DOGRA

dogra, a race of hill rajputs in india, inhabiting kashmir and the adjacent valleys of the himalayas. they form the ruling race in kashmir. "dogra" is the name given to the country round jammu, and is said to be derived from a word meaning the "two lakes," as the original home of the dogra people was situated between the lakes of siroensar and mansar. there are numerous castes in the dogra country, and the hindu, mahommedan and sikh religions are represented. all, whether hindus or mahommedans, whether high-born rajputs of the maharaja's caste or low-born menials, are known as dogras. at the time of the first sikh war the dogras had a great reputation as soldiers, which they have worthily maintained in the ranks of the indian native army. they are classed as fighting men with the sikh and punjabi mahommedan. they distinguished themselves in the hunza nagar expedition and the affair at chilas in 1891, and in the tirah campaign of 1897-98.