Ancient History of Jammu

Ancient history of Jammu is mentioned in the literary source Rajadarshini which was written by Ganesh Das in 1847. 

As per the book, the first empire in Jammu was setup by Agnigir around 900 years before starting of Kaliyuga.

↪Agnigir Empire

🟪According to Rajadarshini, King Agnigir, son of Sudarshana (21st descendant of Lord Rama of Ayodhya) established his empire on the lower bank of Ravi river in present day Kathua.

  🔴He ruled over the towns of Pushpavati and Airava. He was succeeded by his son Vayu Shrava who extended his empire upto Ujh.

  ⚫ One of his descendant, Agnigarbha extended his empire upto Tawi river.
  
  🟢His elder son Bahu Lochan 

founded the towns Dharanagri and Bahunagar and shifted his capital from Airava to Dharanagri.

 🟠He built the Bahu fort on the left bank of Tawi river.

 🔴Bahu Lochan's younger son Jambu Lochan became a powerful ruler of Bahunagar after the death of Bahu Lochan in a conflict with Sialkot's king.

  🟪Jambu Lochan defeated Sialkot's king (Chandrahas), annexed territories upto Sindh and founded the town Jambupura, Jambu or Jammu in 1500 BC.

  🟣His successor Purankaran shifted his capital from Bahu to Jammu due to which it became a very important place.

   🟢One of the descendant, Shakti Karan extended his empire upto Pir Panjal ranges (Banihal). He was well versed and invented the Dogri script.

  ⚫ The Dogri script is derived from Sharada script which in turn has come from Brahmi script. King Shakti Karan probably innovated the Brahmi script.

  ⚫ Shiv Prakash is considered to be the last ruler of this dynasty.History of Jammu

    ⚫ The Dogri script is derived from Sharada script which in turn has come from Brahmi script. King Shakti Karan probably innovated the Brahmi script.

⚫ Shiv Prakash is considered to be the last ruler of this dynasty

  
↪Pandavas Empire
 🔴King Shal (1100 BC) of Sialkote (maternal uncle of Pandavas) defeated Shiv Prakash in Mahabharat War and gained the Jammu region. 

 🟢After his death in the Battle of Kurukshetra, Jammu was governed by Babru Vahan (Arjuna's son). He founded the town of Babaur.

🟣 His descendants continued their rule for 500 years after which Jammu was taken over by local clans and tribal chiefs.

↪Raja Bodh Dynasty (500-143 BC)
 🔴The first strong dynasty to emerge in Jammu region was established by Raja Bodh Arjun in 500 BC.  

 🟤From this dynasty, the ruling years of kings and their kingdoms are found clearly mentioned in Rajadarshini. 

🟣This dynasty ruled for 357 years but in between there were great battles and change in power. For a brief period, Jammu also become a part of Punjab, Sialkot and Takshila.

  ⚫ King Damodar Dutt, descendant of Raja Bodh Arjun again reunited the divided parts of Jammu region. He was a powerful ruler and extended his empire from Jammu to Gandhara. 

 🟢During Alexander's invasion in 326 BC, King Damodar Dutt fought bravely. But he was defeated and killed in war, after which the rule passed on to his son Ajay Singh.

🟠Last ruler of this dynasty was Ram Gupta who was descendant of Ajay Singh (143 BC). 

 🟣The empire disintegrated after Ram Gupta and was taken over by local clans till 50 BC when a new dynasty called Rai dynasty emerged.

Rai Dynasty (50 BC-342 AD)
 🟣In 50 BC, Jammu was annexed by Rai dynasty. Adi Rai was the first independent ruler to rule Jammu.  

🔴 After ruling for 40 years, he was succeeded by his son Dev Rai and followed by 9 other rulers (Gandharb Rai, Kadamb Rai, Karam. Rai, Khir Rai, Khakhar Rai, Sind Rai, Jagat Rai, Dudh Rai and Jog Rai) of this dynasty.  

🟠Jog Rai was the last ruler of this dynasty.

🟡 The Rai dynasty got divided into two parts after Jog Rai. Jog Rai's elder son, Malhan Hans formed the Manhas tribe and settled in Sialkot and his younger son, Suraj Dhar founded the Dhar dynasty in Jammu.

 ➡️ Dhar Dynasty (430-840 AD)  

🟢Suraj Dhar established the Dhar dynasty in 430 AD. He ruled for 55 years till 485 AD. 

 🔵The Dhar rulers established a powerful empire and ruled for 410 years till 840 A.D. Muslim 'saint Peer Roshan Shah Wali from Arab visited Jammu during the rule of this dynasty. His shrine is located in Gumat in Jammu.

↪Other Rulers of Dhar Dyansty  

  ⚫ The last ruler of this dynasty was Bajar Dhar (785-840 A.D.), after which Jammu was taken over by Dev dynasty.