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Dev Dynasty — 850 to 1816 AD

Dev Dynasty — 850 to 1816 AD

Dev Dynasty
Figure 1: Dev Dynasty — frequently tested in JKSSB and UPSC examinations.

1. Introduction — Sources

  • No prominent historical source exists for the Dev Dynasty.
  • Only Source: Vansavalies.
  • Rajdarshini (based on Vansavalies) by Ganesh Das Badhera.

2. Suraj Dev (850 - 912 AD)

  • Founder of the Dev Dynasty.
  • He divided his empire into 7 departments corresponding to the seven days of the week.
  • Friend of the Hindu Shahi ruler of Kabul.
  • Died while fighting Muslim invaders.

3. Bhoj Dev (912 - 982 AD)

  • Ruled for more than 70 years.
  • Friend of the Hindu Shahi ruler of Kabul.
  • Killed while fighting against Subuktigan (father of Mahmud of Ghazni).
NOTE

  • Jas Dev was the founder of Jasrota town and gave it to his brother Karan Dev, whose descendants came to be known as Jasrotia.

4. Brij Dev (1164 - 1215 AD)

  • Baj Dev or Brij Dev.
  • Became an ally of Mohd Ghori.
  • Fought against Prithvi Raj Chauhan (The Battle of Tarain).
  • Founded Bijaypur (Vijaypur).
NOTE

  • The title of 'Mian' (mediator or representative) was bestowed on the Dogra rulers by Mohd Ghori.

5. Jodh Dev

  • Contemporary of Feroz Shah Tughlaq at Delhi.
  • He helped Sahdeva (ruler of Kashmir) to return to the valley.

6. Mal Dev (1361 - 1400 AD)

  • Greatest among all rulers of the Dev Dynasty.
  • Shifted capital to Jammu.
  • Faced problems from Khokhar tribes.
  • Expanded the Jammu kingdom.
  • Timur invaded Jammu during his time.
  • Some scholars say he accepted Islam during Timur's invasion.
RAJ TILAK

  • He celebrated his Raj Tilak by sitting on a big rock brought from the bed of the river Tawi.
  • This rock afterward served as a sacred place for every king to celebrate his 'Raj Tilak'.
  • He sat on 'gaddhi' for the first time. (This tradition continued with all Dogra kings.)
  • Constructed Mal Mandi (at Purani Mandi).
KEY NOTES

  • Sarpal was the most prominent leader of Khokhars. He was the contemporary of Mal Dev.
  • During Timur's Invasion:
    • Ruler of Jammu: Mal Dev
    • Ruler of Kashmir: Sultan Sikander

7. Ajaib Dev (1423 - 1454 AD)

  • He maintained cordial relations with Zain-ul-Abideen.
PIR MITHA

  • He was a Sufi known as Sayyid Qutub Alam who settled in the Jammu area.
  • His devotees brought sugarcane (during Bairam Dev's [1454 - 1489] time period).

8. Ghoggar Dev (1500 - 1530 AD)

  • Massive earthquake in Jammu.
  • Babur declared him "Raja of the Hills".
  • His son Alam Dev remained in the court of Lodhi for a longer time.
  • Sikander Lodhi gave Alam Dev the title of "Isa Khan".
  • Descendants of Alam Dev are known as "Isa Khania Rajput".
NOTE

  • Kapur Dev divided his kingdom into two parts:
    • Jag Dev — at Bahu
    • Sambhal Dev — at Jammu

9. Dhruv Dev (1707 - 1733 AD)

  • Threw away the yoke of Mughals; became independent.
  • Gave shelter to Banda Bahadur and helped him against the Mughals.
  • Built Mubarak Mandi Complex.
  • Shifted his palace from Maldev Mandi to the Mubarak Mandi Complex.

10. Ranjit Dev (1733 - 1782 AD)

  • Expansion: Rule in hills + plains. He consolidated 22 principalities and established the Jammu Raj.
  • Jammu was called 'Dar-ul-Aman' (abode of peace) during his period.
  • He was captivated twice:
    • By Mughals for disobedience. Remained behind bars for 12 years. Released later after negotiation.
    • By Afghans for looting a caravan. Released later after negotiation.
  • Imposed a ban on Sati and female infanticide.
  • Known for justice, good administration, maintained peace, religious tolerance.
  • He finished the construction of Bahu fort.

11. Pandit Dev Dutt

  • Dogri poet, scholar.
  • In the court of Ranjit Dev.
  • Translated Varun Prabha of Mahabharata into Hindi.

12. Sukh Jiwan Mal

  • He was the 2nd Governor of Afghan Rule in Kashmir.
  • He tried to expand his empire; acted independently.
  • Ranjit Dev conspired against Sukh Mal and supported Nur-ud-Din (the new Afghan Governor).
KEY NOTES

  • Raja Shakti Karan introduced the Dogri script.
  • During Jit Singh's period, Jammu finally fell into the hands of the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

13. JKSSB Previous Year Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Q1. The Dev Dynasty was founded by:

  • A) Suraj Dev
  • B) Bhoj Dev
  • C) Brij Dev
  • D) Mal Dev

Q2. Suraj Dev divided his empire into how many departments?

  • A) 5
  • B) 6
  • C) 7
  • D) 8

Q3. The founder of Jasrota town was:

  • A) Jas Dev
  • B) Karan Dev
  • C) Brij Dev
  • D) Mal Dev

Q4. The descendants of Karan Dev came to be known as:

  • A) Dogra
  • B) Jasrotia
  • C) Isa Khania
  • D) Khokhar

Q5. Brij Dev fought against Prithvi Raj Chauhan in which battle?

  • A) Battle of Panipat
  • B) Battle of Tarain
  • C) Battle of Khanwa
  • D) Battle of Haldighati

Q6. Brij Dev founded which town?

  • A) Jasrota
  • B) Bijaypur (Vijaypur)
  • C) Mal Mandi
  • D) Mubarak Mandi

Q7. The title of 'Mian' was bestowed on Dogra rulers by:

  • A) Prithvi Raj Chauhan
  • B) Mohd Ghori
  • C) Timur
  • D) Babur

Q8. The greatest ruler of the Dev Dynasty was:

  • A) Suraj Dev
  • B) Bhoj Dev
  • C) Brij Dev
  • D) Mal Dev

Q9. Mal Dev shifted the capital to:

  • A) Jasrota
  • B) Jammu
  • C) Bijaypur
  • D) Bahu

Q10. Mal Dev constructed which market?

  • A) Mubarak Mandi
  • B) Mal Mandi (at Purani Mandi)
  • C) Bahu Mandi
  • D) Tawi Mandi

Q11. Who was the most prominent leader of the Khokhars during Mal Dev's time?

  • A) Sarpal
  • B) Alam Dev
  • C) Jag Dev
  • D) Sambhal Dev

Q12. During Timur's invasion, the ruler of Kashmir was:

  • A) Zain-ul-Abideen
  • B) Sultan Sikander
  • C) Shah Mir
  • D) Ali Shah

Q13. Ghoggar Dev was declared "Raja of the Hills" by:

  • A) Akbar
  • B) Jahangir
  • C) Babur
  • D) Humayun

Q14. Sikander Lodhi gave Alam Dev the title of:

  • A) Mian
  • B) Isa Khan
  • C) Raja of Hills
  • D) Fateh Jung

Q15. Dhruv Dev built which complex?

  • A) Mal Mandi
  • B) Mubarak Mandi Complex
  • C) Purani Mandi
  • D) Bahu Fort

Q16. Dhruv Dev gave shelter to:

  • A) Ranjit Singh
  • B) Banda Bahadur
  • C) Guru Teg Bahadur
  • D) Guru Nanak

Q17. Jammu was called 'Dar-ul-Aman' during the period of:

  • A) Dhruv Dev
  • B) Ranjit Dev
  • C) Mal Dev
  • D) Ghoggar Dev

Q18. Ranjit Dev imposed a ban on:

  • A) Jaziya
  • B) Sati and female infanticide
  • C) Cow slaughter
  • D) Pilgrim tax

Q19. Pandit Dev Dutt translated 'Varun Prabha' of Mahabharata into:

  • A) Sanskrit
  • B) Hindi
  • C) Dogri
  • D) Persian

Q20. The Dogri script was introduced by:

  • A) Ranjit Dev
  • B) Dhruv Dev
  • C) Raja Shakti Karan
  • D) Jit Singh

14. Summary: Dev Dynasty at a Glance

Ruler Period Key Achievements/Events
Suraj Dev 850-912 AD Founder; 7 departments; died fighting Muslim invaders
Bhoj Dev 912-982 AD Ruled 70+ years; killed fighting Subuktigan
Brij Dev 1164-1215 AD Ally of Mohd Ghori; fought Battle of Tarain; founded Vijaypur
Mal Dev 1361-1400 AD Greatest; shifted capital to Jammu; Raj Tilak on rock from Tawi
Dhruv Dev 1707-1733 AD Independent from Mughals; built Mubarak Mandi Complex
Ranjit Dev 1733-1782 AD 'Dar-ul-Aman'; consolidated 22 principalities; banned Sati
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC

  • Dev Dynasty: 850-1816 AD; founded by Suraj Dev
  • Source: Vansavalies; Rajdarshini by Ganesh Das Badhera
  • Suraj Dev: 7 departments; died fighting Muslim invaders
  • Jas Dev: Founder of Jasrota; descendants known as Jasrotia
  • Brij Dev: Ally of Mohd Ghori; fought Battle of Tarain; founded Vijaypur
  • Title 'Mian': Bestowed on Dogra rulers by Mohd Ghori
  • Mal Dev: Greatest ruler; shifted capital to Jammu; Raj Tilak on rock from Tawi
  • Timur's Invasion: Ruler of Jammu: Mal Dev; Ruler of Kashmir: Sultan Sikander
  • Ghoggar Dev: Babur declared him "Raja of the Hills"; Alam Dev got title 'Isa Khan'
  • Dhruv Dev: Built Mubarak Mandi Complex; sheltered Banda Bahadur
  • Ranjit Dev: 'Dar-ul-Aman'; banned Sati and female infanticide
  • Pandit Dev Dutt: Translated Varun Prabha into Hindi
  • Raja Shakti Karan: Introduced Dogri script
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Dev Dynasty)

Q1. The Dev Dynasty was founded by:

Correct Answer: B. Suraj Dev (850-912 AD) was the founder of the Dev Dynasty. He divided his empire into 7 departments corresponding to the seven days of the week.

Q2. The founder of Jasrota town was:

Correct Answer: B. Jas Dev founded Jasrota town and gave it to his brother Karan Dev. The descendants of Karan Dev came to be known as Jasrotia.

Q3. The title of 'Mian' was bestowed on Dogra rulers by:

Correct Answer: B. The title of 'Mian' (mediator or representative) was bestowed on the Dogra rulers by Mohd Ghori.

Q4. The greatest ruler of the Dev Dynasty was:

Correct Answer: D. Mal Dev (1361-1400 AD) was the greatest among all rulers of the Dev Dynasty. He shifted the capital to Jammu and expanded the kingdom.

Q5. During Timur's invasion, the ruler of Jammu was:

Correct Answer: B. During Timur's invasion, the ruler of Jammu was Mal Dev, while the ruler of Kashmir was Sultan Sikander.

Q6. Dhruv Dev built which complex?

Correct Answer: B. Dhruv Dev (1707-1733 AD) built the Mubarak Mandi Complex and shifted his palace from Maldev Mandi to the Mubarak Mandi Complex.

Q7. Jammu was called 'Dar-ul-Aman' during the period of:

Correct Answer: B. Jammu was called 'Dar-ul-Aman' (abode of peace) during the period of Ranjit Dev (1733-1782 AD).

Q8. Ghoggar Dev was declared "Raja of the Hills" by:

Correct Answer: C. Babur declared Ghoggar Dev (1500-1530 AD) as "Raja of the Hills". His son Alam Dev received the title "Isa Khan" from Sikander Lodhi.

Q9. The Dogri script was introduced by:

Correct Answer: C. Raja Shakti Karan introduced the Dogri script. During Jit Singh's period, Jammu fell into the hands of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Q10. Ranjit Dev imposed a ban on:

Correct Answer: B. Ranjit Dev imposed a ban on Sati and female infanticide. He was known for justice, good administration, and religious tolerance.

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