Бхадерва: Тарихы мен табиғаты

Town and sub district in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Bhaderwah or Bhadarwah (also Bhaderwah Valley) is a town, tehsil, and sub district in the Doda district of Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

The name Bhaderwah derives from the Sanskrit word Bhadarwasa meaning "a place of living of supreme and intellect mankind". Alternatively, the name may derive from Bhadarkashi, a name given to the town for the ancient temple of Hindu goddess Bhadrakali located in the area. The area is called Bhadar Avkash and Bhadar Pura in the 12th century Sanskrit chronicle Rajatarangini, with the former likely a name given to the region by foreign Kashmiri rulers. The area is sometimes referred to as chota Kashmir or "little Kashmir" because of topographic similarities with the Kashmir valley, and is called Bhadarkashi by the Hindus of the region. By the end of the 16th century BC, it was annexed by the rulers of Chamba, who exercised influence over the Pal rajas. In 1820, a local warrior Shaktu Kotwal defeated the Chamba army to install the short lived rule of Raja Pahar Chand. The next year, Chamba regained controlled over the region with the help of the Sikh empire. Many Kashmiri shawl weavers settled in the town during this time. The region became part of the Dogra Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir following the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846, according to which the possessions of Chamba state to the west of Ravi river, including the Bhaderwah principality, were given to Gulab Singh.

In 1886, Bhaderwah was bestowed as a jagir to Amar Singh, prime minister of the Dogra Kingdom, by Maharaja Pratap Singh. In 1890, the first census was conducted in Bhaderwah. Amar Singh exercised control over the jagir until his death in 1912, following which it passed onto his son Hari Singh, who would later become the Maharaja of the princely state. Bhaderwah's status as a jagir ended in 1930, and it was fully absorbed into the princely state, becoming a tehsil of district Udhampur in 1931. The Jagir comprised Bhadarwah, Bhalessa and the vast area left of river Chenab from Thathri up to Marmat (Doda).

Bhaderwah is also a land of fairs and festivals like Mela Pat, Subar Dhar Mela, Kud dance, Pahari folk songs and music. It also has heritage sites like the Ratangarh Fort, hundred years old Jamia Masjid, and an ancient Vasuki Nag Temple. The area has rich culture of various communities

Bhaderwah has exciting activities for adventure enthusiasts. Khani Top and Thuba are ideal for paragliding offering exhilarating descents into the Bhaderwah valley. The mountains overlooking the valley offer abundant camping and trekking opportunities. Jantroon Top in Chiralla, Subar Dhar, Hanga Noori to Seoj, Khellani to Seoj, Hanga Devchatar Chilli Khellani. Chinta ,Thanala and Padri meadows have wonderful slopes for snowboarding and skiing.