Historical Settlements of Duggar : The Living Continuum of Darva-Abhisara

Lalit Gupta

Airma: (32.39° N, Longitude: 75.52° E.) Situated 15 kilometres from the district headquarters of Kathua, Airma (old name Airwan- Aira-vana), is one of the historic riverside settlements in the Jammu region.
Located on the right bank of the River Ravi (ancient Irawati), Airma marked the geographical boundary between the important regional powers of ancient Darva-Abhisara and the Adumbaras. The Adumbras are known from 2nd Century BCE coinage and ancient texts as rulers in parts of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, including today’s Pathankot.
Aima’s strategic location made it a marker of political boundaries and shaped its trade and habitation patterns. Airma’s long-term human settlement is confirmed by the field reports of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of the finds of Late Harappan artefacts, Kushana period brick structures, early medieval sculptures and a now lost inscription in Brahmi. Though ancient literary records are silent about Airma, its origin is explained through mythological and legendary accounts.

Mythological and Legendary Background

The Legend of Airwan: As per a popular myth, the village Airwan got its name from Airavata, God Indra’s famous mount white multi-tusked elephant, who was reborn here. The myth says that while River Ganga was being brought from heaven to the earth, its flow was obstructed by a big, stony mountain. Every effort was made to remove that obstruction, but in vain. It was then realised that the obstruction could be removed only by God Indra’s divine elephant, Airavata.
Accordingly, God Indra was prayed to. He sent his elephant to do this job for the welfare of humanity. Airavata removed that obstacle. After accomplishing the job, Airavata became proud of his might and said that the flow of the Ganga had been made possible through his prowess only. To humble the pride of Airavata, Goddess Ganga decided to teach him a lesson. She increased her flow and washed away the elephant to Pataal Lok –the netherworld. The subterranean stream which carried the elephant to Pataal Lok was named Pataal Ganga or Gupt Ganga.
After learning about the fate of Airavata, God Indra was greatly disturbed and reached the earth along with other devtas to get back his beloved elephant. He was advised by Narada Muni to meditate upon God Shiva as he only could get his elephant back. Acting on Narada Muni’s advice, God Indra meditated upon God Shiva. Pleased by Indra’s devotion, God Shiva appeared and restored his elephant back from the Gupt Ganga. The site wherefrom had come out is associated with the present-day location of a natural spring in Airwan and remains a pilgrimage site.
Ramayana-Linked Myth: Another popular myth links Airwan to the Ramayana period: In the Suryavanshi Ikshvaku dynasty of Ayodhya Kings, Raja Sudarshan had two sons. While Raja Sudarshan continued to rule Ayodhya, his son Agnigir headed for the Shivaliks and, travelling through Kangra (ancient Nagarkot), arrived at Kathua. There he established his kingdom with his capital at Bhupa. He also laid down the foundations of two more towns, Iravati and Pushapavati. Agnigir’s son Vayusharabha/ Vayubabran married Airan Devi, the daughter of the Kathua ruler, on whose name the town of Airan-vati was named.
Shiva Temples at Airwan: Reputedly built by King Vikramaditya, the foundations of the Shiva Temples at Airwan are believed to date back to the 4th century CE. Due to its mythological and historical associations and the presence of many freshwater springs or Baolies, the temple and its environs have remained a popular pilgrimage site. During the fairs of Shivaratri and Baisakhi, a large number of pilgrims from surrounding areas and Punjab and Himachal Pradesh visit the temple and offer worship after taking a bath in springs which are taken as sprouting from the Gupta Ganga. The people who cannot afford to visit Haridwar immerse the ashes of the dead in the holy water known as the Ganga. The ancient temples have been subject to natural and manmade calamities. The present structure of the two Shiva Temples, containing swayambhu’ lingas, which seems to have been built between the 16th to 18th centuries, shows of influence of Indo-Islamic architecture. The temples are marked by architectural features like huge square cellas with thick walls and capped by dome-shaped roofs. The temples are plain structures shorn of any sculptural decorations, barring two dwarpalas on the entrance of no remarkable craftsmanship.
Arniya: Situated approximately five kilometres from the international border with Pakistan’s Sialkot district, the border town of Arniya lies 29 kilometres southwest of Jammu. Arniya is an ancient settlement, and its name is likely derived from the Sanskrit words Van or Arnaya, both meaning “forest.” The compound term Van-Arnaya appears in some of the Puranas, suggesting that these villages have roots dating back to antiquity, although the current population may have settled there more recently.
Near present-day Arniya, a large mound is visible, which may mark the site of the original ancient village. This archaeological feature supports the idea of the area’s long-standing habitation. The villages of Van and Arniya are referenced in Diwan Kirpa Ram’s Gulab Nama (GN), which details the regions under the control of Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1820. A footnote in the translated edition of the Gulab Nama notes that Ban and Arniya are adjoining villages, with Arniya described as being of a notable size, indicating its importance even in the early 19th century.
Atoli: Located in the Mandi tehsil of Poonch district in Jammu & Kashmir, the village of Atoli lies approximately five kilometres from the sub-district headquarters, Mandi, and 14 kilometres from the district headquarters, Poonch. According to Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, composed between 1148–1150 CE, Atoli is a modern adaptation of its ancient name Attalika—a significant settlement near Mandi in earlier times.
Attalika was founded by Raja Jayasimha of the Lohara dynasty and is mentioned in Rajatarangini as a town (puri) in the region of Lohara, the historical name for the Poonch area. During his reign (1112–1120 CE), King Sushala of Kashmir is recorded to have visited this town. The market of Attalika is given special mention in the chronicle, indicating its prominence even in that era. The site was later identified by Aurel Stein, the translator of Rajatarangini, further validating its historical importance. Today, Atoli serves as a commercial hub of the district and can aptly be described as a market town, continuing its legacy as a centre of trade and activity.

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