Sir,
This is in response to the letter by Nar Singh Dev Jamwal published in DE 9/7/2015.
In fact, there are different opinions regarding the historical heritage lying uncared in the village Parand of tehsil Moungri District Udhampur. Mr Jamwal without mentioning any year has stated that it could be Raja Ajit Singh, the grandson of Raja Ranjit Dev, who actually had lost throne to Sikh invaders and not Maharaja Gulab Singh as I have mentioned in my write-up.
On the other hand Mr Shiv Nirmohi, a renowned writer of Duggar Pradesh, in his 2015’s latest Hindi book titled- Panchari-Samaj Aur Sanskriti at page 123 under caption “Parand” by referring to Historic Book “Raj Darshani” has stated that it was Sardar Man Singh of Punjab who invaded Jammu on 27th of Kartik 1841 Bikrmi. At that time Jammu’s Raja Brij Raj Dev was too sick and his men brought him in a “Palki” (Palanquin) over to village Parand. He took shelter in the old woman’s house. In the year 1742 A.D Brij Raj Dev reconquered Jammu with the Parand natives’ help. Thereafter, he created the splendid heritage in Parand.
On the contrary, the natives of the area are of the view, that, it was Maharaja Gulab Singh who after regaining the Jammu throne created the unique heritage in Parand, besides bestowing the status of Nambardari upon the family of old woman (Daropdi) in whose house he had taken refuge. At present Puran Singh, 5th or 6th generation of Daropdi’s lineage, is the Nambardar of village Parand. This view is prevalent in the vast stretched hilly terrain.
Apart from the above opinions there could be many more tangible or intangible, recorded or unrecorded evidence. Therefore, in my referred write-up I’ve humbly urged all the concerned agencies particularly Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Museums & Archives, Tourism and Culture etc to come forward to do the “Needful” for the hidden heritage. The departments’ experts must visit the site(s) and find out the veiled truths relating to the priceless historic treasure. Who has created and in whose times it was created ? The question is pertinent and needs an answer. I solicit the kind and keen attention of not only one or two but all, specifically, historians, writers, researchers’, scholars, media fraternity towards this undiscovered, neglected and fast fading chapter of Dogra history which is out of sight, not out of reach. I genuinely hope that the esteemed fraternity would appreciate my years long efforts and render its much needed service to the rich, magnificent and inseparable part of Dogra history.
However, I voice here with heavy heart that had this heritage site been located in or near some city it would have surely been in every one’s eye and immensely exploited, explored, preserved, researched and developed in all respects. Unfortunately it is located in a very far off, backward and unknown hilly belt where none is interested in any way.
Yours etc…
Swatantra Dev Kotwal
Udhampur
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