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{{Short description|Indo-Aryan ethnic group in South Asia}}
{{Distinguish|Dogar}}
{{pp|small=yes}}

{{EngvarB|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Dogras
|image =
|image_caption = Dogras dance
| population = 2.5 million (2011)<ref name="Census 2011">{{cite web |title=Abstract of Speakers' Strength of Languages and Mother Tongues - 2011 |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-1.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref>
| popplace = ''Majority'': [[Jammu Division|Jammu]] <br/> ''Minority'': [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Delhi]], [[Haryana]]
| langs = [[Dogri language|Dogri]]
| rels = '''Predominantly:'''<br/> [[File:Om.svg|15px]] [[Hinduism]] <br/>'''Minority:'''<br/> [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|18px]] [[Dogra Muslims|Islam]] and [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]] [[Sikhism]]
| related = [[Punjabis]], [[Kangra Valley|Kangris]] and other [[Indo-Aryans]]
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
}}
The '''Dogras''', or '''Dogra people''', are an [[Indo-Aryans|Indo-Aryan]] ethno-linguistic group living primarily in the Indian [[union territory]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. They speak their native [[Dogri language]]. They live predominantly in the [[Duggar (region)|Duggar]] region of the [[Jammu Division]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sandhu |first1=Kamaljit Kaur |title=Government planning to redraw Jammu and Kashmir assembly constituency borders: Sources |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/government-toys-with-delimitation-commission-in-j-k-1542446-2019-06-04 |access-date=4 January 2021 |work=India Today |date=4 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and in adjoining areas of the [[Indian states|states]] of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]]. Some also live in northeastern [[Pakistan]].<ref name=webindia123>{{cite web|url=https://www.webindia123.com/JAMMU/PEOPLE/peoplejammu.htm|title=The People – Dogras |publisher=Webindia123.com |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pathik |first1=Jyoteeshwar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O_-1AAAAIAAJ |title=Cultural Heritage of the Dogras |last2=Sharma |first2=Diwan Chand |date=1980 |publisher=Light & Life Publishers |language=en}}</ref>

Dogra [[Rajputs]] of the [[Jamwal]] clan ruled Jammu from the 19th century, when [[Gulab Singh]] was made a hereditary Raja of Jammu by [[Ranjit Singh]], while his brother [[Dhian Singh]] was the [[Sikh Empire]]'s prime minister of Punjab, until September 1843. Through the [[Treaty of Amritsar (1846)]], they acquired Kashmir as well.
The [[Dogra Regiment]] of the [[Indian Army]] primarily consists of Dogras from the [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Punjab state|Punjab]] and [[Jammu region]].<ref name="globalsecurity1">{{cite web|author=John Pike |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/rgt-punjab.htm |title=Punjab Regiment |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The term Dogra is thought to derive from ''[[Duggar (region)|Durgara]]'', the name of a kingdom mentioned in an eleventh century copper-plate inscription in [[Chamba State|Chamba]]. The inscription mentions the Raja of Chamba facing an attack by Kiras aided by the Lord of Durgara (''durgāreśwara''). In medieval times the term ''Durgara'' is believed to have turned into ''Duggar'', eventually transforming to 'Dogra'. [[Kalhana]]'s ''[[Rajatarangini]]'' makes no mention of a kingdom by any of these names, but the kingdoms could have been referred to by their capital cities (such as ''Vallapura'', modern [[Billawar]], or ''Babbapura'', modern Babor). In modern times, the term Dogra has become an ethnic identity, referring to all who speak the [[Dogri language]], irrespective of their religion.{{sfn|Handa, Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya|1998|pp=178–179}}

==History==
[[O.C. Handa|Omachanda Handa]] believes that the Durgara people were originally migrants from [[Rajasthan]]. The allusion to ''durg'' (fort) in their name indicates that they may have remained a warrior people, eventually founding powerful kingdoms between [[Chenab River|Chenab]] and [[Ravi River|Ravi]], and possibly dominating up to the [[Sutlej River|Sutluj]] river.{{sfn|Handa, Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya|1998|pp=178–180}}

According to archaeologist [[M. A. Stein]], there were some eleven Dogra states in the region, all of them eventually absorbed into the [[Jammu]] state, which emerged as the most powerful.{{sfn|Stein, Kalhana's Rajatarangini|1900|p=432}} Prior to the rise of Jammu, Babbapura (Babor) is believed to have been the chief state of Dogras. Lying 45 km east of Jammu, Babor contains the ruins of six magnificent temples representing a "thriving artistic activity".<ref name="Saraf1987">{{citation |last=Saraf |first=D. N. |title=Arts and Crafts, Jammu and Kashmir: Land, People, Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vQShV9jNzIUC&pg=PA198 |year=1987 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-204-8 |pages=198–}}</ref><ref>[http://jammutourism.gov.in/MonumentHeritage-Babor-Temple.html Babor Temple], Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, retrieved 25 July 2018.</ref> The [[Rajatarangini]] mentions Raja Vajradhara of Babbapura vowing allegiance to Bhikshachara of Kashmir in 1120 AD, along with the chiefs of neighbouring kingdoms.{{sfn|Charak|Billawaria|1998|pp=6–7}}

===Jammu Dogras===
The Jammu Dogras traditionally inhabited the area between the slopes of the [[Sivalik Hills|Shivalik range]] of mountains and the sacred [[Surinsar Lake]] and [[Mansar Lake]], but later spread over whole of the Jammu region. Many of the dogras immigrated from the state of [[Punjab]], specifically from [[Sialkot]] region. They generally speak Dogri and other dialects similar to Dogri or western [[Pahari language|Pahadi]]-influenced languages. The majority of the Dogra are followers of [[Hindu]]ism, but many in Jammu and Kashmir believe in other religions. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, some Dogras embraced [[Islam]] and [[Sikhism]]. These factors, together with the effects of immigration into the region, have resulted in the Dogra population of Jammu and Kashmir including members of all three religions.<ref name=webindia123/>

The [[Dogra dynasty]] emerged as a regional power, particularly after Rajput Maharaja [[Gulab Singh]] emerged as a warrior and his subjects received special martial recognition from the [[British Raj]]. The rule of Gulab Singh's Raj extended over the whole of the Jammu region, a large part of the Ladakh region as early as March 1846, and a large part of the Indian Punjab (now [[Himachal Pradesh]]). The [[Kashmir Valley]] was handed over to Gulab Singh by the British government, as part of the territories ceded to the British government by Lahore State according to the provisions of Article IV of the [[Treaty of Lahore]] dated 9{{nbsp}}March 1846. Under the [[Treaty of Amritsar, 1846|Treaty of Amritsar]] in the same year, the Dogra king of Jammu and the state was thereafter known as the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir State (Raj), also thereafter referred as Kashmir State. The term Dogra hence is more akin to the subjects of Himachal Pradesh, some areas of Punjab and the whole region of Jammu that was ruled by Raja Gulab Singh as part of the Dogra Raj irrespective of the religion of the inhabitants.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/dogras-and-their-run-ins-with-china-102073|title=Dogra rulers and their run-ins with China|publisher=tribuneindia|date= 21 June 2020}}</ref>

=== Jammu and Kashmir ===
[[File:Gulabsingh1840.jpg|thumb|[[Gulab Singh]], the first Maharaja of [[Dogra dynasty|Dogra Rajput dynasty]] which ruled [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]].]]

The [[Dogra dynasty]] was a dynasty of [[Hindu]] [[Rajputs]] who ruled [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] from 1846 to 1947.

The [[Sikh Empire]] rule extended beyond the Jammu region and the [[Kashmir Valley]] to the Tibetan Buddhist Kingdom of [[Ladakh]] and the Emirates of [[State of Hunza|Hunza]], [[Gilgit Agency|Gilgit]] and [[State of Nagar|Nagar]]. After the [[First Anglo-Sikh War]] in 1846, the British gave Kashmir and the title of 'Maharaja' to [[Gulab Singh]] –.<ref>Nalwa, V., 2009. Hari Singh Nalwa-Champion of the Khalsaji. New Delhi: Manohar, p. 220, {{ISBN|81-7304-785-5}}.</ref>

===Military history===
The [[Dogra Regiment]] was among the regiments of the [[British Indian Army]], which made significant contributions in both the world wars on all fronts from [[East Asia]] to [[Europe]] and [[North Africa]]. At Independence, it became an infantry regiment of the [[Indian Army]] composed largely but not exclusively of the Dogra people. The [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]], another regiment of the Indian Army, consisting of mainly Dogras was formed out of the former army of the Kingdom of Jammu & Kashmir after it was absorbed into the Indian Army.<ref name="dt"/> Prior to India's partition, the erstwhile [[10th Baluch Regiment]] of the British Indian Army had had a company of Dogra Brahmins, which fought with great distinction in the [[Burma campaign]]. Post independence, the company was drafted to the 17th Dogra Regiment.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Randle |first1=John |title=Battle Tales from Burma |date=1 January 2004 |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn=978-1-84415-112-7 |page=142 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQv6zlCwxOYC&q=dogra+brahmin+baluch+regiment}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2024}}


* [[Banda Singh Bahadur]], Sikh warrior and commander of Khalsa army<ref>{{Cite book |last=www.DiscoverSikhism.com |url=https://archive.org/details/BandaSinghBahadurOnTheCanvasOfHistory/page/n91/mode/1up |title=Banda Singh Bahadur On The Canvas Of History |language=English}}</ref>
*[[Premchand Degra]], Professional bodybuilder
*[[Akshay Dogra]], Indian actor
*[[Girdhari Lal Dogra]], Politician who served as Finance minister of Jammu and Kashmir
*[[Monica Dogra]], American musician and actress
*[[Paras Dogra]], Indian cricketer
*[[Prem Nath Dogra]], Politician also known as Sher e Duggar
*[[Rajiv Dogra]], Indian diplomat who served as Ambassador to Romania
*[[Riddhi Dogra]], Indian actress
*[[Romesh Chander Dogra]], Deputy speaker and former Health and Family Welfare minister of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
*[[Tirath Das Dogra]], Indian forensic pathologist
*[[Zakir Hussain (musician)|Zakir Hussain]], Indian tabla player and composer
*[[Vidyut Jammwal]], Indian actor and martial artist
*[[Mian Dido Jamwal]], dogra warrior who revolted against [[Sikh Empire]]
*[[Ranveer Jamwal]], Indian mountaineer and army officer
*[[Ajay Singh Jasrotia]], Indian military officer and martyr of [[Kargil war]]
*[[Arun Singh Jasrotia]], Indian military officer was posthumously awarded the [[Ashoka Chakra]]
*[[Khudadad Khan]], British Indian soldier and recipient of [[Victoria Cross]]
*[[Vijay Mahajan (academic)]], Jammu-born Indian-American Professor of Marketing (The University of Texas at Austin) and former Dean, Indian School of Business
*[[Manjit Minhas]], Canadian entrepreneur, television personality and venture capitalist.
*[[Rashid Minhas]], Pilot in [[Pakistan Air Force]] and recipient of [[Nishan-e-Haider]]
*[[Anant Singh Pathania]], Indian military personnel and first Indian recipient of [[Military Cross]] in the Second World War
*[[Raghbir Singh Pathania]], former Indian Lieutenant Colonel
*[[Alla Rakha]], Hindustani classical musician from India
*[[Mukesh Rishi]], Indian actor and film producer
*[[Gurbachan Singh Salaria]], Indian military officer and member of [[United Nations peacekeeping|UN peacekeeping]]
*[[Narain Singh Sambyal]], Military personnel
*[[Shivkumar Sharma]], Indian classical musician and [[santoor]] player<ref>{{cite news |last1=Suchismita |date=10 May 2022 |title=J&K loses illustrious son: Santoor maestro Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma passes away |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/editorial/jk-loses-illustrious-son-santoor-maestro-pt-shiv-kumar-sharma-passes-away/ |work=Greater Kashmir |access-date=1 November 2024}}</ref>
*[[Dhian Singh]], longest serving wazir of [[Sikh Empire]] and aristocrat
*[[Gulab Singh]], first Maharaja of the princely state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
*[[Hari Singh]], former Maharaja of the princely state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
*[[Karan Singh]], titular Maharaja of the princely state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and former [[Rajya sabha]] member
*[[Rajinder Singh (brigadier)|Rajinder Singh]], officer in the [[Jammu and Kashmir State Forces]] also known as saviour of Kashmir
*[[Ranbir Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Maharaja Ranbir Singh]], former Maharaja of the princely state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
*[[Zorawar Singh (Dogra general)|Zorawar Singh]], military general of first [[Sikh Empire]] and later [[Dogra dynasty]]

==Culture==
{{See also|Dogri literature}}
===Folk dance and music===
* ''Kud'', a ritual dance performed in honour of Lok Devatas. This dance style is performed mostly at night. It is spontaneous and people of all ages and genders participate. Instruments used during the Kud are {{Transliteration|doi|italic=no|narshingha}}, {{Transliteration|doi|italic=no|chhaina}}, flute, and drums. The rhythm of music controls the movement of participants. This dance continues all night. The number of participants ranges from 20 to 30.
* ''Heren'', a traditional theatre form performed during the [[Lohri]] festival by 10–15 people. It is mostly performed in the hills of Jammu, Udhampur and ramnagar.
* ''Fumenie'' and ''Jagarana'', a dance style performed by women on the eve of a groom's departure to in-laws house. Both songs are sung by a group of 15–20 members. This traditional dance form depicts the feelings and emotions of women.
* ''Paakh/Gwatri/Kark/Masade'', a chorus narrative sung by a group of 10 singers without any musical instruments.
* ''Gwatri'', a song–dance combined tradition in which the singers narrate some text which is acted by the Gwatari dancers.
* ''Karak'', a narrative ballet sung by a community called 'Jogies'. They narrate a popular folk tale in their dance style, performed by three members to the accompaniment of a folk instrument called a ''[[Rubab (instrument)|rubab]]''.
* ''Benthe'', a chorus singing tradition performed by a specific community of tribal people called Gujjar and Bakerwal. The dance is performed by 5–7 members.<ref>Govt of J&K Website</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=February 2023}}

===Cuisine===

[[File:Traditional dogra food-jammu and kashmir-001.jpg|thumb|Traditional dogra food of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Wheat]], [[maize]] and [[Pearl millet|bajra]] are staple foods, in addition to rice, cereals and a tangy preparation of mango or tamarind popularly known as ''[[Ambal (food)|ambal]]'' (अम्बल) or ''maani'' (म्हाणी)/''ambal'' (अंबल). The dish is called ''dal patt maani'' (दाल भत्त म्हाणी) and is savoured as a combination.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Brien|first=Charmaine O'|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BGhBAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT65|title=The Penguin Food Guide to India|date=15 December 2013|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-93-5118-575-8|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Mittha maddhra|Mittha madra]]'' (मिट्ठा मदरा) is a favourite and is made with milk, dry fruit, and semolina.

Especially in ceremonial cooking, the following are favourites:<ref name="KUMAWAT">{{Cite book|last=Kumawat|first=Lovesh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3OrkDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA24|title=CUISINE|date=18 May 2020|publisher=NotionPress|isbn=978-1-64850-162-3|language=en}}</ref>
*preparations of ''rajmash'' (a special variety of red kidney beans);
*''mash da madra'' (yogurt-based gravy for black lentils);
*''[[auryia]]'', a curd dish fermented by rye;
*''kulth di daal'' (horse gram);
*''ambal'' made from pumpkin, jaggery and tamarind.

In [[Dham|Dogra Dhaam]] (community feasts and banquets), cooking is specially supervised by expert family chefs belonging to [[Dogra Brahmin]] community and are known as ''Siyans''.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=K. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9FigAAAAMAAJ&q=%22siyans%22+community+meals+brahmin+dogra |title=Jammu & Kashmir |last2=Pandita |first2=K. N. |last3=Charak |first3=Sukh Dev Singh |last4=Rizvi |first4=Baqr Raza |date=2003 |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India |isbn=978-81-7304-118-1 |language=en |quote=The community meals of other Hindu groups were prepared mostly by the Brahmans who were called siyans. Before engaging themselves for the duties of siyans, they have a bath and then put on clean dhoti and kurta.}}</ref> They are assisted by Dogra jheers in cooking. ''Kalari'' is milk preserved by the coagulation of proteins, then fried in a pan.

Non-vegetarian food was limited to Rajputs and Vaish (Mahajans). ''Khatta meat'' is mutton cooked with sour pomegranate seeds (''anardana'') or lime juice and flavoured with fumes of a burning charcoal soaked in mustard oil. ''[[Gheur|Keyur]]'' (घ्यूर) is a well-known Dogra food. It is prepared by frying flour or [[Maida (flour)|maida]] batter, and served with sugar and curd. Mostly, it is served to bridegrooms at the time of marriage by his in-laws. ''Kalari'' is a favourite food of Dogras in the rainy season. It is prepared by mixing flour, cottage cheese and milk cream (malai) with water with help of a small cup-shaped pot. ''Kalari'' is served with milk. [[Kalari cheese]] is popular in the Jammu region and in Jammu and Kashmir state more generally. ''Babbru/pathoru'' are prepared with flour and fried in oil. ''Babbru'' is served with maani/potato dish/kheer/curd etc.

[[Kheer]] is a dish prepared from milk by adding rice and dry fruit. It is served at all special occasions and festivals. Another popular exotic dish is ''guchiyyan'' (dried black [[morel]]), usually added as an ingredient in pulao. As it grows naturally in forests and cannot be cultivated, it is a priced commodity (approx 500 Rs. per 100 g) and makes an excelled dish with mountain potatoes (pahadi aloo). [[Saffron]] or kesar is extensively used to flavour sweet dishes and for its anti-oxidant benefits.<ref name="dt">{{cite web |url=http://www.duggartimes.com |title=Index of / |publisher=Duggartimes.com |access-date=19 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117181654/http://www.duggartimes.com/ |archive-date=17 January 2012 }}</ref> Many types of pickles are prepared with ''Kasrod'' (fiddlehead fern), mango, ''tyaoo'', ''lasoode'' and ''girgle.''<ref name="KUMAWAT"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/dogras-organise-cultural-cum-cuisine-fest-in-new-delhi-29053|title=Dogras organise cultural-cum-cuisine fest in New Delhi|publisher=tribuneindia|date=17 March 2021|access-date=9 April 2021}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{citation |last=Hāṇḍā |first=Omacanda |title=Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JFPnh9B5zncC&pg=PA178 |year=1998 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-076-7 |ref={{sfnref|Handa, Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya|1998}}}}
* {{citation |first1=Sukh Dev Singh |last1=Charak |first2=Anita K. |last2=Billawaria |title=Pahāṛi Styles of Indian Murals |publisher=Abhinav Publications |year=1998 |isbn=978-8-17017-356-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kugq3wEh-W4C&pg=PA7}}
* {{citation |last=Stein |first=M. A. |title=Kalhana's Rajatarangini: A chronicle of the kings of Kasmir, Volume 1 |url=https://archive.org/details/RajataranginiVol1 |date=1900 |publisher=Archibald Constable and Co. |location=Westminster |isbn=978-81-208-0370-1 |ref={{sfnref|Stein, Kalhana's Rajatarangini|1900}}}}

{{Rajput Groups of India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dogra| ]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]
[[Category:Himalayan peoples]]
[[Category:Indo-Aryan peoples]]
[[Category:Surnames of Indian origin]]
[[Category:Social groups of Jammu and Kashmir]]

Dogras - Revision history

CarlNorfleet88 at 01:00, 15 March 2026