Dogra

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Dogras

Alla Rakha, Shivkumar Sharma

Total population
5,500,000
Regions with significant populations
Jammu region, Himachal Pradesh, East Punjab in India and
Azad Kashmir, West Punjab in Pakistan
Languages
Dogri
Religion

Mainly Hinduism

Related ethnic groups

Punjabis

Seraikis

The Dogras (Dogri: / )are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group in South Asia. Being
a diversified group, the Dogras include both savarnas such as Brahmins, Rajputs, Vaishyas and
non-savarnas. Dogra Rajputs are believed to be Suryavanshi along with Chandravanshi Rajputs
of Chattari origin. They ruled Kashmir for hundreds of years till independence. They live
predominantly in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir but also in adjoining areas of Punjab,
Himachal Pradesh, and northeastern Pakistan.[1] The Brahmin Dogras are predominantly Saraswat
Brahmins, genetically of common origin with Saraswat Brahmin of Kashmir.[2] They speak their
own language, Dogri, which was recognized as one of the official languages of India in 2003.
Most Dogras are Hindus, but a few are Muslims.[citation needed]

Contents
[hide]

1 The Jammu region

o 1.1 Cultural profile of Dogras

2 Etymology of Jammu and Dogra

3 The Royal House of Jammu and Kashmir (Dogra dynasty)

4 Dogra culture
o 4.1 Dogra cuisine
o 4.2 The martial tradition of the Dogras

5 Notable Dogras

6 References

7 External links

The Jammu region[edit]

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 behind the town of Jammu, which rests 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 ten districts: Jammu, Kathua,
Udhampur, Doda, Poonch, Kishtwar, Reasi, Samba, Ramban and Rajouri. The city of Jammu is
the winter capital of the state of J&K.

The Jammu Dogras traditionally more inhabited the area between the slopes of Shivalik range of
mountains, the sacred lakes of Saroien sar and Mannsar but they spread over whole of Jammu
region. They generally speak the Dogri and other dialects too have similarity with Dogri.
Majority are followers of Hinduism but a good number in J&K of Dogra believes in other
religions also. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, some Dogras embraced Islam; these
factors, together with the effects of immigration into the region, have resulted in the J&K
Dogra population including members of all three religions. The Duggar Raj emerged as a
Regional domain, more particularly with Maharaja Gulab Singh emerging as a warrior and the
subjects of in his domain getting special martial recognision by the British Government/ Empire.
The rule of Gulab Singh extended over whole of Jammu Region and large part of Ladakh region
even by March 1846 and was more known as Dogra Raj (although a large part of Punjab (now
Himachal Pardesh) too was traditionally known as Dogra clan / race irrespective of the religious
faith one held); and it was in March 1846 that the Kashmir Valley was also handed over to Gulab
Singh by British Government (being part of the territories ceded to the British Government by
the Lahore State according to the provisions of Article IV of the treaty of Lahore, dated 9 March
1846) under Treaty of Amritsar, the Dogra king of Jammu and the State was thereafter known as
the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir State (Raj), also referred as Kashmir State thereafter. The
term Dogra hence is more akin to the subjects of Himachal Pradesh, some areas of Punjab and
whole region of Jammu of J&K State that was ruled by Raja Gulab Singh as part of Dogra Raj
irrespective of the religion one practised.

Cultural profile of Dogras[edit]

Kud It is basically a ritual dance performed in honour of Lok Devatas. This dance style
is performed mostly during nights. It is spontaneous dance and people of all ages and
sexes participate in this folk dance form. Instruments used during this dance are
Narshingha, chhaina, flute, drums etc. It is the rhythm of music which controls the
movement of participants. This dance continues for the whole night. Number of
participants ranges from 20 to 30 members.

Heren It is a traditional theatre form performed during Lohri festival by 1015

members. This style is mostly performed in hilly regions of Jammu.

Fumenie and Jagarana This dance style is performed by the ladies on the eve of groom's
departure to in-laws house. Both the songs are sung by a group of females consisting of
1520 members. This traditional dance form depicts the feelings and emotions of women
folk.

Bakh/Gwatri/Kark/Masade It is a chorus narrative singing sung by a group of 10

singers without the accompaniment of any musical instruments.

Gwatri A singingdance combined tradition in which the singers narrate some text
which is enacted by the Gwatari dancers.

Karak A tale ballet singing form sung by a community called 'Jogies'. They narrate a
popular folk tale in their dance style, performed by three members with accompaniment
of a typical folk instrument called 'Rabab'.

Benthe This is chorus singing tradition performed specific community of tribal called
Gujjar and Bakerwal. Dance is performed by 57 members.[3]

Etymology of Jammu and Dogra[edit]

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 the origin
of the name to the word jambudv*ipchandraa, a combination of the words 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
(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 River. Another popular belief is that
Jammu owes its name to Raja Jambulochan, and the city remains significant since the 14th
century BC. According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India the origin of the word "Dogra" 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 (meaning country of two hollows) was converted into
Duggar and Dugra, which then became Dogra.

The Royal House of Jammu and Kashmir (Dogra dynasty)

[edit]
Main article: The Royal House of Jammu and Kashmir
Dogra dynasty was a dynasty of Hindu Rajputs who ruled Jammu & Kashmir from 1846 to 1947.
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).

Maharaja Hari Singh, the last monarch of Dogra Rajput dynasty which ruled Jammu & Kashmir.
Among the enlightened rulers of Jammu was Raja Ranjit Dev, (17281780) 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
Empire of the Punjab after it was captured from its Afghan rulers. Ranjit Singh rendered this
state to his general, Maharaja Gulab Singh Jamwal, 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. 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 - the chief minister - as a reward for his treachery against the Sikhs.[4]

Dogra culture[edit]
Dogra cuisine[edit]
Wheat, maize and bajra are staple food besides rice, cereals and 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 together 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 pumpkin, jaggery and tamarind are
favourites, especially during ceremonial cooking. The expert cooks are called Siyans, usually
Brahmins."Kalari" a milk preserved by special way of cogulation of protines and then fried on
pan to make it delicious.
[5]

Non-vegetarian food was limited to Rajputs and Vaish (Mahajans). 'Khatta Meat' - mutton
cooked with sour pomegranate seeds (Anardana)or lime juice and flavoured with fumes of a
burning charcoal soaked in mustard oil. Keur is one of the famous food of Dogras. It is prepared
by flour and butter and served with sugar and curd. Mostly, it is served to bridegroom at the time

of marriage by the in-laws. Kalaari is also one of the favourite food of Dogras in the rainy
season. It is prepared by flour mix, cottage cheese and milk cream (malai) with water with help
of a small cup shaped pot. Kalari is served with milk. Kalari cheese is also popular in the Jammu
region and in Jammu and Kashmir state more generally. Babbru/Pathoru are preparerd by flour
and fried in mustard oil. Babbru is served with maani/potato/kheer/curd.

Karan Singh, the son last monarch of Dogra Rajput dynasty which ruled Jammu & Kashmir.
Kheer is a dish prepared from milk by adding some rice and dryfruit in it. It is one of the famous
food of Dogras and served in almost all the special occasions and festivals. Another popular
exotic dish is Guchiyyan (dried mushroom - 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 gms.) 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.[6]

The martial tradition of the Dogras[edit]

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.[6]

Notable Dogras[edit]

Adarsh Sein Anand Padma Vibhushan and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India

Balraj Madhok Founder of Praja Parishad and ex- President of Janasangh.

Bansi Lal Sharma geo-scientist from Jammu who was a member of the 9th Indian
Expedition to Antarctica

Chaman Lal Gupta politician, BJP Leader, Ex Minister Union of India.

Zorawar Singh General of Maharaja Gulab Singh

Hari Singh (18951961) last ruling Maharaja of the princely state / State of Jammu and
Kashmir.

Karan Singh Congress leader/M.P.Son of Maharaja Hari Singh

K. L. Saigal Hindi movie singer and actor

Maharaja Gulab Singh General of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and later Maharaja of the
Dogra State of Jammu and Kashmir

Ram Nath Shastri- Padama shri and Famous Dogri writer.

Malika Pukhraj renowned singer

Monica Dogra singer and actor

Mukesh Rishi Hindi film actor

Nirmal Chander Vij-Retired Chief of Army Staff.

Om Prakash veteran actor

Paras Dogra cricketer who plays for Rajasthan Royals in

Prem Nath Dogra Founder of J&K Praja Parishad and later All India President of
Bhartiya Jana Sangh.

Padma Sachdev-Dogri writer.

Shesh Paul Vaid IPS officer.

Shivkumar Sharma renowned Santoor player

Tirath Das Dogra former director All India Institute of Medical Sciences, forensic
medicine expert, vice chancellor of SGT University. Member of Medical Council of
India.

Alla Rakha Padma Shri awardee and renowned tabla player.

Vidyut Jamwal Hindi film actor.

Subedar Major Vijay Kumar silver medalist in rapid pistol firing event at London
Olympics-2012.

Zakir Hussain (musician) Renowned tabla player and a musician, son of Ustad Allah
Rakha.

Mithun Manhas IPL player.

Balraj Puri-Journalist.

Ved Rahi-Famous Hindi Films Producer and Director.