Dr Sudershan Kumar
With the Christmas round the corner, everybody is fully acquainted with the birth date of Lord Jesus Christ, with the Christmas festive mood reverberating across the roads. But ironically, this day holds significance in the Dogra culture also, still incognito to many. This day is also remembered as “the Brave Dogra Day”. The significance of this day resonates in literature pertaining to the Dogra culture because as per literature, “On this day, one of the Dogra warrior had injured Alexander the Great in the foothills of Himalayas with an arrow coated with poison. This poisoned arrow ultimately resulted into the slaying of the Alexander on the banks of Chandra Bhaga (Present day Chenab) near Salal in Reasi

Brave Dogra Day

district.” The Greek Historians still call Chandra Bhaga (Chenab the Askini of Alexander’s historians) the Devourer of Alexander, the killer of Alexander, one which swallowed Alexander the Great. Though Greek historians have described his death in different ways but there is lot of literature available to substantiate this fact. Therefore, it is utmost important for historians to pursue more research in this area to bring out whereabouts of Alexander the Great especially when his troops had deserted him and chosen different routes to go back and also to find the cause of his death. It is not out of context to mention here that the Dogra Warrior legacy is a testament to their adoptability, resilience and indomitable spirit spanning in centuries of historical shift and challenges. Therefore, it is utmost important to apprise the young Dogra generations about the valour of their ancestors spanned over 2500 years in defending their motherland. The description about the Dogra Warrior have broadly been classified into four periods: Ancient Period (Alexander’s Invasion), Medieval Period Mughal Colonial and Post Independence period.
Ancient Period (Alexander’s Invasion)
During Alexander’s great campaign to Indian subcontinent in 326 BC, he encountered a network of fiercely independent resilient tribes in the region that is now modern days Northern India and Pakistan. Among these tribes of North-Western Himalayan foothills, are those believed to be precursors to Dogra who played a vital role in containing his advances. These tribes in the north including those that later contributed to Dogra Lineage were known for warrior culture, vigour and expertise in mountain warfare. Even in the most famous battle with Porous, the King of Abhisara the state between Jhelum and Chandra Bhaga (present day Poonch-Rajouri up to Chandra Bagha River) at the hills of Hydaspes (modern day’s Jhelum river) historical account indicates that Alexander forces faced stiff resistance even before the climatic encounter. The warriors of their region were reputed for their skill with bow and spear and their combat on horseback and on foot was formidable. The tough and fierce resistance given by valiant Dogra warriors shattered the moral and confidence of Alexander’s army. After the war was over, he took decision to return to Macedonia through different escape routes.
Medieval Period
The medieval period was a complex era for Dogra warriors, marked by consolidation of regional empire and kingdoms. In the early medieval period, Dogra chieftain had established a network of semi -independent principalities within Jammu. These small states were ruled by a local Raja who asserted control over these territories through military strength and strategic diplomacy. This medieval period cemented the Dogra reputation as skilled, disciplined and synergistic warriors. Their ability to defend their homeland both through military and strategic diplomacy laid the ground for their prominent roles in different eras. It is worth mentioning here that Mahmud of Ghazni’s army passed through Punjab and invaded Poonch state but did not attack Jammu state and polity was spared from fighting. In the autobiography of Timur from 1399 known as Malfuzat-i-Timuri, Jammu ruler the Raja Mal Dev resisted the Timurid Empire. Mughal and Colonial Period: The Dogras by virtue of their courageous nature, indomitable strength and bold initiatives in military warfare were recognized by Mughal Emperors, Sikhs and Britishers. Raja Paras Ram Dev refused to accept supremacy of Mughal thus led rebellion against them in the year1594-95. Mughal Emperor Shahjahan was so impressed with the valour of Man Chand Guler that he conferred him the title of Sher Afghan and his family name was changed from Chand to Singh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was also a great admirer of the Dogra warriors’ bravery and loyalty. He not only nurtured them in his court but also used shrewdly the Dogra warriors for accomplishment of his vision for extending the boundaries of his empire up to central Asia. In-fact during his time, Raja Gulab Singh hatched a plan with his favourite commander General Zorawar Singh for conquering Ladakh Gilgit Baltistan and some parts of Tibet. With his offensive mindset, he applied the forward positive policy, which guarded the destiny of Jammu and Kashmir under Raja Gulab Singh and Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. With his mission with nearly 5000 Dogra soldiers, he not only conquered Ladakh, Gilgit Baltistan but also entered 500 miles deep inside Western Tibet. For his unimaginable heroic deed, he is also known as Napoleon of India. After the death of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in the year 1839, the Sikh empire collapsed leading to major power shift. Later, Maharaja Gulab Singh secured Jammu & Kashmir Sovereignty through treaty of Amritsar by paying 75lakhs Nanakshahe to the British, establishing Dogra rule in Jammu& Kashmir with the help of his favourite General Zorawar Singh.
Sir Fredrick Robert the then commander in chief of British India was so impressed by the qualities and valour of Dogra soldiers that he added Dogra regiment in Bengal Army. The Agra Levy established in the year 1885 was renamed as 38 Dogra. Subsequently the other regiments named 37 Bengal Infantry, 44 Bengal Infantry were also raised. These Dogra regiments participated in different battlefields during world wars I & II and earned many battle honors.
Post Independent period: The role of Dogra warriors was very crucial in shaping the destiny of erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir (Now Union Territory of J&K and Union Territory of Ladakh). Through their valour and innovative strategy, they not only sabotaged the British conspiracy to get erstwhile princely state forcibly merged with Pakistan, but through their valiant efforts, they could stop the advance of nearly 6000 invaders (Pak army soldiers disguised as tribes’ man) for four days to reach Srinagar which otherwise these invaders would have taken only 7 hours.
The plan to forcibly annex the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was conceived deceitfully by Britishers just before partition of British India in two Sovereign Countries viz India &Pakistan especially at the time when commander in Chief of India and Pak army was Field Marshal Sir Claude John Auchinleck and Chiefs of Indian and Pak armies were General Sir Robert Lockhart. and General Sir Frank Walter Messervy respectively. As per plan code named “Operation Gulmarg”, nearly 6000 invaders were to reach Srinager via Muzaffarabad Baramulla axis by 22nd October at 1500 hours, forcing Maharaja Hari Singh to sign the accession in favour of Pakistan, aim for assassination of Maharaja Hari Singh and capture the Pir Panjal Range. This, unethical desire of British was blunted by 100 Dogra soldiers led by their own Chief of Army Staff, Brig Rajinder Singh.
These 100 valiant Dogras through invincible strength and with bold innovative military strategy engaged this disproportionately large number force for four days until Indian army arrived at Srinagar and saved the situation. In the battle field, they laid down their lives and obeyed the historic order of Maharaja Hari Singh “To fight till last man and last bullet. “The battle fought by 100 Dogra warriors had no match in world history. After Independence, these Dogra regiments and Jammu and Kashmir Rifles as a part of Indian army participated in battle of of Asal Uttar in Khemkarn sector in the year 1965and also participated in wars with Pakistan in the year 1971 and 1999 and earned many battle honours. The commemoration of the Brave Dogra Day on 25th December is just to apprise the younger Dogra generations about the valour of their ancestors, who not only shielded and safeguarded the Dogra culture and heritage but also laid down their lives in defending their motherland.
Therefore, the above facts truly endorse the importance of reminiscing and promulgating the valour of ancestors and prepare themselves to face the challenges posed by changing world order. It is important to know that in technology shrouded era, the world dynamics is changing very fast from unipolar to multipolar. In this complex scenario, India is also emerging as one of the most balanced peace-loving superpower. Its role in handling future world affairs is going to be crucial and challenging. In era of technology the verticals of warfare have increased manifold right from conventional to non conventional, hybrid warfare, space, cyber warfare, drones, pager bombs and many social media plate form. In addition terrorism has also engulfed the whole world. India is also not left untouched from this dreaded evil. Our Western Neighbor is bent upon creating a trouble not only in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir but also in whole of India. Hence, challenges for peace living and tolerant Dogra race have accentuated manifold thus furthermore making their role imperative to work for eradication of this evil and also for development of society irrespective of caste creed and religion. For that they are required to remain united. On this special occasion, the article is dedicated to Unsung Dogra Heroes.

Follow our WhatsApp channel