Home  /  History of Dogra Sadar Sabha, Jammu And Kashmir

History of Dogra Sadar Sabha, Jammu And Kashmir

Our illustrious forefathers had carved out this vast State J&k State- with their blood, out of small fragments, stretched its boundaries to the so far unexplored lands by their conquests and zeal and took it to the boundaries of vast empires of Afghanistan, China, Russia, shattering the exploratory designs of colonial powers who were making their grips tight on this sub-continent to keep them under their perpetual subjugation they, by their sheer will power, stead fastness and firm conviction, in the service of the country and nation, dedicated their devoted services and proffered supreme sacrifices for this mission,which emerged as a compact unit, where various races have been living amicably and harmoniously.

They were sagacious enough, with foresight, to devise well ahead of times, ways to cater to the needs of the public of this region- perpetuation and promotion of Dogra civilization, art and culture and its democratic and secular character. With this mission in view, they laid the foundation of Dogra Sadar Sabha, Jammu under the patronage of Maharaja Partap Singh Ji, Raja Amar Singh Ji and other stalwarts of this soil in 1904 AD. Representatives from all communities of State right from Kangra (H.P) Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur (Punjab) Mirpur, Poonch and other parts of Dogra terrain were coopted as it’s active members. The galaxy of the prominent persons who played a prominent and distinguished role in the service of the country and nation under the banner of Dogra Sadar Sabha is as under:

Lala Hans Raj Mahajan, General Samunder Khan, Sardar Budh Singh, Sh. Jia Lal Kilam., Sh. Assad Ullah Shah Vakil., Shrimati Mumtaz Begum (Incharge ladies wing), Sh. Jagat Ram Aryan (Harijan)., Master Ram Rakha., Sh. Mulkh Raj Sara., Col. Budhi Singh., Wazir Ganga Ram., Syed Mubarak Shash., Dewan N. D. Nargis., Sahibzada Hassan Shah., Pt. Ganesh Dass Shastri., Th. Jawala Singh., Pt. Anant Ram., Col. Peer Mohd., Sh. Mubarak Shah., Sheikh ali Mohd. Sodagar., Pt. Visheshwar Jyotishi and many others.

Besides, carrying out other magnificent works of social and political nature, this organization laid special emphasis on the following issues:

  • 1) Prohibition of juvenile delinquency, drinking and smoking.
  • 2) Women empowerment and promotion of Girl Child education
  • 3) To check the menace of Social and Moral evils.
  • 4) Checking dowry, infant marriages and caste discrimination,(Especially with Harijans).
  • 5) Arranging marriages of poor girls and helping widow monetarily,with sewing machines and encouraging widow marriage.
  • 6) Scholarships for needy students, education of girls establishment of schools and colleges.
  • 7) Motivate public to take to agriculture and farming.
  • 8) To maintain and promote the age old communal harmony.
  • 9) Promotion and preservation of historical monuments, heritage, art and culture of Duggar land.
  • 10) To extend support to the Army/security forces to fight against the inimical forces.
  • 11) Joint celebration of religious functions of all communities.
    Some salient achievements of Dogra Sadar Sabha are as under:-

  • 1. Constitution of Praja Sabha (Legislative Assembly) and election of its members.
  • 2. Construction of Chanab Bridge, at Akhnoor.
  • 3. Introduction of State Subject Certificate to safeguard the interests of the native inhabitants.
  • 4. Free education and scholarships to the needy students and establishment of High School and Colleges.
  • 5. Freedom of press and platform to raise public voice for their problems.

Thus, with the cooperation of the whole of the public of this region, fraternity, communal harmony and peace prevailed in this region. With vigorous campaign against untouchability this blot was removed from the society. This brought the Dogra Sadar Sabha in the fore-front in the service of the public and it enjoyed full confidence of all sections of the society of this region.

In the independence struggle, it played a dominant part in foiling the nefarious designs of imperial powers who aimed to cause disruption among them on communal and sectarian lines.

Due to its whole hearted support in Independence struggle carried out by Indian National Congress, Sabha was declared unconstitutional in 1929 AD and its activities remained banned for a few years.

After independence, new social and political forces emerged on the scene and Dogra Sadar Sabha remained not so active still carried on usual social and other philanthropic works in the area.

Due to discord in its organizational ranks the Sabha remained under the administrative control of the then Dy. Commissioner, Jammu, for the major portion of 1991, 1992 and 1993 and due to the intervention if saner elements, the charge was restored to its workers in October 1993.

Since October 1993 efforts are being made and with the

common consensus of all sections of society of this region, to revive Dogra Sadar Sabha so that the people of this region could play their legitimate role in the affairs of the State, help to uphold and promote the secular and democratic values of this region and as well to safeguard the interests of the inhabitants of the soil at this critical juncture.

For this mission, the following goal has been set for the organization:-

    To associate whole of the public of this region, in its functioning by relentless struggle for the destined mission as under. Ladies and youth are to be fully associated and trained to discharge their active role in this respect.

  • 1. Equitable share in the development and progressive works in all the three regions of the State.
  • 2. Equitable share in education, services and other government concerns.
  • 3. Due representation in constituted and elected bodies.
  • 4. Safeguard and promotion of Dogri language, Dogra Civilization, Art, Culture, ancient heritage of monuments, historical buildings and ancient historical record.
  • 5. Safeguard and promotion of secular and democratic values and due participation of representatives of all the three regions of the State in the negotiated settlement of Kashmir issue to ensure permanent peace, tranquility and well being in this region.
  • 6. To uphold the unity and integrity of the motherland.
  • 7. To espouse the genuine demands of the public and work for the redressal of their grievances.

“The Sublime foot prints of our valiant heroes left behind on the sands of time remind us of their chivalry and self-sacrifice which we need emulate and so march ahead”.

– Jai Duggar

Gulchain Singh Charak
President Dogra Sadar Sabha, J&K