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Early History of Jammu — upto 9th Century AD

Early History of Jammu — upto 9th Century AD

Early History of Jammu
Figure 1: Early History of Jammu — frequently tested in JKSSB and UPSC examinations.

1. Prehistoric Jammu

  • Prehistoric tools have been found in:
    • Jammu
    • Kathua
    • Samba
    • Udhampur
  • These tools belong to the Pre-Saonian and Saonian time period.
  • Tools: Choppers, Cleavers, Blades, Axes, etc.
PROMINENT SITES

  • Nagrota, Koota — on the bank of River Tawi
  • Nandi, Manamu, Dyalachak, Palth — on the bed of Basanter
  • Kishanpur — on the bank of Gambhir Khad

2. Harappan Culture in Jammu Region

MANDA

  • Manda is in Akhnoor.
  • Site of Indus Valley Civilisation.
  • Pottery: Redware, Greyware, black slipped ware.
  • Copper tools have also been found.
OTHER IMPORTANT SITES

  • Akhnoor
  • Ambaran
  • Guda
  • Mandli-ka-Merah

3. Jammu in Vedic Literature

ACCORDING TO NILMATPURANA

  • Refers to some Himalayas as 'Antargiri' — spreading from Kishtwar and Bhadarwah to Poonch & Rajouri.
  • Mountain 'Usiraka' (present: containing the Vaishno Devi shrine).
  • 'Trikakuda' — Trikuta Hills.
ACCORDING TO PURANA

  • Ancient Jammu was part of 'Madrdesh'.
  • Madrdesh: Rivers Apaga, ChanderBhaga, Devika, Iravati, Taussi, Udda & Visvamitra.
NOTE

  • During Alexander's invasion (322 B.C.), the Abhisara kingdom covered the area between ChanderBhaga (Chenab) and Vitasta (Jhelum).

4. Traditional History & Vansavalis

  • No proper source exists for the traditional history of Jammu.
  • Mainly dependent on Vansavalis.
RAJDARSHINI

  • Written by Ganesh Das Badera.
  • Source: Vansavalis.
  • Foundation of Jammu: 3650 B.C.
  • Agnibaran (descendent of Kush) settled at Parole (near Jammu in Punjab).
  • Vayu Srava (son of Agnibaran) conquered all lands beyond Jammu Tawi.
  • It mentions:
    • Successors of Bahulochan & Jambu Lochan
    • Rai Dynasty
    • Dhar Dynasty

5. Key Legends & Dynasties

KEY NOTES

  • Lord Rama had two sons — Luv & Kush.
  • Agnibaran was from the lineage of Kush.
  • Both Bahu Lochan & Jambhu Lochan were descendants of Agnibaran.
  • Rulers of Jammu called themselves: 'Suryavanshis'.
  • Jammu is named after its founder, Raja Jambu Lochan around 14th century B.C.
BAHU LOCHAN

  • One of the successors of Vayu Srava.
  • He founded a new town, Dharanagri, and shifted the capital there.
  • Built Bahu Fort.
  • He tried to extend his empire towards Madr Desh (Punjab) but was defeated and killed.
JAMBHU LOCHAN

  • Brother of Bahu Lochan.
  • He set up a town named Jamboo (which later became Jammu).
  • Legend: Raja Jambholochan saw a goat and a tiger drinking water from the Tawi river at the same place.
RAI DYNASTY

  • 1st indigenous dynasty of Jammu (according to Vansavali).
  • Founder: Adi Rai, 58 B.C.
  • Last ruler: Raja Jog Raj
DHAR DYNASTY (430 - 825 A.D.)

  • Founder: Suraj Dhar
  • Last Ruler: Bajar Dhar
  • Roshan Shah Wali (a Muslim saint) came to Jammu and lived near Gumat.
  • Sarabha Dhar built a Khanqah over Roshan Shah Wali's grave.

6. JKSSB Previous Year Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Q1. The prehistoric tools found in Jammu region belong to which time period?

  • A) Paleolithic
  • B) Pre-Saonian and Saonian
  • C) Neolithic
  • D) Chalcolithic

Q2. Manda, a site of the Indus Valley Civilisation, is located in which place?

  • A) Akhnoor
  • B) Jammu
  • C) Kathua
  • D) Samba

Q3. Which pottery types were found at the Manda site?

  • A) Redware only
  • B) Greyware only
  • C) Redware, Greyware, black slipped ware
  • D) Black slipped ware only

Q4. According to Nilmatpurana, which mountain contains the Vaishno Devi shrine?

  • A) Trikakuda
  • B) Usiraka
  • C) Antargiri
  • D) Trikuta

Q5. During Alexander's invasion (322 B.C.), the Abhisara kingdom covered the area between:

    <
  • A) ChanderBhaga (Chenab) and Vitasta (Jhelum)
  • B) Tawi and Chenab
  • C) Jhelum and Indus
  • D) Ravi and Beas

Q6. The book 'Rajdarshini' was written by:

  • A) Ganesh Das Badera
  • B) Dewan Kirpa Ram
  • C) Thakur Kahu Singh Bolaria
  • D) Hashmatullah Khan

Q7. According to Rajdarshini, the foundation of Jammu was in:

  • A) 3000 B.C.
  • B) 3650 B.C.
  • C) 4000 B.C.
  • D) 2500 B.C.

Q8. Agnibaran was a descendant of:

  • A) Luv
  • B) Kush
  • C) Rama
  • D) Bharata

Q9. The 1st indigenous dynasty of Jammu was:

  • A) Rai Dynasty
  • B) Dhar Dynasty
  • C) Suryavanshi Dynasty
  • D) Dogra Dynasty

Q10. The Rai Dynasty was founded by:

  • A) Adi Rai
  • B) Suraj Dhar
  • C) Jog Raj
  • D) Bajar Dhar

Q11. The Rai Dynasty was founded in:

  • A) 58 A.D.
  • B) 58 B.C.
  • C) 100 B.C.
  • D) 100 A.D.

Q12. The last ruler of the Rai Dynasty was:

  • A) Adi Rai
  • B) Raja Jog Raj
  • C) Suraj Dhar
  • D) Bajar Dhar

Q13. The Dhar Dynasty ruled Jammu from:

  • A) 300-600 A.D.
  • B) 430-825 A.D.
  • C) 500-800 A.D.
  • D) 400-700 A.D.

Q14. The founder of the Dhar Dynasty was:

  • A) Suraj Dhar
  • B) Bajar Dhar
  • C) Sarabha Dhar
  • D) Adi Rai

Q15. The last ruler of the Dhar Dynasty was:

  • A) Suraj Dhar
  • B) Bajar Dhar
  • C) Sarabha Dhar
  • D) Jog Raj

Q16. Roshan Shah Wali lived near which place in Jammu?

  • A) Gumat
  • B) Bahu Fort
  • C) Tawi River
  • D) Akhnoor

Q17. A Khanqah was built over Roshan Shah Wali's grave by:

  • A) Suraj Dhar
  • B) Bajar Dhar
  • C) Sarabha Dhar
  • D) Adi Rai

Q18. The rulers of Jammu called themselves:

  • A) Chandravanshis
  • B) Suryavanshis
  • C) Nagavanshis
  • D) Rajputs

Q19. Jammu is named after its founder Raja Jambu Lochan. He founded Jammu around:

  • A) 10th century B.C.
  • B) 12th century B.C.
  • C) 14th century B.C.
  • D) 16th century B.C.

Q20. Bahu Lochan was a successor of:

  • A) Agnibaran
  • B) Vayu Srava
  • C) Jambu Lochan
  • D) Suraj Dhar

7. Summary: Early History of Jammu at a Glance

Category Details
Prehistoric Sites Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur; Pre-Saonian & Saonian tools
Manda Site Akhnoor; Indus Valley Civilisation; Redware, Greyware, black slipped ware
Nilmatpurana Antargiri, Usiraka (Vaishno Devi), Trikakuda (Trikuta Hills)
Rajdarshini Ganesh Das Badera; Foundation: 3650 B.C.; Agnibaran settled at Parole
Jammu Naming Raja Jambu Lochan (14th century B.C.); saw goat & tiger drinking from Tawi
Rai Dynasty 1st indigenous dynasty; Founder: Adi Rai (58 B.C.); Last: Raja Jog Raj
Dhar Dynasty 430-825 A.D.; Founder: Suraj Dhar; Last: Bajar Dhar
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC

  • Prehistoric Tools: Found in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur; Pre-Saonian and Saonian period
  • Manda: Indus Valley site at Akhnoor; Redware, Greyware, black slipped ware
  • Nilmatpurana: Antargiri (Kishtwar to Poonch); Usiraka (Vaishno Devi); Trikakuda (Trikuta Hills)
  • Alexander's Invasion: Abhisara kingdom between Chenab and Jhelum (322 B.C.)
  • Rajdarshini: Ganesh Das Badera; Source: Vansavalis; Foundation: 3650 B.C.
  • Agnibaran: Descendant of Kush; settled at Parole
  • Bahu Lochan: Founded Dharanagri; built Bahu Fort; defeated and killed in Madr Desh
  • Jambhu Lochan: Founded Jamboo (Jammu); legend of goat and tiger drinking from Tawi
  • Rai Dynasty: 1st indigenous dynasty; Adi Rai (58 B.C.); last: Raja Jog Raj
  • Dhar Dynasty: 430-825 A.D.; Suraj Dhar (founder); Bajar Dhar (last); Sarabha Dhar built Khanqah
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Early History of Jammu)

Q1. Manda, a site of the Indus Valley Civilisation, is located in which place?

Correct Answer: B. Manda is a site of the Indus Valley Civilisation located in Akhnoor. Pottery types found include Redware, Greyware, and black slipped ware.

Q2. According to Nilmatpurana, which mountain contains the Vaishno Devi shrine?

Correct Answer: B. According to Nilmatpurana, the mountain 'Usiraka' contains the Vaishno Devi shrine. 'Trikakuda' refers to the Trikuta Hills.

Q3. According to Rajdarshini, the foundation of Jammu was in which year?

Correct Answer: B. According to Rajdarshini, written by Ganesh Das Badera, the foundation of Jammu was in 3650 B.C.

Q4. The 1st indigenous dynasty of Jammu was:

Correct Answer: B. The Rai Dynasty was the 1st indigenous dynasty of Jammu according to Vansavali. It was founded by Adi Rai in 58 B.C.

Q5. The Rai Dynasty was founded by:

Correct Answer: B. The Rai Dynasty was founded by Adi Rai in 58 B.C. The last ruler of this dynasty was Raja Jog Raj.

Q6. The Dhar Dynasty ruled Jammu from:

Correct Answer: B. The Dhar Dynasty ruled Jammu from 430 to 825 A.D. It was founded by Suraj Dhar and the last ruler was Bajar Dhar.

Q7. Jammu is named after its founder Raja Jambu Lochan, who founded it around:

Correct Answer: C. Jammu is named after its founder Raja Jambu Lochan, who founded it around the 14th century B.C.

Q8. The rulers of Jammu called themselves:

Correct Answer: B. The rulers of Jammu called themselves 'Suryavanshis' (descendants of the Sun dynasty). Agnibaran was a descendant of Kush.

Q9. A Khanqah was built over Roshan Shah Wali's grave by:

Correct Answer: C. Sarabha Dhar built a Khanqah over the grave of Roshan Shah Wali, a Muslim saint who came to Jammu and lived near Gumat.

Q10. During Alexander's invasion (322 B.C.), the Abhisara kingdom covered the area between:

Correct Answer: B. During Alexander's invasion in 322 B.C., the Abhisara kingdom covered the area between ChanderBhaga (Chenab) and Vitasta (Jhelum).

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