History Of Jammu

Known for its natural beauty and striking temples, Jammu has a major role in making Indian history gleam with pride. Once the seat of famous Dogra dynasty, today Jammu enjoys the status of an administrative division and winter capital of the country. From the origin of the name ‘Jammu’ to the ongoing controversies, the history of territory is dotted with several noteworthy instances. Tourism, which is the major economic source of the place, proudly highlights the natural beauty, cultural heritage and most importantly, the legacy left behind by some of the outstanding rulers of the past. Adding to this, the diverse population and religious practices of the city offers an unparalleled potential to support tourism with all the major attractions that no other part of the world can offer. If you really want to know the reason behind the strong culture and intellectual development of Jammu, then understanding the history of place would help you discover Jammu better. Trail this article to know more about history of Jammu.

Jammu History

Origin Of The City
According to a popular legend, Raja Jamboolochan founded this �city of temples� in 14th century BC. It is believed that during one of his hunting drives, he reached a river called Tawi where he was surprised to see a goat and a lion drinking water at the same place. This made him conclude that a place where a lion and a goat can survive side by side is surely a land of peace and harmony. Recounting this incidence, he decided to build a palace at this place and eventually established a city named Jambu-Nagar, which with time became popular as Jammu.

Ancient History
The glory of beautiful Jammu city is mentioned even in the great Indian epic Mahabharata. Archeological evidences cite that Jammu was once the ground for Harappa civilization. Apart from this, the city of Jammu boasts of a long regal lineage. From Mauryas, Guptas and Kushans to Shahi, Mughals and Sikhs, Jammu have been the home to several great royal dynasties. After the death of great Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh, British took over Jammu and appointed Maharaja Gulab Singh as the ruler of the land. With the ascension of Maharaja Gulab Singh to the throne, the famous Dogra dynasty came into supremacy. It is under the reign of Gulab Singh that Jammu and Kashmir were integrated. Thus, he is fondly called as the founder of Jammu and Kashmir.

After Independence
During the time of Indian partition, the Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh was given a choice to freely choose the country between India and Pakistan. However, considering the strong opinion of the people and neighboring states, Jammu and Kashmir became the crown of Independent India. Even after the partition, the clashes continued based on the ethnic and border issues. In 1965 and 1971, there was an Indo-Pakistan war over territorial claims. Again, in 1999, there was the famous Kargil war between the two nations, which took a number of lives form both sides. Even today, Jammu is shaken with communal and territorial clashes every now and then.