Introduction to the Region: My Ancestral Village and Poonch
I was born and raised in one of the most historically rich and geopolitically significant regions of the Indian subcontinent—Poonch. Nestled amidst the rugged folds of the Pir Panjal Range, this land is not just my birthplace, but also a witness to centuries of valor, resistance, reform, and resilience.
Poonch, located to the west of the Kashmir Valley and bordering present-day Pak-occupied Kashmir, is more than a district on the map—it is a living archive of layered histories. It has seen the rise and fall of empires, the march of imperial forces, and the whispers of revolution carried in the winds over the high mountains and narrow valleys. My ancestral village lies within this cradle of history, shaped as much by its natural beauty as by its turbulent past.
A Land with a Sovereign Legacy
The recorded history of Poonch stretches back to the 6th century AD, when the renowned Chinese traveler Huien Tsang visited the region. Even then, it was known for its fine tea, swift horses, and craftsmanship—a testimony to its vibrant cultural and economic life. By around 850 AD, Poonch had become a sovereign state under Raja Nar, setting a precedent for local governance and regional identity.
Later centuries brought layers of imperial engagement. The Mughals, with Emperor Jehangir at the helm in 1596, appointed Siraj-ud-din as the ruler, marking Poonch’s first major encounter with the centralized administration of a pan-Indian empire. This was followed by Sikh rule (1819–1850), when Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured the region and handed it over as a jagir to his trusted Dogra noble, Raja Dhyan Singh. After the Anglo-Sikh Wars and the Treaty of Amritsar, the territory came under Maharaja Gulab Singh, forming a part of the newly created princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Though Poonch was placed under Dogra suzerainty, it retained a unique identity. The ruling family of Poonch, descended from Raja Dhyan Singh, often contested the subordinate status assigned to them and asserted their right to autonomy. Successive rulers like Raja Baldev Singh and Jagatdev Singh resisted increasing interference from the Maharaja’s administration, seeking recognition as rulers of a semi-independent principality rather than jagirdars.
The Great Upheaval: Partition and Rebellion
The year 1947 reshaped the entire Indian subcontinent—and Poonch stood at the heart of that storm. With the Partition of India, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was thrown into chaos. In Poonch, discontent had already been simmering for years due to oppressive taxation, administrative encroachments, and socio-political marginalization.
The 1947 Poonch Rebellion—a mass uprising against the Maharaja’s rule—erupted with fury. Fueled by resentment and supported by external forces, the rebellion led to the First Kashmir War. Eventually, the region was divided between India and Pakistan, with part of Poonch forming the Poonch Division of Pak-occupied Kashmir and the rest becoming part of the Indian-administered Rajouri-Poonch district. My village and my family found themselves on the Indian side of this line, but the emotional and historical rupture continues to echo across generations.
Geography and Way of Life
Geographically, the Poonch region is as challenging as it is breathtaking. The Poonch River and its tributaries like Betar Nala and Mandi River nourish this mountainous land. Fertile valleys are separated by steep hills, and the proximity to ancient trade and travel routes—like the Pir Panjal Pass—made Poonch an important, albeit vulnerable, outpost in every era.
My ancestral village, nestled in this mountainous terrain, is emblematic of the region’s semi-nomadic pastoral traditions. Life here has always demanded strength and adaptability. Our village life revolved around the rhythm of seasons, cattle-rearing, subsistence farming, and an enduring bond with the land. My family, like many others, straddled the twin identities of being both agriculturists and soldier-families.
A Warrior’s Land and a Community of Soldiers
One cannot speak of Poonch without acknowledging its military tradition. The people of this region have long formed the backbone of the armed forces, first under British India and later in both India and Pakistan. During World War I, nearly 31,000 men from Jammu and Kashmir served, the majority from Poonch. In World War II, this number more than doubled, with over 60,000 soldiers from Poonch enlisting.
For many families, including mine, service in the army was not just a career—it was a cultural duty and a survival strategy. My ancestors proudly carried this martial legacy, walking the line between patriotism and the economic necessity of joining military service. It is through this tradition that many families in the region gained exposure to the outside world, bringing back not just money but also a broader perspective to the villages of Poonch.
Colonial Interference and Dual Administration
Though technically part of the Jammu and Kashmir state, the Poonch jagir enjoyed a degree of autonomy until 1928. It had its own administration, police, military, and tax systems. But after 1928, a dual administrative structure was imposed—state-appointed officials began to dominate governance, leading to disenchantment among the people.
The economic policies were extractive—taxes were levied even on cattle, horses, and widows. Ownership of land remained concentrated in the hands of the Raja, while the farmers were treated as tenants without security. Land reforms implemented in other parts of Kashmir did not extend to Poonch, further fueling resentment.
Echoes of the Past, Identity of the Present
The story of my village and my region is not just a chronicle of rulers and battles. It is a story of people—of resilience in the face of adversity, of negotiation between tradition and change, and of surviving in the shadow of great powers.
As I trace my own journey through education, social work, and community activism, I carry within me the memory and legacy of this land—Poonch, a place shaped by mountains and wars, by history and heart. It is from this soil that my roots draw strength and purpose.
The Village of Sheendara
Sheendara is a picturesque village located in the Haveli Tehsil of Poonch district, in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It falls under the postal code 185101 and is administratively part of the Lassana Block Panchayat. Spanning approximately 10 kilometers in length and 4 kilometers in width, the village features varied terrain with sharp contours and differing elevations. The upper reaches of Sheendara are densely forested, and the area is interlaced with several streams, each with its own catchment area.
Sheendara shares its borders with ten surrounding villages: Khanetar, Kalai, Seri Chowana, Nabana, and Kolian of Haveli Tehsil; Lassana and Sanai of Surankote Tehsil; and Pathanatir, Kalaban, and Chungan Charoon of Mendhar Tehsil. Due to its geographical elevation and natural contours, Sheendara has historically served as a natural shelter for nearby border villages during times of conflict. This strategic advantage was evident during Pakistani shelling in the wars of 1965 and 1971, and again more recently, during a four-day shelling incident following Operation Sundoor.