history of jammu and kashmir rifles

around 1923. Among the Hindu Dogras the Rajputs (referred to as 'Mians' during the earlier years)
dominated with the Brahmins following closely. Besides the tradition which made the Rajputs to join
the State Army in such large numbers, there also was the economic reason. The Rajputs belonged
mainly to the arid, 'Kandi' area of Jammu (East of the Jammu-Pathankot road) where the land is
unable to support its population. The main clans of Rajputs that filled the ranks were the Jamwal,
Sambyal, Jasrotia, Pathania, Katoch, Chib, Langey etc. The Jamwals came from villages around
Jammu (famous among which are Raipur Gurha Salathia, Baguna, Sochani and Barori) and
Sambyals from Samba while the Chib and Langey belonged to the Deva-Batala area. Pathanias and
Katoches were not many, having entered service only after the Jammu Rajas/Maharajas married into
these clans from Kangra.
The Mahajans though falling under the category of Dogras were not encouraged to join the Army,
being considered non-martial. The Muslim Dogras came mostly from the Mirpur-Poonch area. The
Mirpur-Poonch area was also a major recruiting ground for the Indian Army where the Mohammedan
Dogra passed off as a Punjabi Mussalman. The many martial Muslim clans inhabiting the Jammu
Province were the Jaral, Chib, Salaria, Ghakkars, Awans, Sials etc. Ethnically they are Aryo-Scythians
and descendants of Hindu (primarily Rajputs) converts to Islam. They naturally have the qualities of
the Pathans and Rajputs from whom they have descended. All these clans were freely enrolled in the
State Army. The other Muslim clans of Jammu were the Jats and Gujjars. From a representation
made by them to the State Council in 1924, it appears that though there was no ban on their
enrolment they were not being favoured by the recruiting officers. Considering the fact that some 600
Muslim Jats and Gujjars had served satisfactorily in units during the World War I it was finally ruled by
the Council that there be no restriction, official or unofficial, on the enrolment of jats and Gujjars in the
State Army.
The Dogras as a fighting class need no introduction. During the earlier period of history, they have
been referred to as the hill troops of Raja Gulab Singh, about whom the British spoke with great
regard and admiration be it while they were fighting for Bibi Chand Kaur at Lahore during the war of
succession in Punjab or alongside the British against the Afghans in 1842. Later in 1845-46 the British
evidently felt much relieved on learning that they would not be fighting the hill troops of Raja Gulab
Singh in their war with the Sikhs. Subsequently much has been written by the British on Dogras (to
include both the Jammu as well as the Kangra Dogras) as a fighting class. The finest commentary
has, however, been made in a publication dealing with background of the first World War 3 . It is a long
commentary that can at best be reproduced here only in part. It reads:
The Dogras are among the best fighting material to be found in India. They have a keener
sense of national pride and a higher feeling of national integrity than their compatriots of the
plains. The pioneer Rajputs who were forced through discord at home (Rajasthan) to seek a
home in these hills, founded the various principalities, became independent with the
dissolution of the Mughal empire but subsequently became subject to the Sikhs under Ranjit
Singh. Gulab Singh whom the latter made the Raja of Jammu and who after his death became
the ruler of Kashmir was a Dogra by race. Although Dogras distinguished themselves as
soldiers under the various rulers of Kangra and Nurpur, it was Gulab Singh who raised their
prestige to the pinnacles of glory.
The Dogra is a shy, reserved man with considerable strength of character. "He may not be
so brilliant as the Pathan. nor so tenacious and subtle as the Gorkha. but he has a high idea of
honour, is very self-respecting and makes a capital soldier'. His physique is not so fine as that
of the Pathan or the Sikh. They have been long known as brave and faithful soldiers and
loyalty to their salt is with them as the breath of their nostrils. Though shy and reserved they
are not lacking in the force of character. More solid than brilliant, they are full of quiet and
resolute courage when face to face with danger. . . . Law abiding and well behaved, steady
and resolute, though not showy of courage, their virtues shine forth in moments of peril when
they will face certain death with a calm and determination to do before they die.
The commentary was written many years back but on going through the history of the Jammu and
Kashmir State Force one would find that nothing has changed as far as the soldierly qualities of the
Dogras are concerned and their virtues, as enumerated above, shone forth as brilliantly between 1915
and 1957 as they did before that.
Among the other communities of the State that were enrolled in the Army were the war like Khakhas
and Bambas (both Muslims) of the Muzaffarabad district. There was no restriction on the enrolment of
3 All About The War GA Natesan and co, Madras 1915
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