History of Jammu — Sources
1. Introduction — Sources of Jammu History
- There is an absence of proper sources to study the ancient/medieval history of Jammu.
- Rajatarangini didn't mention Jammu.
- Rajatarangini mentioned Babbapura (ancient capital of Durgara), Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar (Kashthavata), Doda, Basohli (Vallapora), Billawar (Balaor), Bhadarwah (Bhadravaska).
MENTION OF DURGARA / DUGAR STATE
- Founded in later Gupta finds.
- On copper plates in Chamba.
- During the reign of Sahik Varman (930 - 950 A.D.).
NAME OF JAMMU IN ANCIENT TEXTS / EXCAVATION
- In Mahabharat.
- Memories of Timur.
- Huen Tsang's travel account.
- Excavation near Akhnoor (suggested that Jammu was part of Harappan Civilisation).
- Remains of Mauryan, Kushan & Gupta periods.
2. Vansavalies (Genealogies)
- Vanshavali: The genealogy (family history) of the ruling families/chiefs of Jammu.
- Not regarded as the proper source of history.
- One of the important sources to study ancient/medieval history of Jammu.
BOOKS BASED ON VANSAVALIES
- Rajdarshini — by Ganesh Das Badera (historian of Jammu)
- Gulabnama — by Diwan Kirpa Ram
NOTE
- Ganesh Das Badera was appointed by Maharaja Gulab Singh to write the history of Jammu.
- The concept of 'Jambu Lochan' and 'Bahulochan' comes from Vansavalies.
- Kalhan's Rajatarangini is regarded as the proper source of history.
ACCORDING TO VANSAVALIES
- Agnibaran — 1st Raja of Jammu
- Bahulochan — 5th Raja; built Bahu fort.
- Jambhulochan — Founder of Jammu.
3. Ancient Literary Sources
- The Ashtadhyayi of Panini: mentions various geographical features of the Jammu region.
- Alberuni:
- Writes about the trade route passed through Billawar, Ladda & Raja Giri.
- Described the religious beliefs of Jammu Hills.
4. Travellers' Accounts
TRAVELLERS & THEIR ACCOUNTS
| Traveller | Places Mentioned |
|---|---|
| Yuan-Chwang (Chinese traveller) | Visited Rajouri and mentioned Tak Tesha (most probably Jammu) |
| Hiuen Tsang (Chinese traveller) | Visited Poonch (Panotsa); also mentioned Rajapuri (Rajouri) |
| Alberuni | Also mentioned Rajagiri / Rajouri |
KEY NOTES
- Sanads of Mughal & Afghan rulers which were given to Raja Dhruv Dev, Ranjit Dev & his ancestors, are also important sources of Jammu history.
5. Books & Authors
IMPORTANT BOOKS ON JAMMU HISTORY
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Rajdarshini | Ganesh Das Wadhera |
| Gulab Nama | Dewan Kirpa Ram |
| Tarikh-i-Gulshan-i-Punjab | Debi Parsad |
| Tarikh-i-Guru Khalsa Vol. III | Gian Singh |
| Tarikh-i-Punjab | Mohammad Latif |
| Tawarik-i-Dugar Desh | Narsing Das Nargis |
| Tawarikh-i-Rajgan-i-Jammu wa Kashmir | Thakur Kahu Singh Bolaria |
| Tawarikh-i-Jammu | Hashmatullah Khan |
| Tawarikh-i-Kishtwar | Sheoji Dhar |
| Tawarikh-i-Aqwam-e-Poonch | Muhammad Din Fauq |
| Rise and Fall of Jammu Kingdom | Dr. S.S. Charak |
| The Lords of Hills | G.C. Smith |
NOTE
- 'Rajdarshini' and 'Gulab Nama' are based on Vansavalies which are NOT regarded as a proper source of history.
6. Chronology of Jammu Rulers
LIST OF JAMMU RULERS
1. Suraj Dev (840 – 912 A.D.)
13. Ajeo or Ajeeb Dev
2. Bhoj Dev
14. Biram Dev
3. Avtar Dev
15. Ghogar Dev
4. Jas Dev
16. Kapur Dev
5. Sangram Dev
17. Jagdev
6. Jaskara Dev or Chakar Dev
18. Sangram Dev
7. Baj or Bijay Dev
19. Hari Dev
8. Narsingh Dev
20. Gaja Singh
9. Arjan Dev
21. Dhiruv Dev
10. Jodh Dev
22. Ranjit Dev (1733 – 1782 A.D.)
11. Mal Dev (1361 – 1400 A.D.)
23. Maharaja Gulab Singh (1846 – 1856)
12. Hamir Dev
24. Ranbir Singh (1857 – 1885)
KEY RULERS
- Suraj Dev (840 – 912 A.D.) — 1st ruler in the list
- Mal Dev (1361 – 1400 A.D.)
- Ranjit Dev (1733 – 1782 A.D.)
- Maharaja Gulab Singh (1846 – 1856)
- Ranbir Singh (1857 – 1885)
7. JKSSB Previous Year Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. The book 'Rajdarshini' was written by:
- A) Ganesh Das Wadhera
- B) Dewan Kirpa Ram
- C) Thakur Kahu Singh Bolaria
- D) Hashmatullah Khan
Q2. 'Gulab Nama' was written by:
- A) Ganesh Das Wadhera
- B) Dewan Kirpa Ram
- C) Debi Parsad
- D) Mohammad Latif
Q3. The concept of 'Jambu Lochan' and 'Bahulochan' comes from:
- A) Rajatarangini
- B) Vansavalies
- C) Ashtadhyayi
- D) Gulab Nama
Q4. 'Rajdarshini' and 'Gulab Nama' are based on:
- A) Rajatarangini
- B) Vansavalies
- C) Archaeological sources
- D) Inscriptions
Q5. Ganesh Das Badera was appointed by which ruler to write the history of Jammu?
- A) Ranjit Singh
- B) Maharaja Gulab Singh
- C) Ranbir Singh
- D) Ranjit Dev
Q6. According to Vansavalies, who was the 1st Raja of Jammu?
- A) Agnibaran
- B) Bahulochan
- C) Jambhulochan
- D) Suraj Dev
Q7. According to Vansavalies, who built Bahu fort?
- A) Agnibaran
- B) Bahulochan
- C) Jambhulochan
- D) Suraj Dev
Q8. According to Vansavalies, who was the founder of Jammu?
- A) Agnibaran
- B) Bahulochan
- C) Jambhulochan
- D) Suraj Dev
Q9. Hiuen Tsang visited Poonch and mentioned it as:
- A) Panotsa
- B) Rajapuri
- C) Babbapura
- D) Vallapora
Q10. Which Chinese traveller visited Rajouri and mentioned Tak Tesha (most probably Jammu)?
- A) Hiuen Tsang
- B) Yuan-Chwang
- C) Fa-Hien
- D) I-Tsing
Q11. Excavation near which place suggested that Jammu was part of Harappan Civilisation?
- A) Akhnoor
- B) Poonch
- C) Rajouri
- D) Kishtwar
Q12. 'Tarikh-i-Gulshan-i-Punjab' was written by:
- A) Mohammad Latif
- B) Debi Parsad
- C) Gian Singh
- D) Hashmatullah Khan
Q13. The Ashtadhyayi of Panini mentions various geographical features of which region?
- A) Kashmir
- B) Jammu
- C) Ladakh
- D) Punjab
Q14. 'Tawarikh-i-Jammu' was written by:
- A) Ganesh Das Wadhera
- B) Hashmatullah Khan
- C) Thakur Kahu Singh Bolaria
- D) Sheoji Dhar
Q15. Rajatarangini is regarded as the proper source of history by:
- A) Kalhan
- B) Ganesh Das Wadhera
- C) Dewan Kirpa Ram
- D) Dr. S.S. Charak
Q16. The ancient capital of Durgara mentioned in Rajatarangini was:
- A) Babbapura
- B) Vallapora
- C) Balaor
- D) Kashthavata
Q17. Alberuni mentioned which trade route in the Jammu region?
- A) Billawar, Ladda & Raja Giri
- B) Poonch, Rajouri & Kishtwar
- C) Jammu, Akhnoor & Samba
- D) Basohli, Bhadarwah & Doda
Q18. 'Tawarikh-i-Aqwam-e-Poonch' was written by:
- A) Sheoji Dhar
- B) Muhammad Din Fauq
- C) Hashmatullah Khan
- D) Ganesh Das Wadhera
Q19. 'The Lords of Hills' was written by:
- A) Dr. S.S. Charak
- B) G.C. Smith
- C) Thakur Kahu Singh Bolaria
- D) Debi Parsad
Q20. The copper plates in Chamba mention the Durgara state during the reign of:
- A) Suraj Dev
- B) Sahik Varman
- C) Ranjit Dev
- D) Gulab Singh
8. Summary: Sources of Jammu History at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vansavalies | Genealogies; NOT proper source; basis of Rajdarshini & Gulab Nama |
| Rajdarshini | Ganesh Das Wadhera; appointed by Maharaja Gulab Singh |
| Gulab Nama | Dewan Kirpa Ram; based on Vansavalies |
| Agnibaran | 1st Raja of Jammu (according to Vansavalies) |
| Bahulochan | 5th Raja; built Bahu fort |
| Jambhulochan | Founder of Jammu |
| Suraj Dev | 1st ruler in chronology (840 – 912 A.D.) |
| Hiuen Tsang | Visited Poonch (Panotsa); mentioned Rajapuri (Rajouri) |
| Yuan-Chwang | Visited Rajouri; mentioned Tak Tesha (probably Jammu) |
| Alberuni | Mentioned Rajagiri/Rajouri; trade route through Billawar, Ladda, Raja Giri |
| Rajatarangini | Proper source; didn't mention Jammu; mentioned Babbapura, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar |
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC
- Vansavalies: Genealogies — NOT proper source of history
- Rajdarshini: Ganesh Das Wadhera (appointed by Maharaja Gulab Singh)
- Gulab Nama: Dewan Kirpa Ram
- Agnibaran: 1st Raja of Jammu (Vansavalies)
- Bahulochan: 5th Raja; built Bahu fort
- Jambhulochan: Founder of Jammu
- Hiuen Tsang: Visited Poonch (Panotsa) and Rajapuri (Rajouri)
- Yuan-Chwang: Visited Rajouri; mentioned Tak Tesha
- Alberuni: Mentioned Rajagiri/Rajouri; trade route through Billawar, Ladda, Raja Giri
- Rajatarangini: Proper source; didn't mention Jammu
- Durgara State: Founded in later Gupta finds; mentioned in copper plates in Chamba
- Excavation near Akhnoor: Suggested Jammu was part of Harappan Civilisation
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Sources of Jammu History)
Q1. The book 'Rajdarshini' was written by:
Correct Answer: B. 'Rajdarshini' was written by Ganesh Das Wadhera, who was appointed by Maharaja Gulab Singh to write the history of Jammu.
Q2. According to Vansavalies, who was the 1st Raja of Jammu?
Correct Answer: B. According to Vansavalies, Agnibaran was the 1st Raja of Jammu. Bahulochan was the 5th Raja who built Bahu fort, and Jambhulochan was the founder of Jammu.
Q3. Who built Bahu fort according to Vansavalies?
Correct Answer: B. Bahulochan, the 5th Raja according to Vansavalies, built Bahu fort.
Q4. Hiuen Tsang visited Poonch and mentioned it as:
Correct Answer: B. Hiuen Tsang visited Poonch and mentioned it as Panotsa. He also mentioned Rajapuri (Rajouri).
Q5. The concept of 'Jambu Lochan' and 'Bahulochan' comes from:
Correct Answer: B. The concept of 'Jambu Lochan' and 'Bahulochan' comes from Vansavalies. Jambhulochan is considered the founder of Jammu, while Bahulochan built Bahu fort.
Q6. Who appointed Ganesh Das Badera to write the history of Jammu?
Correct Answer: B. Ganesh Das Badera was appointed by Maharaja Gulab Singh to write the history of Jammu.
Q7. Which Chinese traveller visited Rajouri and mentioned Tak Tesha (most probably Jammu)?
Correct Answer: B. Yuan-Chwang, a Chinese traveller, visited Rajouri and mentioned Tak Tesha, which is most probably Jammu.
Q8. Excavation near which place suggested that Jammu was part of Harappan Civilisation?
Correct Answer: B. Excavation near Akhnoor suggested that Jammu was part of Harappan Civilisation. Remains of Mauryan, Kushan & Gupta periods have also been found.
Q9. Rajatarangini is regarded as the proper source of history. It was written by:
Correct Answer: B. Rajatarangini is regarded as the proper source of history. It was written by Kalhan. However, it didn't mention Jammu.
Q10. The ancient capital of Durgara mentioned in Rajatarangini was:
Correct Answer: B. Rajatarangini mentioned Babbapura as the ancient capital of Durgara. It also mentioned Poonch (Panotsa), Rajouri (Rajapuri), Kishtwar (Kashthavata), and other places.