Ashok Sharma
A samadhi is a shrine or memorial built in honour of an eminent person such as a king, queen, social reformer etc to commemorate their contribution. Samadhis occupy an important place in the culture and heritage of Duggar.These samadhis not only give us a lot of information about the life of historical men and women but also throw light on our history and culture of those times.These are also treated as memorials of the persons in whose memory these Samadhis were built.
Prof.Shiv Nirmohi-the eminent writer, historian and Padma Shri awardee, in the book ‘Duggar ki Itihasic Smadhian’ has described as many as 78 Samadhis built across Duggar region.Some of these samadhis were built in memory of the kings, queens and other eminent persons associated with Jammu Royal families while others were built to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of some other people for the sake of humanity.The Samadhi of Mian Mota is built in the premises of old palace in Mubarak Mandi. It is in the form of a ‘Dehra’ which is built in the local style. It is built on a platform,about two metres high and it has square shaped walls.It has a narrow doorway through which only one person can enter at a time.Mian Mota, the grandson of Raja Dhruv Dev and son of Mian Surat Singh,was the Chief counsellor of Raja Brij Raj Dev.As Brij Raj Dev died,his son Sampurn Dev,who was just one year old, ascended to the throne.Mian Mota was appointed as his protector.As time passed,Mian Mota became influential with the result that the number of his enemies increased.It was at this spot (where his Samadhi has been built) that he was murdered by his enemies.The members of royal family and the raj purohits light lamp and perform puja on some special days at this Samadhi.The Samadhi of Maharaja Gulab Singh, who is counted among the great warriors of India, is located on the right side of the main gate of Raghu Nath temple at Jammu. This samadhi is built in the local ‘Dehra’ style and it faces west.There are three spherical doors.It is believed to have been built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1857. One more Samadhi of Maharaja Gulab Singh exists at Srinagar where Maharaja Gulab Singh breathed his last. The Samadhi of Rani Rakwal,who belonged to village Chak Rakwal of Tehsil Udhampur and who was Maharaja Gulab Singh’s wife, has been built alongwith other Samadhis, on the western bank of Tawi river.It is octagonal in shape and its door faces south.It is now maintained by Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust.The Samadhi of Rani Katoch who was the second wife of Maharaja Gulab Singh,is also located in the complex of Samadhis on the bank of river Tawi.It is also octagonal and is in the form of a Dehri’. So far the Samadhi of Maharaja Ranbir Singh is concerned, there are two Samadhis of Maharaja Ranbir Singh – one is built on the bank of river Tawi.It is approximately 4.0 m high and about 1.25 m wide.It is maintained by Jammu & Kashmir Dharmarth Trust.The new Samadhi of Maharaja Ranbir Singh has been built on the left side of the main gate of Rahgu Nath temple complex. Samadhis have also been built in honour of all the five queens of Maharaja Ranbir Singh, at different places in Jammu.The Samadhi of Raja Suchet Singh who was Maharaja Gulab Singh’s brother, is located in Mohalla Panchtirthi.It exists in the style of a ‘Dehra’.The idols of Raja Suchet Singh and his queens have been installed inside.This Samadhi was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh on the orders of his father, Maharaja Gulab Singh.The Samadhi of Raja Suchet Singh’s queen has been built in the palace of Ramnagar on a raised platform and it is maintained by ASI. It commands a grand and attractive view. Raja Ram Singh’s Samadhi is located on the bank of Tawi behind the ‘Van Bhawan’ (Forest House). It is octagonal in shape and about six meters high. Raja Amar Singh, who was Maharaja Hari Singh’s father, was the younger brother of Maharaja Pratap Singh. His Samadhi exists on the left side of Raghu Nath temple complex in Jammu.This Samadhi was constructed as per the directions of Dr.Karan Singh, his grandson, who is the sole Truste of J&K Dharmarth Trust. The Samadhi of Maharani Tara Devi, who was Maharaja Hari Singh’s youngest wife and mother to Dr. Karan Singh, is built alongside the samadhis of other queens of Royal dynasty.
Then there is the Samadhi of Rani Jaral on the bank of river Chanderbhaga. It has been constructed in the ‘ Dehri’ style. Rani Jaral was General Zorawar Singh’s second wife. Her real name was Lajwanti and she belonged to the Jaral clan near Pouni Bharkh. When she heard that her husband Gen Zorawar Singh had been martyred on Dec12, 1841,she burnt herself despite request from then Raja Gulab Singh not to do so. Her Samadhi is visited by the descendents of Gen.Zorawar Singh, especially on the eve of some fairs and festivals.
Then, we have the samadhis dedicated to the queens at Samba, Ram Nagar and on the bank of Tawi river in Jammu.The Samadhi of Rani Chand Kaur is located below Gumat on the western bank of river Tawi.It has been built in the Sikh style & its architecture is superb.Rani Chand Kaur was the wife of Raja Kharag Singh who was Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s son. He died in 1840 at Lahore.Rani Chand Kaur stayed for some time in Lahore and finally came to Jammu to live under the protection of Maharaja Gulab Singh. Then, there are three Samadhis of Queens in Purmandal. It is believed that these Samadhis have been built in honour of the Queens of Jasrota. Besides, we have the historical Samadhis located at Ramkot and Chenani. Samadhis have been built in honour of Raja Ran Singh, Ram Singh, Raja Luxman Singh and Raja Shivdev Singh of Ramkot. The Samadhi of Rani Ruhla of Chenani royal family is located at Veni Sung near Chenani.It is believed to be around five hundred years old. According to folklore, a king from Anthal Dynasty ( perhaps, Garmal Chand) wanted to construct a small canal (called kuhl) from Veni Sung to a place near Doshala. The work of digging the kuhl was carried out for many days but no water came into it.The Pandits and Tantriks were consulted, who said that water would come only if the King offered a sacrifice of his eldest son or daughter in law.His wife didnot consent to the son being sacrificed. So the King asked his daughter in law (who had gone to her paternal home in Himachal Pradesh) to return home as she had to participate in a religious ceremony. She obeyed her father-in-law’s order and returned home.On being asked, she offered herself for the sacrifice though she was pregnant at that time.She was killed by immurement while the walls of the kuhl were being built. But some of her hair remained out which, it is believed, changed into big tufts of grass.A Samadhi was later built in her memory.This Samadhi now lies covered under the soil.There are many emotional folklores to commemorate her sacrifice of Rani Ruhla.
‘Hor kussey likhya honda parti je bhejdi
Saure da likhya kabool
Ruhla gi jana ae jarur
Jali bali jaayan meri Ruhla diye Kuhlein’
Then there is a Samadhi of a Queen at Doshala around three Kms to the east of Chenani.There is a Shiv Mandir and a baoli ( spring of water) nearby.Local people keep visiting this spot for water and the Samadhi is in a good state. Samadhi of Bua Rani who is the Kul Devi of the kings of Chenaniis also located nearby.Local people perform religious ceremonies at this place. We have also Samadhis of those women in Samba who sacrifced their life following the custom of Sati at that time. Among these women were Rani Langeh,Rani Bhadwal and others. Mughal Mazar ( at Chatroo) and Mazar- i- Shaheed (at Kishtwar) are also famous mazars in Kishtwar District.
Besides these Samadhis, other samadhis and memorials have also been built in memory of those who sacrificed their life during agitations such as Praja Parishad agitation, Shri Amar Nath Bhumi Agitation, Students’ Agitation and other social and general cause.The samadhi of Veer Ram Chander (Shudhi Agitation), Shaheed Amar Nath (Dalit Andolan) and Photojournalist Shaheed Ashok Sodhi (who sacrificed his life while capturing the gun battle between Security forces and the militants in Samba sector in 2008) are worth mentioning.Besides, the memorials of war heroes such as Gen. Zorawar Singh (at Reasi and Trikuta Nagar, Jammu) , Brigadier Rajinder Singh ( near Indira Chowk, Jammu) and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan of 9-Para ( at T- Morh, Udhampur) are also given profound respect and reverence for their heroism and valour and floral tributes offered on their birth anniversaries and martyrdom day.Then, we have memorials for Maharaja Gulab Singh ( in the premises of Amar Mahal), Maharaja Hari Singh (at Samba and near Tawi Bridge, Jammu), Girdhari Lal Dogra (at Hiranagar on the National Highway), Sher-e-Duggar Pt. Prem Nath Dogra (at Dogra Chowk, Jammu), Social reformer Hans Raj Mahajan (Near Hotel Mansar, Jammu) and Dr. Lal Chand Gupta (Lala Hans Raj Park, Jammu), which form an important part of our heritage and fill our mind with respect and reverence for their valour, dedication, social service and love for their motherland. It is the duty of parents to show these Samadhis and memorials to their children and tell about the life and contribution of great Dogra Kings, queens, War heroes and social reformers who have bequeathed a rich legacy for us to preserve and transmit.
(The writer is Sr. Lect. (Retd.) from SED, J& K UT)
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