Dr Sudershan Kumar
As our country celebrated its 76th Independence day, it’s disheartening to see that the Dogras lag far behind in terms of their Heritage survival.Furthermore, a sense of complacency looms over. Ironically, the recent step taken by the present government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir of announcing Holiday on 23rd September on birth anniversary of last Dogra Ruler Late Maharaja Hari Singh looks like a sham, where as the task for revival of Dogra Heritage remains unfinished and incomplete. As a ray of hope, over the years, large number of Dogra organizations have come up. Notably among them are Dogra Rajput Sabha, Yuva Rajput Sabha, Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan, Dogri Sanstha, Trusts, including General Zorawar Singh Trust, Societies and many other splinter groups. Each one of them is working with their own mission. But the need of hour is for a collective approach for restoration of Dogra pride and Heritage which has diminished over a period of seven decades.
There have been systematic attempts to over shadow Dogra pride and dilute it. Subsequently, the younger Dogra generations have remained ignorant towards their Heritage. Hence the author would like to ask a question to each and every Dogra residing in Dogra land irrespective of caste, creed and religion, that whether obtaining holiday on the birth anniversary is sufficient? Or the real tribute would be revival of Dogra Heritage back to its glory. Heritage basically encompasses all the traditions, culture, monuments of any martial race which have existed and weathered the test of times holding great importance for the country. Dogras since time immemorial, have been true nationalists, bravest of the brave having rich history of valour, culture, monuments and other associated things. Therefore, it is utmost important to have the glimpses of Dogra history, valour, culture, monuments and other related things. Dogra people owe their genetic constitution to the Indo Aryan ethno-linguistic group living in territory of Jammu and Kashmir, some parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and in North East of Pakistan. These Dogri speaking martial race have earned their name and fame through their boldness, courage and bravery. Therefore in military history they have been recognized as the bravest of the brave warriors. The valour of Dogra Warrior Man Chand Guler was recognized by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who conferred a title of “Sher Afghan”to him for his bravery. Sir Fredrick Robert, the then Commander in Chief of British India army was so impressed with qualities and bravery of Dogra soldiers that he added Dogra regiments in Bengal army.
These Dogra regiments were then deployed in oversea operations and earned many battle honours. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the great admirer of Dogra warriors’ bravery and loyalty. He not only employed them in his court but also deployed them to accomplish his vision of extending the boundaries of his empire up to Central Asia. Even the erstwhile Princely state was founded by Maharaja Gulab Singh in16th March1846. Further icing over the cake would be to commemorate the role of the great warrior, Gen Zorawar Singh, the epitome of bravery cannot be undermined in Dogra history. He had an offensive mind set and forward posture policy. Through his offensive and innovative manoeuvers in high altitude warfare he could conquer Ladakh, Baltistan, Skardu and entered deep inside Tibet but was killed in the battle of To-Yo during Dogra Tibetan war. In reference to his legacy of conquests of Himalyan mountains General Zorawar Singh is referred to as a the “Napoleon” of India. After independence, the Dogra regiments were merged with Indian army and took part in all the four wars which the country fought thereafter. Even in Kargil war, many of soldiers killed in action were from Union Territory of J&K. The second most important aspects involved in Dogra culture are language (Dogri), Dogri Dress, Dogra Music Dogra Art and Dogra dishes etc. The pride for any martial race is its language. For Dogras it is Dogri (descended from Sanskrit, the language of Vedas) especially Dogri script (Named Dogra Akkhar). Dogra Akkhar was modified by Maharaja Ranbir Singh. So it was the official script of Jammu and Kashmir during Maharaja Ranbir Singh’s period . Subsequently it was replaced by Devanagari script during 20th century.. Even though it is included in 8th schedule of constitution but not taught to small children in any of Government/Private Schools as their mother tongue. So it is on the verge of extinction. Author during his childhood used to watch his uncle writing his Bahi Khata (Business Transaction Account Book) in Dogri script. Rest of his life he never came across any body teaching Dogri script to children of primary/pre Primary even though it is our mother tongue. Then whom to blame, parents, system, management, Government or Dogra society. Therefore the author puts the ball in the court of the masses to ponder and judge. Next important aspect which gives identity to Dogras is their traditional dress. The Dogra dresses basically are Pagris, Churidar Pajamas, Southans, Achakans, embroidered long Kurtas, Chunnies and Kameez etc. All these have been consumed by nasty entity of fashion based on westernized culture. How many of us wear our traditional Dogra dress?. It is a big question mark. Let me remind to all Dogras that wearing of Dogra dress in all important functions used to be the pride. But sadly all this has been washed awayby the sands of time.
It is disheartening to note that the pride and glory of Dogra culture, Monuments and other allied things of Dogra Heritage started declining after the merger of erstwhile princely state with Union of Bharat. Monuments built by Dogra rulers were left to weather vagaries. In the past hardly any attention was paid for their maintenance and preservation. The present Government is paying attention to few of them. If one goes by open literature, it is quite evident that even the great visionary Maharaja Hari Singh was not spared by those who were at the helm of affairs both at centre and in state. At the instance of some vested interests he was conveyed to move out of Jammu and Kashmir State (now Union Territory of J&K) in the year 1949. He shifted to Mumbai in the year 1949 and stayed there until his death on 25th April 1961. During this period of 12 years he never returned to Jammu only his ashes were brought to Jammu. Afterwards what happened over seven decades is well documented in literature. Hence the author feels that real tribute to the last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh will be to take a pledge to restore Dogra pride and work towards reviving of Dogra Heritage.
Therefore, the need of the hour is to acquaint masses about the Heritage. It is the people who themselves alone can save Dogra pride for getting forgotten and relegated to the darkest corner from where reviving would become difficult. There is an old proverb “that the charity begins at home”. Those who are the members/Heads of various Dogra organizations should take a lead in adopting Dogra culture and set an example for common masses. Of course there are many challenges and hurdles. But these challenges can be overcome with strong will power and mind set. It is not out of context to mention here that 21st century is the century of technology. Those who possess technology will rule the world. With this back up in mind, the present Government at the centre and at union territory are giving greater push for creation of infrastructure and overall development.. It is for Dogras to encash the fruits of this development and also give suggestion to those, who are at the helm of affairs for creation of avenues keeping the aspirations of younger generations in mind. In modern world ,younger generation have high expectations from those who are on the top of hierarchy. Need of the hour is to fullfill their expectations.Any gap between them will provide space to vested interests,who still dance to the tune of rogue neighbour.They will leave no stone unturned in selling false narratives and try to mesmerize the innocent people by offering them “Lolly Pops” which in long run may not be in their interest. So Dogras have to be vigilant about the nefarious designs of rogue elements. The author concludes with one request that on the day 23rd September, Dogras should join hands together to work for restoration of Dogra Pride,Heritage and Glory inline with Prime Minister vision of transforming Bharat in to developed country.
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