Late Suraj Saraf,
Compiled by Amiay Saraf
“Fort and town of Bahu stand due east of Jammu city on the left bank of Tawi and overlooking the river. The fort still bears appearance of great strength and was famous in former times, as we learn from the Muhammaden authors,” say the renowned archaeologist and Ideologist J. Ph. Vogel and J. Hutchison in their “History of the Punjab hill states”. Perched imposingly on a hill top beside the Tawi and facing the capital city of Jammu, this fort with tits strong sturdy walls and sprawling buildings, containing also royal mansion, has been a mute witness to the hoary and eventful history of twin habitation of Jammu city and Bahu town.
The present form of the Bhau fort, much like Rajput-Mughal architecture, far belies its hoary past and it is obvious thatduring that long period it must have undergone repeated renewal, repairs and renovations. “From the earliest period the capital (of the Jammu ruling dynasty) was at Bahu and and the Rajas resided in the strong fort”, says “The History of the Punjab Hill states”, adding that Jammu was much more open to attack (than the other Punjab Hill State vis in present Jammu region and Himachal Pradesh), being on the very edge of the plains, and lying right in the way of advancing and retreating armies.The armies also enlist quite a few invasions in pre and post Christian era during which Bahu fort also finds a mention. Apart from the reason underscored by Hutchison and Vogel for which Jammu and Bahu were subjected to repeated invasions, it is certain that area was extra ordinarily prosperous which attracted invaders from distant places. This prosperity is amply reflected in the account of his invasion by Timur (in Malfusat-i-Timuri) whrein he mentions tremendous loot in Jammu and its surrounding villages ad also refers to the port. Even Ferishta (as pointed out in Elliot’s history) mentions an invasion of the hills, including Jammu, in the first century by a Kanaij ruler Raja Ram Dev Rathore. It inter alia says,” Confident in the valour of his army, the strength of his fortress, the difficulty of access, the denseness of jungle and abundance of his supplies Raja of Jammu refused to surrender but was defeated in the fight and forced to make peace with the invader.
Bahu Lochan: According to the genealogical tree or Vansavali of the erstwhile Dogra ruling dynasty of J7K, it belonged to Suryavansi clan of Kashatriyas and was founded by one Agnibaran (descended from Kush son of Rama) migrating from Ayodhya. He settled at parol now an important village in Kathua district of Jammu province. From their his descendants now and then conquering areas around about and in seventh generation one of them Bahu Lochan seized Bahu area (obviously previous name must be something else but laster named after him) and started ruling there.
According to Vansavali he got Bahu fort constructed. His younger brother Jambu lochan founded Jammu city originally named Jambu after him (and known that way even till 18th century). Bahu rulers and Madar desh (Punjab) rulers whose capital was at Sakla or Sialkot now in Pakistan, being neighbors often resorted to battles to encroach on each other’s territory and in the accounts of those hostilities also Bahu fort is mentioned. Much later in the late fourteen century Timur during his invasion on Jammu also mentions about Bahu, as described aabove. Salim Shah Suri is also said to have seized Bahut Fort in mid 16th century for some years. Bahu fort had obviously become famous as difficult to attack because of it speculiar location vist about 200 ft immediately down below (as if the crag on which it was built rises sheerly vertically from the river bed), hills and dense jungles around with only southern side plain.
With the passage of time Jammu (or Jambu) city had become more important and the fort had become merely adjunct, so that invaders aimed at the city and not the fort. Moreover, with the setting up of every expanding royal mansions in the city, first at purani Mandi, then at Mubarak Mandi terrace of the hill on which the city is located, Bahu fort was increasingly losing its importance. Under these circumstances the fort had become a deserted site. Its importance was only it has ‘ A Kali Temple which is throng devotees, particularly on Tuesdays and during Navratras. Some years back government was considering to renovate it an and shift Dogra Art Museum there. But the idea of museum was later given up. Elaborate renovations were, however, carried out in the interior of the fort with landscape gardening on the outer side. Moreover, a huge multi-crore terraced garden has also been established adjoining the fort and named after it as Bag-e-Bahu. While renovating the fort, its original architecture has been kept in view and as far as possible material had also been re-used. It is however, a moot point as to when the fort in its present architecture and design was set up and who did it. Some researchers say it was done by Maharaj Gulab Singh in 1820, but historical and architectural facts held it as much older. The fort commands a belle view of Jammu city facing it on the other side of Tawi river, as also the Tawi valley up and down the stream. On the upper side the vista extending for miles along Tawi valley is backed by the majestic view of Sh. Mata Vaishno Devi.
(The author is a famous libertarian known for his cultural contributions in Jammu & Kashmir. Views are his own, [email protected])