Roots of

Bhalessa
By Sadaket Malik

Chapter 1:
Historical Overview and Physical Features:-

The folk people of Bhalessa were called Bhalls

in the past which makes one to believe that
queen Bhala of Raja Nagpal have been from
Bhaderwah. There are variety of opinions from
different people regarding the origin of its name
“Bhalessa” some talk it as Land of “Bhaley
Manus” (Bhaley Lougun Ka Desh) which is meant
the decent people with distinct identity. Dr. P K
Koul who conducted a research on Bhaderwah,
Chamba, Kangra and Bhalessa in early nineties
opine that the Bhalessa area derived its name
from Queen Bhalla-The Queen of Nagpal. Some
people regard it as land of “Bhalay Loug” (The
right people with right destiny)

It has become very difficult for the person of

my stature to gauge the history of this otherwise
hilly terrain. Before the Roots of Bhalessa saw a
light of the day, I go through the pages of
several researches conducted on the Himalayan
region. The historical evidence regarding the
area like of Bhalessa is not found widely in the
books like “Rajtarangni” of Kalhana or other
regional studies.
 Nevertheless, some of the historians like Dr. P K
Koul, Parvaiz Deewan (IAS) and Wali Mohd.
Aseer has had spared their three lines regarding
Bhalessa.
Bhalessa as it is commonly called comprised of
the twin valleys of Bonjwah drained and carved
by the rivults and Bhalessa drained by Kalgoni
stream whereas the former emerges from the
mountain ranges of Chamba near the Sach Peak.
The later emerges from the Katari range near
Son Bain (Golden Spring) mountain. The two
rivults unite near Donadi, a few miles above
Thathri on the National Highway 1 B where it
finally merges into the chenab river.
The upper valley is very beautiful and
picturisque. In former times the valley of
Bhalessa were easily communicable from Churah
Wazarat of Chamba state through more then one
pass, namely Padri Gali (12862') and Mahlwar
Pass (13027'). On the north, it is bounded by
snow clad peaks of Kishtwar and Padder and in
the east it is bounded by chamba district of
Himachal Pradesh through a padri pass.
The main divisions viz a viz locations are Neeli,
Jatota, Pingal, Chilli, Nanota and Basnota, these
areas seemed scattered owing to the The area is
having several picturesque places like Bal Padri,
Kanthi Dhar, Soin Bhagar, Naglotan etc. The
area of Bhaderwah and Bhalessa comprise of
glaciated mountain slopes and terraced fields.
The Churah and Bhalessa must have been
closely linked in the social and cultural fields as
is evident today by a large of relations between
Chamba and Bhalessa. There seemed a unity in
social structure.
Bhalessa is full of meadows popularly known as
Dhar like Kanthi, Naglotan, Soin Bhagar, Roharhi,
Dagan, Bal Padri, etc. the area is mountainous, it
has umpteen number of trekking routes which
pass through places with unbelievable
captivating scenic beauty.
The place is a comfortable base for trekkers
and mountaineers, on their way to the Great
Himalayas. By road, bus services from Doda
connect Bhalessa.
Tiny patches of maize and mustard, like
patchwork quilts, straddled the edge of the
stream that rushed down from the snow-capped
peaks in the distance with an irrepressible
passion to merge into the Chenab beyond.
Children played cricket on improvised pitches on
patches of land left fallow or lazed around on
conical haystacks.

Weather-beaten Bakkarwal men-with their

hennaed beards and loosely wound turbans, led
flocks of hairy mountain goats. Their children
and womenfolk followed after them, driving
mules laden with pots, pans and bedding their
mobile homes. The perfect picture of serenity. It
has a Muslim majority, with a Hindu minority of a
little more than a third of the population.

The history of Bhalessa and

Bhaderwah dates back to 200 B.C. When the
revered Buddhist scholar Nagsena was invited to
a discussion by king Mender in his palace at
Sakla.Kishtwar. In the discussions Nagsena
replied all the questions of the king who then
embraced Buddhism and became king Milinda.
Nagsena recorded the discussion in “Millinda
Panha” a Pali Treatise on the fundamental
principles of Buddhist philosophy.
The principality of Bhaderwah Bhalessa was
distributed into 15 administrative units. The total
area of Bhaderwah Jagir (including Bhalessa etc)
was 533 sq.miles which after amalgamation with
Udhampur district in 1931 was reduced to 213
sq.miles only. The earliest mention of the place
is traced from Rajatarangni around (1112-
28A.D.)
Bhalessa had come into existence in the
year 1948 and its Headquarter is located at a
distance of 241 Kmts from the Jammu winter
capital and 282 kmts. from the Srinagar, the
summer capital of the state. The area is located
between 32-52 and 41-97 degree longitude.
The altitude of the area varies from 3200 to
15000 ft. from the sea level. The area is
surrounded by Chamba district of Himachal
Pradesh.
The form of the land is rugged and
mountainous surrounded by the sprawling
mountains of Himalayas from north to west.
These are named as great Himalayas. Besides
there are other lofty ridges and peaks. The
nullahas like historical Kalgoni streem merge
into river Chenab at Thathri. Nullahs called
“Kalguni” is Pavitur in the sense that it is
surrounded by historical Basaka Nag temple at
the corner of village Kilhotran.
 The main river in Bhalessa is Kalgoni
straching from “Kansozoo” that merge into the
chenab after. Besides this there are some other
small Streems/ Nullahs such as Beer Sow with its
origin from Ludoo Kansar with enormous hight,
Kanchu sohow near Makhan Chuchool (local
popular name of hindus and muslims) has its
origin near Goha Kahagugasar. These rivers flow
through gorges and are mainly exploited for
generation of Hydel Power. Of late Bhalessa is
rich in natural resources if exploited may
contribute for the states economy.
The climate is almost dry. The rainfall is
scanty, because of this reason the area is
declared as Drought Prone Area by the Ministry
of Rural Development Govt of India. The
temperature remains snow bound for five-six
months of the year. Summer is generally without
rain and precipitation often occurs during the
winter season.
The soil is generally loose and Gruti
and in some places Sandy with very low
moisture. The incidence of soil erosion is very
high and roads blockage is frequent during the
rainy season.
The places are notorious for fall of
slides during every rainy season and cause
inconvenience to all. The Soil conservation
Department is surveying the area but no
concrete steps has been put in place by the
concerned officers to aware the people about
the soil conservation schemes.
The role of NGOs is strongly laudable
in this direction for contributing their bit owing
to which many wastelands became green.
Bhalessa is rich in coniferous forest wealth.
The forest provides timber of
important varieties viz, Deodar, Fir, Kail, Chir,
etc.These also yield products like dhoop, resin,
guchian and other products. For rehabilitation of
degraded forests and increase the forest area by
plantation in the area taken up in a big way of
the forest Department.
There might be some world’s oldest
Deodars s in Jitota Zone of Bhalessa. The
precious stones in the area are also expected to
be found in the Dudwar area in abundance. The
main crops are Maize, and wheat.

There is enough potential to hold back

the tourist in Bhalessa and areas around for at
least a fortnight. Imagine how much good it
could do to the local economy. Places of
pilgrimage if promoted will help bringing the
tourist to these areas even while the
infrastructure is being developed. Of course The
Tourism Development Authority required have to
be established.
Bhalessa presents beautiful
picturesque as well as attractive fields on way to
Padri Top which could be promoted as a health
resort as well as a picnic spot. This is a
connection line of Bhalessa and Bhaderwah. An
everlasting Glacier, Bal Padri is just 15 Km from
Padri Top/ Dhaar/ Khanni Top on foot/ horse back
from Bhaderwah side. It is on huge heights and
one could find large snow field here even in the
month of June. Enough scope exists for Gandola
rope ways. Bhadherwah to Kansar could be a
good Gandola venture with Khanni Top, Padri
Dhaar , Nagni MataTemple and Jaai Valley are
lying around Bhalessa. Unfortunately, the area
has been divided and has not taken care of
geographical proximity or administrative
conveniences. The areas like Bonjawah, Kahara,
Basnota, Pingal and Cilly. There seemed more or
less discrimination meted to people of these
areas.
Bhalessa is presently a part of
Bhaderwah Constituency including some little
part of Bhatyas and chilly hamlets, whereas the
areas like of Basnota (Kahara) and Bonjawah are
part of Inderwal assembly segment.
Owing to the scatteredness of these
areas the composite culture has been
deteriorated. The regional chauvinism led its
head high due to its political dislocation. The
local traditional ethos has been damaged and
area has been little progressed& planned. It may
be due to poor administrative and political set
up. The areas like Kahara and Bhatyas are
disconnected owing to inadequate
administrative presence.

Of late, the people in governance are in

favor of creation of separate constituency under
the pretext of Delimitation Commission report.
Administrative reforms are already in place. The
recent changes seemed to be happened. The
Tehsil Thathri and Tehsil Bhalessa carved out of
Sub- Division Bhaderwah very recently is a
milestone in the history. Tehsil Bhalessa has
been upgraded as Sub – Division. This way there
again remain two Sub-Divisions i.e. Bhaderwah
and Bhalessa with three Tehsils namely
Bhaderwah, Bhalessa and Thathri in District
Doda.
As such, in any case one Sub-Division is to have
two Tehsils while the other will remain Sub-
Division for one Tehsil. It may be in place to
mention that the distance from Thathri to Tehsil
Headquarter Bhalessa is only 30 Kms whereas
distance from Thathri to Bhaderwah is around 60
Kms. Furthermore, the distance from Bhalessa to
Bonjwah is only 20 kms and is geographically
very close to Bhalessa.
However, In view of the above considerations
the government proposed that new Sub-
Division Bhalessa shall comprise, Tehsil Bhalessa
and Tehsil Thathri.
Previously, a demand was projected by the
public that twenty three villages falling in three
Patwar Halqas namely Kansoo, Jora and Malanoo
be attached with Tehsil Bhalessa after their
deletion from Tehsil Thathri.
The demand for the setting up of Niabats at
Bhatyas and Kahara is justified as the area is
disconnected administratively.
Another demand received by the government
team during its visit to the area pertained to
attachment of eleven villages of Patwar Halqas
Patnazi and Jawalapur commonly known as
Bunjawa with Tehsil Thathri after their
detachment from Tehsil Kishtwar on the ground
of proximity of the area and convenience of the
people.
 After considering all counter claims in respect
of these demands and taking into consideration,
the proximity of Patwar Halqas, administrative
convenience and public demand, the team
recommended strongly that eight villages of
Patwar Halqa Kansoo namely Kansoo, Bathri,
Indlu, Dichhal, Bhatoli, Dharyouth, Piyakal,
Kuthyara with population of 5,744 can be
deleted from Tehsil Thathri and added in Tehsil
Bhalessa. The demand for attachment of Patwar
Halqas Jora and Malanoo with Bhalessa Tehsil is
not found justified and agreeable. The
government find it unjustified. This was
suggested by the committee formed by the
government.
The area of Bonjawah is in close
proximity with Bhalessa including Bhatyas and
Khara. Geographically Bonjawah, Khara, Bhatyas
and Gandoh Bhalessa upto khaljugasar is a
single geographical unit.
Unfortunately, the area has been
divided and has not taken care of its
geographical proximity, Bhalessa is presenty a
part of Bhaderwah Constituency including some
little part of Bhatyas and chilly, whereas the
areas like of Khara and Bonjawah are part of
Inderwal assembly segment thereby the local
composite culture has been deteriorated. The
regional chauvinism has its head high due to its
political dislocation. The local composite culture
has been damaged and area seemed little
progressed & planned.
 The locals are in favour of creation of
separate political and administrative unit under
the pretext of Delimitation commission by
combining Tehsil Bhalessa, Khara, Bhatyas,
Chilly and Bonjawah and deleting Bhalessa from
Bhaderwah and Bonjawah from Inderwal.
It will be a progressive step if
Bhalessa-Bhatyas –Bonjawah might be carved as
a separate political and administrative unit. The
state government should set up a committee for
taking into account the sentiments of all three
zones viz Tehsil Bhalessa, Bonjawah and
Bhatyas Pingal & Chilly areas.
The advantage of separate unit may
lead to the progress as far as developmental
arena is concerned. The local community
especially the people of all these areas be taken
in confidence while preparing the final document
on achievable motherhood so that the people of
the area might get solace of the problems of
inadequate development and help to maintain
the age old tradition, folk lore and above all
culture and geographical oneness.

Deterioration of Identity by the perspective

rulers
Basnota, Nanota, Pingal, Jitota, Chilly

Nestling amongst high mountainous and cliffy

terrain, off shooting high where skies are the
limits, it is most prominent townships like
Bonjawah, Basnota, Chilly and Pingal in Doda
District.
 The spirituality attunes the skies resting aside
castes, creed and colours and above all
religions, The Ruby Gems on mountainous slopes
glows and glitters and marble of Thathri twinkle
amidst dense, vibrant, lush green uplands.
The topography of the area is hilly and
mountainous. There is Lack of transport
communication as compared to other areas of
the erstwhile Doda District.

It is the most backward which is evident from

the low literacy rate, dilapidated road conditions,
poor road net work, low per capita income, Non-
existence of industries and lack of adequate
agricultural inputs.
There is enough potential to hold back the
tourist in the area for at least a fortnight.
Imagine how much good it could do to the local
economy. Places of pilgrimages if promoted will
help bringing the tourist to these areas even
while the infrastructure is being developed. Of
late, The Tourism Development Authority
required to be established firstly.
Bhalessa presents beautiful picturesque as well
as attractive fields on way to Padri Top which
could be promoted as a health resort as well as
a picnic spot. It is on huge heights and one could
find large snow field here even in the month of
June.

Of late, the people in governance are in favor of

creation of separate constituency under the
pretext of Delimitation Commission report.
Administrative reforms are already in place. The
recent changes seemed to be happened. The
Tehsil Thathri and Tehsil Bhalessa carved out of
Sub- Division Bhaderwah very recently is a
milestone in the history. Tehsil Bhalessa has
been upgraded as Sub – Division. This way there
again remain two Sub-Divisions i.e. Bhaderwah
and Bhalessa with three Tehsils namely
Bhaderwah, Bhalessa and Thathri in District
Doda.
As such, in any case one Sub-Division is to have
two Tehsils while the other will remain Sub-
Division for one Tehsil. It may be in place to
mention that the distance from Thathri to Tehsil
Headquarter Bhalessa is only 30 Kms whereas
distance from Thathri to Bhaderwah is around 60
Kms. Furthermore, the distance from Bhalessa to
Bonjwah is only 20 kms and is geographically
very close to Bhalessa.
However, In view of the above considerations
the government proposed that new Sub-
Division Bhalessa shall comprise, Tehsil Bhalessa
and Tehsil Thathri.
Previously, a demand was projected by the
public that twenty three villages falling in three
Patwar Halqas namely Kansoo, Jora and Malanoo
be attached with Tehsil Bhalessa after their
deletion from Tehsil Thathri.
The demand for the setting up of Niabats at
Bhatyas and Kahara is justified as the area is
disconnected administratively.
Another demand received by the
government team during its visit to the area
pertained to attachment of eleven villages of
Patwar Halqas Patnazi and Jawalapur commonly
known as Bunjawa with Tehsil Thathri after their
detachment from Tehsil Kishtwar on the ground
of proximity of the area and convenience of the
people.
After considering all counter claims in respect
of these demands and taking into consideration,
the proximity of Patwar Halqas, administrative
convenience and public demand, the team
recommended strongly that eight villages of
Patwar Halqa Kansoo namely Kansoo, Bathri,
Indlu, Dichhal, Bhatoli, Dharyouth, Piyakal,
Kuthyara with population of 5,744 can be
deleted from Tehsil Thathri and added in Tehsil
Bhalessa. The demand for attachment of Patwar
Halqas Jora and Malanoo with Bhalessa Tehsil is
not found justified and agreeable. The
government find it unjustified. This was
suggested by the committee formed by the
government.
The area of Bonjawah is in close proximity with
Bhalessa including Bhatyas and Khara.
Geographically Bonjawah, Khara, Bhatyas and
Gandoh Bhalessa upto khaljugasar is a single
geographical unit.
Unfortunately, the area has been divided and
has not taken care of its geographical proximity,
Bhalessa is presenty a part of Bhaderwah
Constituency including some little part of
Bhatyas and chilly, whereas the areas like of
Khara and Bonjawah are part of Inderwal
assembly segment thereby the local composite
culture has been deteriorated. The regional
chauvinism has its head high due to its political
dislocation. The local composite culture has
been damaged and area seemed little
progressed & planned.

The locals are in favour of creation of separate

political and administrative unit under the
pretext of Delimitation commission by combining
Tehsil Bhalessa, Khara, Bhatyas, Chilly and
Bonjawah and deleting Bhalessa from
Bhaderwah and Bonjawah from Inderwal.
It will be a progressive step if Bhalessa-
Bhatyas –Bonjawah might be carved as a
separate political and administrative unit. The
state government should set up a committee for
taking into account the sentiments of all three
zones viz Tehsil Bhalessa, Bonjawah and
Bhatyas Pingal & Chilly areas.
The advantage of separate unit may lead
to the progress as far as developmental arena is
concerned. The local community especially the
people of all these areas be taken in confidence
while preparing the final document on
achievable motherhood so that the people of the
area might get solace of the problems of
inadequate development and help to maintain
the age old tradition, folk lore and above all
culture and geographical oneness.
 Chapter 2:- Period of Awakening

Over time there seemed less political or social

awakening among the elites, the area was little
progressed, there was no education rather
primary schooling to the people. People used to
go to Bhaderwah for their primary studies.
The political staire was also lacking as
people represented a low income strata and
economy was poor. The people seemed out of
such activism. Hari Saran Zaildar of Batara was
regarded as a chief Chowkidar of the hamlet.
The first teacher was Anirud Singh of
Khaljugasar who was educated from Bhaderwah.
Some families over time migrated from
Kashmir. The whole Chenab valley and
Bhaderwah Jagir was ruled by Rana’s and
Thakurs. The area of Bhalessa was a part of
Bhaderwah Jagir and Bhaderwah was regarded
as a main centre of decentralization.
It is learnt from our elderly that they used
to go Bhaderwah for ration to feed them.
Owing to the close proximity with
Bhaderwah, people maintained healthy relations
with Bhaderwah.

However, many families in Kashmir have

migrated from one part to another in search of
habitation and livelihood. One such family was
the Batt family which migrated to the Chamba
District of Himachal Pradesh while a few factions
stayed in Bhalessa's Soti village. The family at
Soti took up peasant work. Ghulam Rasool Azad
was born in the year 1916 to this peasant family.
There were only two schools then in Bhalessa -
the Primary school Kilhotran and the Bhaderwah
Amar Singh school. Rasool's father Kh. Khazra
Batt sent him to both.

In 1935, Ghulam Rasool Azad passed the

graduate entrance examination from Jammu
Centre. He graduated in Mathematics. He did his
post graduation from Punjab University in 1943.
Munshi Mohamed Anwer was also
enrolled in Bhaderwah
 Chapter: Bhalessa: Social and Political awakening

Gone are the days when area like of Bhalessa witnessed

a tumultuous days. Of late, there was a paucity of
community leadership on the one hand and sacracity of
a membership in assembly to represent the improvised
terrain of Bhalessa on the other.

Mohammad Sharief Niaz- rated high in the realm of

Politics was the only torch bearer to provide solace to
the people during the turmoil. Niaz, born in improvised
family on 24th of April 1944 in village changa Bhalessa,
He is a law graduate, being a legal luminary, he was
entrusted the responsibility as Law Minister of the state
in 1989. He patronized the improvised people above the
castes and religions.

Packed with outstanding achievements in democratic

arena. Niaz, joined student Union, trade unions and
teachers unions. He joined congress party in 1976,
worked as a trade union leader and pleaded the cause of
working class, nominated district president of congress
committee Doda in 1979, unsuccessfully contested 1983
assembly elections on congress ticket from Inderwal
constituency but elected in 1987, inducted into the
council lof ministers of minister of state Law in1989,
From 1992 to 1996 he remained a member of USERS
consultative committee in Northern Railway of India,
elected to assembly in 2002 . He polled 16,962 votes
and defeated his nearest NC rival Mohammed Aslam by
a margin of 6,827 votes He was inducted as Minister for
power in Mufti-led Congress-PDP coalition.

Paving the way to the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi

Azad to contest the Assembly elections, He resigned
from the Bhaderwah constituency from where he was
elected in 2002. Mr. Niaz's resignation was accepted
with effect from March 1,

It was mandatory for Mr. Azad to be a member of any of

the two Houses by the end of April since he took over as
Chief Minister on November 2, 2005. Due to the
resignation of Niaz, by-election was held in Bhaderwah
constituency on April 24, 2006. He won this seat with an
overwhelming margin of 58,000.

In 2007, Niaz was elected as a Member of Legislative

Council (MLC) for Doda replacing Mohammad Iqbal Bhat.

This is interesting to note that in the aftermath of

Jammu agitation while the assembly constituency like
Bhaderwah witnessed sharp polarization, here the
impact was not so deep for Niaz being the lonely
competent condidate for congress high command.

Lo and behold, Niaz reportedly broke down at the

declaration of the result,when he was contesting from
Bhaderwah in 2009 By elections as he himself was not
expecting to win. Niaz, defeated Mr. Dalip Singh of BJP
by a margin of 2,747. While Mr. Niaz polled 21,966
votes, Mr. Singh polled 19,219 votes, out of total 53,219
votes polled.

Niaz was not only pitched against strong

candidates of other parties but also his own
party leaders, workers and a number of close
relatives worked against him. The youth and
disadvantaged played a pro-active role to ensure
his victory. Niaz saw a bitter contest with the BJP
roping in Ghulam Ali, brother of Ghulam Nabi
Azad, to campaign for the BJP candidate. Ghulam
Ali raised a storm by supporting the Babri Masjid
demolition in his speeches.

Local people opines that he won the election

keeping in view the contribution of Niaz during
tamultous days of termoil.

To focus on his contribution to the state in

general and Bhaderwah Bhalessa area in
particular before 42 years. We can speak it as
Political representation of Bhalessa in assembly
since time immemorial. Things seemed changes
due to the visionary programmes of Niaz.

He resigned as a Teacher and joined Indefinite

strike to metigate the suffering people at that
time. when Bhalessa was witnessing atrocities
committed no to the people by nefirious designs,
a fire owing to the turmoil, its he who remained
all along with the people who became prey of
violence. The times itself are witnessing that
Niaz has by and large contributed for the peace
and amity of the land. He seemed Pro-Active in
socio-developmental convas of Bhalessa.

Regarding the Kashmir conflict, he is on the

screen as a think tank for Indo-Pak process viz-a-
viz good goverenance in the state. He always
raised the issues in his that a large number of
people living under the constant fear of gun
along the border on both sides, are today are
most relieved with this decision. He advocated
that Pakistan should take desired measures to
control the militant organisations operating from
its soil and indulging in bloodshed in Jammu and
Kashmir.

During his tenure as a cabnit Minister, he

ordered a probe into the reasons for the collapse
of the diversion Tunnel Number 2 at the 450-MW
Baglihar hydroelectric project in Kashmir.