Before the Maharajas: The Ancient Roots of Jammu [ 1099-1599]

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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 people).
•These chiefs lived in fortified hilltop castles, fought each other frequently, and practiced guerrilla-style mountain warfare.
•Life was tough, survival depended on military strength, alliances, and controlling mountain passes.



The rise of Jamwal Clan

•Among these chiefs, the Jamwal clan (a Rajput lineage) gradually rose to prominence.
•According to local tradition, a Jamwal prince named Jambu Lochan founded the town of Jammu after seeing a lion and goat drinking peacefully from the same river — a sign of peace and prosperity.While the legend is symbolic the historian have agreed that jamwal became a major clan in 14-15th century and  Jamwals had established firm rule over the Jammu hills.
•They slowly united neighbouring principalities either through marriages, diplomacy, or conquest.


Geography of Jambu City

•Jammu’s position at the gateway between Punjab plains and Kashmir valley gave it strategic control over trade and military routes.
•The Tawi river valley provided fertile land to sustain armies and agriculture.
•Mountain ridges offered natural fortresses against invaders, allowing local chiefs to remain independent while larger plains empires rose and fell.



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