Medieval History of Jammu: The Dev Dynasty (840–1816 CE)

The Dev Dynasty ruled the Jammu kingdom for nearly a millennium — from its establishment in 840 AD until its annexation by the Sikh Kingdom of Lahore in 1816 AD. Emerging after the decline of the Dhar Dynasty, the Dev rulers skillfully navigated an ever-changing political landscape, forming and breaking alliances to survive amidst the rise and fall of regional and imperial powers.

Initially allied with the Hindu Shahi rulers against early Muslim invaders, the Devs later aligned with powers such as the Ghorids and Mughals, with several rulers serving as mansabdars under Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.

Notable rulers like Mal Dev, who made Jammu the Dogra capital and resisted Timur’s invasion, and Ranjit Dev, who expanded Jammu to its peak during an era known as Dar-ul-Aman (Abode of Peace), marked high points of the dynasty. However, internal decay and Sikh ascendancy eventually led to the dynasty’s fall in 1816 AD, when Jammu was absorbed into the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

I. Origins and Early Rulers (840–1030 CE)

The Dev Dynasty rose following the weakening of the Dhar Dynasty, which had been exhausted by invasions. Early records like the Vanshavalis (genealogical chronicles) and the Rajadarshini serve as key sources.

Key Rulers:

Suraj Dev (840–912 CE) – Founder of the Dev Dynasty. Established a seven-department administrative system, each governed by a vakil corresponding to a day of the week.
Bhuj Dev (after 912 CE) – Fought alongside Jaipal of the Hindu Shahis against Subuktgin. His wife, Neela Rani, committed Sati after his death.
Avtar Dev (from 982 CE) – Supported Jaisal against Mahmud of Ghazni. Initially victorious but later defeated in the Battle of Peshawar (1001 AD).

II. Consolidation and Shifting Alliances (1030–1400 CE)

This phase marked Jammu’s regional prominence and strategic shifts in alliances, especially during invasions.

Notable Rulers:

Jas Dev (1030–1053 CE) – Founded Jasrota, later home to the Jasrotia clan.
Sangram Dev (1053–1094 CE) – Defeated King Ananta of Kashmir at Bilawar.
Jasakara (Chakara) Dev (1094–1164 CE) – Invited Mohd. Ghori to invade Lahore to counter the Khokhars. Built Dhakki Parmeshwari Temple in repentance for his queen’s death.
Brij (Bijay) Dev (1164–1215 CE) – Supported Mohd. Ghori in the Battle of Tarain; received the title Mian.
Mal Dev (1361–1400 CE) – Regarded as the greatest ruler.
- Resisted Timur’s invasion (1399), the first record mentioning "Jammu" in Malfuzat-i-Timuri.
- Made Jammu the capital and initiated the Raj Tilak tradition at Kalijanni (Maldev ki Mandi).
- Faced the Khokhars; controversy surrounds whether he converted to Islam.

III. Era of Mughal Influence (1400–1703 CE)

The Dev rulers tactically allied with both the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire, gaining ranks and favor while maintaining regional autonomy.

Prominent Rulers:

Hamir Dev (1400–1423 CE) – Allied with Sayyid rulers; titled Rai Bhem.
Bairam Dev (1454–1489 CE) – Allied with Bahlol Lodi; during his rule, Sufi saints like Pir Mitha and Pir Khoh arrived in Jammu.
Goghar Dev (1500–1530 CE) – Allied with Babur; titled Isa Khan.
Kapur Dev (1530–1571 CE) – Divided the kingdom between Bahu and Jammu.
Jag Dev (1571–1590 CE) – Rebelled against Akbar’s governor; killed in a conspiracy.
Sangram Dev (1594–1626 CE) – Favored by Jahangir; slew Raja Man of Lahore.
Bhupat Dev & Hari Dev (1626–1692 CE) – Served as Mughal mansabdars; Hari Dev reunited Bahu with Jammu.
Gaje Singh (1692–1703 CE) – Restored independence; visited by Guru Gobind Singh.

IV. Zenith of Power and Decline (1703–1816 CE)

Dhruv Dev (1703–1733 CE)

Unified Jammu as an independent kingdom.
Sheltered Banda Bahadur, the Sikh warrior.
Began construction of the Mubarak Mandi Palace (1710 CE).
Ancestor of Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the Dogra Empire.

Ranjit Dev (1733–1782 CE)

His reign known as Dar-ul-Aman (Abode of Peace).
Expanded Jammu to dominate 22 hill states.
Banned Sati and female infanticide.
Faced Sikh incursions; became a tributary to the Bhangi Misl.

Later Rulers:

Braj Raj Dev (1782–1787 CE) – Defeated by Mahan Singh (Sukerchakia Misl); Jammu sacked.
Sampuran Dev (1787–1797 CE) – Child ruler under Sikh suzerainty.
Jit Singh (after 1797 CE) – Last monarch before annexation.

V. Annexation and the End of the Dynasty

By the early 19th century, the Dev Dynasty’s independence eroded completely. In 1816 AD, Maharaja Ranjit Singh formally annexed Jammu, integrating it into the Sikh Empire of Lahore.

Some sources cite the final annexation between 1808–1816, after which the territory was granted to Kharak Singh, Ranjit Singh’s son.

Chronology of Dev Dynasty Rulers

Ruler	Reign (CE)	Key Accomplishments & Events
Suraj Dev	840–912	Founder; established seven administrative departments
Bhuj Dev	After 912	Allied with Hindu Shahis; killed fighting Subuktgin
Avtar Dev	From 982	Defeated Mahmud once; lost Battle of Peshawar (1001)
Jas Dev	1030–1053	Founded Jasrota
Sangram Dev	1053–1094	Defeated King Ananta of Kashmir
Jasakara Dev	1094–1164	Invited Mohd. Ghori; built Dhakki Parmeshwari Temple
Brij Dev	1164–1215	Supported Ghori; received title “Mian”
Narsing Dev	1215–1258	Killed Khande Rao (Prithvi Raj’s brother)
Arjan Dev	1258–1313	Successor of Narsingh Dev
Jodh Dev	1313–1361	Contemporary of Feroz Shah Tughlaq
Mal Dev	1361–1400	Resisted Timur; made Jammu capital
Hamir Dev	1400–1423	Allied with Sayyids against Khokhars
Ajab Dev	1424–1454	Strengthened Dogra relations
Bairam Dev	1454–1489	Allied with Bahlol Lodi; saints arrived
Goghar Dev	1500–1530	Allied with Babur; titled Isa Khan
Kapur Dev	1530–1571	Divided kingdom into Bahu and Jammu
Jag Dev	1571–1590	Revolted against Mughals; killed
Sangram Dev	1594–1626	Favored by Jahangir
Bhupat Dev	1626–1656	Mughal mansabdar
Hari Dev	1656–1692	Reunited Bahu with Jammu
Gaje Singh	1692–1703	Visited by Guru Gobind Singh
Dhruv Dev	1703–1733	Re-established independence
Ranjit Dev	1733–1782	Peak of power; social reforms
Braj Raj Dev	1782–1787	Defeated by Sukerchakia Misl
Sampuran Dev	1787–1797	Child ruler; under Sikh rule
Jit Singh	After 1797	Last ruler before annexation

Medieval History of Jammu