The Dogra Muslim are a Muslim community found in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. They are Muslim converts from the larger Hindu Dogras community. Many Dogra Muslim are also now found in the province of Punjab in Pakistan. They are also known as Rajahs, especially in Pakistan.[People of India Jammu and Kashmir Volume XXV edited by K.N Pandita, SDS Charak & B. R Rizvi pages 302-308]
History and origin
The term Dogra Muslim is restricted to those who inhabit a small hilly area comprising the districts of
Kathua,
Jammu,
Samba district and
Udhampur. They are culturally distinct from the Chibhali community that inhabit the western part of the
Jammu administrative region. The community are mainly converts from the
Dogras community, with the conversions having occurred during the period of
Mughal Empire rule. They belong mainly to the Thakkar,
Jats, Rathore,
Minhas,
Jarral, Chib and Sulehria tribal groups. Many Dogra Muslim fled to
Pakistan at the time of Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. They speak
Dogri language and
Punjabi language.
Present circumstances
The Dogra Muslim inhabit a hilly terrain, and practice agriculture. They are
endogamous, but unlike the
Hindu Dogras, do not practice clan
exogamy. In their homeland, the Dogra Muslim inhabit their own villages, although there are some mixed settlements with the
Gujjar and
Bakarwal, two neighbouring
Muslim communities. Those Dogra Muslim who moved to
Pakistan are settled mainly in
Sialkot District and
Narowal District districts of Punjab, inhabiting their villages, although there is shift towards adopting standard
Punjabi language.
See also
