K D Maini
Before 1846, there was no concept of Jammu Province between Ravi and Jehlum in the southern hills of Pir Panchal Range and Dhuladhar mountain. There were 22 independent and semi-independent principalities mostly dominated by Dogra Rajas of Jammu area which was centrally located place, connected with trade routes and Jammu city was the center of Dogra culture,heritage and trade activities.
The track between Ravi and Chanab remains famous as Dogra Desh and the habitants of this area were known as Dogras. Duggar is a Sanskrit word which has been derived from Derghart (which means the land between two lakes). The historians of Jammu are of the view that the native place of Dogras is the area between SuriansarLake and Mansar Lake, from where they spread in the whole DograDesh.
The area between Suriansar and Mansar was originally known as Dvigrat Desh. However with the passage of time it changed to Durgara, about Durgara a Shillalakh have been recovered in Chamba area which reveals that the Raja of Chamba (930-910 A.D) had defeated Raja of Durgara which has been mentioned for Jammu. With the passage of time the name changed from Durgara to Duggar and its natives as Dogras. On the other hand a legend is popular in the villages of Jammu that Dogras, Dugaras, Durgeshvera has been derived from Durga.
It is important to note that the imprints of Dogra culture and heritage are available near the lakes of Suriansar and Mansar. For example, the old city Babbor which is known as the ancient capital of Jammu is located near these lakes, the religious places like Purmandal, Utarbhani, Holly Devika stream are also found in this vary region. Fridric Drew, an English writer wrote in his book ‘the Northern barriers of India’ that the ruins of three old temples are also available in this area. The architect, beauty and engraving work on stones used in these temples is a symbol of rich Dogra Heritage.
As per ‘GhulabNama’, initially the natives of Jammu were known as Surajvanshi, from this dynasty there was Raja Agni Gurab-II having eighteen sons. He extended its state upto Tawi River. After his death his elder son Bahu Lochan became the ruler of the area and established a new township Bahu Nagar which was originally known as Dhar Nagri. Bahu fort and town still exist across TawiRiver.
Bahu Lochanwas having no issue, therefore Bahu state was handed over to his younger brother Jamboo Lochan. In those days, the left bank of Tawi River comprised of thick forests, bushes and barren areas. Once Jamboo Lochan went in this forest area for hunting purpose, he saw on a hill, a lion and goat drinking water from a pool. Raja was very impressed and decided to establish a town after his name in this area. With the passage of time, forest area was cleared, attractive palace and township was constructed for Raja JambooLochan and the natives of his principality. Raja named this township as Jamboo. With the passage of time Jamboo changed to Jammu and the natives of this township were known as Jamwals. Later on the whole principality became famous as Jammu and presently the whole province is known as Jammu province.
As discussed, there were about 22 semi-independent or independent Principalities in Jammu Region before 1846. Most of them were dominated by Jammu Raj especially during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Dev (1733-82).At the time of Maharaja Ranjit Dev, about ten principalities of Dogra group including Jasrota, Samba, Dalpatpura, Mankote, Chanani, Trikote, Bhoti, Akhnoor, Lakanpur and Bahu were the branches of ruling family of Jammu. This privilege helped Jammu to extend its sway over a number of neighboring principalities like Badharwah, Kishtwar, Basooli, Chamba, Rajouri and Bhimbar. They have differences with their neighbours in language, culture and belief system. However Maharaja Ranjit Dev tried to provide leadership and helped these principalities at the time of need. Therefore during the period of Ranjit Dev Jammu was having dominating role in all other principalities.
After Ranjit Dev the downfall of Jammu Raj started with the rise of Sikhs Misles and Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab. The Punjabi Rulers dominated Dogra region and ultimately after the death of Raja Jeet Singh in 1810, Maharja Ranjit Singh established its rule on Jammu also. The leadership of this region seriously thought about the reestablishment in Jammu Raj, which was one of the soft trade route from Dehli to Kashmir and beyond and passed through Jammu territory from Basoli in the East and Rajouri in the West upto 18th Century. In this vary period the second family of Raja Ranjit Dev got opportunity to establish its relations with Punjab Darbar.
After 1819, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh also became the ruler of Kashmir, he entrusted the safety of the line of communication from Jammu to Srinagar to Gulab Singh by a Sanad of 1820.At that time Gulab Singh was a trustworthy able commander of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. His brother Raja Dhyan Singh was prime minister in Lahore Darbar, his third brother Suchait Singh and nephew Hira Singh were well adjusted in Lahore Darbar. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ruled Jammu from 1810-1822 AD. In the meantime in 1822 Gulab Singh captured a rebel of Khalsa Sarkar Raja Aghar Khan of Rajouri and sent him to Lahore. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was so pleased to Gulab Singh that on the suggestion of Raja Dyan Singh he appointed Gulab Singh as Raja of Jammu in 1822. Then Gulab Singh tried to dominate the other principalities of Jammu region and made them loyal to Khalsa Sarkar Lahore because Maharaja Ranjit Singh had full faith in Gulab Singh which also helped Gulab Singh to emerge as a powerful person.
During the rule from Raja Ranjit Dev to Raja Gulab Singh on Jammu under KhalsaSarkar, Jammu state was luckily having atleast three able leaders who became the pride for Jammu. These were Ranjit Dev, Gulab Singh and Zorawar Singh. Ranjit Dev was known for its secular ideas, military leadership and administration. He accumulated all the natives irrespective of caste and creed. He conquered Basohli, Badharwah, Chamba, Kishtwar, Noorpur, Kanghara, Gular, Akhnoor, Rajouri and Bhimber. He also established friendly relations with Mughals and Afghan Rulers.
Ghulab Singh, a scion of the junior branch of Jamwal ruling families by getting inspiration from Ranjit Dev had tried to revive Jammu Raj with the help of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and with his own abilities. By getting the benefit of his brother Raja Dyan Singh, the prime minister of Lahore Darbar and confidence of Maharja Ranjit Singh, he emerged a powerful Raja of Jammu. His GeneralZorawar Singh conquered Ladakh, Zanskar, Purja, Baltistan and a part of Gilgit for KhalsaSarkar, but in reality all these areas were under his dominance and he was paying some tribute to KhalsaSarkar. Zorawar Singh Captured these areas and made them a part of DograDesh. He had also tried to capture Tibet but he was killed at Tuklakote in 1841. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839, disturbance started in Punjab and war taken place between Khalsa Sarkar and Britishers. Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu played a vital role in negotiation between khalsa Sarkar and British government due to which Khalsa Sarkar handed over Kashmir to British government along with other areas. After some time British Government on 16th March 1846handed over Kahsmir to Gulab Singh and nominated him as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir State after receiving Rs. 75 Lakhs. Thus the period from 1733-1846 is considered the Shining period for Dogras, when Maharaja Ranjit Dev converted Jammu principality into a powerful state. Zorawar Singh extended Jammu upto Ladhak and Gilgit and Gulab Singh became the Maharaja of J&K state. This period is also known as a symbol of Dogra Pride.
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