Erwan, the daughter of then Raja Parole Kathua. The princess died at the very early age. Vayusharv founded a village on her name as Erwan adjacent to Kathua and started ruling from this new kingdom. Raja Vayusharv extended his boundary up to the bank of river Ujh. Agnigarba who is considered to be the first Dogra ruler was among the descendants of Raja Vayusharv. Raja Bahulochan was the elder son of Agnigarba, who extended his boundary up to Bahu, the bank of river Tawi and started ruling from Bahu, after constructing fort there. Across the river Tawi dense forest was the shooting range of the Raja. After the death of Raja Bahulochan his brother namely Jambulochan became the next ruler. A local tradition states that the city of Jammu was founded in the dim past, about three thousand years ago, by Jambulochan. He was deeply impressed with the event of lion and goat drinking water together in the same pond in the forest across the river Tawi and founded city on his name as Jambu and with the passage of time Jambu came to be known as Jammu. King Jambulochn shifted his kingdom from Bahu to Jammu and after constructing fort started ruling from Jammu. If one peep into 'Tarikh-i- Azmi' of Kashmir, it mentions that Jammu came into existence around 900 A.D. It is also during this time we find reference to Durgara Desh (from which, obviously, the terms Duggar and Dogra are derived). If we scroll down the history of Dogra rulers, we find that it were the forefathers of Jamwal clan and approximately 2000 years back, they used to suffix 'Dhar' as their last name and Raja Suraj Dev who ruled from 920 to 987, changed 'Dhar' to 'Dev' as last name. Subsequently all Rajas used 'Dev' as their last name till 1688. Thereafter word Singh also emerged as the last name in addition to last word 'Dev'. It is worthwhile to mention here that after the death of Raja Kapoor Singh In 1571, Sambhal Dev became ruler of Jammu owing to the death of his elder brother Jagdev, but because of certain reasons with regard to the entitlement of Jammu, it was divided into two States, Paras Ram son of Jagdev, became ruler of Bahu State and Sambhal Dev became the ruler of Jammu State, although the crowns of Jammu and Bahu were again united in the time of of Raja Hari Dev (1652-1688). It is during this division of Jammu State and Bahu State, the rulers of Jammu started using word Jamwal denoting as rulers of Jammu state. Raja Shakti Karan, also known as Raja 'Shastri' a descendants of the Raja Jambu Lochan is credited with the introduction of Dogri scripture and its use. Some of his predecessors of Rulers of Jammu were Raja Agnigir, Raja Jambulochan, Raja Dharam Karan, Raja Kirat Karan, Raja Shakti Karan, Raja Sarpla Dhar, Raja Kirti Dhar, Raja Ajay Dhar and Raja Bijrala Dhar and many others. Raja surya Dev was son of Raja Bijrala Dhar. Surya Dev(920-987), Bhuj Dev (987-989), Avtar Dev(989-1033), Jas Dev(1033-1063), Sangram Dev (1063-1094), Jaskara Dev (1094-1164), Braj Dev (1164-1215), Narsingh Dev (1215-1245), Arjun Dev (1245-1312), Jodha Dev (1312-1359), Maal Dev (1359-1399), Bhim Dev (1399-1423), Ajab Dev (1423-1454), Bikram Dev(1454-1500),Khokhar Dev (1500-1530), Kapoor Dev (1530-1571), Sambhal Dev (1571-1596), Sangram Dev (1596-1626), Bhupat Dev (1626-1652), Hari Dev(1652-1688), Gajey Singh (1688-1703), Dhruv Dev (1703-1742), Ranjit Dev (1742-1780 - during this period, the crown of Ranjit Singh was contested by Ghansar Dev son of Dhruv Dev from other wife of the Raja, and he remained seated on the throne of Jammu from 1748 to 1760 and onward the crown was shifted back to Ranjit Singh. The next rulers of Jammu were Dalel Singh (1780-1782), Brij Dev (1782-1787), Sampuran Dev (1787-1797), Ajit Singh ( 1797-1816). There was no ruler from 1816 to 1820, as the Jammu State was directly ruled by Sikh rulers of Punjab. Under an agreement Kishore Singh was bestowed with the title of Raja on 19-12-1820 and was appointed as ruler of Jammu. Raja Kishore Singh great grandson of Raja Dharub Singh ruled Jammu from 1703 to 1733. Raja Dharub Singh had four sons namely Ranjit Singh, Balwant Singh, Surat Singh and Ghansar Dev. Being elder son, Ranjit Singh succeeded his father to the throne of Jammu and as tradition of elder son to be the next king, Ajit Singh was last ruler from the direct ruling family. Kishore Singh was grandson of Surat Singh, the younger brother of Raja Ranjit Singh. Raja Kishor Singh ruled Jammu till 1822 and after his death his elder son Gulab Singh ruled as Raja Jammu till 1846. Thereafter he was titled as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir after purchase of Kashmir as per Treaty of Amritsar', a Treaty between the British Government on the one part and Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu on the other side, signed on 16 March 1846. The rulers of Jammu & Kashmir as Maharaja had been; Maharaja Gulab Singh ruled from 1846 to 1857. Maharaja Ranbir Singh ruled from 1857 to 1885. Maharaja Partap Singh ruled from 1885 to 1925. Maharaja Hari Singh ruled from 1925 to 1949 - 1949 to 1961 title only and Maharaja Dr. Karan Singh 1961-1971 title only. A comprehensive study reveals that ruling authorities known as Rajas or Jagirdars were instrumental for this classification, as they classified Jamwal, either according to their name or according to the place of their settlement. The Jamwal classification can be attributed to two eras Jamwals prior to Raja Hari Dev and Jamwals after Raja Hari Dev, who ruled Jammu from 1652 to 1688. The Main classified Jamwal's prior to Raja Hari Dev are:-Salathiye Jamwal : are attributed to Hamir Dev first son of Raja Maal Dev (1361-1400). The Maal Dev ruler of Jammu had two sons Hamir Dev and Chandan Dev. Hamir Dev was the next ruler of Jammu (1399-1423), having two sons namely Ajay Dev and Hasal Dev. Ajay Dev was the next ruler of Jammu (1423-1454) and younger brother Hassal Dev was his advisor. The next generation of Hassal Dev having two sons came to be known as Slathia and settled in Gurha, Dagode and Gurha Slathia.Tof sher Khaniye Jamwal: are attributed to Chandan Dev, second son of Raja Maal Dev (1361-1400). Chandan Dev, the second son of Raja Maal Dev had two sons Shera and Sultan serving in the Delhi Durbar and the Delhi king owing to their courageous act had bestowed the title of Khan, upon them. The people used to address them with respect as Sher Khan and Sultan Khan. They were conferred with a Jagir near Samba but Charak community, owners of Bassi were by considering as interference in their affairs, and hence Sher Khan was murdered. His son Keshav Dev was in service of Kapoor Dev ruler of Jammu hence he was conferred Jagir of Tof village. The next generation of Keshav Dev came to be known as Tof Sherkhaniye Jamwal. Kapoor Dev was ruler of Jammu from1530-1571 falling as fifth next generation of Raja Maal Dev. He was having six sons namely Jag Dev, Sambhal Dev, Rahda, Raghupat Dev, Balbhadar and Bhoj Dev. Owing to the death of Jag Dev, Sambhal Dev became next ruler of Jammu. The classification of Jamwals as Dalpatiye, Naraniye, Chabiliaye, Balbadriye, Ramgarhiaye, Makdaliaye and Manhas is attributed to this generation of Sambhal Dev. Dalpatiey Jamwal; have their relevancy to the Dalpat, second son of Raja Jammu Sangram Dev (1596-1626). Raja Sambhal Dev (1571-1596) had three sons Sangram Dev, Narain Dev and Chabil Singh. Sangram Dev became the next ruler of Jammu having two sons, namely Bhupat and Dalpat. Bhupat Dev became next ruler of Jammu (1626-1652). The next generation of Dalpat second son of Sangram Dev, came to be known as Dalpatiye Jamwal. Dalpat had six sons namely Jai Singh, Baij Nath, Vijay Ram, Mahi, Abhey Ram and Sukhdev, who settled in different villages and residents of those villages came to be known as Jamwal coinciding with the name of that village. Next generation of Jai Singh came to reside at Suchani, hence they came to be known as Suchani Wale Jamwal. Next generation of Baij Nath came to reside at village at Badodi, hence they came to be known as Badodi Wale Jamwal. Next generation of Vijay Ram and Mahi came to reside at village at Badi, hence they came to be known as BAdi Wale Jamwal. Next generation of Sukh Dev came to reside at village at Baguna, hence they came to be known as Bagune Wale Jamwal. The residents of village Suchani, Badodi, Barhi and Bagune falls under one umbrella of Dalpatiae Jamwal. The next generation of Narain Dev second son of Sambhal Dev came to be known as Narayaniey Jamwal. One Ratnu grandson of Narain Dev converted some portion of Jungle near village Birpur into a cultivating land and settled there by naming it as Ratnu Chak and his next generation came to known as Ratnu Chak Wale Jamwal. The next generation of Raghupat Dev, fourth son of Raja Kapoor Singh came down to reside at village Birpur, hence his next generation is classified as Birpuriye Jamwal. With the passage of time and owing to special circumstances leaving some portion of village it was entered as village of Charaks. The next generation of Shabil Dev, third son of Raja Sangram Dev came to known as Chabiliye Jamwal. The Shabil Singh had five sons namely Shivdarshan Dev, Karam Dev, Parikshit, Chander Bhan and Gokul Singh. Chanas village was conferred as Jagir and gift to Shiv Darshan Singh grand son of Raja Sangram Dev for his act of bravery in librating land belonging to Jammu kingdom from Bhutyal rulers of Krimchi. The next generation of Shiv Darshan Singh is known as Chanas Wale Jamwal. Shabil Singh's fifth son Gokul Singh was conferred village Badola near Udhampur as Jagir. Owing to the setteling of his next generation in villag Badola, they are known as Badole Wale Jamwal. The Balbader was the fifth son of Raja Kapoor Dev conferred with the Jagir of villages Sidhra and Bain Bajalta. His next generation came to known as Balbadriye Jamwal. Bhoj Dev was the sixth son of Raja Kapoor Dev conferred with the Jagir of villages Ramgarh. Owing to the reason of residing there his next generation came to known as Balbadriye Jamwal. Many of the Jamwals attribute to Raja Hari Dev (1652-1688) and his eight sons, namely Gajey Singh, Amar Singh, Jaswant Singh, Dalip Singh, Hathi Singh, Prithi Singh and Sujan Singh. If we deeply analyze the various Jamwal categories such as Jandrah Wale Jamwal, Urlian Wale Jamwal, Mandi Wale Jamwal, Aghor Wale Jagti Wale Jamwal Jamwal Painthal, Hansali Wale Jamwal Tada Wale Jamwal Sahnu Wale Jamwal Raipur Wale Jamwal Kahnachak Wale Jamwal Panjvad Wale Jamwal Jandi Wale Jamwal BhalwalWale Jamwal Panjgraien Wale Jamwal Saruinsar Wale Jamwal; we find that they are derived from the Raja Gajey Singh (1688-1703) and his successor son Dharub Singh (1703-1733). The elder son Gajey Singh was next ruler of Jammu. He had five son namely Inder Dev, Dharub Dev, Obrai Singh,Gopal Singh and Ijjat Dev. The next generation of Obrai Singh third son of Raja Gajey Singh came to reside at Raipurand owing to this village they came to be known as Raipur Wale Jamwal. The generations of Gopal Singh nick named as 'Mian Kahnu' fourth son was having a Jagir near river Tawi and subsequently is was developed which came to be known as Kanhachak. Owing to the Jagir of village Panjbarh conferred to Ijjat Singh fifth son of Gajey Singh, his next generation came to be known as Panjbarh Wale Jamwal. Owing to the death of Inder Dev elder son of Gajey Singh, his next son Dharub Singh was next Raja of Jammu after Gajey Singh. The Dharub Singh was blessed with four sons namely RanjitDev (next ruler), Surat Singh, Balwant Dev and Ghansar Dev. The Balwant Singh younger brother of Raja Ranjit Dev was conferred Jagir of village Saruinsar having two sons namely Ram Singh and Sham Singh. Their descendants came to be known as Saruinsar Wale Jamwal. They are descendants of Kartar Dev son of Ghansar Dev the son of Raja Dharub Singh and are known as such owing to the reason of residing at Jandi village. They are descendants of Umeed Singh son of Ghansar Dev (son of Raja Dharub Singh) and are known as such owing to the reason of residing at Bhalwal village conferred as Jagir. They are descendants of Hamir Singh son of Ghansar Dev (son of Raja Dharub Singh) and are known as such owing to the reason of residing at Panjgrain village conferred as Jagir. Amar Singh second son of Raja Hari Dev (1652-1688) was allotted Jagir of village Jaganoo near Udhampur. He has ceremonised two marriages. From the first marriage he had two sons namely Dhiraj Dev and Gursain and from the second marriage one son namely Bhikam Singh. Jandrah Wale Jamwal are descendants of Dhiraj Dev and Gursain sons of Amar Singh. Urlian Wale Jamwal are descendants of Bhikam Singh the other son of Amar Singh who had eight sons setteling in village Urlian. Jaswant Dev was third son of Raja Hari Dev(1652-1688) and was conferred Jagir extending from Akhnoor ,Reasi to Gulabgarh but he was residing inPurani Mandi Jammu, owing to this reason his next generation is known as Mandi Wale Jamwal. Jafar Singh was fourthson of Raja Hari Dev(1652-1688) and was conferred Jagir of village Aghore owing to this reason his next generation is known as Aghor Wale Jamwal. Another village was also established by them which came to be known as Jafarchak. Dalip Singh was ffifth son of Raja Hari Dev(1652-1688) and was conferred Jagir of village Jagti and adjoining villages, owing to this reasonof residing in Jagti, his next generation is known as Jagti Wale Jamwal. Hathi Singh was sixth son of Raja Hari Dev(1652-1688) and was conferred Jagir of village Painthal and Hansali, owing to this reason of residing in Painthal, his next generation is known as Painthal Wale Jamwal. Prithi Singh was seventh son of Raja Hari Dev(1652-1688) and was conferred Jagir of village Tarha, owing to this reason of residing in Painthal, his next generation is known as Tarha Wale Jamwal. Prithi Singh was also representing Jammu in Delhi Darbar. Sujan Singh was eighth son of Raja Hari Dev (1652-1688) and was conferred Jagir of village Sahnu, owing to this reason of residing in Sahnu, his next generation is known as Sahnu Wale Jamwal.

Dasarajna War (Battle of Ten Kings)

“Dasarajna War” also known as “Battle of Ten Kings” is one of the oldest epic battles of the ancient period. This battle was fought in the Vedic era, the early Bronze age period in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. This historical battle was an epic war. It was fought between the emperors of Bharatas (Aryans Tribe) on one side and the consortium of ten Kings on the other side. After this war, the political and geographical structure of Bharatavarsha  (Indian subcontinent) was substantially changed.

Till many centuries, it was believed as no such war ever happened. It was mentioned in scriptures as a mythological story of the battles between humans, together with Gods and ancient legends. It was always considered as fictitious, with no link to any real event. Only In the last few decades with the help of some historians, scholars enough facts were provided. And now it is considered an important event in the ancient Indian subcontinent by many historians.

We can find the reference of this war in Rigveda, the first and the oldest of Vedas. Vedas are one of the oldest sacred scriptures available in Hinduism. Vedas are the most authoritative of all the scriptures in Hinduism. Many of the Rigveda manuscripts are also included in UNESCO Memory of the World Register. It is added as being among the first literary documents in the history of humankind, they transcend far beyond their identity as scriptures. In Rigveda Samhitas 7th Mandal, we find references about this Battle of Ten Kings. This battle took place between King Sudas who were descendants of Bharatas and a group of ten or more kings. This is why the battle is called Dasarajana (Dasha meaning ten and Rajanya meaning kingdoms in Sanskrit).

This Battle is expected by historians to have been fought around c. 3000 BCE. These kingdoms were mostly around seven rivers including river Sarasvati, In the present day, it would be in eastern Pakistan and northern India. Sudas was a Bharata king of the Tristus family who was settled in the region for a long period. They later came to be known as Bharatvarta. Sudas was also considered as the ancestor of the Ikshvaku dynasty, the ancestor of Lord Rama of Ayodhya. It is mentioned that the war of ten kings happened on the bank of river Parushni (a present-day known as river Ravi).

(Image: Public Domain)

The ten kings who fought against Sudas were: Purus, Bhalanas, Alinas, Turvasha, Bhruigus, Druhyu, Anus, Parshus, Simyu. The main leaders from the ten kings’ side were Pururs. This war is mentioned as it was fought for a long time. In this war, Sudas defeated all ten kings and their army. It is mentioned in Rigveda that rivers played an important role in Sudas in winning the war. Sage Vasistha helped Sudas in defeating the ten kings with the help of God Indra who drowned the enemy army.

As to their goal they sped to their destruction: they sought Paruṣṇī; e’en the swift returned not.Indra abandoned, to Sudās the manly, the swiftly flying foes, unmanly babblers.

Rigveda, Mandala 7.18..9

There are references in Mandala 7 of Rigveda that more than 6666 people were killed in this war. It is also mentioned that soon after this war Sudas fought another war on the bank of the Yamuna river and defeated the other three kings as well.

Sudas were mentioned in Rigveda as the firm believers of Aryan values. After this war, Sudas expanded its region, collected heavy war prices in the form of tax from enemies. Sudas also gave a handsome gift to Sage Vashishtha which is again mentioned in Rigveda :

Priest-like, with praise, I move around the altar, earning Paijavana's reward, O Agni, Two hundred cows from Devavan's descendant, two chariots from Sudās with mares to draw them. Gift of Paijavana, four horses bear me in foremost place, trained steeds with pearl to deck them. Sudās's brown steeds, firmly-stepping, carry me and my son for progeny and glory.

Rigveda, Mandala 7.18.22

Despite being one of the oldest wars even before great Indian epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana, it is almost forgotten. Not a lot of people know about this great battle!!

Published Date: 10-April

Images : Public Domain

#DecipheringVedas #Dasarajna #Hinduism #manuscripts #BiggestBattle #rigveda #Aryan #Indra #Knowledge #AncientBattle #Rishi #Mahabharata #AncientWar #Sanskrit #Vashishtha #DasarajnaWar #Bharatas #Bharatavarsha #Sarasvati #BattleofTenkings #Purus

Vedas

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Maharaja Dharam Chand Chib King of Bhimber, Mirpur and Nowshera, of Jammu and Kashmir.

Maharaja Dharam Chand Chib King of Bhimber, Mirpur and Nowshera, of Jammu and Kashmir. 

who married a Mughal Princess during the reign of Babur.

 Dharam Chand Chib was a Sufi saint. He was the first Chib Rajput who married a Mughal Princess during the reign of Babur. He was a famed wise man who was requested to treat the ailing emperor, Babur, in Delhi. As a reward, Babur gave his daughter in marriage to him. He also married Humayun's niece who is the daughter of Pir Haibat, of Kandahar, which ultimately leads to his death during Akbar's reign. Raja Shadab Khan, was a contemporary and feudatory of the Emperors Babur, Humayun and Akbar; and he ruled over the districts of Bhimber, Mirpur and Nowshera, within the present limits of Jammu and Kashmir. In consideration of his services rendered to the Emperor Akbar in Kandahar, he was made Governor of Kashmir with the title of Shadab Khan. He also served as governor of Kandahar during Akbar's reign. His tribe, the Chib Rajputs of Kashmir and Punjab, come to his shrine in Jandi Chontra in Bhimber to pay their respects and ritualistically celebrate the births of their children. In the last few decades, the popularity of the shrine has grown among non-tribe members due to the belief that visiting the shrine will help childless couples to bear children.Originally Rajput, the ruling family embraced Islam at a later date which is uncertain, but probably not later than the time of Babur, from whom the head of the family, named Shadi, is said to have received a confirmation for his possessions. He took the name of Shadab Khan, and is said to have accompanied Humayun on some of his expeditions, and was finally killed by one, Pir Haibat, of Kandahar, and has ever since been venerated as a saint. His tomb is near the town of Bhimber, and is a place of pilgrimage to which both Hindus and Muslims go to. The shrine is called Sur Sadi Shahid. At his shrine every Chib child must be presented on attaining a certain age, so that the lock of hair, specially retained for the purpose, may be cut off with much ceremony; without this he cannot become a true chib.

FAMOUS DOGRA WHO BRINGS LAURELS TO COMMUNITY

• Lala Gura Ditta Mal Kapahi
• Kalicharan P.Dogra, Self glorified junior beizzat Sports Copy Writer, Zee News
• Girdhari Lal Dogra, former Minister and senior Congress leader
• Raja Ranjit Dev, Dogra ruler
• Maharaja Gulab Singh, general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and later Maharaja of the Dogra Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir
• General Zorawar Singh, general of Maharaja Gulab Singh
• Maharaja Hari Singh (1895–1961), was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state / Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir in India. He was the Father of Dr. Karan Singh
• Dr. Karan Singh, son of Maharaja Hari Singh and distinguished diplomat (Congress Leader from J&K, Royal Family and would have been Maharaja / King of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Karan Singh was born heir apparent to the then ruler of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and served successively as regent, Sardar-i-Riyasat and governor of the state)
• Mr. P. C. Dogra, IPS, Director General of Police (Retd.), Punjab
• Mr. A. S. Dogra, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Retd.), Punjab
• Mr. H. S. Dogra, IES, Director General, Central Public Works Department, Govt. of India
• Mr. M. L. Dogra, Director, Athletics Federation of India
• Sansar Chand - (1900-1995) The Doyen of art movement in Jammu, who cultivated, promoted three generations of art talent in painting. His works including landscapes, portraits, war paintings, subject art and miniature work adorn many individual and public galleries world over. The most precious gift he gave to Jammuites was the Dogra Art Gallery, presently known as Dogra Art Museum.
• Dr.Waqar Doger
• Ustad Alla Rakha, master of tabla
• Padma Sachdev, Famous dogri writer
• Miyan Dido, Dogra warrior born in Nagrota, who fought against Maharaja Hari Singh
• Prem Nath Dogra
• Balraj Madhok
• Arjun Joga Bonito Dogra
• Baba Chamliyal a.k.a Duleep Singh Manhas, warrior-saint, whose samadhi is visited by tens of thousands per year
• Kundan Lal Saigal, Hindi movie singer and actor
• Rishi Kumar Koushal - Founder of Praja Parishad, Jansangh, BJP. MLA Reasi for 3 times
• Mallika Pukhraj - Ghazal singer
• A. S. Anand - Former Chief Justice of India
• Lt. Gen H. S. Kanwar, AVSM, VSM (Retd.)
• Mast Ram Dogra F/o Sh. Madan Lal Sharma, ARO, Dangoh Khurd, Pirthipur, Una (H. P.)
• Om Prakash, Hindi movie actor
• Rajeev Sharma, poet, 138 Colonel Colony, Jammu
• Sh. Vachaspati Sharma - Eminent sitarist and a disciple of renowned sitar maestro Pt. Ravi Shankar. Principal, Institute of Music and Fine Arts; formerly dean of the faculty of music and fine arts, University of Jammu.
• Deepak Balotra - First surveying supervisor from Jammu
• Bansi Lal Sharma-A GeoScientist from Jammu who was a member of the 9th Indian Expedetion to Antartica. B.L. Sharma, who died in January 1990, was awarded posthumously the distinguished national mineral award in 1991. Memorial plaque at India Point,Humboldt Mountains, Wohlthat Massif, central Dronning Maud Land erected in memory of three scientists of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and a communication technician from the Indian Navy—all members of the ninth Indian Expedition to Antarctica, who sacrificed their lives in this mountain camp in an accident on 8th January 1990.This site is included in the A.

FAMOUS PERSONALITIES : Pandit shiv Kumar Sharma , famous santoor player, Mehar Chand Mahajan, Instrumental for integration of J&k with India AND General N.C.Vij, former chief of Army Staff 

DOGRA'S : THE MOST DEFINEDWARRIORS

The Dogras are known for their valour. The Dogra Regiment was among the regiments of the British Indian Army, which made significant contributions in both the world wars on all fronts from the Far East to Europe and North Africa. At Independence, it became an infantry regiment of the Indian Army composed largely but not exclusively of the Dogra people. The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, another regiment of the Indian Army, consisting of mainly Dogras was formed out of the former army of the Kingdom of Jammu & Kashmir after it was absorbed into the Indian Army.

DOGRA CUISINE

Jammu is famous for its exotic local food like Ambal, Khatta Meat, Dal Patt, Madra,  Auriya and Rajma is known as staple and favourite dish of Jammu. Wheat, maize and bajra are staple food besides rice, cereals and a tangier preparation made out of either mango or tamarind also popularly known as maani, the whole dish is called Dal Puth Maani and is savoured together as a combination. Mitha Madra is a favourite and is cooked from milk, dry fruits and semolina. Preparations of Rajmash (a special variety of red kidney beans), auria a dish of curd fermented by rye; ambalmade from pumpkin, jaggery and tamarind are favourites, especially during ceremonial cooking. The expert cooks are called Siyans, usuallyBrahmins. Non vegetarian food was limited to Rajputs and Vaish (Mahajans). 'Khatta Meat' - mutton cooked with sour pomegranate seeds or lime juice and flavoured with fumes of a burning charcoal soaked in mustard oil. KEUR is one of the famous food of Dogras. It is prepared by flour and butter and served with sugar and curd. Mostly, it is served to bridegroom at the time of marriage by the in-laws. KALAARI is also one of the favourite food of Dogras in the rainy season. It is prepared by flour mix, cottage cheese and milk cream(malai) with water with help of a small cup shaped pot. KALARI is served with milk. BABBRU/PATHORU are preparerd by flour and fried in mustard oil. Babbru is served with maani/potato/kheer/curd. Kheer is a dish prepared from milk by adding some rice and dryfruit in it. It is one of the famous food of Dogras and served in almost all special occasions and festivals. Another popular exotic dish is Guchiyyan (dried mushroom - black morel), usually added as an ingredient in pulao as it grows naturally in forests and cannot be cultivated; it is a priced commodity (approx 500 Rs. per 100 gms.) and makes an excelled dish with mountain potatoes (Pahadi Aloo). Saffron or Kesar is extensively used to flavour sweet dishes and for its anti-oxidant benefits.

HISTORY AND RULERS OF JAMMU

The chronology of the rulers of Jammu dates back to the Ramayana Period. Indeed, they traced their ancestry to the Ikshvaku(Solar) Dynasty ofNorthern India (The same clan in which Lord Rama was born. He, therefore is the 'kuldevta'(family deity) of the Dogras).A Raghuvanshidescendant, 'Agnigarba' who was living as a recluse, came to Nagarkote (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh), in the Shivalik hills. When the Raja of Kangra came to know about this person's ancestry, he offered him the hand of his daughter and a part of kingdom. The river Ravi was then the boundary of Nagarkote. Agnigarba crossed it and captured some villages in the Kathua area and declared himself as sovereign king. After his death, his son Bayusharva (B.C. 1530-1500) married the princess of Parole (Kathua). The princess was known as Erwan and she died young. The Raja founded a city after her which is still found near Parole, though now a small village and at the 'Samadhi' of the queen, a `Mela' (fair) is held at every `Baisakhi' (13th or 14th of April) every year. Bayusharva extended the boundaries up to the river Ujh. Bayusharva's great grandson, Bahulochan was enthroned after his death. He migrated from Erwan and built his fort on the banks of river Tawi. Bahulochan died in a bloody battle with Chadaras, Raja of Sialkot (Shayalkot) and his younger brother Jambulochan (B.C 1320-1290) ascended the throne. In those days the area beyond Tawi (the present city of Jammu) was used for hunting. Tradition has it that one day Jambulochan came to this area and while he was sitting behind a bush to ambush some bird or animal, he saw a lion (a tiger in some accounts) and a goat drinking water from the same pond. This peaceful coexistence encouraged him to found the city of Jammu, which some say is named after him. One of his descendants, Raja Shaktikaran (B.C 1200-1177) introduced the Dogri Script for the first time. Another of his descendants, Jasdev founded the city of Jasrota on the bank of river Ujh, and another Raja, Karan Dev built a fort on the banks of the river Basantar. In the early centuries of the first millennium the area came under the sway of the Indo-Greeks, with their capital at Sakala (Sialkot).

Among the enlightened rulers of Jammu was Raja Ranjit Dev, (1728-1780) who introduced certain social reforms such as a ban on 'Sati' (immolation of the wife on the pyre of the husband) and female infanticide. Later, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the state became part of the Sikh Kingdom of the Punjab after it was captured from its Afghan rulers. Ranjit Singh rendered this state to his general, Maharaja Gulab Singh Jamwal, who belonged to the Jamwal Rajput clan that ruled Jammu. He extended the boundaries of Jammu to western Tibet with the help of General Zorawar Singh. The Sikh Empire rule extended beyond the Jammu Region and the Kashmir Valley to the Tibetan Buddhist Kingdom of Ladakh and the Emirates of Hunza, Gilgit and Nagar. After the First Anglo-Sikh War in 1846, the British gave Kashmir and the title of 'Maharaja' to Gulab Singh - the chief Sikh minister - as a reward for his treachery against the Sikhs^[1]. Pratap Singh, (enthroned in 1855) in saw the construction of Banihal Cart Road (B.C. Road) mainly to facilitate telegraph services. The last ruler of J&K was Maharaja Hari Singh, who ascended the throne in 1925. He made primary education compulsory in the State, introduced laws prohibiting child marriage and threw open places of worship for the low castes.

Jammu and Kashmir came into being as a single political and geographical entity following the Treaty of Amristar between the British Government and Gulab singh signed on March 16, 1846. The Treaty handed over the control of the Kashmir State to the Dogra ruler of Jammu who had earlier annexed Ladakh. Thus a new State comprising three distinct religions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh was formed with Maharaja Gulab Singh as its founder ruler. The feudal dispensation in the State, however, was too harsh for the people to live under and towards the end of a hundred years of this rule when their Indian brethren were fighting for independence from the British under the inspiring leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the Kashmiris led by a towering personality, the Sher-I-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, rose against the autocracy. The autocratic rule came down heavily on the people's freedom movement. However, the people laid their lives in the cause of freedom and to uphold the ideals of secularism, equality, democracy and brotherhood.

The high point of the movement was July 13, 1931 when 22 protesters were martyred. The event strengthened the movement and contrary to the expectations of the then rulers, the peopled emerged more determined in their resolution to seek an end to autocratic rule. By the time the rulers could realise the futility of breaking the will of the people with the might of the State, the National Conference, headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, had become a mass movement and a force to reckon with. It broke the barriers of region and religion and became a popular and secular voice of the people of the State whose collective yearning was freedom from autocracy and the establishment of a popular rule. The people's movement spearheaded by the National Conference saw several ups and downs with its leaders particularly the Sher-I-Kashmir suffering vissitudes and long internment.

Jammu and Kashmir was one of about 565 princely States of India on which the British paramountcy lapsed at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947. While the power was transferred to the people in British India, the rulers of the princely States were given an option to join either of the two Dominions - India or Pakistan.

The Government of India Act 1935, as adopted in the Indian Independence Act, 1947, provided, "An Indian State shall be deemed to have acceded to the Dominion if the Governor General has signified the acceptance of an Instrument of Accession executed by the rule thereof." India, Pakistan and even Britain were party to these provisions. So the choice of joining either of the Dominions was left to the Rulers of the States concerned. Moreover, in the Indian Independence Act, 1947, there was no provision for any conditional accession.

The Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh did not exercise the option immediately and instead offered a proposal of Standstill Agreement to both the Dominion, pending final decision on State's accession. On August 12, 1947, the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir sent identical communications to the Government of India and Pakistan which read, "Jammu and Kashmir Government would welcome Standstill Agreement with Union of India/Pakistan on all matters on which there exists arrangements with the outgoing British India Government." Pakistan accepted the offer and sent a communication to J&K Prime Minster on August 15, 1947. It read, "The Government of Pakistan agrees to have Standstill Agreement with Jammu and Kashmir for the continuation of existing arrangements. India did not agree to the offer and advised the Maharaja to send his authorized representative to Delhi for discussion on the offer.