HISTORY OF BHADERWAH (Jammu and Kashmir)-1

HISTORY OF BHADERWAH (Jammu and Kashmir)

The place which "Mahanju Daru and Harappa" civilization has in Indian history, the same place with history of Duga Nagar and Vdho Nagar civilization has in the history of Bhaderwah. 

In ancient times Bhaderwah had been a sovereign and prosperous state. These ancient cities of Duga Nagar and Audho Nagar were situated in area of village Monda and Sartingal and their capital at "Garah" Sungli. It is said that Pandavas performed the Ashwameg yajna (Horse sacrifice), the "Sham Karan" horse was taken from the then king of Bhaderwah Sawan. There was a big university here in these days having the capacity of lodging and boarding for about one thousand students. 

Due to the volcanic havoc created by Kailash mountain the Dugha Nagar was buried under the heavy bounders, which still exist there. The king Udho establish another city naming Woho Nagar about one Km. away from the Dugha Nagar. This city also fell prey to natural clamity of Kailash mountains and was submerged. The cities continued to destroy but the ruling clan continued to live. 

Although economically people deteriorated but king’s continued to establish new cities. When Udho Nagar submerged then king Bharat was the ruller. He then establish an other city near present power house after his name and called it "Bhadravart". These days that area is called "Bhadrot". 

After that Bhadarwah was ruled by "Naga Dynasty" but after some time the rulers became weak. At that time a powerful kingdom of Bhadu Blawar existed and its rulers conquered and annexed the states of Bhaderwah Basohli to their Kingdom. 

Afterwards Prince Radhk was given the state of Bhaderwah and he ruled it calling himself Raja Lakshmi Dev. This dynasty ruled Bhaderwah upto sixteen generations. During this period a noble king named Nagpal impressed Mughal king Akbar with its spiritual power and undaunted courage. The famous Mala Pat Bhaderwah is celebrated in memory of that historical event since then, when ‘Nagas" became the rulers of Bhaderwah, they shifted their capital to Bhaderwah proper called Nagar. The last king of this dynasty was "Pahar Chand".

In 1821 AD Bhaderwah became the part of J&K State. When Maharaja Partap Singh was crowned as king, Bhaderwah was given as "Jagir" to his younger brother Raj Amar Singh. Then Bhaderwah constituted the Tehsil Gandu, Tehsil Thathri, major part of Tehsil Doda in short whole of Bhalasa and left of river chanab from Thathri upto Batote. 

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

During the period when "Dugha Nagar" and Udho Nagar existed people used to pray before, Lord Brahma, Lord "Vishnu" and goddess Durga. At the later stage of the rule of these kind people were influenced by "Shive Mat". By coming of "Naga clans" its culture and civilization was effected by Nagacult. Even today all the three deities are workship and revered in Bhaderwah and Malas, Festivals are celebrated in their honour. There is a Mata Shitla temple at Rahoushra about km from Bhaderwah, where pilgrims from Hamachal Bani, Bilawar, Dudu Basantgarh and Bhadarwah go to workship the diety and get her blessing. The biggest Mala is held on 8th of Autumn Novratras, in which thousands of people participate from all parts of Bhaderwah. In the month of May a Mala is held at Malni Kansar in honour of Mata Chandi.