Sarvadaman
Jammu had witnessed a chequered political history since time immemorial. There are no reliable factual sources which shed light on the foundation and name of Jammu. However, it is commonly believed that Jammu was named after Raja Jambulochan. But there is no historical source which could tell us in detail about Raja Jambulochan. Raja Jambulochan was son of Agnigarb. Bahulochan was his brother. Some scholars maintained that this territory was a forest of Jambulin trees (Jammun), from which the name Jambu had been drawn. Some believed that there was a cave associated with Jambanth (the beer famous in Ramayana) and hence the name Jambu. Thus we can say that the foundation and name of Jammu is shrouded in mystery in absence of reliable sources.
Raja Bhoj Dev was a powerful ruler. He was contemporary of Nasir-ud- Din Sabuktigin, the ruler of Ghazni. Raja Bhoj Dev had good relations with Maharaja Jaipal, King of the Punjab. Sultan Nasir-ud-Din Sabuktigin raided the frontier areas of Hind during his period. He gave support to Raja Jaipal of Punjab. He participated in the battle alongwith Jaipal of Punjab against Sultan but was killed in battle field. Further as all of us know that Mahmud of Ghazni raided India 17 times and his invasions were mostly guided by religious cum economic motives. Mahmud of Ghazni started targetting India from 1000 AD. onwards. During the time of Mahmud invasions against India, Raja Avtar Dev was ruler of Jammu. He had two sons namely Jas Dev and Nar Dev. The youngr son Nar Dev was a brave boy and therefore, Avtar Dev appointed him as incharge of army and also deputed his brother Kharak Dev and other nobles of his tribe against Mahmud of Ghazni and his son Masood. Masood, the son of Mahmud of Ghazni was defeated but he escaped from the battle field leaving behind camels, horses, elaphants and other war material. Thus Nar Dev was successful against Masood, Son of Mahmud of Ghazni. Mahmud wanted to take revenge of his son’s defeat but changed his mind due to inhostile mountain terrain. Avtar Dev died after a long rule of 44 years but before death made his eldest son Jas Dev as the ruler. Avtar Dev was a scholar of Sanskrit.
During the rule of Jas Dev, the foundation of Jasrota was laid. Jas Dev imposed ban on fish hunting in river Tawi after he saw Pehr Dev (Behr Devta) in dream. Thus, the worship of Pehr Devta started during this period and it still continues. He ruled for a long time and was succeeded by his son Sangram Dev. Sangram Dev was an intelligent and just ruler. He too ruled for a long time and was succeeded by his son Chakar Dev in 1094 AD.He was contemporary of Malik Khusrau, the successor of Mahmud of Ghazni. Malik Khusrau was enemy of Jammu ruler. Malik Khusrau consolidated his position in the Punjab and also won over the Khorkhurs of Mangla area to his side. Subsequently, Khokhurs refused to pay tribute to Jamwal rulers of Jammu.
After Malik Khusrau, Mohammad Ghouri brought Ghazni under his control. Chakra Dev sent his brother Ramdev with gifts as his agent to Mohd Ghouri and asked him to come to Punjab which was then under Malik Khusrau. Mohd Ghouri accepted the suggestion of Chakra Dev and accordingly raided and occupied Peshawar, Multan and besieged the Fort of Lahore but could not capture it. Chakra Dev unwisely requested Mohd. Ghouri to re-built the Fort of Sailkot which he did and posted Hussain as Thanedar of the Fort of Sailkot. Malik Khusrau tried to take the Fort of Sailkot with the help of Khokhar people but Raja Chakra Dev of Jammu foiled his attempt. Indirectly, we can say that Raja Chakra Dev brought Mohd Ghouri at the threshold of India. Chakra Dev died after ruling for a long period and after his death his son Baj Dev succeeded him. Baj Dev is also called Vijay Dev. Raja Baj Dev sent Puru Manhas as his representative to the court of Mohd Ghouri. His son Narsing Dev was also introduced to Mohd Ghouri at the instance of General Hussain, who was then taking the Fort of Lahore. Mohd Ghouri after occupying city and fort of Lahore entrusted it to Baj Dev. These two places were captured by Mohd Ghouri from Malik Khusrau. Thereafter, the Ghouri Rulers used to address the emissaries of Jammu rulers as Mian Ji and subsequently the word Mian Ji became a sort of title for Jammu rulers. During his period, the first battle of Tarrian was fought and Khandae Rao wounded Mohd Ghouri but he was taken back to his country by his slaves. While going back Raja Baj Dev sent his confidants to meet Mohd Ghouri. Prithvi Raj Chouhan came to know about the friendship of Baj Dev with the Muslim ruler. Therefore, wanted to take revenge against him but could not punish Baj Dev. Unfortunately, Mohd Ghouri was extended help by Raja Baj Dev of Jammu in the second Batle of Tarrian fought between Mohd Ghouri and Prithvi Raj Chouhan 3rd in 1192. Baj Dev deputed his son Narsingh Dev to join the Army of Mohd Ghouri against Prithvi Raj Chauhan III. Mohd Ghouri was also helped by Raja Jaichand of Kannauj. Khandae Rao, the brother of Prithvi Raj Chauhan was killed by Narsingh Dev, the son of Jammu ruler Baj Dev.
The Rajput soldiers of Jammu killed large number of soldiers of Prithvi Raj Chauhan. Finally, Mohd Ghouri emerged victorious against Prithi Raj Chauhan. Prithvi Raj Chauhan was blinded and taken away to Ghazni. Mohd Ghouri emerged victorious due to treachery of Jammu ruler and Jaichand Rathore.
From that time, the sovereignty of Northern India passed under Muslim rulers. Finally, Mohd Ghouri was wounded by Khokhars and died in 1206 AD.
(to be continued)
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