Paddar
| Paddar | |
|---|---|
| Sub-Division | |
 Location of Paddar Sub-District, J&K, India |
|
| Coordinates: 33°09′20″N 76°05′34″E / 33.155671°N 76.092911°ECoordinates: 33°09′20″N 76°05′34″E / 33.155671°N 76.092911°E | |
| Country |
 India
|
| State | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Headquarters | Atholi, Paddar |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 20,000-25,000 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Urdu |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Website | http://www.paddar.com |
Paddar is a remote, scenic valley in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state of India. It covers the whole northeast portion of Kishtwar district bordering Zanskar (Ladakh) on the north, Pangi, Himachal Pradesh on the East and Marwah-Wadwan on the West. The valley is famous for it sapphire mines. It lies in the greater himalayas, along the Chenab River basin. It is among the most remote regions of Jammu and Kashmir. There are various sub valleys in Paddar like Machail, Ghandari, Kabban, Ongai, Bhuzunu, Barnaj, Bhuzas, Kijai Nallah, and Dharlang, among others.
No concrete material is available about the early history of Paddar. However, it is said that there was no one in Paddar till the 8th century. It was just a meadow. The people from nearby areas such as Bhaderwah, Lahaul and Ladakh were attracted to see the grazing lands. They used to come here to graze their cattle. With the passage of time, they settled there permanently.
Paddar was under Guge rule, during the 10th century. It remained under their rule till the 14th century. After the 14th century, Paddar got separated from Googay rule and divided into smaller parts. These parts were ruled, by smaller Petty Ranas (Rana is an Old Hindu word for a ruler who is less in Power than a Raja). The Ranas of Paddar were Rajputs, Every village or every two or three villages used to have a Rana who often fought against the next village Rana. The area was inhabited mostly by Thakur community. People were serpent worshipers but they observed other Hindu rites and rituals as well. One can see temples of different Nagdevtas or Serpent Gods which are adorned with wood carvings of snakes of many forms. Besides Hindus there are also Muslims and Buddhists. The buddhists are spread in the upper reaches of the Machail, Kaban and Gandhari valley and in the Town of Gulabgarh. The first Muslim came to Paddar during the period of Shantar Kantar Rana from Chamba who used to make the pots of soil. The descendants of those Muslims are still living at Atholi and kijai.
In the middle of the 17th century A.D Chattar Singh, the king of Chamba also attacked Paddar. He first conquered Pangi from where he advanced with about 200 men to Paddar and annexed it. He constructed a fort after his name as well. The local Ranas could not face the onslaught of Raja Chattar Singh. They accepted his suzerainty and became his tributaries and began to work as his Kardars. The impact of Chatter Singh’s conquest lasted long and Paddar area continued to be the part of Chamba up to 1836. From Chattar Singhs period onward Paddar remained comfortably under the kings of Chamba for five to six generations.
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Wikipedia