Doda

Doda is a district in the State of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It acquired the status of a district when it was carved out of the erstwhile district of Udhampur in the year 1948, which trifurcated again in July 2006 to make three new districts namely - Doda, Ramban & Kishtwar. Lying in the middle and outer Himalayan ranges of Jammu Region of the State, the district has mostly a hilly terrain.

Lying in the outer Himalayan range in J&K State, the district falls between 32 degree-53’ and 34 degree 21’ north latitude and 75 degree-1' and 76 degree-47' east longitude.

The district is bounded by district Anantnag of Kashmir Division on its North, district Kishtwar in the North-East, Chamba area of Himachal Pardesh in the South, district Kathua in the south, district Udhampur in the South-West and district Ramban in the West. The total geographical area of district Doda is approximately 4500 Sq. Km.

The District is endowed with vast wealth of natural beauty. The region has a rich forest area and is surrounded by snow clad lofty mountains from all sides and mighty river Chenab flows through it. Due to its varying physical features, the district does not have a uniform climate. The climate is temperate in places like Bhaderwah & Gandoh while it is Sub-tropical in areas like Doda & Thathri. The Chenab river is commercially very vital for transportation of timber from forest and power generation. According to an estimate, the river has hydel potential of about 15,000 MWs.

History

The district derived its name from its district headquarters Doda which in turn derived its name from one Deeda. It is said that one of the ancient Rajas of Kishtwar 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. The village where Deeda settled came to be known with his name and with passage of time the name Deeda changed into Doda.

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

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.

Islam came to this region as a spiritual and moral force, when Hazrat Shah Farid-ud-Din came over to Doda via Dengbattal and Ramban in AD 1650. He stayed at Doda for 14 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 AD 1112 to AD 1930 the Bhaderwah Jagir remained under the control of different kings.

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.

Human Life

As per 2001 Census, the total population of the district was 320256, out of which male population was 167373 and female population was 152883. Sex ratio in the district was 913 Females Per Thousand Males. The population comprises different communities - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Budhists and Christians.

The District is having mixed culture and the people are Pehari Speaking. Because of its connectivity with Jammu, Srinagar, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, the people are generally speaking Kashmiri, Ladakhi, Dogri,and some Pehari languages like Bhadarwahi, Kishtwari and Serazi.

Politics

Assembly constituencies and their areas after delimitation order of 2008
The above Order for the State of Jammu and Kashmir is as per the details given in Order No. 1 of the Delimitation Commission, Jammu and Kashmir notified in the Central and the State Gazettes on 27th April, 1995.

51 Kishtwar Vidhan Sabha Constituency - PCs 1-Marghi, 2-Inshan, 3-Yerudu, 4-Renai, 5-Nowpachi, 6- Chanjer, 7-Qaderana, 8-Deharana, 9-Lopara, 10-Loharna, 11-Soundhar, 19-Palmar, 30-Trigam, 31-Kishtwar, 32-Matta, 33-Poochal, 34-Dool, 35-Bhagnah, 36-Galarbahta, 37- Atholi, 38-Sohal, 39-Ishtiari, 40-Gulabgarh, 41-Massu, 42-Kishtwar NAC, 43-Forest Block in tehsil Kishtwar.

52 Inderwal Vidhan Sabha Constituency - PCs 12-Chingam, 13-Inderwal, 14-Chatroo, 15-Sigdi, 16-Moolchhiter, 17-Drubeel, 18-Kochal, 20-Filler, 21-Pakhlan, 22-Shandri, 24-Sangna, 25-Patnazi, 26-Jawalapur, 27-Loundri, 28-Badhat and 29-Karool in tehsil Kishwar; PCs 1- Jakyas in tehsil Bhalesa(Gandoh) and following PCs of tehsil Thathri:- 1- Jangalwar, 3-Malanoo, 4-Kansu, 10-Kandote.

53 Doda Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs of tehsil Doda except 8-Dessa, 9-Dhandal, 10-Kastigarh, 11-Shamti, 12-Chaka Kundi, 13-Assar, 14-Charrota.

54 Bhaderwah Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs of tehsil Bhaderwah and PCs 2-Budhli, 3-Chilli, 4- Drawani, 5-Kahal Jugasar, 6-Budwar, 7-Chanisar, 8-Kilotran, 9-Kharangal, 10-Gandoh in tehsil Bhalesa; and PCs 2-Jora, 5-Bhaja, 6-Bhalla, 7-Jagiti, 8-Bhallari, 9-Rokali, 11-Tehsil Thathri.

55 Ramban Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - All PCs of tehsil Ramban except 5-Sarbagni and PCs of 8-Dessa, 9-Dhandhal, 10-Kastigarh, 11-Shamti, 12-Chaka, 13-Assar, 14-Charrota of tehsil Doda.

56 Banihal Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs of tehsil Banihal and 5-Sarbagni in tehsil Ramban.