Dogra

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Dogras
Total population

873,000
Regions with significant populations
Significant populations in:
Languages
Dogri
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups

The Dogras are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group in South Asia. They live predominantly in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir but also in adjoining areas of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Northeastern Pakistan. They speak their own language, Dogri which, in 2003, was recognized as one of the national languages of India. Before that, it was considered a dialect of Punjabi due to the almost identical nature of both languages. Most Dogras are Hindus, but [1], some are Muslims.

Contents

[edit] The Jammu Region

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 in Pakistan. The lower Himalayan ranges begin suddenly behind the town of Jammu, which is placed on a slope of over 1300 feet above sea level, overlooking and commanding the plain watered by the Chenab, Ravi, Tawi and Ujh rivers. The Jammu region consists of eight districts: Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Poonch, Kishtwar, Reasi and Rajouri.The city of Jammu is the winter capital of the state(the summer capital being Srinagar, in the Kashmir Valley). The Dogras traditionally inhabited the area between the slopes of Shivalak range of mountains, the sacred lakes of Saroien sar and Mannsar. Saroieen sar is located at 30 km to the west of Jammu. Dogras are believed to be of Rajput origin migrating many centuries ago from Rajputana (now called Rajestan) to the hilly areas of Jammu. They speak the Dogri language and the majority are followers of Hinduism. However, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, few Dogras embraced Sikhism while Muslim invaders forcibly converted few to Islam and hence moved out of Hindu religion

[edit] Etymology 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 its origin in the word jambudvipa, a combination of the word `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 to Jambavantha or 'Jamwant', the 'Riksharaja' or 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).

According to the 'Imperial Gazetteer of India' the origin of the word 'Dogra', as commonly stated by the people themselves, 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' or the country of two hollows, was corrupted into Duggar and 'Dugra' and then became Dogra. From Jammu stretching to the east along the plains of the Punjab is the Duggar country and all who live in it, whether high born Rajputs or low born menials are known as Dogras, and have certain national characteristics and a common tongue, Dogri, which are differentiated from any of the other people in India. What is more acceptable is the popular belief that Jammu owes its name to Raja Jambulochan, but it remained an insignificant village till the fourteenth century A.D.

[edit] The Royal House of Jammu and Kashmir

The chronology of the rulers of Jammu dates back to the Ramayana Period. Indeed, they traced their ancestry to the Ikshvaku(Solar) Dynasty of Northern India (The same clan in which Lord Rama was born. He, therefore is the 'kuldevta'(family deity) of the Dogras).A Raghuvanshi descendant, 'Agnigarba' who was living as a recluse, came to Nagarkote (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh), in the Shivalik hills. When the Raja of Kangra came to know about this person's ancestry, he offered him the hand of his daughter and a part of kingdom. The river Ravi was then the boundary of Nagarkote. Agnigarba crossed it and captured some villages in the Kathua area and declared himself as sovereign king. After his death, his son Bayusharva (B.C. 1530-1500) married the princess of Parole (Kathua). The princess was known as Erwan and she died young. The Raja founded a city after her which is still found near Parole, though now a small village and at the 'Samadhi' of the queen, a `Mela' (fair) is held at every `Baisakhi' (13th or 14th of April) every year. Bayusharva extended the boundaries up to the river Ujh. Bayusharva's great grandson, Bahulochan was enthroned after his death. He migrated from Erwan and built his fort on the banks of river Tawi. Bahulochan died in a bloody battle with Chadaras, Raja of Sialkot (Shayalkot) and his younger brother Jambulochan (B.C 1320-1290) ascended the throne. In those days the area beyond Tawi (the present city of Jammu) was used for hunting. Tradition has it that one day Jambulochan came to this area and while he was sitting behind a bush to ambush some bird or animal, he saw a lion (a tiger in some accounts) and a goat drinking water from the same pond. This peaceful coexistence encouraged him to found the city of Jammu, which some say is named after him. One of his descendants, Raja Shaktikaran (B.C 1200-1177) introduced the Dogri Script for the first time. Another of his descendants, Jasdev founded the city of Jasrota on the bank of river Ujh, and another Raja, Karan Dev built a fort on the banks of the river Basantar. In the early centuries of the first millennium the area came under the sway of the Indo-Greeks, with their capital at Sakala (Sialkot).

Among the enlightened rulers of Jammu was Raja Ranjit Dev, (1728-1780) who introduced certain social reforms such as a ban on 'Sati' (immolation of the wife on the pyre of the husband) and female infanticide.

Later, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the state became part of the Sikh Kingdom of the Punjab after it was captured from its Afghan rulers. Ranjit Singh rendered this state to his general, Maharaja Gulab Singh, who belonged to the Jamwal Rajput clan that ruled Jammu. He extended the boundaries of Jammu to western Tibet with the help of General Zorawar Singh, who has been referred to by British Historians as the 'Napoleon of India'. The Sikh Empire rule extended beyond the Jammu Region and the Kashmir Valley to the Tibetan Buddhist Kingdom of Ladakh and the Emirates of Hunza, Gilgit and Nagar. After the Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1846, the Bitish gave Kashmir to Maharaja Gulab Singh as reward for his treachery against the Sikhs.

Pratap Singh, (enthroned in 1855) in saw the construction of Banihal Cart Road (B.C. Road) mainly to facilitate telegraph services. The last ruler of J&K was Maharaja Hari Singh, who ascended the throne in 1925. He made primary education compulsory in the State, introduced laws prohibiting child marriage and threw open places of worship for the low castes. His reign saw the accession of Jammu & Kashmir to the newly independent Indian Union in 1947. Although he originally manoeuvered to maintain his independence by playing off India and Pakistan against each other, Maharaja Hari Singh, the last king of the Rajput Kingdom of Jammu & Kashmir ceded his kingdom to the Indian Union in 1947, after Pakistan's founder and Governor-General Mohammad Ali Jinnah, frustrated by his failure to merge his kingdom into Pakistan, incited armed Pashtuns from the neighbouring North West Frontier Province to invade the kingdom in an attempt to seize it. This invasion by Pakistani tribals and the consequent accession to India sparked the First Indo-Pakistan War. .In 1951 Maharaja Hari Singh's rule was terminated by the assembly and his son Yuvraj(Crown Prince) Karan Singh was made 'Sadr-e-Riyasat' ('President of the Province') and Governor of the State in 1964.

[edit] Dogra Culture

The Dogra culture is descended from that of the Indo-Aryans who settled in and became the main population of India. Dogras are divided into castes on the same lines as Hindus in other parts of India, but have local variations.

[edit] Religion, Art, literature and music

Religion: The region of Jammu and Kashmir is most holy and sacred for Hindu people as it has many famous temples.

Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine: This is the most pious and famous of Hindu religious places. Situated atop Shivalik Mountains, it is around 16 km uphill walk through steep mountain peaks. Situated inside a cave is the Sanctum Sanctorum Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, incarnation of Mata Parvati; the supreme all powerful Goddess.

Amarnath Cave: Situated at a significant distance from Pahalgam....deep through rocky mountains and treacherous passes lies the Sanctum Sanctorum shrine of Lord Shiva (The Creator, Preserver and Destroyer) of all Living and non-living Objects/things. During the Month of March/April around rakshabanndhan time, one can witness the miraculous Formation of Shiv Linga at Amrnath Temple...on one particular day, a small rivulet/stream of water solidifies into Ice..perfecting into White Shiv Linga.

Raghunath Temple: Situated at Raghnuath Bazaar (Jammu), one can witness master-piece Hindu Temple building architecture. Dedicated to Lord Rama, this temp,e was constructed by the Local Dogra Kings of Jammu region.

Dogra Pahari Paintings

The earliest paintings in PAHARI style originated in Basohli. The first mention of Basohli paintings is in the annual report of the Archaeological Survey of India for the year 1918-19 published in 1921. Subsequently, This style spread to the Hill States of Mankot, Nurpur, Kulu, Mandi, Suket, Bilaspur, Nalagarh, Chamba, Guler and Kangra.

It was in 1675, when Pahari School came into being. According to Karl Khandalwala, Raja Kripal Pal of Basholi was first to patronize artists regularly. Raja Sansar Chand, Raja Balwant Singh and other Pahari rulers, further nurtured generations of proficient artists in their courts.

Immortalised by its artistic eminences and their connoisseur patterns, Basohli today is a metaphor for a vigorous, bold and imaginative artistic style, rich, stylish and unconventional

For more details on Dogra Pahari Paintings please log in to http://www.duggartimes.com

Dogri folk literature comprises (a) Prose forms short stories, proverbs and riddles; (b) Verse from classified as under:

1. Ballads:- (a) Baran, (b) Kaarkan, (c) Love ballads, (d) Devotional, (e) those of women saints.

2. Lyrics:- They are vast and varied and difficult to mention e.g. love lyrics, ceremonial lyrics, dance lyrics etc.

Dogri folk songs too range from love to heroism and sacrifice. Ceremonial lyrics give analysis of human reaction to ceremonies. 'Biayian' are sung to celebrate the birth of male child, indicating gender bias. Family lyrics pertain to household members such as mother, father, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law and their relationships.

To get more information on Dogra Art, Literature, and Video Albums, Audio Albums of Dogri, Pahari, Gogri, Himachali and Kashmiri Music log on to Duggar Sansar website http://www.duggartimes.com

[edit] Marriage among Dogras

Some dogra still follow type of marriage which is called 'Dohry' (Double) - take a daughter and give them your daughter. 'Gotra' and `Kula' exogamy is maintained. 'Chadar pana', or marrying the brothers widow is also found in Jammu. Child marriage was common too (Girls 10-14 years, and Boys 15-18 years) but Maharaja Hari Singh banned this in 1940 and raised the age of marriage for girls to 16 years and boys to 18 years. In the hilly areas of Udhampur, Kathua and Doda people also take concubines termed as 'Duals'.

[edit] Dogra Cuisine

Wheat, maize and Bajra are staple food besides Rice, cereals & a tangier preparation made out of either mango or tamarind also popularly known as "maani", the whole dish is called "Dal Puth Maani" and is savoured togeher as a combination. Mitha Madra is a favourite and is cooked from milk, dry fruits and semolina. Preparations of Rajmash (a special variety of Red Kidney Beans), 'auria' a dish of curd fermented by rye; 'ambal' made from 'aam' mango, jaggery and tamarind are favourites, especially during ceremonial cooking. The expert cooks are called 'Siyans', usually Brahmins. Non vegetarian food was limited to Rajputs and Vaish (Mahajans). 'Khatta Meat' - mutton cooked with sour pomegranate seeds or lime juice and flavoured with fumes of a burning charcoal soaked in mustard oil. KUER is one of the famous food of dodras. it is prepared by flour and butter and serve with sugar and curd. mostly it serve to bridgeroom at the time of marriage by the in laws. CHROLIAN is also one of the favourite food of dogras in the rainy season.IT is prepared by flour mix with water with help of a small cup shaped pot [chrolu].CHROLIAN serve with milk,BABBRU/PATHORU are preparerd by flour and fried in mustard oil babbru are served with maani/potato/kheer/curd,KHEER is a dish prepared from milk by adding some rice and dryfruit in it. kheer is one famous food of dogras and serving in almost all the special occasion and festival of dogras. Another popular exotic dish is Guchiyyan (Dried Mushroom - Black Morel), as it grows naturally in forests and cannot be cultivated; it is a priced commodity and makes an excelled dish with Mountain potatoes (Pahadi Aloo). Saffron or Kesar is extensively used to flavour Sweet dishes and for its anti-oxidant benefits.

For more information log on to Dogra cuisine

[edit] The martial tradition of the Dogras

The Dogras are known for their valour. The Dogra Regiment was among the regiments of the British Indian Army, which made significant contributions in both the world wars on all fronts from the Far East to Europe and North Africa. At Independence, it became an infantry regiment of the Indian Army composed largely but not exclusively of the Dogra people. The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, another regiment of the Indian Army, consisting of mainly Dogras was formed out of the former army of the Kingdom of Jammu & Kashmir after it was absorbed into the Indian Army.

To get more information on dogra martial log on to http://www.duggartimes.com

[edit] Famous Dogras

  • Girdhari Lal Dogra: former Minister and senior Congress leader
  • Raja Ranjit Dev, Dogra ruler
  • Maharaja Gulab Singh, general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and later Maharaja of the Dogra Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir
  • General Zorawar Singh, legendary general of Maharaja Gulab Singh
  • Maharaja Hari Singh (1895–1961), was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state / Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir in India. He was the Father of Dr. Karan Singh
  • Dr. Karan Singh, son of Maharaja Hari Singh and distinguished diplomat (Congress Leader from J&K, Royal Family and would have been Maharaja / King of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Karan Singh was born heir apparent to the then ruler of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and served successively as regent, Sardar-i-Riyasat and governor of the state)
  • Mr. M.L. Dogra, Director, Athletics Federation of India
  • Sansar Chand - (1900-1995) The Doyen of art movement in Jammu, who cultivated, promoted three generations of art talent in painting. His works including landscapes, portraits, war paintings, subject art and miniature work adorn many invidual and public galleries world over. The most precious gift he gave to Jammuites was the Dogra Art Gallery presently known as DOGRA ART MUSEUM, that was made possible because of his unflinching love & dedication for Duggar and its people, and tireless work. He is missed and admired by both his students and admirers.
  • Dr.Waqar Doger
  • Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Artist who brought the santoor, a folk instrument, to classical music
  • Ustad Alla Rakha, master of tabla
  • Padma Sachdev, Famous dogri writer.
  • Miyan Dido, dogra warrior born in Nagrota who fought against Maharaja Hari Singh.
  • Prem Nath Dogra
  • Balraj Madhok
  • Arjun "Joga Bonito" Dogra
  • Baba Chamliyal a.k.a Duleep Singh Manhas, warrior- saint whose samadhi is visited by tens of thousands per year
  • Rajat Mahajan, a person who has taken an initiative to get d desired recognition to dogri.
  • duggar Sansar Website

[edit] See also

[edit] External links