Duggarpedia

 Chapter 1 Before Newspapers (Before 1850) W e often associate Journalism with newspapers, printing presses, radio broadcasts, television studios and digital news report. Yet the history of journalism started much earlier than the first printed newspaper. At heart journalism is organized collection, verification, and dissemination of information that enables the society to be informed of political authority, commerce, religion and everyday life. Long before the first newspaper was printed in Jammu and Kashmir, the region possessed it own system through which news, political orders, religious ideas and commerical information travelled across towns, villages and mountain passes. For centuries, rulers depended on reliable and trustworthy sources of information to administer their kingdoms, maintain revenue records, enforce law and order and communicate official decisions. Merchants relied on reports from distant markets to understand prices, trade routes and demand for goods. Pilgrims...

Introduction The Pahadi hills of Upper Kathua and Udhampur are home to many unique traditions that have been preserved through generations of oral transmission and practice. Among the most important of these are Jagra, Gagail and Jattar, religious ceremonies that bring together faith, culture expression and community identity. These customs continue to be observed in several villages and remain central to Pahadi socio-religious life. A temple in Upper Kathua where Jagra is being performed Jagra: Calling Upon the Divine Jagra is a devotional gathering organized to invoke and honour local deities. It usually takes place at night and involves the singing of sacred hymns, prayers and Kaarks that describe the lives and heroic deeds of deities, saints and folk heroes. Villagers gather together to seek blessings, express gratitude and strengthen their connection with their ancestral traditions. In Jagra ceremonies dedicated to Jwala Mata, devotees perform extraordinary acts of faith.  In ...

In hills of Billawar and Bani, life moves with rhythm of traditions. Among the rich heritage of the region is the Anchali(Ainchali). A religious ballad rooted in the cultural identity of the Pahadi communities of upper Kathua and Chamba region of HP. In short it is folk singing tradition,group dance expression and social celebration. Anchali is traditionally performed during festivals, weddings, and local fairs. It is not a formally structured dance but a collective expression of happiness , where villagers come together in rhythm, song, and movement. Structure of Ainchali Songs Ainchali songs are sung in three parts: 1. Brahmakhara The first part, sung in a very slow rhythm, is known as Brahmakhara . This part generally involves stuti (praise) of different gods and goddesses. Sometimes, different mythological tales are also told in this part. 2. Bharath The second part of Ainchali is known as Bharath . It is sung in a faster rhythm. 3. Varis When it reaches the t...

Introduction Kalari aka kaladi is a  traditional hard, fermented cheese from Jammu,  made from  buffalo milk . Traditionally associated with the pastoral communities of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Gujjar-Bakarwal groups. It is a traditional milk-based product that has long been part of the mountain food culture and is now widely popular as a fried delicacy in the Jammu region. Its origin is deeply connected to nomadic lifestyles, seasonal migration, and cultural exchange between different pastoral communities. Nomadic Roots and Early Food Traditions Among the Gujjar-Bakarwal communities, dairy based food products were essential due to their nomadic way of life. Milk had to be preserved in simple, portable forms during long seasonal migrations. One such traditional preparation is locally referred to  as  Mash kresh / Maish Krej  (as mentioned in oral narratives), a milk based preparation that was used by Bakarwals. Maish Krej A Tale of Migration A popu...

Krishen Dev Sethi Krishen Dev Sethi  Krishan Dev Sethi was born to a Brahmin family in Mirpur in 1928. Sethi was not only a well known leader in Jammu, where he resided but also very popular across the LOC in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He was an ardent supporter of an independent Kashmir and fought for independence since the 1950s. Sethi was the general secretary of the Democratic Conference in Jammu & Kashmir. He was the last surviving member of the Jammu & Kashmir Constituent Assembly the body that drafted J&K’s constitution. He died in 2021 and his death marked an end of an era. In a speech was given by him after arrest of Sheikh Abdullah in 1953 and the formation of Bakshi government. Sethi attempted to explain why Kashmir had become the focus of so much international attention. The speech starts with Sethi warning for if the change in govt had not taken place J&K would have become another Korea (he was referring to kor...

 In the historic town of Poonch lies one of the earliest institute of modern education in the region, The Victoria Jubilee High School was established over a century ago. A School Ahead Of Its Time Government Higher Secondary School Poonch Archival evidence from the Administrative Report of Poonch Jagir (1906-1907) provides one of the earliest confirmed references to the school.  At that time, the state had only 13 schools of which notably; Victoria Jubilee High School in Poonch was the only institute offering education up to Entrance standard. The rest were the village primary school Beyond its early prominence, the growth of education around the High School reflected a broader transformation taking place in the early 20th century. The administrative reports highlight an increasing public interest in education, indicated by significant growth in enrollment and this also indicated that formal education was gradually becoming accessible beyond elite circles. The High School sto...

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...

  T he Dogri Folk Orchestra is a traditional music ensemble from the Duggar region. It combines percussion, wind instruments and vocals to create a lively and rhythmic music. Historic Development Dogri folk music developed over centuries in the hills and plains of the Duggar region. Important historical influences: Village celebrations and agricultural festivals Royal patronage from the rulers of Jammu and Kashmir Oral musical traditions passed from generation to generation Cultural interaction with neighboring regions like  Himachal Pradesh Traditionally, folk musicians performed during: Weddings Harvest festivals Religious ceremonies Community gatherings Rhythmic Structure Dogri folk orchestra usually follows repeating rhythmic cycles called Tala . Common patterns include: Keharwa (8 beats) Count: 1 2 3 4 | 5 6 7 8 Dadra (6 beats) Count: 1 2 3 | 4 5 6 Simple Folk Rhythm (4 beats) Count: 1 2 | 3 4 The main rhythm is played by drums while o...

 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...