Historical Origin Of District Doda

This District has a rich history. The district derived its name from its district headquarters Doda.  It is said that one of the ancient Rajas of Kishtwar whose dominion extended beyond Doda persuaded one utensil maker Deeda, a migrant from Multan (now in Pakistan), to settle permanently in this territory and set up an utensil factory there.  Deeda is said to have settled in a village which later on was called with his name.  With the passage of time the name Deeda has changed into Doda, the present name of the town.

The entire area of district, including Allaqa Dengbatal (Tehsil Mahore), was initially divided into two independent States of Kishtwar and Bhaderwah.

Arial View of Bhadarwah Town

A View of Town in Kishtwar District

Arial View of Bhadarwah Town.gif (38910 bytes) A View of kishtwar town.gif (43029 bytes)

 

Kishtwar State consisted of some areas of the present District Doda viz., Doda-Siraj excluding present Bhaderwah, Bhallessa and Thathri Tehsils, Marmat Galihan, Raggi, Assar, Batote areas of Doda and Ramban Districts.

The Islamic faith entered the region of Doda as a spiritual and moral force, when Hazrat Shah Farid-ud-Din came over to Doda via Dengbattal and Ramban in 1650 A.D.  He stayed at Doda for 14 long years and then left for Kishtwar.

The principality of Bhaderwah was distributed into 15 tharas or administrative units. The total area of Bhaderwah Jagir (including Bhalessa etc.) was 533 sq. miles which after delimitation of Udhampur district in 1931 was reduced to 213 sq. miles only. From 1112 AD to 1930 AD the Bhaderwah Jagir remained under the control of different Rajas.

Its name as private Jagir was changed to Private Domain and in charge jagir was changed to Director Private Domains. On the recommendations of Private Domain Assimilation Committee, the status of Bhaderwah ended in 1930. Consequently Bhaderwah became a Tehsil of Udhampur district in 1931. After the carving out of district Doda from district Udhampur in 1948, Bhaderwah became a Tehsil of District Doda. Consequent upon reorganization of District, Naibat Tahthri and Niabat Bhalessa of Bhaderwah Tehsil also became full fledged Tehsils in 1981.