Dear aspirants, if you are preparing for JKSSB or any other competitive exams, the Ancient History of Jammu is an important part of J&K History.

In this article, Exam Waves Academy provides short and simple notes. We will cover the early history of Jammu, important historical sources, Angivara, Bahu Lochan, Jambu Lochan, Raja Puran Karan, Shakti Karan, Shiv Karan, Bodh Dynasty, Rai Dynasty and Dhar Dynasty.

Ancient History of Jammu

• Jammu was part of the Madra Kingdom, which had its headquarters at Sialkot.
• According to Rajdarshani, the Ikshvaku Kingdom was founded in Jammu about 500 years before the epoch of Kalyug.
• Rajdarshani mentions 22 kings of Jammu.

Important Sources of Jammu History

Several historical works are mentioned as important sources for studying the history of Jammu:

Source	Author
Tawareekh-e-Jammu	Hashmatullah Khan
Rajdarshani	Ganesh Das Wadhera
Tawarikh-i-Dogra Desh	Narsingh Das Nargis
Gulab Nama	Dewan Kripa Ram
Rise and Fall of Jammu Kingdom	Dr. S.S. Charak
Lords of Hills	G.S. Smith

Sudersene I

According to Rajdarshani, Sudersene I had two sons:

1. Agnivaran
2. Agnigira

Agnivaran became the king of Ayodhya.

Angigira

Angigira is an important early ruler.

• He settled in present-day Kathua.
• He established the first kingdom there about 900 years before Christ.
• His son Vayu Srava conquered lands in western Jammu and extended his rule up to the Jhelum River.
• He married an Iradevi princess of Kathua and founded Airava City.

Descendants of Angigira

Angigira → Vayu Srava → Puran Singh → Khat Joshna → Agnigarbha

• Agnigarbha was among the descendants of Raja Vayu Srava.
• He had two sons:
  • Bahu Lochan
  • Jambu Lochan

Bahu Lochan

Bahu Lochan was the eldest son of Agnigarbha.

Important facts:

• He shifted the capital from Airava to Dhianar.
• He built Bahu Fort.
• The notes state that Bahu Fort was built over 3,000 years ago.

Remember

Bahu Lochan → Bahu Fort

Jambu Lochan

Jambu Lochan was the younger brother of Bahu Lochan.

• Jambu defeated the Chandrahans.
• He founded Jambu Nagar in the 14th century.
• The city later became known as Jammu.
• A white letter became his emblem.

Quick Fact

Jambu Lochan → Jambu Nagar → Jammu

Raja Puran Karan

Raja Puran Karan succeeded Jambu Lochan.

• He shifted the capital from Bahu to Jammu.
• He had two sons:
  • Daya Karan
  • Dharam Karan

Dharam Karan

Dharam Karan was the son of Kirti Karan.

• He is associated in the notes with Agni Karan.

Shakti Karan

Shakti Karan, son of Agni Karan, is another important ruler.

Important facts:

• He introduced the Dogri script.
• The script later came to be known as Ganmat.
• He extended his kingdom up to Barihal.
• He was known as Raj Shastri.

Important Exam Combination

Shakti Karan → Dogri Script → Ganmat → Raj Shastri

Shiv Karan

• A descendant king of Shakti Karan was ruling over Jammu during the Mahabharata War.
• According to Gulab Nama, Jyoti Prakash and Sarav Prakash reconquered Jammu with the assistance of the Charak Clan.

Bodh Dynasty (500–143 BC)

The Bodh Dynasty is another important dynasty.

Important Facts

• Bodh Arjun ruled for 80 years, as mentioned in Rajdarshani.
• Damodar Dutt, a descendant of Raja Bodh, again reunited Jammu.
• During his reign, Alexander invaded in 326.
• Damodar Dutt fought bravely but was killed.
• His rule passed to his son Ajay Singh.
• Ajay Singh was the son-in-law of Porus.
• Ajay Singh was killed while fighting for Porus against Alexander.
• The last ruler of the dynasty was Ram Gupta.

Rai Dynasty (50–342 BC)

The Rai Dynasty was founded by Adi Rai.

Important facts:

• Founder: Adi Rai
• He was the first independent ruler of the dynasty.
• The capital was Shakala (Sialkot).
• One of the last rulers was Jogi Rai.
• Adi Rai had two sons:
  • Malhan
  • Suraj Dhar

Quick Revision

Rai Dynasty → Adi Rai → Shakala (Sialkot)

Dhar Dynasty (430–840 AD)

• The founder was Suraj Dhar.
• He was followed by:
  • Sojila Dhar
  • Gangu Dhar
  • Devela Dhar
• The last ruler of the dynasty was Vajar Dhar.

Quick Revision Table

Topic	Important Fact
Ancient Jammu	Part of Madra Kingdom
Headquarters of Madra Kingdom	Sialkot
Kings mentioned in Rajdarshani	22
Angigira	Settled in present Kathua
Vayu Srava	Extended rule up to Jhelum River
Bahu Lochan	Built Bahu Fort
Jambu Lochan	Founded Jambu Nagar
Puran Karan	Succeeded Jambu Lochan
Shakti Karan	Introduced Dogri script
Shakti Karan also known as	Raj Shastri
Dogri script	Later known as Ganmat
Bodh Arjun	Ruled for 80 years
Damodar Dutt	Fought against Alexander
Ajay Singh	Son-in-law of Porus
Last Bodh ruler	Ram Gupta
Founder of Rai Dynasty	Adi Rai
Capital of Rai Dynasty	Shakala (Sialkot)
Founder of Dhar Dynasty	Suraj Dhar
Last Dhar ruler	Vajar Dhar

Important MCQ’s on Ancient History of Jammu for all Competitive Exams

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the early history of Jammu:

1. Jammu was a part of the Madra Kingdom.
2. The headquarters of the Madra Kingdom was at Sialkot.
3. According to Rajdarshani, the Ikshvaku Kingdom was founded in Jammu about 500 years before the epoch of Kalyug.
4. Rajdarshani mentions 12 kings of Jammu.

Which of the statements given above are correct according to the supplied notes?

A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 1, 2 and 4 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: A

Q2. Match the following historical sources with their authors:

List-I	List-II
A. Tawareekh-e-Jammu	1. Dewan Kripa Ram
B. Rajdarshani	2. Hashmatullah Khan
C. Tawarikh-i-Dogra Desh	3. Ganesh Das Wadhera
D. Gulab Nama	4. Narsingh Das Nargis

Select the correct answer:

A) A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
B) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
C) A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
D) A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3

Answer: B

Q3. Which of the following book–author combinations are correctly matched?

1. Rise and Fall of Jammu Kingdom — Dr. S.S. Charak
2. Lords of Hills — G.S. Smith
3. Gulab Nama — Dewan Kripa Ram
4. Rajdarshani — Hashmatullah Khan

Select the correct answer:

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 1, 2 and 3 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: C

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Sudersene I and his descendants:

1. According to Rajdarshani, Sudersene I had two sons.
2. His sons were Agnivaran and Agnigira.
3. Agnivaran became the king of Ayodhya.
4. Agnigira became the founder of the Rai Dynasty.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: D

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Angigira:

1. He settled in present-day Kathua.
2. He established the first kingdom there about 900 years before Christ.
3. His son was Vayu Srava.
4. He directly founded Jambu Nagar after defeating the Chandrahans.

Which of the statements given above are correct according to the notes?

A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 1, 2 and 4 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: A

Q6. Match the following personalities with their correct associations:

List-I	List-II
A. Angigira	1. Built Bahu Fort
B. Vayu Srava	2. Settled in present Kathua
C. Bahu Lochan	3. Extended conquests up to Jhelum River
D. Jambu Lochan	4. Founded Jambu Nagar

Select the correct answer:

A) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
B) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
C) A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
D) A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2

Answer: B

Q7. Arrange the following personalities in the genealogical sequence :

1. Agnigarbha
2. Vayu Srava
3. Angigira
4. Puran Singh
5. Khat Joshna

Which of the following represents the correct sequence?

A) 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 1
B) 3 → 4 → 2 → 1 → 5
C) 3 → 2 → 4 → 5 → 1
D) 4 → 3 → 2 → 5 → 1

Answer: C

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Bahu Lochan:

1. He was the eldest son of Agnigarbha.
2. He shifted the capital from Airava to Dhianar.
3. He is associated with the construction of Bahu Fort.
4. He shifted the capital from Bahu to Jammu after succeeding Jambu Lochan.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: D

Q9. With reference to Jambu Lochan, consider the following statements:

1. He was the younger brother of Bahu Lochan.
2. He defeated the Chandrahans.
3. He founded Jambu Nagar, which later became Jammu.
4. He was succeeded by Shakti Karan.

Which of the statements given above are correct according to the supplied notes?

A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 1, 2 and 4 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: A

Q10. Match the following rulers with the facts associated with them:

List-I	List-II
A. Bahu Lochan	1. Shifted capital from Bahu to Jammu
B. Jambu Lochan	2. Introduced Dogri script
C. Puran Karan	3. Built Bahu Fort
D. Shakti Karan	4. Founded Jambu Nagar

Select the correct answer:

A) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
B) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
C) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
D) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4

Answer: B

Q11. Consider the following statements regarding Raja Puran Karan:

1. He succeeded Jambu Lochan.
2. He shifted the capital from Bahu to Jammu.
3. He had two sons, Daya Karan and Dharam Karan.
4. He introduced the Dogri script known as Ganmat.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 1, 2 and 3 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: C

Q12. Consider the following statements about Shakti Karan:

1. He was the son of Agni Karan.
2. He introduced the Dogri script.
3. The script later came to be known as Ganmat.
4. He was known by the title Baaghmar.

Which of the statements given above are correct according to the notes?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: D

Q13. Match the following facts with their correct personalities:

List-I	List-II
A. Raj Shastri	1. Ajay Singh
B. Son-in-law of Porus	2. Shakti Karan
C. Reunited Jammu	3. Damodar Dutt
D. Last ruler of Bodh Dynasty	4. Ram Gupta

Select the correct answer:

A) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
B) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Answer: A

Q14. Consider the following statements regarding the Bodh Dynasty:

1. Its period is given in the notes as 500–143 BC.
2. Bodh Arjun is mentioned in Rajdarshani as having ruled for 80 years.
3. Damodar Dutt was a descendant of Raja Bodh.
4. Adi Rai was the last ruler of the Bodh Dynasty.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: B

Q15. Consider the following statements regarding Damodar Dutt and Ajay Singh:

1. Damodar Dutt again reunited Jammu.
2. During his reign, Alexander invaded in 326 as stated in the notes.
3. Damodar Dutt was killed while fighting.
4. Ajay Singh fought against Alexander on the side of the Macedonian army.

Which of the statements given above are correct according to the supplied material?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 1, 2 and 3 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: C

Q16. Which of the following statements correctly describe Ajay Singh?

1. He was the son of Damodar Dutt.
2. He was the son-in-law of Porus.
3. He was killed while fighting for Porus against Alexander.
4. He was the last ruler of the Bodh Dynasty.

Select the correct answer:

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: D

Q17. Match the following facts relating to the Rai Dynasty:

List-I	List-II
A. Adi Rai	1. One of the last rulers
B. Shakala	2. Founder
C. Jogi Rai	3. Son of Adi Rai
D. Malhan	4. Capital

Select the correct answer:

A) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
B) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
C) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
D) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4

Answer: A

Q18. Consider the following statements regarding the Rai Dynasty:

1. Adi Rai was its founder.
2. Adi Rai is described as the first independent ruler of the dynasty.
3. Its capital was Shakala (Sialkot).
4. Suraj Dhar was one of the last rulers of the Rai Dynasty.

Which of the statements given above are correct according to the notes?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: B

Q19. Consider the following statements regarding the Dhar Dynasty:

1. Its period is given as 430–840 AD.
2. Suraj Dhar was its founder.
3. Sojila Dhar, Gangu Dhar and Devela Dhar were among its rulers.
4. Jogi Rai was the last ruler of the Dhar Dynasty.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1, 3 and 4 only
C) 1, 2 and 3 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: C

Q20. Match the following dynasties/rulers with the correct facts:

List-I	List-II
A. Bodh Dynasty	1. Founder was Suraj Dhar
B. Rai Dynasty	2. Last ruler was Ram Gupta
C. Dhar Dynasty	3. Founder was Adi Rai
D. Vajar Dhar	4. Last ruler of Dhar Dynasty

Select the correct answer:

A) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
B) A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3
C) A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
D) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

Answer: D