SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/sunday-magazine

Akhnoor Fort JEO POTA The divine connect

Col J P Singh PANDAV GUFA Jeo Pota, otherwise a narrow river bank bathing point, It is situated very close to Jeo Pota where Pandvas colloquially called 'Jeo Pota Ghat' lies in sub- spent their Aghyatvas. As inscribed in the Gufa signboard, division of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir on the they served as servants of Virat Raj. Lord Krishana visit- Northern Bank of River Chenab. Jeo Pota Ghat got its ed them in this Cave where they planned their war strate- name from the 'Jeo Pota Tree' under the shade of which a gy and the future course of action, the consequences of lengthy rituals of Raj Tilak Ceremony of Maharaja Gulab which is their victory in Mahabharta is well known. Hence Singh took place on 17 June 1822. This historic event at Jeo Pota has mythological connect with Mahabharata and this Ghat would always remain etched in the collective establishment of new nation state. Hence laying founda- psyche of the people of erstwhile state of Jammu and tion of a new kingdom at Jeo Pota wasn't one of routine Spoke Stupa which gave a further proof of a Kushana pressure on the concerned State/Central Culture & event. (Ironically social disconnect & dilapidated condi- Kashmir and most importantly the Dogras for whom it period construction, the likes of which have been found Tourism ministry officials to take up immediate steps tion of the Cave takes away the 'antiquity and divine con- was a first concrete step towards the formation of geo- at Buddhist archaeological sites like Sanghol in Punjab for restoration of ruined heritage at Akhnoor. nect' of the Cave). graphically the largest princely state of by the and Nagarjunakonda in Andhra. This monastic complex (iii) 199th Coronation Day should be celebrated at Jeo Dogras. The historic Jeo Pota Tree got uprooted due to AKHNOOR FORT not only served as important transit camp for the monks Pota on 17 June 2021 with proper corona protocol in floods in Chenab River in 1957, hundred years after the Magnificent and formidable Fort overlooked Jeo Pota who were constant companions of traders' caravans fer- place to enable mark the beginning of Bi-Centenary death of Maharaja Gulab Singh. representing the power of the state, which was to have rying goods from the Indian mainland to Kashmir and event. Public and the govt should enthusiastically par- bearing on the power of the new kingdom and political further afield to the Central Asia, but also as center for ticipate in Bi-centenary Coronation Day celebration transformation in Jammu region. The construction of the propagation of Buddhism amongst the local hill commu- next year ie on 17 June 2022. fort was started by Raja Teg Singh in 1762 which was nities. (iv) Directorate of Tourism should focus on Jeo Pota and completed by his son Raja Alam Singh in 1802. DISTINGUISHED VISITOR Ambaran as heritage tourism sites. (v) Jeo Pota's Harki Pauri is site for immersion of Ashes. Excavations around the fort by the ASI during 1991-2001 His Holiness, the Dalai Lama of Tibet visited Buddhist threw up relics of the 5,000-year-old Harappan and pre- Site needs to be developed to meet the religious sensi- monastic complex Ambaran in 2011. His majesty's visit, tivities of the public. Harappan civilisations. (This two-storey Fort and Palace gives a strong physical proof of a vibrant and distin- is under the ASI's jurisdiction since 1982 as a protected (vi) All Govt and non-Govt organizations, education guished culture of Akhnoor. His Holiness visited Akhnoor institutions, sports authorities, social and political national monument. Although renovation of the historic on 9 November 2011. He was very happy to see the Fort is said to be going on but nothing much is seen hav- organizations should carry out various activities ancient site of his own religion in J&K. He confirmed the throughout 2022 in the honour of our founder ruler. ing changed except on river side face of the Fort-wall. excavations as one of the monasteries of Kushan period. Meager grant of funds is said to be reason for the neglect Thereafter Ambaran shot into limelight, especially in CONCLUSION of such towering heritage). Buddhist countries. Tibetan political head and spiritual Coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh at Jeo Pota has ANCIENT CIVILISATION leader's visit established that Akhnoor is a place of entry divine sanctity. Exceptionally religious, spiritual and his- Ancient Harappan sites and Buddhist monasteries of Buddhism in Northern India. Its wholehearted adop- torical places in closer vicinity were the witness to the from where spiritualism, wisdom and political power tion by the hill and highland people during early years of transformation of historicity of the region. Year 2022 is flowed were also in the closer vicinity. That gave the event Buddhism is also verified by this excavation. From bicentenary year of foundation of erstwhile 'Jammu- its vision, vastness, purity and prominence. Jammu region it was carried to Kashmir Valley by Kashmir-Ladakh-wa-Tibet-ha', the vast empire which Majhantika during the reign of 'Ashoka-the-Great'. Commemorative Plaque at Jeo Pota depicting Maharaja Gulab SERENITY OF THE RIVER spanned over 84,743 sq miles. Unfortunately after staying Singh annointed as the ruler of Jammu by Maharaja Ranjeet The serenity of Chenab at Jeo Pota for a km length, AANKHON KA NOOR ramrod for over 100 years, it started diminishing with the Singh otherwise turbulent and noisy up & down streams, is also Mughal emperor Jhangir called Akhnoor 'Aankhon- dawn of independence. Yet the historic event needs to be connected to Mahabharata though less known in public. ka-Noor' after his sore eyes were cured with the cold celebrated befittingly at Jeo Pota each year. To make it Akhnoor is the mythical 'Virat Nagri of Mahabharat It was an ideal place in the summer months to perform water therapy of Chenab at Jeo Pota. memorable, public participation is very important which will give added importance to the identity to the off-shot era' and is one of the most significant place for its politi- the rituals of Coronation. DIVINE BLISS UT of a magnificent empire. cal, historical, spiritual, religious and archaeological sites BUDDHIST SITE in entire North India. Emperor of Punjab selected Jeo It was this place which was visited by Lord Krishna to Akhnoor has 3 Sub-divisions, 7 Tehsils, 8 BDO Blocks Pota to lay the foundation of Dogra Empire for the same A small-scale excavation by ASI, at the River bank at meet Pandvas. Hence Jeo Pota was divinely blessed site and 89 Panchayats. It deserves to be a District. A memo- reason. It was here that Maharaja crowned Ambaran, near Jeo Pota in 2009-2010 exposed Spoked and hence chosen for Coronation. randum to make it District was presented by Th. KP one of his ablest and favorite General Gulab Singh as Raja Stupa (Dharmchakra) and bases of other Stupas and walls SOME SUGGESTIONS Singh, Chairman Raj Tilak Celebration Committee to for- of Jammu on 17 June 1822. Why Jeo Pota was chosen for of a monastery and important antiquities including large (i) Lt Governor Manoj Sinha should visit these excep- mer LG, GC Murmu on 18 January 2020 at Akhnoor Dak- this solemn ceremony hasn't been found specifically men- number of decorative Terracotta figures including heads, tional heritage sites and promote heritage tourism in Banglow in the presence of Divisional Commissioner. tioned in any text but some reasons associated with his- moulds of leaves and ornaments. The excavation revealed Akhnoor. People want civil society to take up this necessity of much toricity of the event are summerised below. another significant finding that the foundation of eight (ii) Civil society should take up a proactive stance and put needed administrative reform at all levels of hierarchy.

Chander M. Bhat into existence in the year 1979. Head Post Office, Srinagar was upgraded to the Status of Organized Postal Services in Jammu and Kashmir State General Post Office on 01.04.1964 with M.L.Bali as its first started in the early half of nineteenth century under the aegis Senior Postmaster and the same was functioning in single of the Maharaja's Government notwithstanding existence of building adjacent to the residence of British Resident, near despatch riders to carry official mail from times immemorial. the Bund. Later in the year 1980, two new buildings came up Since there were no regular means of communication with and the foundation stone of these buildings was laid by the outside world and with the changed circumstances the GPO Srinagar Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah, the then Chief Minister of Jammu capital of the Punjab had to be connected with Srinagar. and Kashmir State. Representations from the people and Government had to be The General Post Office, Srinagar is the central Post Office submitted to the Suzerian Government at Lahore through of Kashmir Valley and the Chief Post Office of Jammu and ambassadors; orders and farmans were communicated in a Kashmir State. The Post Office handles most of the city's similar manner. It was a source of great inconvenience to the A Royal Legacy inbound and outbound mail and parcels. Situated in the Civil people as well as to the Government. This difficulty contin- Lines area, the imposing structure of the GPO is one of the ued for a period of more than two years, as no better arrange- landmarks in Srinagar city. ments were made. The need for a new system was increasing While the Department is committed to provide basic daily; and, in order to satisfy it, arrangements were made to postal services to the people at an affordable price, it has also start a mail service. In the year 1823 a regular mail line was in the last few years tried to take initiatives to introduce value inaugurated, and communication was opened via Shopian added postal services at market competitive price depending and Rampur, direct with Gujarat and Lahore and it presumed on the needs of the customers and in tune with economic and that during this period a State Post Office was opened in industrial growth in the country and rapid progress in infor- Srinagar for receipt and despatch of mails so received from mation technology, the Department has initiated pro- Gujarat and Lahore, with two harkars to carry dak from one grammes of modernization with new technology. stage to another. It was during this period Pandit Bhawani Enhancement of customer satisfaction through more rele- Dass Mujjoo a local from Rainawari was summoned to vant and efficient service with improvement of work-envi- Lahore and after receiving instructions from His Highness ronment has been the focus of these programmes. Computer- the Maharaja Ranjit Singh, he returned to Kashmir after two based computer machines, introduction of Hybrid mail, E- months to carry out his duties as Akhbar Navis and Postal Post, Bill Post, Express Parcel Post, Greeting Post, Business Officer. In the year 1848 Dewan Ram Mujjoo was appointed Post, E-Bill Post, Media Post, Data Post, Retail Post, Postmaster in place of his elder brother Bhawani Dass by Philately, Corporate Money Order Service, IMTS, iMO, eMO Maharaja Ranbir Singh after the death of the later. and up-gradation of Speed Post service have been some of the Dewan Ram Majjoo, Postmaster, petitioned the Maharaja initiatives. that he had become old and his son Krishen Joo Majjoo be In J&K today, a Post Office serves on average 5983 per- appointed in his place. Under the orders of His Highness, sons and provides service over an area of about 1,01,385 sq. Krishen Joo Mujjoo was appointed in his father's place. km., and area covered by each Post Office is 82.55 sq. km Krishen Joo Mujjoo performed his duties till 1895 and it was (which includes large number of uninhabited and desert area during his period that Imperial Post Office was opened in of Ladakh region). The achievement in this regard can be Srinagar in the year 1867. better appreciated when we remember that the state's popu- After annexation of Kashmir to Jammu, Maharaja Gulab lation has doubled since last about 58 years. Singh established a communication link between Jammu and For the first time in history of Indian Post Offices or per- Kashmir by creating 38 Dak Chowkies, which were manned haps of the world, a 'Floating Mobile Post Office' was opened by Harkaras (foot runners). Later Maharaja Ranbir Singh in a 'Shikara', in Srinagar from 1st October to 31st October improved the mail transmission system in the State, especial- Postmasters, 11 Sub Postmasters, 44 Branch Postmasters, 31 Department by the staff transferred to them. Year 1884 is an 1953. This Post Office worked over 'Dal Lake' and 'Jhelum' ly between Jammu and Srinagar by establishing 129 River to cater the needs of visitors from Indian and foreign chowkies (runner stages) from Jammu to Srinagar. Mail used Dak line overseers, 89 runners and 10 post peons. important landmark in the Postal History of the State. The During the years 1891-92, 3 new post offices were opened State Postal system was transferred to the Imperial Postal countries, who generally stay in House Boats. to be conveyed from Jammu to Srinagar (298 km) by the This idea was so much appreciated that floating mobile Harkars in 25-30 hours only. in Kashmir; besides installation of a large number of letter- Department vide Council resolution dated March 16, 1894 boxes. Further in pursuance of the postal convention which came into effect from November 1894 with the excep- post office became a regular feature during summer seasons During 1864 A.D. (Samvat 1921) communication link was in Srinagar. In 1954 summer, the Department operated three established between Jammu and Lahore too. In 1865 A.D., the between State Council and the Imperial Government, tion of the Hunza, Nagir, Nomal and Chilas mail lines which Imperial Post Offices were opened at Jammu, Naushera, Uri continued in the charge of the state. floating mobile post offices in between 15th April and 31st Maharaja requested Mr. Hegue, the Postmaster General, to October 1954. The first one was in Dal Lake, the second was visit J&K and on his recommendations adopted the pattern of and Domel in addition to those already in existence at In the year 1903-1904, the number of Post Offices in the Srinagar and Leh. state was 102 (3 HOs, 27 SOs and 71 BOs). at Negin Bagh and the third one was in Jhelum River. In Indian Postal System for his own kingdom. 1955, the floating mobile post offices opened from 16th April Till 1866, postal charges used to be realized in cash. The The State was proud of its efficient postal system as Started during the Dogra rule as the Head Post Office, the reflected in its Administrative Report No: 522275. 162482 facility was aimed to serve the then British Residency office at Dal Lake and Jhelum River and from 2nd July at Negin Postal stamps were first printed in 1866 A.D. (Samvat 1923) Bagh. They remained opened till 31st October 1955. "VITAS- which later bore bilingual legends in Dogri and Persian. articles were carried during the year 1891 (S.1947). in Srinagar till it subsequently picked up in the public circles. In 1893-94, seven new Imperial Post Offices were opened This is why the office was constructed just next to the office TA" (after the ancient name of Jhelum River) was the name Registered letter @ 4 Anna were also introduced. of the Shikara, which was in service in Jhelum. "FIRDAUS" In 1882-83 (S. 1939-40), Money Order Service started at Muzaffarabad, Garhi, Huttian, Rampur, Sopore, of British Residency on the fashionable Bund. Bandipore and Gilgit with the consent of State Council. State In 1947 at the time of partition of India, the employees of was the name of Shikara for Dal Lake and "USHA" Shikara with a fee of Re.1/- per hundred. The total postal traffic catered in Negin Lake. These three mobile post offices Branch Offices were opened at Thanna (Jammu), Bijbehara the Head Post Office Srinagar hoisted a Pakistani flag atop recorded was 63, 05,994 letters besides other papers and worked as 'No Delivery Post Offices' upto 1959. and Rampur (Kashmir), while the Post Office at Chakoti in the building and it remained there for some time. parcels during the year. Special attention was given to serv- Since 1947, Department of Posts has issued about 3200 Kashmir were closed. Since the Domel Telegraph line was The old Head Post Office building at the Bund was gutted ices for tourists who frequented the valley. Post Card priced Commemorative and Definitive Stamps and 25 commemora- transferred to the Imperial Government, the State postal in the post 47 era and the new building in place was con- at one paisa was introduced in 1883 (S. 1940). structed in '70s. The state was under the administrative con- tive stamps have been issued on the theme of Jammu and work at Sopore, Baramulla, Uri, Domail and Bandipore was During this period postal establishment was manned by trol of the Postmaster General of Punjab and the NWFP Kashmir State. two Officers In-Charge of Srinagar Head Offices, 2 performed with the consent of the Imperial Telegraph Circle and the new Postal Circle of Jammu and Kashmir came (The author is former Assistant Director Postal Services, J&K)