Rohan Qurashi
“Mitriye Dongre De Boli Te Khand Mithe Log Dogre” is a cherished Dogri saying that elegantly encapsulates the tapestry of the language and its people. However, it is feared that the use of Dogri might become confined to such sayings only, as its speakers are waning, along with those who can actually write it.
The City of Temples, Jammu is known not only for its geographical beauty but also for its cultural significance in the Indian Heritage. The history of the Jammu region dates back to approximately 3000 years, according to the Dogra chronicles namely Gulabnama and Rajdarshani. The region has a mention in the famous historical chronicle named Rajatarangini of Kalhan. It is believed that the city is named after its ruler “Jamboo Lochan” who once while hunting noticed a tiger and a goat drinking water from the same pond. Inspired by this incident, he decided to build this city where both the strong and weak could live together in mutual tolerance. Initially it was named as “Jamboo” after his own name, but with time the pronunciation got slightly distorted and the city came to be known as “Jammu”.
Dogri Language and its Decline
Shedding some light on the hoariness of the Dogri language, Dr. J. Voghel has reported a stone inscription in Takri Script dated 1160 A.D. An eminent Persian poet and musician, Amir Khusroo (1253 – 1325 A.D), in his Masnavi Nuh-Sipihr, mentions Dogri in the list of prominent Indian Languages. Moreover, there are numerous chronicles, and other written materials in Dogri in Takri Script which highlights the usage of the language in the earlier times.
The use of Dogri language was so vibrant and functional that during the late Eighteenth century various works were translated into Dogri. Starting from 1785 AD, when “Rajauli”, a Persian book written by Bali Ram for Dara Shikoh was translated into Dogri by Tahal Das. In 1816 “R.V. Carey” included Dogri in his list of 21 Indian languages for getting missionary material translated. With this, the tradition of translation in Dogri started. Thereafter, a large number of Sanskrit and Persian books were also translated into Dogri.
Among the various Dogra Rulers, Maharaja Ranbir Singh Jamwal’s (son of Maharaja Ghulab Singh) contribution for the upliftment of the Dogri Language, Culture and tradition is enormous. During his reign, the language could be said to be at its Zenith. As soon as the Dogras became autonomous they introduced the use of their own language.
Maharaja Ranbir Singh gave Dogri Language the official status by recognizing it as the court language. Hence, Dogri Language came on equal ground with the already existing Persian Language. Persian was introduced in Jammu and Kashmir during the reign of “Zain-Al-Abdien” (1395-1470) of the Shah Mir Dynasty. Subsequently, it was used by the Mughals, the Afghans and the Sikhs.
For the better progress of the Dogri Language, Maharaja even started Dogri Classes at the Raghunath Mandir Pathshala. Here the scholars were even provided books and uniforms. Maharaja used to supervise these Pathshalas, examining progress.
During the period of Maharaja Ranbir Singh from 1856 to 1885, the use of Dogri increased manifold. The Dogri Script was also used in currency and postal stamps. Frederic Drew, a notable Geologist notes that “New Dogri is used for petitions that are read before Maharaja and for this purpose it has replaced Persian on which petitions were written when I first came to Jammu.”
However, despite all these efforts from the side of rulers of the Dogra Dynasty, unfortunately after the decline of the Dogra rule, the Britishers endorsed the Urdu Language, as an attempt to replace Persian . After all this, Dogri did remain functional, but it received a setback as the Dogra rule ended, as successive governments took control of the region.
Before the accession of Jammu with the Indian Union, Dogri was the language of the majority in Jammu. But after the signing of the instrument of accession on 26th of October, 1947, Kashmiri and Urdu were given the status of Official Languages and were included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Because of this, Dogri lost momentum and the authorities also paid lesser and lesser attention to teaching the language in private and Govt. schools.
The Language of any region plays an indispensable role in preserving the cultural heritage of that region. If language of any region fades away then the culture is destined to die. Language keeps people tied together.
Alphonse Daudet, in his story The Last Lesson, writes, “because when people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison.” Language binds people and eradicates the existing differences within cultures. The Dogra Culture will be alive as long as the Dogri language remains standing.
Measures to be taken
As discussed above, a culture is alive only as long as the language stays intact. We need to make efforts to promote Dogri and its rich culture and tradition. The political parties who have governed the region over time prioritize other issues, leading to gradual decline of the Language.
In the state of Punjab, the govt. has taken an initiative to preserve the Punjabi language and culture. CM of Punjab, Bhagwat Mann made it compulsory to put the signboards on the private and public buildings across the state in punjabi language.
Moreover, with time the union Govt. has taken certain steps to promote the regional languages and one such steph was adoption of New Education Policy. Its 3-language policy i.e the students will learn 3 languages, two of which should be Native Indian languages, including one regional Language, and the third being English. This is aimed at promoting Multilingualism and will strengthen national unity.
In the rural areas the speakers of Dogri are copious, but it has lost its prominence in the urban areas where people find English and other languages more handy. Economic superiority is another reason forcing people to speak other languages, and shun Dogri. Therefore, the efforts to revive Dogri should be multi-faceted and should involve the role of youth, so that the rich and cherished culture and tradition can be preserved. In the words of Nelson Mandela, If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
(The author is a student of Political Science and History at St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi.)
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