Rediscovering Duggar's Ancient Heritage

Ashok Sharma

ashoksharma23may@gmail.com

Name of the Book- Duggar mein Nag Parampara

Author -Shiv Nirmohi

Publisher-Sahitaya Sangam Publications, Jammu

Year of Publication - March, 2026

Pages -130

Price- Rs 220.00

The history of a region is not merely preserved in monuments and inscriptions; it also survives through myths, legends, sacred geography and the collective memory of its people. In 'Duggar mein Nag Parampara', Padma Shri awardee Shiv Nirmohi, one of the foremost authorities on Dogra history and culture, undertakes the challenging task of reconstructing an important yet relatively neglected chapter of Duggar's cultural heritage-the Nag tradition. The result is a compact but richly researched volume that illuminates the historical, religious and cultural significance of the Nag cult, which has shaped the identity of the Duggar region for centuries.

Shiv Nirmohi hardly needs any introduction. Having authored nearly fifty books on various aspects of Dogra civilisation, archaeology, folklore and history, he has devoted his life to preserving the rich heritage of Jammu. His latest work once again at the age of 88 years, reflects his deep scholarship, painstaking research and profound commitment to documenting the cultural traditions that have long remained on the margins of mainstream historical writing.

The book is divided into seven well-structured chapters, each dealing with a specific aspect of the Nag tradition. Although comprising only 130 pages, it succeeds in presenting a remarkably comprehensive account by drawing upon Vedic literature, Puranic texts, historical chronicles, inscriptions, folklore and local traditions.

The opening chapter introduces readers to the ancient Nags of Duggar and situates the Nag cult within the broader framework of Indian civilisation. Drawing evidence from ancient Indian literature, the author argues that communities associated with the Nag tradition extended from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Punjab to Assam. Interestingly, he also points to references linking the Nag tradition with Lanka, where an island was known as Nag Deep ( island of serpents) and even mentions Nagasaki in Japan and the Nagshu region of China, suggesting the widespread cultural resonance of serpent symbolism. References in the Vedas, particularly the Atharvaveda, which mentions eighteen categories of Nags, further reinforce the antiquity of this ancient tradition.

The second chapter explores two significant texts-the Neelmat Purana and the Vasuki Purana. Through these sources, Nirmohi demonstrates the central place occupied by the Nag deities in ancient religious thought. While the Vishnu Purana mentions twelve principal Nags, the Neelmat Purana records the names of as many as 603 Nags, highlighting the extraordinary prominence of the Nag cult in ancient Kashmir. Equally significant is the assertion in the Vasuki Purana that Vasuki Nag was the ancient ruler of Duggar, thereby linking mythology with regional history.

The chapter on the genealogy of the Nags is perhaps the most intriguing. Based on folk traditions, the author narrates that Vasuki Nag had twenty-two sons and eighty-four grandsons, each entrusted with different territories. The discussion also includes Babru Vahan, the maternal grandson of Chitravahan, who is believed to have ruled Nagore (Rajpura). Drawing upon the book ' Jammu Padshahi', Nirmohi states that the descendants of Babru Vahan ruled from 3036 BCE to 2536 BCE. While these chronologies naturally belong to the realm of traditional narratives and invite further historical scrutiny, they form an inseparable part of Duggar's cultural memory. The mention of the fourth-century CE ruler Ganpati Nag, whose name is inscribed on the Trishul at Sudhmahadev, provides an important historical anchor to the discussion. Equally noteworthy is the author's account of Aryarishi Punit and the numerous Nag shrines that continue to command deep reverence throughout the hilly regions of Jammu.

The fourth and fifth chapters document the numerous Nag temples, sacred lakes and springs scattered across Duggar. These chapters reveal how religious belief, landscape and local traditions have evolved together over centuries. The sacred water bodies and shrines dedicated to Nag deities, besides being places of worship,are repositories of folklore, rituals and community identity. By documenting them, the author performs an invaluable service towards preserving an important component of the region's intangible cultural heritage.

The sixth chapter broadens the scope of the work by examining the social and cultural life of the Nag people. Their food habits, attire, trade, means of entertainment and economic conditions are discussed with admirable clarity. This shift from mythology to everyday life lends greater historical depth to the narrative and enables readers to appreciate the Nag civilisation as a living social order rather than merely a religious tradition.

The concluding chapter identifies the principal settlements associated with the Nag tradition, particularly in the districts of Reasi, Udhampur and Ramban, where vestiges of this ancient heritage continue to survive. The inclusion of photographs of important Nag temples at the end of the volume considerably enhances its documentary value and provides readers with a visual connection to the sites discussed in the text.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its interdisciplinary approach. Nirmohi seamlessly combines textual evidence, oral traditions, archaeology, inscriptions and regional folklore to produce a narrative that is both informative and engaging. His language remains simple, lucid and free from unnecessary academic jargon, making the book accessible to specialists and lay readers alike.

'Duggar mein Nag Parampara' is far more than a catalogue of temples or a compilation of legends. It is an earnest attempt to recover the forgotten cultural landscape of Duggar and to remind readers of the deep historical roots of the Nag tradition in the region. For students of history, archaeology, anthropology, religious studies and Dogra culture, it offers valuable material for reflection and further investigation. Equally, it deserves to be read by every Dogra who wishes to understand the historical and cultural foundations of the land to which they belong.