A saga of Kingdoms, Conquerors, and rise of Dogra Dynasty
Dr Rakesh Verma
The history of Jammu, tracing its origins from the mythical Jambupura to its contemporary significance, is a magnificent narrative woven with the threads of cultural evolution, political flux, and profound social transformation across the northern Indian subcontinent. Today, as a vital component of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu’s past is a complex tapestry, marked by the rise and fall of dynasties, waves of invasions, and an enduring cultural legacy that speaks volumes of its resilience and adaptability. This journey from a legendary founding to its current identity is a testament to centuries of change, conflict, and consolidation, painting a vibrant picture of the region’s evolution within the broader historical landscape of India.
Jambupura, Early Settlements
The genesis of Jammu is steeped in local lore, attributing its foundation to the legendary ruler Jambu Lochan around the 14th century BCE. The story of him naming his capital Jambupura, inspired by the sight of a tiger and a goat sharing a watering hole near the Tawi river, underscores the traditional emphasis on harmony and peaceful coexistence that resonates deeply with the region’s cultural identity. This foundational narrative, though possibly legendary, serves as a powerful symbol of Jammu’s ancient roots and its connection to the land and its inhabitants. Over the millennia, this early settlement of Jambupura gradually transformed, evolving into the modern city known as Jammu, a name that carries the weight of this ancient heritage.
Historical accounts, including those meticulously compiled by the Sufi Kashmiri historian Muhammad Azam Didamari in his Waqiat-i-Kashmir or Tarikh-i-Azami, suggest the emergence of Jammu as a notable entity around 900 CE. This aligns with archaeological findings that provide tangible evidence of the region’s antiquity. Copper plates dating back to the 11th century CE make specific mention of Durgara Desha, the historical territory from which the terms Duggar and Dogra, signifying the land and its people, are derived. This linguistic and historical connection highlights the deep-rooted identity of the Dogra people and their ancestral homeland centered around Jammu.
Further archaeological investigations have revealed striking parallels between the Neolithic cultures of Jammu and the vast Harappan civilization, suggesting long-standing cultural interactions and exchanges dating back as early as the 4th millennium BCE. The discovery of artifacts such as carnelian beads, similar to those found at Harappan sites, and shared pottery motifs across the regions underscore a deep and ancient connection, indicating that the Jammu region was part of a broader network of cultural exchange and interaction in prehistoric times. This evidence pushes back the timeline of human settlement and cultural activity in the area considerably, demonstrating its significance in the ancient history of the subcontinent.
Beyond the central region around Jammu, the broader Duggar area was historically a mosaic of smaller principalities and kingdoms, each with its own distinct identity and ruling lineage. Prominent among these were the kingdoms of Akhnoor, strategically located on the Chenab river, Reasi, known for its strong fortresses and rugged terrain, Jasrota, with its rich history and artistic heritage, Ramangar, recognized for its beautiful temples and architectural marvels, and numerous others like Basohli, Bhadarwah, Kishtwar, and Poonch. These principalities, though often subject to the influence of larger regional powers, maintained a degree of autonomy and contributed significantly to the cultural and political diversity of the Duggar region. They were often ruled by branches of the Dogra Rajput families, who shared a common ancestry and cultural heritage but governed their territories independently. These kingdoms were characterized by their unique administrative structures, local customs, and architectural styles, adding layers of complexity and richness to the history of Jammu. Their interactions, alliances, and conflicts with each other and with external powers shaped the political landscape of the region for centuries, laying the groundwork for the later consolidation of power under the Dogra dynasty.
Medieval Contestation and External Influences
The medieval period in Jammu’s history is characterized by a dynamic interplay of power struggles and shifting allegiances, reflecting the turbulent political environment of the northern Indian subcontinent. The earliest contemporary reference to Jammu as a significant political entity appears in the vivid memoirs of Timur during his formidable invasion in 1398-1399 CE. At this juncture, the region was a battleground for local rulers, with notable conflicts between figures such as Bhim Dev, the King of Jammu, and Jasrat Khokhar, a prominent leader renowned for his fierce resistance against the Delhi Sultanate. Jasrat Khokhar, a formidable figure, even briefly controlled Jammu, demonstrating the region’s vulnerability to external pressures and the fluidity of power during this era. These internal conflicts and external threats highlight the challenging environment in which the small kingdoms of the Duggar region operated, constantly navigating alliances and rivalries to maintain their survival.
Furthermore, larger empires and dynasties, including the formidable Guptas and the expansive empire of Harsh Vardhana, extended their influence over the Jammu region, albeit at different points in history. Their control, while significant, was often indirect, relying on alliances with local rulers and the payment of tribute. The region also experienced invasions from various groups, including the Scythians, Huns, and a succession of Muslim rulers from Central Asia and Persia. These invasions left an indelible mark on the demographic and cultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, introducing new customs, languages, and religious influences.
The Karkota dynasty (625-855 CE), with its prominent rulers such as Lalitaditya Muktapida, known for his extensive military campaigns and ambitious building projects, and his grandson Jayapida, played a crucial role in establishing and consolidating Hindu influence in the Kashmir region. Their rule, though primarily centered in the Kashmir Valley, had a considerable impact on the broader area, fostering Brahmin ascendancy and promoting Hindu religious and cultural practices. This period saw the construction of numerous temples and the patronage of scholars, contributing to the vibrant cultural life of the region and establishing a strong Hindu identity that would endure for centuries.
Dynastic Shifts and the Advent of Islamic Rule
Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a profound transformation beginning in the early 14th century with the establishment of Muslim rule. This pivotal moment was initiated by Sadruddin Shah, who founded the Sultanate of Kashmir. Interestingly, Sadruddin Shah was originally a Buddhist prince from Ladakh named Rinchana who converted to Islam. His reign marked the beginning of a new era, establishing a Muslim polity that, in its initial phase, demonstrated a degree of inclusivity towards the existing Brahmin elite. This inclusivity was facilitated by the new rulers’ willingness to form alliances through marriage and to involve local Hindu families in governance, a pragmatic approach that helped in consolidating their power and ensuring a smoother transition.
Following Rinchana, the Chak dynasty held sway over Kashmir until the region was conquered by the mighty Mughal Empire in 1588. Mughal rule, which lasted until the mid-18th century, brought a period of relative stability and integration into a larger imperial structure. However, the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century paved the way for new power dynamics. The Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali annexed Kashmir, bringing it under the control of the Durrani Empire. The Pathans, as the Afghan rulers were known, governed the area until 1819.
The turn of the 19th century marked another significant shift with the rise of the Sikh Empire under the charismatic leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In 1819, Ranjit Singh conquered Kashmir, incorporating it into his vast and powerful empire. This conquest brought the Jammu region directly under the influence of the Sikh Empire, setting the stage for the emergence of the Dogra dynasty as a dominant force.
The Ascent of the Dogra Dynasty
Jammu’s formal integration into the Sikh Empire coincided with the remarkable ascent of the Dogra Rajput dynasty. The foundations of this dynasty’s power were laid by figures like Maldev, who skillfully expanded their control over a significant portion of the Duggar region. However, it was under the leadership of Ranjit Dev (1725-1782) that the Dogras reached a peak of their power and influence within the existing political framework of the time. Ranjit Dev, a shrewd and capable ruler, managed to consolidate Dogra control over a large territory, fostering a degree of prosperity and stability in the region. Despite their growing strength, the Dogras eventually succumbed to the dominant power of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and Jammu came under direct Sikh suzerainty by 1816.
The death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839 created a power vacuum and led to a period of instability within the Sikh Empire. The British, who were increasingly expanding their influence in the subcontinent, capitalized on this weakness. Amidst the ensuing chaos and under increasing British pressure, Ghulab Singh, a prominent Dogra prince and a former general in the Sikh army, skillfully navigated the complex political landscape to assert his independence. Ghulab Singh, a descendant of the Dogra ruling family and a man of immense political acumen and military prowess, had risen through the ranks of the Sikh Empire and had been granted the Jagir of Jammu by Ranjit Singh.
The culmination of Ghulab Singh’s efforts and the strategic maneuvering of the British resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846. This treaty was a landmark event that legally cemented the creation of the independent princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Under the terms of this treaty, Ghulab Singh acquired the state, which included Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, from the British East India Company for a sum of ?75 lakh Nanak Shahi rupees. This transaction formalized the Dogra dynasty’s reign, which would last from 1846 until the partition of India in 1947. The Treaty of Amritsar, while establishing the Dogra rule, is a complex historical event that is viewed differently by various communities in the region, symbolizing for some the unification of disparate territories and for others the “sale” of Kashmir.
The Dogra rulers, particularly Maharaja Ghulab Singh and his successors, embarked on a project of unifying and consolidating the newly formed state. They brought together diverse regions with distinct cultures, languages, and histories under a single administrative umbrella. Jammu, as a significant cultural and administrative region within this newly formed state, retained its unique identity, which had been shaped by centuries of varied history. Its population, predominantly composed of Hindu Rajput Dogras, and its distinct language, Dogri, contributed to the rich cultural mosaic of the princely state. The Dogra rulers invested in infrastructure, administration, and the military to govern this vast and heterogeneous territory.
The early Dogra rule saw significant efforts in various fields. Recognizing the importance of a strong military, the Dogra rulers established a formidable force known as the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces. This army, comprising soldiers from different communities within the state, played a crucial role in maintaining internal order, defending the borders, and participating in various campaigns alongside the British Indian Army. The valor and military prowess of the Dogra soldiers, particularly in challenging terrains, became renowned.
Furthermore, the Dogra rulers initiated ambitious infrastructure projects aimed at improving the lives of the people. Recognizing the agrarian nature of the state’s economy, early construction of canals on the river Chenab was undertaken with the specific theme of providing irrigation for the farmers. These irrigation projects, though challenging to implement in the rugged terrain, aimed to increase agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of the rural population, demonstrating an early focus on the welfare of the state’s inhabitants.
The Dogra period also witnessed acts of remarkable courage and resistance. The valor of General Zorawar Singh, a legendary military commander under Maharaja Ghulab Singh, is a significant chapter in the history of the Dogra rule. Zorawar Singh led a series of audacious campaigns in Ladakh, Baltistan, and Tibet, expanding the boundaries of the Dogra state and showcasing exceptional military strategy and leadership in challenging geographical conditions. His campaigns, though sometimes controversial due to their brutality, were instrumental in consolidating Dogra control over the vast northern territories.
Another noteworthy figure from this era is Mian Dido, often referred to as the “Robin Hood” of the Duggar region. Mian Dido, a local Rajput chief, rose in rebellion against the oppressive policies of the Sikh administration before the formal establishment of Dogra rule. His resistance, though ultimately unsuccessful, resonated with the local population who were burdened by heavy taxation and harsh governance. His story, though sometimes romanticized, represents the spirit of defiance against unjust authority and remains a popular folk hero in the Jammu region, symbolizing the struggle for local rights and autonomy.
(The author is from J&K Forest Services)
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