Duggarpedia

Kangra painting  Holi in Jammu & Kashmir has a distinct historical character shaped by Dogra rule,Sikh empire and regional traditions. When Jammu & Kashmir emerged as a separate princely state in 1846 under the Dogras, Holi became one of the prominent spring festivals in Jammu , especially among the urban population and the royal court. Holi Under the Sikh Period (Early 19th Century) During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1801–1839), Holi was celebrated with exceptional grandeur at Lahore, which at the time governed Jammu. Contemporary observers describe elaborate preparations, including the large scale use of lac-based dyes. In 1837, records note the consumption of nearly 300 mounds of dye during festivities. European officials, including Sir Henry Fane , are documented as having witnessed these celebrations. Although centred in Lahore, these courtly traditions influenced administrative and elite culture in regions under Sikh authority, including Jammu. Financial Reco...

 Nestled along the banks of the Ravi River is Kathua, a distt more than just a picturesque district of Jammu. Alexander vs the kingdom of Hydraotes Long before modern borders and districts existed, ancient Greek historians like Strabo referred to a region here as the Kathaioi Republic, highlighting its early significance as a self governing polity in the foothills of the Himalayas, at the time of invasion of India by Alexander. Strabo describes Kathaioi as a mighty republic of that era, located in the foothills along the Ravi River. The topography of Kathaioi corresponds with the present day Kathua. Strabo describes the people of this republic as the epitome of bravery and courage, and records that they gave a tough fight to invading army of Alexander. Origin of the name of Kathua from Kathai One Jodh Singh a famous Rajput of Andotra clan migrated from HASTINAPUR to KATHUA nearly 2000 years ago and settled here. The three Hamlets of Taraf Tajwal, Taraf Manjali and Taraf Bhajwal wer...

The history of Jammu is as rugged and fascinating as its mountains and valleys. Long before the throne to  Jammu that was under Dogra dynasty it was ruled by many cheif-doms. The story goes back to 1000 of years. Ancient roots- Durgara Land •The earliest reference to Jammu people's comes from 11th century inscription from Chamba(modern day Himachal Pradesh,India). In the Devi-ri-Kothi (or Devi-Kothi) i.e inscription of Sahaj Pal. •These inscription called the region Durgara which later revived into Dogra. •The Durgara country was centred around Vallapura(modern day Billawar) •The people were known as fierce warriors, skilled in mountain warfare, and often served as mercenaries in neighbouring kingdoms. A Land of Hill Chiefs and Warriors •During medieval times, the Jammu region was not a single kingdomIt consisted of many small hill principalities - like Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Billawar, Basohli, Jasrota, and Chamba, each ruled by local clans (which later became geographical tag for pe...

In rural Jammu before 1947 were the Shapaya, Muslim artisan families skilled in the batik dyeing tradition, who lived alongside local weavers a craft that has all but vanished. Origins & Craftsmanship In rural Dogra villages, before the partition in 1947, there once thrived modest batik dyeing traditions served by Shapaya weaver families mostly Muslim artisans living side by side with Dogra communities. Their craft involved resist batik, These Shapaya families practiced resist-dye batik, using wax to create designs before dyeing cloth most often on local cotton. Brought into Jammu to work after cotton harvests, they temporarily set up dyeing hubs/industry in villages accustomed to handloom culture. A story of a Women from the weaver family In village Bhaddu before partition, a Shapaya woman a Muslim artisan skilled in batik dyeing worked beside her Dogra neighbors as seasons passed. Every harvest, she set up her dye pit behind the courtyard, transforming cotton into vibrant cloth f...

What is Rut Raade? Rut Raade is a beautiful agrarian festival celebrated by Dogra women in Jammu from Aashada Sankranti to Shravana Sankranti (roughly from mid-June to mid-July in the Bikrami calendar). It’s a season-long celebration of life, soil, seeds, and sisterhood. Rituals & Meaning •Unmarried girls insert the necks of broken clay pitchers (called Raade) into freshly cleaned earth and sow seeds of Kharif crops like maize, millet, or sesame creating one Raade per brother, plus a central Dhamma Raada that symbolizes the eldest family member. •Every Sunday, women gather to decorate these Raade with intricate rangoli like designs using natural materials like turmeric, brick dust, charcoal, leaves, and flour. They share traditional dishes like Rutt (a wheat-jaggery cake), Babru, Keur, Khamires, and more. Folk songs and bhajans are sung in praise of growth, protection, and community. Raade Parvana On Shravana Sankranti, the Raade are uprooted and carried in procession to nearby str...

What is Parola? A traditional folk art using Mitti (Mud), Parola ( white clay),Goti ( mud plus cowdung) to embellish outer walls with bright motif Particulalry done on mud houses ( Kachi Kothi). This folk-art is created using Mitti (Mud) and Parola ( White Clay) on the outer side of mud-house, on the Danga ( Boundary wall) or Khutti (sitting benches made of mud). These give the mud house a beautiful look. After smearing walls of mud house these art creations are drawn over them with Parola. These are made from Mitti, Goti and Parola and are called Guddian (Dolls).  These art creations are painted by females of the family with a Koochi (straw-brush ). First of all the mud house is given a hand plastering with wet clay mixed with husk of dry wheat-plant and cowdung.  Then it is given a coating of Goti ( a plaster made of cow-dung and mud) when dry, Guddian are painted over this area using Parola (White clay). These art creations are not painted inside house. Only a thick...