Dogras

Last updated

Dogras
Total population
2.5 million (2011) [1]
Regions with significant populations
Majority: Jammu
Minority: Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana
Languages
Dogri
Religion
Predominantly:
Om.svg Hinduism
Minority:
Star and Crescent.svg Islam and Khanda.svg Sikhism
Related ethnic groups
Punjabis, Kangris and other Indo-Aryans

The Dogras, or Dogra people, are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group living primarily in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and speak their native Dogri language. They live predominantly in the Duggar region of the Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir, [2] and in adjoining areas of the states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Some also live in northeastern Pakistan. [3] [4]

Contents

Dogra Rajputs of the Jamwal clan ruled Jammu from the 19th century, when Gulab Singh was made a hereditary Raja of Jammu by Ranjit Singh, while his brother Dhian Singh was the Sikh Empire's prime minister of Punjab, until September 1843. Through the Treaty of Amritsar (1846), they acquired Kashmir as well. The Dogra Regiment of the Indian Army primarily consists of Dogras from the Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu region. [5]

Etymology

The term Dogra is thought to derive from Durgara, the name of a kingdom mentioned in an eleventh century copper-plate inscription in Chamba. The inscription mentions the Raja of Chamba facing an attack by Kiras aided by the Lord of Durgara (durgāreśwara). In medieval times the term Durgara is believed to have turned into Duggar, eventually transforming to 'Dogra'. Kalhana's Rajatarangini makes no mention of a kingdom by any of these names, but the kingdoms could have been referred to by their capital cities (such as Vallapura, modern Billawar, or Babbapura, modern Babor). In modern times, the term Dogra has become an ethnic identity, referring to all who speak the Dogri language, irrespective of their religion. [6]

History

Omachanda Handa believes that the Durgara people were originally migrants from Rajasthan. The allusion to durg (fort) in their name indicates that they may have remained a warrior people, eventually founding powerful kingdoms between Chenab and Ravi, and possibly dominating up to the Sutluj river. [7]

According to archaeologist M. A. Stein, there were some eleven Dogra states in the region, all of them eventually absorbed into the Jammu state, which emerged as the most powerful. [8] Prior to the rise of Jammu, Babbapura (Babor) is believed to have been the chief state of Dogras. Lying 45 km east of Jammu, Babor contains the ruins of six magnificent temples representing a "thriving artistic activity". [9] [10] The Rajatarangini mentions Raja Vajradhara of Babbapura vowing allegiance to Bhikshachara of Kashmir in 1120 AD, along with the chiefs of neighbouring kingdoms. [11]

Jammu Dogras

The Jammu Dogras traditionally inhabited the area between the slopes of the Shivalik range of mountains and the sacred Surinsar Lake and Mansar Lake, but later spread over whole of the Jammu region. Many of the dogras immigrated from the state of Punjab, specifically from Sialkot region. They generally speak Dogri and other dialects similar to Dogri or western Pahadi-influenced languages. The majority of the Dogra are followers of Hinduism, but many in Jammu and Kashmir believe in other religions. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, some Dogras embraced Islam and Sikhism. These factors, together with the effects of immigration into the region, have resulted in the Dogra population of Jammu and Kashmir including members of all three religions. [3]

The Dogra dynasty emerged as a regional power, particularly after Rajput Maharaja Gulab Singh emerged as a warrior and his subjects received special martial recognition from the British Raj. The rule of Gulab Singh's Raj extended over the whole of the Jammu region, a large part of the Ladakh region as early as March 1846, and a large part of the Indian Punjab (now Himachal Pradesh). The Kashmir Valley was handed over to Gulab Singh by the British government, as part of the territories ceded to the British government by Lahore State according to the provisions of Article IV of the Treaty of Lahore dated 9 March 1846. Under the Treaty of Amritsar in the same year, the Dogra king of Jammu and the state was thereafter known as the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir State (Raj), also thereafter referred as Kashmir State. The term Dogra hence is more akin to the subjects of Himachal Pradesh, some areas of Punjab and the whole region of Jammu that was ruled by Raja Gulab Singh as part of the Dogra Raj irrespective of the religion of the inhabitants. [12]

Jammu and Kashmir

Gulab Singh, the first Maharaja of Dogra Rajput dynasty which ruled Jammu & Kashmir. Gulabsingh1840.jpg
Gulab Singh, the first Maharaja of Dogra Rajput dynasty which ruled Jammu & Kashmir.

The Dogra dynasty was a dynasty of Hindu Rajputs who ruled Jammu & Kashmir from 1846 to 1947.

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 First Anglo-Sikh War in 1846, the British gave Kashmir and the title of 'Maharaja' to Gulab Singh –. [13]

Military history

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 East Asia 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. [14] Prior to India's partition, the erstwhile 10th Baluch Regiment of the British Indian Army had had a company of Dogra Brahmins, which fought with great distinction in the Burma campaign. Post independence, the company was drafted to the 17th Dogra Regiment. [15]

Notable people

Culture

Folk dance and music

Cuisine

Traditional dogra food of Jammu and Kashmir Traditional dogra food-jammu and kashmir-001.jpg
Traditional dogra food of Jammu and Kashmir

Wheat, maize and bajra are staple foods, in addition to rice, cereals and a tangy preparation of mango or tamarind popularly known as ambal (अम्बल) or maani (म्हाणी)/ambal (अंबल). The dish is called dal patt maani (दाल भत्त म्हाणी) and is savoured as a combination. [19] Mittha madra (मिट्ठा मदरा) is a favourite and is made with milk, dry fruit, and semolina.

Especially in ceremonial cooking, the following are favourites: [20]

In Dogra Dhaam (community feasts and banquets), cooking is specially supervised by expert family chefs belonging to Dogra Brahmin community and are known as Siyans. [21] They are assisted by Dogra jheers in cooking. Kalari is milk preserved by the coagulation of proteins, then fried in a pan.

Non-vegetarian food was limited to Rajputs and Vaish (Mahajans). Khatta meat is mutton cooked with sour pomegranate seeds (anardana) or lime juice and flavoured with fumes of a burning charcoal soaked in mustard oil. Keyur (घ्यूर) is a well-known Dogra food. It is prepared by frying flour or maida batter, and served with sugar and curd. Mostly, it is served to bridegrooms at the time of marriage by his in-laws. Kalari is a favourite food of Dogras in the rainy season. It is prepared by mixing flour, cottage cheese and milk cream (malai) with water with help of a small cup-shaped pot. Kalari is served with milk. Kalari cheese is popular in the Jammu region and in Jammu and Kashmir state more generally. Babbru/pathoru are prepared with flour and fried in oil. Babbru is served with maani/potato dish/kheer/curd etc.

Kheer is a dish prepared from milk by adding rice and dry fruit. It is served at all special occasions and festivals. Another popular exotic dish is guchiyyan (dried black morel), usually added as an ingredient in pulao. As it grows naturally in forests and cannot be cultivated, it is a priced commodity (approx 500 Rs. per 100 g) 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. [14] Many types of pickles are prepared with Kasrod (fiddlehead fern), mango, tyaoo, lasoode and girgle. [20] [22]

Related Research Articles

The Treaty of Amritsar, executed by the British East India Company and Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu after the First Anglo-Sikh War, established the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir under the suzerainty of the British Indian Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dogri language</span> Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily in Jammu

Dogri is an Indo-Aryan language of the Western Pahari group, primarily spoken in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, India, with smaller groups of speakers in the adjoining regions of western Himachal Pradesh, northern Punjab, and north-eastern Pakistani Punjab. It is the ethnic language of the Dogras, and was spoken in the historical region of Duggar. It is currently spoken in the districts of Kathua, Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi and other adjoining districts of Jammu Province Unusually for an Indo-European language, Dogri is tonal, a trait it shares with other Western Pahari languages and Punjabi. It has several varieties, all with greater than 80% lexical similarity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dogra Regiment</span> Infantry regiment of the Indian Army

The Dogra Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its roots directly from the 17th Dogra Regiment of the British Indian Army. When transferred to the Indian Army like its sister regiments, the numeral prefix was removed. Dogra Regiment Units Maximum filled with Rajputs And Sikh. Units of the Dogra Regiment have fought in all conflicts that independent India has been engaged in, making it one of the most prestigious and most decorated regiments of the Indian Army.

The Hill States of India were princely states lying in the northern border regions of the British Indian Empire. The historic terms Punjab Hills and Pahari Hills were used to describe the foothills of the Western Himalayan-range prior to the independence of India in 1947.

Katoch is a Chandravanshi Rajput clan. The Katoch Clan is considered to be oldest Ruling Royal Dynasty of the world.Their areas of residence are mainly in the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, and the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Traditionally resided in Kangra Fort, Trigarta Kingdom, Jalandhar, Multan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulab Singh</span> First Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from 1846–1856

Maharaja Gulab Singh Jamwal (1792–1857) was the first Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and the founder of the Dogra dynasty. Originally a commander of the Sikh Empire, he sided with the British in the First Anglo-Sikh War and briefly became prime minister of the Sikh Empire in 1846. In the same year he signed the Treaty of Amritsar with the British, establishing the state of Jammu and Kashmir under the suzerainty of the British Raj; this treaty formalized the transfer of all lands that were ceded by the Sikhs to the British in the Treaty of Lahore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zorawar Singh (Dogra general)</span> General of the Sikh Empire (1784–1841)

Zorawar Singh was a military general of the Dogra Rajput ruler, Gulab Singh, who served as the Raja of Jammu under the Sikh Empire. He served as the governor (wazir-e-wazarat) of Kishtwar and extended the territories of the kingdom by conquering Ladakh and Baltistan. He also boldly attempted the conquest of Western Tibet but was killed in battle of To-yo during the Dogra-Tibetan war. In reference to his legacy of conquests in the Himalaya Mountains including Ladakh, Tibet, Baltistan and Skardu as General and Wazir, Zorowar Singh has been referred to as the "Napoleon of India", and "Conqueror of Ladakh".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranbir Singh of Jammu and Kashmir</span> Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from 1856–1885

Ranbir Singh was Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from 1856 until his death in 1885.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamwal</span> Rajput clan from Jammu, India

Jamwal is a toponymic surname for a Dogra Rajput clan of the same name from Jammu, in Jammu and Kashmir, India. They claim descent from the traditional founder of Jammu, Jambu Lochan, and there at one time some of their members were rulers of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, often referred to as the Dogra dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dogra dynasty</span> Hindu dynasty of Jammu and Kashmir (1846–1952)

The Dogra dynasty of Dogra Rajputs from the Shivalik hills created Jammu and Kashmir through the treaties with the East India Company following the First Anglo-Sikh war. Events led the Sikh Empire to recognise Jammu as a vassal state in 1820, and later the British added Kashmir to Jammu with the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846. The founder of the dynasty, Gulab Singh, was an influential noble in the court of the Sikh emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh, while his brother Dhian Singh served as the prime minister of the Sikh Empire. Appointed by Ranjit Singh as the hereditary Raja of the Jammu principality, Gulab Singh established his supremacy over all the hill states surrounding the Kashmir Valley. After the First Anglo-Sikh War in 1846, under the terms of the Treaty of Lahore, 1846, the British East India Company acquired Kashmir from the Sikh Empire and transferred it to Gulab Singh, recognising him as an independent Maharaja. Thus, Jammu and Kashmir was established as one of the largest princely states in India, receiving a 21-gun salute for its Maharaja in 1921. It was ruled by Gulab Singh and his descendants until 1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Poonch District</span>

Poonch District was a district of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently divided between India and Pakistan. The Pakistani part of the erstwhile district is now the Poonch Division in the Azad Kashmir territory, whilst the Indian part of the district is the Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. The capital of the Pakistan-controlled side is Rawalakot; while the capital of the Indian-controlled side is Poonch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duggar (region)</span> Geographical region in India

Duggar is a cultural and an aspirant state in the northern part of India, comprising the districts of Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua along with Reasi, Pouni and Katra tehsils of Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the historical homeland of the Dogra people and the major spoken language is Dogri.

The Rakwal is a Hindu Rajput clan found mainly in the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, districts of Punjab like Pathankot. Their immediate ancestor was Raja Abta Dev of Jammu, who founded a principality in Sialkot. They are a Dogra sub-group, and their customs are similar to other Dogras Rajputs. Rakwal Rajputs are Suryavanshi Lineage Rajputs of Jammu and Kashmir. The Rakwal Rajputs intermarry with the Sulehria, Langeh, Andotra, Bhalwal, Baghal, Lalotra, Manhas, Rana, Parihar, Jamwal, Rathore, Sambyal, Charak and Jaj clans of Hindu Dogra Rajputs.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jammu division</span> Administrative division in Jammu and Kashmir, India

The Jammu division is a revenue and administrative division of the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It is bordered by the Kashmir division to the north. It consists of the districts of Jammu, Doda, Kathua, Ramban, Reasi, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur and Samba. Most of the land is hilly or mountainous, including the Pir Panjal Range which separates it from the Kashmir Valley and part of the Great Himalayas in the eastern districts of Doda and Kishtwar. Its principal river is the Chenab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jammu</span> City in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu is a city in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an Indian-administered union territory. It is the headquarters and the largest city in Jammu district. Lying on the banks of the river Tawi, the city of Jammu, with an area of 240 km2 (93 sq mi), is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north and the northern plains in the south. Jammu is the second-most populous city of the union territory. Jammu is known as "City of Temples" for its ancient temples and Hindu shrines.

The people of Jammu have the following traditional clothing:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mehta Basti Ram</span> Dogra military officer and governor of Ladakh in 19th-century India

Mehta Basti Ram was a Dogra officer and commander of the Fateh Shibji battalion under Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu. Basti Ram later served as the governor (thanadar) of Leh in Ladakh between 1847 and 1861. Basti Ram joined the service of Raja Gulab Singh in 1821 and became an officer under General Zorawar Singh during his conquest of Ladakh between 1834 and 1841. After holding positions such as the governor of Taklakot (briefly) and thanadar of Zanskar, he became the second governor of Leh under Maharaja Gulab Singh.

Mian Dido Jamwal (1780-1821) is a local legend who rebelled against Gulab Singh during the Sikh Empire of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was descended from Raja Hari Dev Singh Jamwal of Jammu. He was killed by the troops of Sikh Empire. He is considered hero for local Dogra Rajputs and is used as a propagator of the regional identity of Jammu.

References

  1. ↑ "Abstract of Speakers' Strength of Languages and Mother Tongues - 2011" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  2. ↑ Sandhu, Kamaljit Kaur (4 June 2019). "Government planning to redraw Jammu and Kashmir assembly constituency borders: Sources". India Today. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  3. 1 2 "The People – Dogras". Webindia123.com. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  4. ↑ Pathik, Jyoteeshwar; Sharma, Diwan Chand (1980). Cultural Heritage of the Dogras. Light & Life Publishers.
  5. ↑ John Pike. "Punjab Regiment". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  6. ↑ Handa, Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya 1998, pp. 178–179.
  7. ↑ Handa, Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya 1998, pp. 178–180.
  8. ↑ Stein, Kalhana's Rajatarangini 1900, p. 432.
  9. ↑ Saraf, D. N. (1987), Arts and Crafts, Jammu and Kashmir: Land, People, Culture, Abhinav Publications, pp. 198–, ISBN   978-81-7017-204-8
  10. ↑ Babor Temple, Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, retrieved 25 July 2018.
  11. ↑ Charak & Billawaria 1998, pp. 6–7.
  12. ↑ "Dogra rulers and their run-ins with China". tribuneindia. 21 June 2020.
  13. ↑ Nalwa, V., 2009. Hari Singh Nalwa-Champion of the Khalsaji. New Delhi: Manohar, p. 220, ISBN   81-7304-785-5.
  14. 1 2 "Index of /". Duggartimes.com. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  15. ↑ Randle, John (1 January 2004). Battle Tales from Burma. Casemate Publishers. p. 142. ISBN   978-1-84415-112-7.
  16. ↑ www.DiscoverSikhism.com. Banda Singh Bahadur On The Canvas Of History.
  17. ↑ Suchismita (10 May 2022). "J&K loses illustrious son: Santoor maestro Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma passes away". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  18. ↑ Govt of J&K Website
  19. ↑ Brien, Charmaine O' (15 December 2013). The Penguin Food Guide to India. Penguin UK. ISBN   978-93-5118-575-8.
  20. 1 2 Kumawat, Lovesh (18 May 2020). CUISINE. NotionPress. ISBN   978-1-64850-162-3.
  21. ↑ Singh, K. S.; Pandita, K. N.; Charak, Sukh Dev Singh; Rizvi, Baqr Raza (2003). Jammu & Kashmir. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN   978-81-7304-118-1. The community meals of other Hindu groups were prepared mostly by the Brahmans who were called siyans. Before engaging themselves for the duties of siyans, they have a bath and then put on clean dhoti and kurta.
  22. ↑ "Dogras organise cultural-cum-cuisine fest in New Delhi". tribuneindia. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.

Bibliography

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