Holi in Jammu & Kashmir – A Glimpse into History

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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 Records and Administrative Sanction

Archival material also highlights the scale of expenditure associated with Holi in the broader Punjab and frontier regions. For example, in 1848, Raja Dina Nath reportedly requested significant funds for holi celebrations, and British officials such as Henry Lawrence sanctioned large sums for festival observances in regiments stationed in the region.

While these references pertain partly to Lahore and frontier garrisons, they demonstrate that Holi functioned not merely as a religious event but as a state acknowledged public festival within territories that later shaped Jammu & Kashmir’s political structure.

Lahore to Jammu – The Shift

Before J&K became a separate state, grand holi celebrations were held in Lahore under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
After political changes in 1846, similar festive traditions migrated to Jammu under Dogra rulers.

Transition to Dogra Rule and the Princely State (Post-1846)

Frederic Drew FGS


Following the Treaty of Amritsar (1846) and the establishment of Jammu & Kashmir as a princely state under Dogra rule, Holi celebrations became firmly embedded in Jammu’s urban life.

The British geologist and administrator Frederic Drew, in his work Jammu and Kashmir Territories: A Geographical Account (1875), provides one of the most valuable descriptions of holi in Jammu.

According to the account, Holi in Jammu was celebrated for nearly a week.

  • Mornings were reserved for official and business matters.

  • Afternoons were devoted to holi festivities.

  • On the final day, colours were freely thrown in the streets.

  • Water cannons and coloured sprays were common, and playful public participation was expected.

The festival had strong royal patronage and was celebrated openly in the city.


Urban Culture of Jammu

Holi celebrations Jammu-1953

By the mid- to late-nineteenth century, Holi in Jammu had evolved into a citywide observance characterized by:

  • Public colour play in bazaars and streets

  • Participation across administrative and civilian classes

  • Temporary suspension of formal social protocol

  • Royal tolerance and indirect patronage 

  • On the last day, Holi was freely played in the streets and no one could complain if pelted with coloured water canons or showered on with tinted water.

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