MITHDI AYE DOGRAIN THE BOLI TE'

"MITHDI AYE DOGRAIN THE BOLI TE' KHAND MITHE LOG DOGRE"
   "Sweet is the language of people of Jammu and sweeter are the people"

The Dogras inhabiting the hilly tract bounding the mountains of the Kashmir Valle on the south and extending to the plains of the Punjab, are descended from Aryan stock. They speak the Dogri language- a mixture of Sanskrit, Punjabi and Persian- whose origin goes back to the Indo-Aryan branch of Sanskrit.

A sturdy people, the Dogras are divided into several castes and classes. A common attribute of the Dogras of various denominations is their physical sturdiness. Their staple food consists of rice, wheat and pulses. Their dress is simple- a short coat or a flowing shirt, with pyjamas loose at the knees and tight fitting at the ankles. the men's turban on the head is generally complemented by a 'kamarbandh' at the waist. With a shawl or a 'dupatta' thrown over the head, women put on tight-fitting bodice or jumpers over pyjaamas which resemble those of the men folk. The Dogra Rajputs, who have traditionally made the army their profession, do not, however, have a big built; their average height being five feet four inches (160 cms). They are average to the point of being indefatigable and can stand long marches over hilly terrain. The men's complexion is light brown, the women's lighter still. A simple and almost childish people, the Dogras tend to be traditionally clannish more so in the rural areas. The Brahmins of the Jammu region are mostly engaged in agriculture. A minority among them comprise the priest class. The Chibbalis and the Sudans- the chief sects among the Muslim Rajputs- are also a martial race.

Jammu province is inhabited by diverse castes and sects. Khatris and Mahajans are of Punjabi stock. They are less handsome than the Rajputs and are not hardy like them. They generally follow sedentary occupations like trade and commerce. Harijans constitute another large segment of the population. They are agriculturists and pursue semi-skilled professions.

Strong-muscled, virile, simple and truthful, the Paharis inhabit the hilly tracts of the 'middle mountains'. Theirs is a very hard life, rearing sheep and cultivating the sparse available tracts of land on hilly, sloppy terraces for barley, wheat and maize. This area also supplies a considerable number of recruits to the Army. Lack of communications to the outside world has isolated them and contributed to their comparative poverty, as well as to their remaining practically untouched by what are called by them "the vices and vulgarities of town". Their hospitality is exemplary. Frugal in habits, their diet is simple and sparse- wheat bread with whey and lentils. their language is a mixture of Dogri, Punjabi and Hindi. Generally dressed in gray woolens and loose pyjamas, they also flaunt a 'kamarbandh'. Women wear long loose tunics, close fitting 'churidars' and 'dupatta' or cap to complete their charming ensemble. The Dogras are deeply attached to their land. Much of their folklore- myths and legends-relates to their Shrines.

Beauteous and bright is the land of Duggar , Jammu (Tawi)

 

Beauteous and bright is the land of Duggar ,
Sweet its speech and lore ,
It's a treasure, brethren ,
Mines of diamonds and gold .

Romantic green meadows, majestic mountains, Bewitching lakes and valleys, Picturesque views, breathtaking beauty…

Yes, JAMMU has the uncanny ability to surprise and spellbound you at every turn. Tucked snugly between golden glittering "Shikhars" (domes) on ancient temples and holy shrines perched atop hillsides, lie the most amazing scenes you could ever imagine. 

But, these enchanting, fascinating places have to be discovered…. by you. Quietly, gently, patiently. For, when they do reveal their inherent beauty, You, will be for sure, swept off your feet.

In fact, you won't believe your eyes.

History
According to the most popular legend, Jammu city was founded by Raja Jamboolochan in 14th century BC as he found divine power here. During one of his hunting campaigns he reached near a river (Tawi) where he saw a goat and a lion drinking water at the same place. The king was impressed and decided to set up a town after his name, Jamboo. With the passage of time the name got corrupted and became "Jammu".

The city name figures in the ancient book Mahabharata. Name of Jammu city is also found in the memories of Timur.Excavation near Akhnoor provide evidences that Jammu was a part of Harappan civiliaziation. Remains of Mauryan , Kushan, and Gupta periods have also been found.

Jammu had a number of tiny principalities but kingdom of Jammu always occupied a leading place. Maldev and Ranjit Dev were among the eminent rulers. Ranjit Dev ruled this kingdom from 1723-1783. His successors were weak, which ultimately brought Sikh regime to Jammu. When Maharaja Ranjit Singh was faced with a rebellion he sent Gulab Singh, a scion of Dogra family to control it. He was a descendent of Maharaja Ranjit Dev. Displaying enviable valours, he annexed whole of Jammu region to sikh kingdom. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, his successors could not keep the kingdom intact and fell pray to place intrigues, hastening its downfall. When its power was completely eroded after III war, the victorous British India Govt. demended an indemnity of 1.50 crores. Since Sikh rulers were unable to pay this amount, gulab Singh pays the Rs.75 lakhs and in exchange got territory of Kashmir and certain other areas under Treaty of Amritsar on March 16, 1846. Thus Gulab Singh integrated Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions in one administrative unit, with this the Dogra rule was established in the state.

After Gulab Singh, Maharaja Ranbir Singh became the ruler in 1857 and ruled up to 1885. On his death Partap Singh became the ruler and presented introduced many reforms. His nephew Maharaja Hari Singh succeeded Maharaja Partap Singh in 1925 who signed the instrument of accession on October 26, 1947 in favour of Union of India. It was the British paramount lapsed; J and K became an integral part of India. He abdicated his responsibilities on June 20, 1949 and made his son Dr. Karan Singh a Regent who was the last monarch.

भारत से आज़ाद होना चाहता है कश्मीर: अरुंधती रॉय

19 अगस्त 2008 के नवभारत टाइम्स में ये खबर छपी, आपने पढ़ी ज़रूर होगी। अगर नहीं पढ़ पाये हैं तो पूरी खबर ज्यों की की त्यों आपके सामने है

मशहूर ऐक्टिविस्ट और बुकर प्राइज़ विनर राइटर अरुंधती रॉय ने सोमवार को कश्मीर में हुई एक विशाल रैली में कहा ,' कश्मीर को भारत से आज़ादी चाहिए और ठीक उसी तरह भारत को भी कश्मीर से आज़ादी चाहिए। ' इस रैली के दौरान उन्होंने कहा कि कश्मीर की जनता ने हुक्मरान को अपनी चाहत का बयान साफ-साफ लफ्ज़ों में कर दिया है। अरुंधती रॉय ने कहा कि कश्मीर की इस आवाज़ को अगर कोई नहीं सुन रहा है तो महज़ इसलिए कि ' वह ' सुनना नहीं चाहता है, जबकि यही जनमत है। उन्होंने कहा , ' कश्मीर के लोग नहीं चाहते कि कोई उनका प्रतिनिधित्व करे, कश्मीरी खुद अपना प्रतिनिधित्व कर सकते हैं और कर रहे हैं। ' टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया ' से बात करते हुए उन्होंने कहा, ' जो भी कश्मीर की रैलियों में मौजूद रहता है, सामान्य कश्मीरी की भावनाओं को समझता है उसकी कश्मीर की आज़ादी की मांग के मुद्दे पर दो राय नहीं हो सकती है।
' अपनी किताब ' द गॉड ऑफ स्मॉल थिंग्स ' के लिए बुकर प्राइज़ जीतने वाली अरुंधती रॉय ने आगे कहा , ' 1930 से ही कश्मीरियों का प्रतिनिधित्व करने के मुद्दे पर तमाम बहस और विवाद रहे, चाहे हरि सिंह हों या फिर शेख अब्दुल्ला या फिर कोई और लेकिन इस बहस का अंत नहीं हुआ। ' यही बहस आज भी जारी है चाहे हुर्रियत हो या कोई और, लेकिन कश्मीरियों के प्रतिनिधित्व का मुद्दा नहीं सुलझा। ' लेकिन मुझे लगता है कि आज आम कश्मीरी ही खुद का प्रतिनिधि है।

text of instrument of accession

Whereas the Indian Independence Act, 1947, provides that as from the fifteenth day of August, 1947, there shall be set up an independent Dominion known as INDIA, and that the Government of India Act, 1935, shall, with such omission, additions, adaptations and modifications as the Governor-General may by order specify, be applicable to the Dominion of India,
And whereas the Government of India Act, 1935, as so adapted, by the Governor General provides that an Indian State may accede to the Dominion of India by an Instrument of Accession executed by the Ruler thereof :
Now, therefore, I Shriman Inder Mahander Rajrajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Shri Hari Singhji Jammu and Kashmir Naresh Tatha Tibbet adi Deshadhipathi, Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir State, in the exercise of my Sovereignty in and over my said State do hereby execute this my Instrument of Accession; and
1. I hereby declare that I accede to the Dominion of India with the intent that the Governor-General of India, the Dominion Legislature, the Federal Court and any other Dominion authority established for the purposes of the Dominion shall, by virtue of this my Instrument of Accession but subject always to the terms thereof, and for the purposes only of the Dominion, exercise in relation to the State of Jammu and Kashmir (hereinafter refrred to as "this State") such functions as may be vested in them by or under the Government of India Act, 1935, as in force in the Dominion of India, on the 15th Day of August 1947, (which Act as so in force is hereafter refrred to as "the Act").
2. I hereby assume the obligation of ensuring that due effect is given to provisions of the Act within this State so far as they are applicable therein by virtue of this my Instrument of Accession.
3. I accept the matters specified in the scheduled hereto as the matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature may make laws for this State.
4. I hereby declare that I accede to the Dominion of India on the assurance that if an agreement is made between the Governor-General and the Ruler of this State whereby any functions in relation to the administration in this State of any law of the Dominion Legislature shall be exercised by the Ruler of this State, then any such agreement shall be deemed to form part of this Instrument and shall be construed and have effect accordingly.
5. The terms of this my Instrument of Accession shall not be varied by any amendment of the Act or the Indian Independence Act, 1947, unless such amendment is accepted by me by Instrument supplementary to this Instrument.
6. Nothing in this Instrument shall empower the Dominion Legislature to make any law for this State authorising the compulsory acquisition of land for any purpose, but I hereby undertake that should the Dominion for the purpose of a Dominion law which applies in this State deem it necessary to acquire any land, I will at their request acquire the land at their expense, or, if the land belongs to me transfer it to them on such terms as may be agreed or, in default of agreement, determined by an arbitrator to be appointed by the Chief justice of India.
7. Nothing in this Instrument shall be deemed to commit in any way to acceptance of any future constitution of India or to fetter my discretion to enter into arrangement with the Government of India under any such future constitution.
8. Nothing in this Instrument affects the continuance of my Sovereignty in and over this State, or, save as provided by or under this Instrument, the exercise of any powers, authority and rights now enjoyed by me as Ruler of this State or the validity of any law at present in force in this State.
9. I hereby declare that I execute this Instrument on behalf of this State and that any reference in this Instrument to me or to the Ruler of the State is to be construed as including a reference to my heirs and successors.
Given under my hand this 26th day of October, nineteen hundred and forty-seven.
Hari Singh,Maharajadhiraj of Jammu and Kashmir State.
Acceptance of Accession by the Governor-General of India
I do hereby accept this Instrument of Accession.
Dated this twenty-seventh day of October, nineteen hundred and forty-seven.
Mountbatten of Burma,Governor-General of India.

the dogra race

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 some are Muslims.

The Instrument of Accession is a legal document executed by Maharajah Hari Singh

The Instrument of Accession is a legal document executed by Maharajah Hari Singh, ruler of the State of Jammu and Kashmir (princely state), on October 26, 1947. It gives control of Jammu and Kashmir princely state (includes Jammu, Kashmir, Northern Areas, Ladakh and Aksai Chin) to the government of India.
"Whereas the Indian Independence Act, 1947, provides that as from the fifteenth day of August, 1947, there shall be set up an Independent Dominion known as India, and that the Government of India Act, 1935 shall, with such omission, additions, adaptations and modifications as the governor-general may by order specify, be applicable to the Dominion of India.
And whereas the Government of India Act 1935, as so adapted by the governor-general, provides that an Indian State may accede to the Dominion of India by an Instrument of Accession executed by the Ruler thereof.
Now, therefore, I Shriman Inder Mahander Rajrajeswar Maharajadhiraj Shri Hari Singhji, Jammu and Kashmir Naresh Tatha Tibbetadi Deshadhipathi, Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir (princely state), in the exercise of my sovereignty in and over my said State do hereby execute this my Instrument of Accession and I hereby declare that I accede to the Dominion of India with the intent that the governor-general of India, the Dominion Legislature, the Federal Court and any other Dominion authority established for the purposes of the Dominion shall, by virtue of this my Instrument of Accession but subject always to the terms thereof, and for the purposes only of the Dominion, exercise in relation to the State of Jammu and Kashmir (hereinafter referred to as "this State") such functions as may be vested in them by or under the Government of India Act, 1935, as in force in the Dominion of India, on the 15th day of August, 1947, (which Act as so in force is hereafter referred to as "the Act") ." It is further specified that. "I accept the matters specified in the schedule hereto as the matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature may make law for this State." Thus the power of the Dominion to make laws was restricted to the matters mentioned in the Schedule namely Defence,Foreign Affairs and Communications and a few ancillary subjects specified in the schedule.For all other matters concurrence of the State Government was essential. The accession was accepted by Lord Mountbatten, Governor General of India, the following day (October 27, 1947). Lord Mountbatten in his letter of acceptance wrote that "Consistently with their policy that in the case of any State where the accession has been the subject of dispute,the question of accession should be decided in accordance with the wishes of the people of the State,it is my Government's wish that,as soon as law and order have been restored in Kashmir and her soil cleared of the invader,the question of the State's accession should be settled by a reference to the people."

Treaty of Amritsar, 1846“Treaty Btween the British Government and Mhaaraja Gulab Singh Jummoo”

The text of treaty reads as follow:Treaty of Amritsar, 1846“Treaty Btween the British Government and Mhaaraja Gulab Singh Jummoo”. Done at Amritsar, 16th March, 1846“Article IThe British Government and makes over for ever, in independent possessiion, to Maharaja Gulab Singh and the heirs male of his body, all the hilly or the mountainMountainous country, situated to the eastwards of the river Indus and the westward of the River Ravee, including Chamb and excluding Lahul, being part of terrorists ceded to the British government by the Lahore State, according to the provisions of Article IV, of the Treaty of Lahore, dated 9th of March, 1846.Article IIThe Eastern boundary of the tract transferred by the foregong article to Maharaja Gulab Singh shall be laid down by the commissioner appointed by the British government and Maharaja Golab singh respectively for the purpose, and shall be defined in a separate engagement after survey.Article IIIIN consideration of the transfer made to him and is heirs by the provision of the foregoing Articles, Maharaj Gulab Singh will pay to the British Government the sum of Rupees (annukshahee) fifty lakhs to be paid on rectification of this treaty and twenty five lakhs on or before the fist October of the current year A.D. 1846.The limits of the territories of Mahajraj Gulab Singh shall not be at any time changed without the concurrence of the British Government.Article VMaharaja Gulab Singh will refer to the arbitration of the British Government any disputes or questions that may arise between himself and the Government of Lahore or any to the neighboring State and will abide by the decision of the British Government.Article VIMaharaj Gulab Singh engages for himself and heirs to join, with the whole of military force, the British troops, when employed within the hills or in the territories adjoining his possessions. Article VIIMaharaja Gulab Singh engages never to take or retain in his service, any British subject, nor the subject of any European or American State, without the consent of the British Government.Article VIIIMaharaja Gulab Singh engages to respect, in regard to the territory transferred to him, the provisions of Article V, VI and VII of the separate engagement between the British Government and the Lahore Durbar, dated March 11, 1846.
Article IXThe British Government will give its aid to Maharaja Gulab Singh in protecting his territories from external enemies.Article XMaharaja Gulab Singh acknowledges the supremacy of the British Government and will in token of such supremacy present annually to the British Government one horse, twelve perfect shawl goats of approved breed (six male and six female) and three pairs of Kashmiri shawls."