KD Maini
Kathua is considered the gateway of J&K. This district is located in the south eastern corner of the State. Its eastern boundaries touch District Chamba of Himachal Pradesh. The southern part is located on the international border with Pakistan and also touch Pathankote of the Punjab State. Udhampur falls in the North while Samba District is located in the western side. The total area of the district is 2502 sq km while the population as per 2001 census was 5.11lac. Presently, the district is divided into five tehsils namely Tehsil Kathua, Hiranagar, Billawar, Basohli and Bani. The district is further divided into 8 CD blocks 244 panchayats 512 villages and 89347 households. Generally, the district is sub divided into three parts i.e. Kathua, Hiranagar and Gagwal in the south of Jammu. The terrain of this belt is fertile and favourable for cultivation. Therefore, the natives of this belt are considered prospers then the other parts of the district. The northern part comprises of Kandi area which includes Billawar and Basohli.
Beyond that starts, the hilly area which include Bani and Loi Malhar. The climate of District Kathua is hot.The average rain fall varies from 200 to 1200 mm.Two important rivers Uaj and Ravi pass through the district. Ravi Tawi irrigation complex is the main source of irrigation. Bani is a beautiful valley located at 4200 feet above the sea level with cool climatic conditions and important from tourist point of view. The district is also important for religious tourism as the Shrine of Mata Sukrala Jottan Wali Mata, Jasrotta Wali Mata and Zairat Peer Fazal Shah are located in this district. Dogri is the mother tongue of the people. However, Kashmiri speaking people also inhabit the in Loi Malhar area who are engaged in Pashmina shawl Bafi craft. Dodi Gujjars are inhabit around cities and big habitations of the district whose livelihood depend upon the production of milk and milk products. Presently, District Kathua is known for modern industries. About 1000 industrial units are successfully running in industrial state Kathua and around the Cities. The Chanab textile is an important factory of the District from which cotton thread is exported to other states. About 5000 workers are engaged in this factory.Basohli is renowned for traditional Pashmina shawl and miniature paintings.
As per the revenue record, presently Kathua city is located in three habitations which are known as Taraf Tajwali, Taraf Majyali and Taraf Bajwali. These three habitations were jointly known as Kathaoi in the ancient time. Some historians are of the view that Kathaoi is the same city whose reference is available in the travelogue of Greek travellers like Arayana and Sterbo who visited India in 326 BC with Alexander the great. These travellers have given the details of two areas in this region namely Abhisara (present Poonch) and Kathaoi. Kathaoi was located near Ravi River where the movement of the forces of Alexander was stopped by the natives. Therefore, it is believed that Kathua city of Alexander’s time is the same whose original name was Kathaoi in the ancient time. With the passage of time, it changed from Kathaoi to Kathua.
Natives also believe that some Andhota Rajput families under the leadership of Jodh Singh migrated from Hastnapur to Kathua around 2000 BC. Jodh Singh had three sons who established three Basties i.e. Taraf Tajwali, Taraf Majyali and Taraf Bajwali on their names Taju, Kundu and Bhaju. They and their decendents settled in these three Basties once for all. Presently, these Rajput families are known as Tajwalias, Bajwalias and Khawalia. The main part of present Kathua city and market falls in Tajwal while Band Majyali and Bajwali fall in Parly band.
Present, District Kathua comprises of some important principalities and Jagirs of ancient time which includes the principality of Jasrotta, Billawar, Jagir Mankote, Lakhimpur, Baddu and Tarikote. Before the formation of the J&K State, these principalities had separate identities which were dissolved and annexed with J&K State in 1846. Accordingly, a new wazarat was established by Maharaja Ghulab Singh for administrative purpose with headquarter at Bhaddu. However, after some time the headquarter was shifted to an important Jasrotta township which is 15 km away from present Kathua. With the passage of time, this township disappeared due to political and historical reasons but the ruins of this ancient township are still available. Later on the headquarter of Wazir wazarat Kathua was again shifted to present Kathua which was a small habitation at that time. With the location of this township on Jammu Pathankote highway and Railway line, Kathua town grew very rapidly and now it is important city of J&K State.
Karan Dev, his elder son Raikali, Amal Dev, Bolar Dev, Kalas Dev, Partap Dev, Governed Jasrotta. During the tenure of Partap Dev these principalities were divided into two parts i.e. Jasrotta and Lakhimpur. Lakhimpur was established by his brother Sangram Dev. Partap Dev had seven sons. On the death of Partap Dev, his elder son Jatar Dev and then his brother Avtar Dev became the rulers of Jasrotta while the younger brother Basar Dev ruled present Kathua. After the death of his son Sultan Dev became the Raja of Jasrotta when Emperor Akbar was the king of India. After that SangatDev, Doulat Dev, Bhaba Dev, Bhoj Dev, Shab Dev, Tej Dev, Dharb Dev, Kirat Dev, Ratan Dev, Bagh Singh, Ajab Singh, Lal Dev and Bhori Mal ruled Jasrotta. Raja Bhori mal was an allay of Raja Ghulab Singh of Jammu during the battle with Sikhs in Jasrotta area in 1834 AD.Jasrotta was given to Raja Hira Singh,the son of Raja Dhayan Singh by Mahraja Ranjit Singh. Hira Singh nominated his thanedar at Jasrotta and taken over the charge of the Jagir by giving some money to Raja Bori Mal of Jasrotta who migrated to Jammu. Hira Singh during his ruled constructed a royal palace, havelies and offices for employees at Jasrotta and Wazir Bachna was appointed as thanedar of the area. In the meantime, Raja Hira Singh was killed during the turmoil of Punjab.
On the other hand on 15th March 1846 Raja Ghulab Singh of Jammu became the Maharaja of J&K State in the light of agreement between British Government, Khalsa Sarkar of Punjab and Ghulab Singh. Therefore, JasrottaJagir was also dissolved and merged with new State. After sometime, the Mahraja established his wazarat at Jasrotta but later on after the construction of Jammu Pathankote road the headquarter was shifted to Kathua. With the shifting of headquarter of Jasrotta, the old glamour and glory of Jasrotta vanished. The natives also shifted from this township to other places in search of livelihood. In this manner, the palaces and other royal buildings were deserted. Therefore, in 1923 AD Maharaja Partap Singh sold the wood used in palaces and havelies of Jasrotta and converted the township into ruins. Presently, Jasrotta, along with Lakhimpur Beddo Balawer principalities etc. are the part of District Kathua.
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