One of the ancient Rajas of Kishtwar whose dominion extended beyond Doda persuaded one utensil maker namely deed a migrant from Multan (Pakistan) to settle permanently in his territory and set up a utensil factory there.
Deeda is then said to have settled in a village which later on came to be known after him. With the advent of time, the name Deeda seems to have got distorted into Doda, by which name it continues to be known today.
Maharaja Gulab Singh had firstly of all conquered Doda in 1822 AD.
He saved it from devastation by winning hearts.
The English Traveller G.T. Vigne, who visited Doda in 1829, has written in his travelogue:-
The Fort of Doda was of great interest to historians. Thakur Kahan Singh Balowria, the author of Tarikh e Rajgane Jammu va Kashmir, writes that there were seventy forts in Jammu province in addition to smaller ones in Poonch area.
These forts were used to stock armaments, other defence equipment and food grains.
The fort provided space for the office of Thanedar and other police personnel also.
When Maharaja Gulab Singh came to power he got these forts newly built and repaired.
Teh Doda Fort was built for the fear of possible attacks fromthe Rajas of Bhaderwah. Since the Doda town was the winter capital of Kishtwar state, this fort was of special importance.
In view of the defence affairs this fort had been built at the left bank of the Chenab. The unbaked bricks of 3×2 size were used in its walls.
The walls were four feet wide and forty to fifty feed high.
The dome like towers were built on the right corners of the fort and the movement of the enemy could be watched through its holes.
In addition to these towers there were windows at appropriate places in the walls also.
There was a pit in the courtyard of the fort, called chah bacha. It is said that professional criminals were put in this pit during winter season.
This historical fort of Doda was demolished on government instruction in 1952
Doda is a district in eastern part of Jammu region.
It is located at 33.13°N 75.57°E.
Doda town after which the district is named is situated at an altitude of 5000 feet above the sea level.
The district boundaries do not touch with international borders or the LOC.
The district shares border with Anantnag, Ramban, Kishtwar, Udhampur & Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The entire district is hilly.
Doda has 01 Sub-district, 03 Sub-divisions, 17 Tehsils and 31 Niabats. Doda is divided in 02 assembly constituencies viz. Doda(53) and Bhaderwah(54).
There are 237 panchayats in the district.
The district is known for its rich mineral deposits. lead, mica, gypsum, manganese, marble, graphite copper etc are found here.
The distict is pre-dominantly rural and has agricultural and pastoral economy.
The district has good potential for tourism including pilgrimage and adventure. Monuments of archaeological importance in the distt. include a fort at Bhadarwah.
Kashmiri, Dogri, Bhadarwahi, Deswali,Siraji, Punjabi etc are the languages being spoken here in different areas
Geographical Area 2758.95Sq Km
Population (Census 2011) 409,936 (Male: 213,641, Female: 196,295)
No. of Sub Districts 01 No. of Sub Divisions 03
No. of Tehsils 17 No. of CD Blocks 17
No. of Gram Panchayats 237 No. of Villages 400
No. of Municipalities 03 Sex Ratio 919 Rural Population 3.77 Lakh
Urban Population 0.32 Lakh
ST Population 0.39 Lakh SC Population 0.53 Lakh
Forest Area 1456.09 Sq. Km
Cultivable Area 28915 Hect
Literacy Rate 64.68%
Dessa Valley - Dessa Gai an abode on earth. This place a famous tourist spot lush green meadows compared with Switzerland in winter.
A mountainous belt surrounds the valley feels natures pure attraction.
There is something special in these mountains a natural glow of folura and fauna.
A perfect hub of God’s own creation..
this place is called Davebumi. It is a picnic spot the distance from Jammu railway to Gai is about 280km.
One of the beatifull landscapes named Padri lies on upcoming Bhaderwah-Chamba National Highway at a distance of 41 Kms from Bhadarwah. The landscape runs in kilometers and is ideal for adventure sports like Snow-skiing in winters and Paragliding in summers. It is also highest Pass on Bhadarwah Chamba National Highway (The inter-state link). The visitor must carry woolens to enjoy the beauty of Padri even in summers.
Jai valley the Everlasting Green Valley lies on the North East of Bhadarwah town about 32 Kms. away connected to the town by beautiful Bhadarwah-Jai Link Road. The Valley runs in kilometers bisected by the rivulet called Jai Nallah flowing towards the Thathri Tehsil Headquarters where it merges into Kalgoni Nallah which has mighty waterfalls and rocks which pose challenge to expert rock climbers. The Jai nallah is popular for Trout Fish Culture.
BHADARWAH is a heaven for Treckkers, Mountaineers, Campers and Explorers. The famous treks from Seoj, Padri, Jai Shpar Dhar and other destinations have been discovered by locals and foreigner trekkers while on joint expenditions. So many unknown Lakes and pastures were discovered during the trips originating from tourist destinations.