DOGRA CLANS

List of Dogra clans:

• Jamwal
• Balhotra
• Padha
• Sambyal
• Bandral
• Bhadwal
• Bilauria
• Hantal
• Bhatyal
• Bhadarwah
• Jasrotia
• Kishtwaria
• Katoch
• Goleria
• Sabbai
• Kahlotra
• Jaswal
• Suketia
• Mankotia
• Mandial
• Kullu
• Kalerie
• Guleria
• Sarmorie
• Manhas
• Ambarai
• Chib
• Jarral
• Bhao
• Rakwal
• Sulehria
• Charak
• Chattar
• Baghal
• Langeh
• Bajial
• Andotra
• Jaj
• Mandial
• Rachyal
• Kharakhatr
• Samsal
• Jaggi
• Lalotra
• Chargotra
• Katil
• Bhulwal
• Hans
• Bajju
• Balwal
• Sadathia
• Balotra
• Rarotra
• Baru
• Bargotra
• Jalotra
• Sangotra
• Panotra
• Khajuria

ORIGIN OF JAMMU AND DOGRA

The origins of the name "Jammu" are shrouded in mystery, as is the history of the people inhabiting the territory, popularly known as Duggar, but the towns of the region with their fortresses stand testimony to a distinct cultural and linguistic identity. Some try to trace the origin of the name to the word jambudvipa, a combination of the words Jambu and dwipa (island). According to Sir Walter Hamilton (Description of Hindustan, pg. 499), "It is possible that an ocean may at one time have reached the base of these mountains forming high table lands into islands." The famous Chinese traveller Xuanzang describes the valley of Pamir as "the centre of Jambudwipa." Some attribute the name toJambavantha or Jamwant, the Riksharaja (the king of the bears in the army of King Sugriva in the Ramayana), who is said to have meditated in the Peer Kho Cave on the banks of the Tawi River. Another popular belief is that Jammu owes its name to Raja Jambulochan, and the city remained an insignificant village till the fourteenth century A.D. According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India the origin of the word "Dogra" is said to have arisen from the fact that the cradle of the Dogra people lies between the two lakes of Sruinsar and Mansar. Dwigart Desh (meaning country of two hollows) was corrupted into Duggar and Dugra, which then became Dogra.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

a) Kud :- It is basically a ritual dance performed in honour of Lok Devatas. This dance style is performed mostly during nights. It is spontaneous dance and people of all ages and sexes participate in this folk dance form. Instruments used during this dance are Narshingha, chhaina, flute, drums etc. It is the rhythm of music which contrils the movement of participants. This dance continues for the whole night. Number of participants ranges from 20 to 30 members.

b) Heren :- It is a traditional theatre form performed during Lohri festival by 10-15 members. This style is mostly performed in hilly regions of Jammu. 

c) Fumenie and Jagarana :- This dance style is performed by the ladies on the eve of groom's departure to inlaws house. Both the songs are sung by a group of females consisting 15-20 members. This traditional dance form depicts the feelings and emotions of women folk. 

d) Bakh/Gwatri/Kark/Masade :- It is a chorous narrative singing sung by a group of 10 singers without the accompaniment of any musical instruments. 

e) Gwatri :- It is a singing/ dance combined tradition in which the singers narrate some text which is enacted by the Gwatari dancers. 

f) Karak :-It is a tale ballet singing form sung by a community called 'Jogies'. They narrate a popular folk tale in their dance style, performed by three members with accompaniment of typical folk instrument called 'Rabab'. 

g) Benthe :-This is chorous singing tradition performed specific community of trible called Gujjar and Bakerwal. Dance is performed by 5-7 members.

PEOPLE OF JAMMU

PEOPLE OF JAMMU DOGRA'S The Jammu region, which is one of the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir state (the other two being the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh), is bounded on the North by the Pir Panjal Range of the middle Himalayas, in the south by Punjab, to the East by Ladakh and close to the West inPakistan. Jammu province is inhabited by diverse castes and sects. The Dogras inhabiting the hilly tract bounding the mountains of the Kashmir valley on the south and extending to the plains of the Punjab, are descended from Aryan stock. They speak the Dogri language - a mixture of Sanskrit, Punjabi and Persian - whose origin goes back to the Indo-Aryan branch of Sanskrit. The Dogras traditionally inhabited the area between the slopes of Shivalik range of mountains, the sacred lakes of Saroien sar and Mannsar. Saroieen sar is located 30 km west of Jammu. They speak the Dogri language and the majority are followers of Hinduism. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, some Dogras embraced Sikhism and some embraced Islam; these factors, together with the effects of immigration into the region, have resulted in the current population including members of all three religions. staple food consists of rice, wheat, and pulses. In Jammu Dogras have very simple dress that include the long kurtas and pajamas with tight fitting at ankles. Womens wear tight bodice or jumpers over pajams that resemble that of men folk. Turban and Kamarband are the added features of elderly males. The Dogra Rajputs, who have traditionally made the Army their profession are not big build, their average height being 5'4" (160 cm). The men's complexion is light brown, the women's lighter still. The dishes are delicious, with abundant nutritional value. One of the dainties of Dogra dishes is auria, made from yoghurt and potatoes. Other Dogra specialities are ghiwar, a sort of bread fried in ghee; thothru, well-kneaded fermented balls cooked in dried wheat flour pieces, also fried in ghee. Distinct and remarkable, Dogra cuisine complements the people's achievements as soldiers, painters and builders of temples and forts. Through the Basohli school and other paintings, Dogras have made a notable contribution to the development of painting in India. Basohli emerged as a great centre of painting early in the 18th century. Outstanding paintings of this school depict Krishna's frolics, scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata etc. Basohli paintings have been characterised as ' poems in colour ' for their extraordinary lyrical quality. The Dogras are deeply attached to their land. Much of their folklore - myths and legends - relates to their shrines. Religion also contribute to the mass entertainment of the people in the form of Ras dances.

The Rajputs occasionally united against foreign invaders

The Rajputs occasionally united against foreign invaders – once under Bappa Rawal, then under Shakti Kumar of Mewar and Jaypal Tomar. Once the foreign invasions stopped, the Rajputs fought each other in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.
Major wars broke out between the Tomars of Delhi and Gahadvalas of Kannauj. The Rathores, as the Gahadvala dynasty, established the kingdom of Kannauj, capturing it from Tomar rulers in the 11th century. The Rever dynasty established the kingdom of Tarangadh in 11th through the 12th century, and conquered Marwar in the 13th century. The Chandelas established Jejakbhukti and ruled from Mahoba.

Rajput kingdoms contended with the rising and expansionist empires of Central Asia

Rajput kingdoms contended with the rising and expansionist empires of Central Asia, be they Arabs, Moghuls, Mongols, Afghans, or other Turkic people. They earned their reputation by fighting battles with a code of chivalrous conduct rooted in their strong adherence to tradition and Hindu dharma. The Rajput kingdoms held out against the Arab Caliphates and other Central Asian Empires for several centuries. A few Rajput kings converted to Islam, and eventually an alliance formed with the Moghuls, which laid the foundations for the creation of the largest pre-colonial era empire in South Asia. hi this sultan 1) With a view for helping orphans, Children, Widows, Women and Men having low financial condition and below poverty line and such others.
2) For promoting of hospital facilities in every urgent medical cases in assistance with government help and facilities.
3) For performing the marriages of orphan Children and Girls below poverty line.
4) For providing the expenses of funerals in all respects by committee work and such other means.
5) For providing facilities to the children below poverty line in all type of educational Institution whether Government or Private.
6) For providing facilities to the “Minority communities” in the respect of rehabilitation and with a view of helping to the women suffering due to divorce.
7) For Rehabilitation of “Minority communities” below poverty line.
8) With a view for resolving the minor disputes caused or arisen in the family in all the types of family relations.
9) With a view for providing financial help, legal assistance and the medical assistance in the accident cases caused to the victims.
10) With a view for helping all the persons who affects due to natural calamities such as heavy rains, floods, earth quack and such other situations.
11) With a view for helping the girls of “Minority communities” who suffers due to bad elements or Raudisms in the society.

Rajputs at the rise of the Mughals

Soon after his defeat in 1527 at The Battle of Khanwa, Rana Sanga died in 1528. Bahadur Shah of Gujarat became a powerful Sultan. He captured Raiseen in 1532 and defeated Mewar in 1533. He helped Tatar Khan to capture Bayana, which was under Mughal occupation. Humayun sent Hindal and Askari to fight Tatar Khan. At the battle of Mandrail in 1534, Tatar Khan was defeated and killed. Puranmal, the Raja of Amber, helped the Mughals in this battle. He was killed in this battle. Now it became necessary for Humayun to crush the rising power of Bahadur Shah. While Bahadur Shah was besieging the fort of Chittorgarh, Humayun started against him. Hearing the news, the Rani Karmawati, widow of Rana Sanga, sent rakhi (passion flowers) to Hymayun. Humayun is considered to have accepted the rakhi, but stopped at Sarang Pur in January 1535. Mewar was weakened due to constant struggles. After a long wait, the Rajputs had a last fight on 8 March 1535, and Rani Karmawati, together with other women, committed Jauhar (mass suicide) the same day. Humayun now pursued Bahadur Shah. Later Bahadur Shah and Sher Shah Suri created many problems for Humayun, and he lost the empire. He regained the empire in July 1555, and died in January 1556. Akbar, the son of Humayun, tried to persuade Mewar to accept Mughal sovereignty, like other Rajputs, but Rana Udai Singh refused. Ultimately Akbar besieged the fort of Chittor in 1567. This time, Rana Udai Singh left the fort with his family. Jaimal Rathore of Merta and Fatah Singh of Kelwa were left to take care of the fort. On 23 February 1568, Akbar hit Jaimal Rathore, who was looking after the repair work, with his gun. That same night, the Rajput women committed jauhar (ritual suicide) and the Rajput men, led by the wounded Jaimal and Fatah Singh, fought their last battle. Akbar entered the fort, and at least 30,000 people were killed. Later Akbar placed a statue of these two Rajput warriors on the gates of Agra Fort.