Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal (retd)
Apropos Seminar on ‘Exploring Cultural History of Jammu and Ladakh’ begins in your Esteemed Paper of 03 Oct 2016. It was like music to the ears to listen to Prof S. C. Mittal, former Head of History Department, Kurukshetra University and Prof Chattopadhyay, former Head of Department of Ancient History, Culture and Archeology, University of Allahabad and the next day Dr. Balmukund Pandey, National Organizing Secretary ABISY, on the need of writing Indian History from the Indian point of view and not from the foreign rulers point of view. It was indeed like a whiff of fresh air to listen to these Scholars about us i.e. the history of Jammu region and Ladakh and about our contribution to the civilization and history of Northern India and also about our Dogra Heritage. What Maharaja Gulab Singh, Gen Zorawar Singh had done to create this unique State of Jammu and Kashmir and how the Dogras managed it, protected it for hundred years and made it one of the most beautiful and secure State till we were attacked by Pakistan in Oct 1947 and the part played by Maharaja Hari Singh, helped by Brig Rajinder Singh and his gallant Dogra Soldiers and the J&K State Forces, who denied the Valley to the invaders and provided enough time inspite of the resistance from Mountbatten and indifferent attitude of Pt. Nehru in acceding the State to Indian on 26 Oct 1947. Mr. Pandey asserted that it is time that we rewrote the distorted versions of our history.
Various speakers including myself proved that greatest injustice has been done to the Dogras and the people of Jammu in writing and not projecting their role, contribution and supreme sacrifices in making, preserving and finally saving the State which was, is and will always remain part of India so long the Dogras and the Ladhakis and now hopefully joined by the others are there to defend it at all costs inspite of new challenges posed by China through Pakistan Occupied India (POI) instead of Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) as asserted by the historian Mr. Pandey to which the house applauded endorsing his views hoping that from now on POJK will be known and called as POI. I appeal to the Govt. of India and the Scholars and the Media to use this term immediately as it is a fact. Such ideas emanate from such good Seminars.
Over 80 papers were read by the Scholars across the Nation, highlighting the rich heritage, culture, history and folk lore of the two regions. It was accepted by the historians that the Seminar was not only a grand success but also opened the eyes of the historians with the rich heritage, the contribution and the enthusiasm of the presenters particularly the youth of all denominations, religions, castes of both men and women.
I have been attending many Seminars since 1984 when I retired from the Army. I think this was probably the most fruitful for the two regions of the State, its people and the youth seeking knowledge to preserve their past to link it with their future. I thank Ms. Anita Billawaris, Director of the Centre for History and Culture of Jammu and Ladakh Regions, Jammu University and the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi for organizing such a rewarding Seminar and inviting me to be benefitted and also preside over the Valedictory Session on 04 Oct 2016. I wish we follow it up sincerely what came out in the Seminar to firstly correct the distorted version of history and secondly to record what is available today immediately and finally research what is lost in these two regions and I know as a student of Military History that we have lost and we are losing in all these three aspects of history. It is said, “It’s not late: You can make history by saving history”. It applies to the history of Jammu particularly which has created history but not saved it. Let us save it now. Jammu is indeed a multi cultural, multi religious region which is rich with unique historical record of Buddhism and Islam besides Hinduism including Sikhism, Christianity etc. Whatever is existing and available must be recorded immediately as Oral History of Jammu and Ladakh, which is now possible with the modern gadgets and techniques.
Since there are now two Universities and the State has unique distinction of possessing all the battle sights which can be studied and the Balidan Stamb, a unique Memorial dedicated to the over 6000 Martyrs of India including Para Military Forces and the Civilians who had laid down their lives are inscribed in the monument are at Jammu. These facts of the Military Ethos of the Dogras were highlighted in the Seminar.
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