Mendhar Tehsil

Mendhar (Jammu and Kashmir)
Mendhar (Dharamsaal)
Tehsil
Mendhar (Jammu and Kashmir)

Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Coordinates: 33°36′N 74°07′E / 33.60°N 74.11°E / 33.60; 74.11Coordinates: 33°36′N 74°07′E / 33.60°N 74.11°E / 33.60; 74.11
Country  India
State Jammu and Kashmir
District Poonch
Languages
 • Official Urdu اردو
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 185211
Telephone code 911965
Vehicle registration JK-12

Mendhar (Urdu:تحصیل مینڈھر) is a tehsil in the Poonch district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in the foot-hils of Pir Panjal range within the Himalayas. Mendhar Tehsil headquarters is Mendhar town . It is located 60 KM towards South from District headquarters Poonch and 210 KM from State winter capital Jammu.

History

As per the "History of India" by R.K Mukherji and "2500 years of Budhism" by P.V Bhapat one Greek Governor Manindra also called Maninder (161 BC-130 BC) was ruling Punjab. In those days Mendhar area was a part of his kingdom. Manindra had revolted against Greeks and declared himself as an independent ruler.Since the whole population of his kingdom was the believer of Budhism at that time, therefore, Manindra was also interested in Budhist philosophy.

He had approached many priests and interacted with them about Budhism. But no monk was in a position to convince him in discussion. It was by chance he met a Budhist monk namely Naga Sinha who replied all the questions raised by Manindra about Budhism. At the end of this discussion Manindara was filled with spiritual joy and became a disciple of Naga Sinha.

P.V Bapat writes that Manindra had build a monastery in memory of his discussion with Naga Sinha and named it as Manindra Vihara. Mr. A Koul in his book 'Budhism in Kashmir' writes that the discussion between Naga Sinha and Manindra was held in the southern side of Kashmir valley about 20 yojans from the valley.

The famous book on Budhism "Malinda Panaha" written by King Manindra refers to his intimate knowledge of Kashmir and its surrounding areas. Jyotisher Pathic, a renowned writer of Jammu writes in one of his articles published in "Sheraza" Urdu that the place where the discussion between Naga Sinha and Manindra was held is present Mendhar valley of Poonch.

There is an old structure in Mendhar at Sakhi Maidan. The architecture of this structure is Indo Greek in style. It clearly indicates that in the ancient time this was a monastery. Presently, this whole valley is known as Mendhar. The local legend goes that the name of Mendhar is after the name of a King.

These facts reveal that this King was "Manindra" or "Maninder," who had constructed a Manindra Vihara at present Sakhi Maidan where the discussions between Maninder or Manindra and Naga Sinha had taken place. It appears that this place was initially named as Maninder Vihara. Later on with the passage of time it became Maninder which changed to Mendhar.

Poonch principality

In 850 AD, when Poonch principality was established by Nara, Mendhar was a part of this principality. The principality remained intact upto 1452 AD when Sultan Zain-ul-Abdin captured the outer hills of Pir Panjal region and established a new outer hill state Poonch-Nowshera under the name of Bhaya Desa Vinah. Mendhar also became a part of this new principality. In 1596 AD, a newly converted Muslim Saraj-ud-Din Rathore became the Raja of the Poonch principality by order of Emperor Akbar. Mendhar area came under his control. From 1596 to 1819 AD, Poonch remained the principality of Rathore Rajas and Sangu Gujjar Rajas and Mendhar was the part of this principality.

British Empire

In 1852 AD, Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir nominated his nephew Mian Moti Singh as the Raja of Poonch. Moti Singh came to Poonch and established a new principality. Mendhar valley became a part of this principality along with Thakiala Prava area of Kotli. C.E Bats writes in his book 'The Gazetteer of Kashmir' that in 1872 AD, Mendhar was a township and known as Dharamsal with hundred houses on the right bank of Mendhri stream having a mixed population. In 1905 AD, Capitan R. E. A Hamilton completed the first settlement of Poonch. On administrative grounds, he divided the principality into four tehsils and Mendhar became the largest tehsil of the principality. It was a large grain producer in Poonch upto 1947.

1930s

During the happening of 30th July 1931 AD in Kashmir, the uprising also started in Poonch area especially in Mendhar tehsil. On 2nd January 1932, the people of Thakiala Prava of Mendhar revolted against the state government and marched towards Poonch. The Raja Jagat Dev Singh of Poonch with the help of Muslim Suddans of tehsil Plandri succeeded in subsiding the revolt but the movement of Kashmir had given birth to a strong political leadership in Mendhar headed by Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Karelvi. In 1932 AD, on the recommendations of Glancy Commission, a 75 member Legislative Assembly had come into existence under the name of Praja Sabha. Three seats were allotted to the Poonch principality.

Sardar Fateh Mohammad Khan Karelvi of Mendhar was elected MLA from Haveli-Mendhar constituency. He was again elected to the Praja Sahba in 1937.

1947-1948

During the turmoil of 1947, Mendhar tehsil was captured by the rebel forces and Pakistani Army under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Rehmatulla, a deserter of State Forces. About two thousand Hindus and Sikhs had become hostage to the rebel forces. In this crucial time, Sardar Fateh Mohammad Khan Karelvi played a vital role and protected hundreds of Hindu families and helped them migrate to the Indian side.

In 1948 AD, operation link up was started by India forces from Rajouri towards Poonch under the command of Brigadier Yadav Nath Singh. The Indian forces, after capturing important hill tops Pir Bardeshwar on 14 October and Pir Kaleva on 26th October in Rajouri area, moved towards Mendhar via Manjakote. Bhimber Gali was taken over on 8th November 1948. At that time Mendhar town was the centre of rebel forces and Pakistan army. But Indian forces continued their advance via Mendhar towards Poonch.

On 20 November, Pir Topa, an important feature in Mendhar, was captured. On 23 November, Indian forces moved via Jhakha Gali, stormed Mendhar town and captured it. In the next few days all the important hill tops of Khandar range from Balakote upto to Daruchian were taken and Mendhar tehsil was liberated. Presently, the green valley, Mendhar is leading the other areas of Poonch in the overall developmental scenario and political setup.

The ceasefire line between India and Pakistan runs next to the Mendhar tehsil, which continues to witnesses the exchange of fire between the two armies.[1]

Geography

Mendhar on Jammu and Kashmir map

It is cold in summer. Mendhar summer highest day temperature is in between 19 °C to 43 °C . Average temperatures of January is 11 °C , February is 13 °C , March is 19 °C , April is 24 °C , May is 30 °C.[2]

Demography

The total projected population of Mendhar Tehsil is 112,723 (57,723 males and 55000 females) (2011 census of India) which includes Paharis, Gujjars, Bakerwals and Kashmiris. There are total 50 villages and 50 panchayats in Mendhar Tehsil.[2]

Places of interest

Krishna Ghati

Krishan Ghati is a hilly forest area, located at a distance of 30 km from Mendhar town.[3] The site is famous for its landscapes and natural beauty. The areas near it are most vulnerable due to contnous firing.

Ziyarat Chhote Shah Sahib

Ziyarat Chhote Shah Sahib is located in village Sakhi Maidan of Mendhar tehsil. This Ziyarat was built in memory of Saint Sakhi Peer Chhota Shah who is held in high esteem by Hindus and Muslims alike in the area. Barely few hundred yards from Ziyarat lies the ruins of ancient architecture popularly believed to be of the Pandvas.[4]

Ram Kund

Ram Kund is the oldest temple in Poonch region. It is located in a sleepy village Narol 6 Km from Mendhar Town. This temple was built by Lalitaditya between 724AD and 761 AD.[5] In temples courtyard there are three sacred ponds, they are known as Ramkund, Lachmankund and Sitakund. A water spring also emerges from Ramkund.[6]

Villages

Topa (Jammu and Kashmir) is a village located at 4 Km from Mendhar town. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the Battle of Topa was fought here by 5 Gorkha Rifles.

Balnoi is also a big village of Tehsil Mendhar. In 1947 mostly people of Balnoi migrated to Azad Kashmir & Pakistan.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Heavy firing by Pak troops in Poonch, The Tribune, 5 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 Mendhar Tehsil, onefivenine.com, Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  3. ↑ Krishna Ghati, Holiday IQ, Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  4. ↑ Muslim religious places, Poonch district government, Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  5. ↑ Ramkund Mandir in Poonch, Kashir Paradise, Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  6. ↑ Hindu shrines, Poonch district government, Retrieved 2016-04-16.

External links

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