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{{EngvarB|date=August 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
 
{{Infobox surname
{{Infobox surname
| name           = Dhar
|name             = Dhar
| image          =  
|pronunciation    =  
| image_size      =  
|image            =  
| caption         =  
|caption           =  
| pronunciation  =  
|meaning          =  
| language        = [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], [[Hindi]], [[Urdu]]
|region            = [[Bengal]] [[Punjab]]
| languageorigin  = [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]]
|origin            = [[Bengali Hindu]] & [[Punjabi Muslim]]
| origin          =
|variant    =  
| derivation      = [[Kashmir Valley]]
|footnotes         =  
| meaning        =
| romanization =
| cognate        =
| derivative      =
| seealso         =
| family          =  
}}
}}


'''Dhar''' or '''Dar''' ([[Nastaleeq]]: در ,دار or ڈار, [[Devanagari]]: धर or डार) is a [[Kashmiri people|Kashmiri]] surname and clan<ref name="Bansi Pandit">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=bhat+butt+name+kashmir&pg=PA99|title=Explore Kashmiri Pandits|publisher=Dharma Publications|isbn=9780963479860|access-date=2 December 2010|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094607/https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=bhat+butt+name+kashmir&pg=PA99|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IBJuAAAAMAAJ&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar|title=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute, Volumes 62–63|year=2004|publisher=Dr. A. M. Ghatage|quote=Hence Kashmiri speech community can be viewed as the population united by sharing social norms; acquire Kashmiri as their native language; and use Kashmiri language to meet ... The surnames like Bhat, Pandit, Munshi, Dhar, Dar, Handoo, ...|access-date=25 March 2007|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094608/https://books.google.com/books?id=IBJuAAAAMAAJ&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=|first=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=Dar&pg=PA46|title=Explore Kashmiri Pandits|publisher=Bansi Pandit|isbn=978-0-9634798-6-0|pages=46|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094608/https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=Dar&pg=PA46|url-status=live}}</ref> native to the [[Kashmir Valley]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India, and common today<ref name="Bansi Pandit" /> among [[Kashmiri Hindus]]<ref name="D. D. (Dhruv Dev). Sharma">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5UW9Krt_NEC&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar&pg=PA11|title=Panorama of Indian Anthroponomy: An Historical, Socio-Cultural and Linguistic Analysis of Indian Personal Names|author=D. D. (Dhruv Dev). Sharma|year=2005|publisher=Mittal Publication|isbn=9788183240789|quote=Similar is the case of Hindus and Christians in Kerala, eg (Krisna Panikkar; George Panikkar), and Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir or Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab who have many common surnames, eg (Kashmir): Bhat, Dar, Malik, Rana, Pandit (Saleem Pandit), etc. and (Punjab): Arora, Bedi, Kapoor, Bjaj, Sahney, Maini, Ahloowalia, etc. In such cases reference to a person by his surname, as Mr. Bhat or Mr. Arora does not indicate whether the person under reference is a Hindu, a Muslim or a Sikh.|access-date=25 March 2007|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094608/https://books.google.com/books?id=_5UW9Krt_NEC&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar&pg=PA11|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Kashmiri Muslims]].<ref name="Bhatt2008" /><ref name="Saligram Bhatt3">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IBJuAAAAMAAJ&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar|title=Kashmiri Pandits, a cultural heritage|author1=Saligram Bhatt|author2=Jānakīnātha Kaula|year=2004|publisher=[[Lancer Book]]|quote=Incidentally it may be stated that many Kashmiri Muslims still have the surnames of the pandits, like Kaul, Bhatt, Pandit, Dar, etc. With the accession to throne of Hari Singh in 1925, the State was given a 'new look'.|access-date=25 March 2007|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094608/https://books.google.com/books?id=IBJuAAAAMAAJ&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oxJDAAAAYAAJ&q=kashmiri+names+bat+dar+lone|title=Proceedings - Indian History Congress, Volume 63|publisher=Indian History Congress|year=2003|pages=867|quote=...the Muslims also retained their Hindu caste-names known as Krams e.g. Tantre, Nayak, Magre, Rather, Lone, Bat, Dar, Parray, Mantu, Yatoo.....|access-date=30 December 2016|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094608/https://books.google.com/books?id=oxJDAAAAYAAJ&q=kashmiri+names+bat+dar+lone|url-status=live}}</ref> Outside Kashmir, it is used by members of the Kashmiri diaspora, in places like [[Punjab]],<ref name="H.A. Rose - 2">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LPsvytmN3mUC&q=malik+kashmir+caste&pg=PA479|title=A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province|year=1997|publisher=Nirmal Publishers and Distributors|isbn=9788185297699|quote=The most important Kashmiri element in the Punjab is found in the cities of Ludhiana and Amritsar, which still contain large colonies of weavers, employed in weaving carpets and finer fabrics.|access-date=25 March 2007|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094608/https://books.google.com/books?id=LPsvytmN3mUC&q=malik+kashmir+caste&pg=PA479|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bengal]],<ref name="Saligram Bhatt - Migration to Bengal">{{cite book|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri&pg=PA134|author=Saligram Bhatt|title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace|year=2008|publisher =A.P.H. Publishing Corporation|isbn=9788131304020|quote=A recent article by a Kashmeeri writer has propounded that Dhar's were those who migrated to Gauda {Bengal} and retained their Dhar surname once they returned to the valley. |access-date = 25 March 2007}}</ref><ref name="Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya">{{cite book|url =https://archive.org/details/hinducastesands00bhatgoog
'''Dhar''' is an [[India|Indian]] surname. It is commonly found among the [[Hindu]] [[Bengali Kayastha]] and Baniks including [[Suvarna Vanik|Subarnabanik]] community in  [[Bengal region]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles|pages=1421–1423|first=K.S.|last=Singh}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Hindu Castes and Sects|page=|first=J.N.|last=Bhattacharya}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2001-09-17 |title=Baniks of Bengal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Baniks-of-Bengal/articleshow/1226860775.cms |access-date=2024-11-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> '''Dhar''' or '''Dar''' is also used by some [[Kashmiri people|Kashmiri]] and [[Kashmiris in Punjab|Punjabi-Kashmiri]] clans and communities<ref name="Bansi Pandit">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=bhat+butt+name+kashmir&pg=PA99|title=Explore Kashmiri Pandits|publisher=Dharma Publications|isbn=9780963479860|access-date=2 December 2010|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094607/https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=bhat+butt+name+kashmir&pg=PA99|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IBJuAAAAMAAJ&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar|title=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute, Volumes 62–63|year=2004|publisher=Dr. A. M. Ghatage|quote=Hence Kashmiri speech community can be viewed as the population united by sharing social norms; acquire Kashmiri as their native language; and use Kashmiri language to meet ... The surnames like Bhat, Pandit, Munshi, Dhar, Dar, Handoo, ...|access-date=25 March 2007|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094608/https://books.google.com/books?id=IBJuAAAAMAAJ&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=|first=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=Dar&pg=PA46|title=Explore Kashmiri Pandits|publisher=Bansi Pandit|isbn=978-0-9634798-6-0|pages=46|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094608/https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=Dar&pg=PA46|url-status=live}}</ref> native to the [[Kashmir Valley]] and [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], and common today<ref name="Bansi Pandit" /> among [[Kashmiri Hindus]]<ref name="D. D. (Dhruv Dev). Sharma">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5UW9Krt_NEC&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar&pg=PA11|title=Panorama of Indian Anthroponomy: An Historical, Socio-Cultural and Linguistic Analysis of Indian Personal Names|author=D. D. (Dhruv Dev). Sharma|year=2005|publisher=Mittal Publication|isbn=9788183240789|quote=Similar is the case of Hindus and Christians in Kerala, eg (Krisna Panikkar; George Panikkar), and Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir or Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab who have many common surnames, eg (Kashmir): Bhat, Dar, Malik, Rana, Pandit (Saleem Pandit), etc. and (Punjab): Arora, Bedi, Kapoor, Bjaj, Sahney, Maini, Ahloowalia, etc. In such cases reference to a person by his surname, as Mr. Bhat or Mr. Arora does not indicate whether the person under reference is a Hindu, a Muslim or a Sikh.|access-date=25 March 2007|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094608/https://books.google.com/books?id=_5UW9Krt_NEC&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar&pg=PA11|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Kashmiri Muslims]].<ref name="Bhatt2008" /><ref name="Saligram Bhatt3">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IBJuAAAAMAAJ&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar|title=Kashmiri Pandits, a cultural heritage|author1=Saligram Bhatt|author2=Jānakīnātha Kaula|year=2004|publisher=[[Lancer Book]]|quote=Incidentally it may be stated that many Kashmiri Muslims still have the surnames of the pandits, like Kaul, Bhatt, Pandit, Dar, etc. With the accession to throne of Hari Singh in 1925, the State was given a 'new look'.|access-date=25 March 2007|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094608/https://books.google.com/books?id=IBJuAAAAMAAJ&q=Kashmiri+Surnames+Dar|url-status=live}}</ref>
|page =[https://archive.org/details/hinducastesands00bhatgoog/page/n599 575]
 
|author=Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya|title=Hindu Castes and Sects: An Exposition of the Origin of the Hindu Caste System and the Bearing of the Sects Towards Each Other and Towards Other Religious Systems|year =1896
== History and origins ==
|publisher =Nabu Press|quote=Dhar–A Surname–1. (1) Of the Dakshin Rarhi Kayasthas of Bengal–179. (2) Of the Bangaja Kayasthas of East Bengal–184. (3) Of the Barendra Kayasthas of North bengal–184.}}</ref> [[Gujarat]],<ref name="Saligram Bhatt1" /> and [[Maharashtra]],<ref name="Saligram Bhatt1" /> and more commonly in recent times by the global Kashmiri Pandit diaspora following the [[Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus]] in 1989–1990.


Dhar is also used as a surname by [[Bengali Kayastha|Bengali Kayasthas]] of in the [[Bengal region]] of the [[Indian subcontinent]] and has similar spellings.<ref name="Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya">{{cite book|url =https://archive.org/details/hinducastesands00bhatgoog
=== Bengali surname ===
|page =[https://archive.org/details/hinducastesands00bhatgoog/page/n599 575]
The [[Bengali Hindu]] surname Dhar is probably derived from [[Bengali language|Bengali]] dhār (ধার) meaning 'credit'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=dhar|title=
|author=Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya|title=Hindu Castes and Sects: An Exposition of the Origin of the Hindu Caste System and the Bearing of the Sects Towards Each Other and Towards Other Religious Systems|year =1896
Dhar Name Meaning & Dhar Family History at Ancestry.com|website=Ancestry|quote=Indian (West Bengal) and Bangladeshi: Kayastha name probably based on Bengali dhar ‘credit’ (Sanskrit uddhāra ‘deliverance’).}}</ref> It is also used by the Bengali diaspora in neighbouring states.
|publisher =Nabu Press|quote=Dhar–A Surname–1. (1) Of the Dakshin Rarhi Kayasthas of Bengal–179. (2) Of the Bangaja Kayasthas of East Bengal–184. (3) Of the Barendra Kayasthas of North bengal–184.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Bhattacharya|first=Jogendra Nath|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xlpLAAAAMAAJ&q=Dhar|title=Hindu Castes and Sects: An Exposition of the Origin of the Hindu Caste System and the Bearing of the Sects Towards Each Other and Towards Other Religious Systems|date=1896|publisher=Thacker, Spink|pages=184|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094609/https://books.google.com/books?id=xlpLAAAAMAAJ&q=Dhar|url-status=live}}</ref>


==History and origins==
=== Kashmiri surname ===
Dhar or Dar is also used by some Kashmiri clans and communities native to the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, India, and common today among [[Kashmiri Hindus]] and [[Kashmiri Muslims]]. Outside Kashmir, it is used by members of the Kashmiri diaspora, in places like [[Punjab]], {{cn|date=October 2023}} [[Bengal]],<ref name="Saligram Bhatt - Migration to Bengal2">{{cite book |author=Saligram Bhatt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri&pg=PA134 |title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace |publisher=A.P.H. Publishing Corporation |year=2008 |isbn=9788131304020 |quote=A recent article by a Kashmeeri writer has propounded that Dhar's were those who migrated to Gauda {Bengal} and retained their Dhar surname once they returned to the valley. |access-date=25 March 2007}}</ref> [[Gujarat]],<ref name="Saligram Bhatt12">{{cite book |author=Saligram Bhatt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri&pg=PA134 |title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace |publisher=A.P.H. Publishing Corporation |year=2008 |isbn=9788131304020 |quote=The genesis in outline is that Dhar was the honorific given to a village head, strongman or a warlord of smaller ''jagir''/estate; called ''Dara'' pronounced as ''Dhara''. This honorific was prevalent during 12th Century {Jaisimha} and continue to be used till about 14th Century. |access-date=25 March 2007}}</ref> and [[Maharashtra]],<ref name="Saligram Bhatt12">{{cite book |author=Saligram Bhatt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri&pg=PA134 |title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace |publisher=A.P.H. Publishing Corporation |year=2008 |isbn=9788131304020 |quote=The genesis in outline is that Dhar was the honorific given to a village head, strongman or a warlord of smaller ''jagir''/estate; called ''Dara'' pronounced as ''Dhara''. This honorific was prevalent during 12th Century {Jaisimha} and continue to be used till about 14th Century. |access-date=25 March 2007}}</ref> and more commonly in recent times by the global Kashmiri Pandit diaspora following the [[Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus]] in 1989–1990.


'''Dhar/Dar''' originated as an honorific given to a village head, strongman, or warlord of a ''[[jagir]]''.<ref name="Saligram Bhatt1" /><ref name="Kumar Suresh Singh, Tapash Kumar Ghosh, Surendra Nath">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0BFuAAAAMAAJ&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri |author1=Kumar Suresh Singh |author2=Tapash Kumar Ghosh |author3=Surendra Nath |title=People of India: Delhi |year=1992 |publisher=[[Anthropological Survey of India]] |isbn=9788185579092 |quote=Some of their surnames are derived from location, occupation, tide, status, family history and so. These are Kaul, Dhar, ... |access-date=25 March 2007 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094609/https://books.google.com/books?id=0BFuAAAAMAAJ&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Barbara Anne Brower, Barbara Rose Johnston">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcXYAAAAMAAJ&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri|title=Disappearing peoples?: indigenous groups and ethnic minorities in South and Central Asia|author1=Barbara Anne Brower|author2=Barbara Rose Johnston|date=15 September 2007|publisher=Left Coast Press|isbn=9781598741209|quote=Their surnames (kram) designate their original professions or their ancestors' nicknames (eg, Hakim, Kaul, Dhar, Raina, ...|access-date=25 March 2007|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094609/https://books.google.com/books?id=jcXYAAAAMAAJ&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri|url-status=live}}</ref> The title was widespread by the 12th century CE and continued until the 14th century CE.<ref name="Saligram Bhatt1">{{cite book|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri&pg=PA134|author=Saligram Bhatt|title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace|year=2008|publisher =A.P.H. Publishing Corporation|isbn=9788131304020|quote= The genesis in outline is that Dhar was the honorific given to a village head, strongman or a warlord of smaller ''jagir''/estate; called ''Dara'' pronounced as ''Dhara''. This honorific was prevalent during 12th Century {Jaisimha} and continue to be used till about 14th Century.|access-date = 25 March 2007}}</ref> The earliest available records of '''Dhar''' or '''Dar''' used as a surname date back to the 16th century CE.<ref name="Saligram Bhatt1" />
The Kashmiri surname Dhar originated as an honorific given to a village head, strongman, or warlord of a ''[[jagir]]''.<ref name="Saligram Bhatt1" /><ref name="Barbara Anne Brower, Barbara Rose Johnston">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcXYAAAAMAAJ&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri|title=Disappearing peoples?: indigenous groups and ethnic minorities in South and Central Asia|author1=Barbara Anne Brower|author2=Barbara Rose Johnston|date=15 September 2007|publisher=Left Coast Press|isbn=9781598741209|quote=Their surnames (kram) designate their original professions or their ancestors' nicknames (eg, Hakim, Kaul, Dhar, Raina, ...|access-date=25 March 2007|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094609/https://books.google.com/books?id=jcXYAAAAMAAJ&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri|url-status=live}}</ref> The title was widespread by the 12th century CE and continued until the 14th century CE. The earliest available records of '''Dhar''' or '''Dar''' used as a surname date back to the 16th century CE.<ref name="Saligram Bhatt1">{{cite book|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&q=surname+Dhar+Kashmiri&pg=PA134|author=Saligram Bhatt|title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace|year=2008|publisher =A.P.H. Publishing Corporation|isbn=9788131304020|quote= The genesis in outline is that Dhar was the honorific given to a village head, strongman or a warlord of smaller ''jagir''/estate; called ''Dara'' pronounced as ''Dhara''. This honorific was prevalent during 12th Century {Jaisimha} and continue to be used till about 14th Century.|access-date = 25 March 2007}}</ref>


Furthermore, [[Kalhana]] has explained in [[Rajatarangini]], a book considered vital by historians that the term '''Dhar''' comes from the word '''''Dharra''''' ''(Pronounced : Darra)'' which also happened to have a connection to an ancient mountain ridge called '''Kakodar'''. '''Kakodar''' in ancient times was known as '''''Karkotadhara.''''' [[Kalhana]] has used the word "''similar"'' for both Dar and Dhar in [[Rajatarangini|Rajatrangini]],<ref name=":3" /> giving modern-day historians a hint of changing pronunciation claims to be true.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Kalhaṇa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ROM2AQAAMAAJ&q=Dar&pg=PA126|title=Kalhaṇa's Rājataraṅgiṇī: A Chronicle of the Kings of Kaśmīr|date=1900|publisher=Kulhana|pages=126|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094609/https://books.google.com/books?id=ROM2AQAAMAAJ&q=Dar&pg=PA126|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
Furthermore, [[Kalhana]] has explained in [[Rajatarangini]], a book considered vital by historians that the term '''Dhar''' comes from the word '''''Dharra''''' ''(Pronounced : Darra)'' which also happened to have a connection to an ancient mountain ridge called '''Kakodar'''. '''Kakodar''' in ancient times was known as '''''Karkotadhara.''''' [[Kalhana]] has used the word "''similar"'' for both Dar and Dhar in [[Rajatarangini|Rajatrangini]], giving modern-day historians a hint of changing pronunciation claims to be true.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Kalhaṇa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ROM2AQAAMAAJ&q=Dar&pg=PA126|title=Kalhaṇa's Rājataraṅgiṇī: A Chronicle of the Kings of Kaśmīr|date=1900|publisher=Kulhana|pages=126|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313094609/https://books.google.com/books?id=ROM2AQAAMAAJ&q=Dar&pg=PA126|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Spelling variations of the surname in context of Kalhana ===
==== Spelling variations of the surname in context of Kalhana ====
According to some Pandit historians the surname originates from the Sanskrit word '''''Dharra''''' which translates to ''"Lord"'' and historically this term was always used as a Suffix for the mountains of Kashmir e.g. '''Karkotadharra''' which is now called '''Kakodar.'''<ref name=":3" /> Thus the two spellings have a common origin.<ref name="Saligram Bhatt1" />
According to some Pandit historians the surname originates from the Sanskrit word '''''Dharra''''' which translates to ''"Lord"'' and historically this term was always used as a Suffix for the mountains of Kashmir e.g. '''Karkotadharra''' which is now called '''Kakodar.'''<ref name=":3" /> Thus the two spellings have a common origin.<ref name="Saligram Bhatt1" />


The spelling of the surname in [[Sanskrit]] was ''Dhar'' at the time when the prevalent writing system was the [[Sharada script]]; in spoken [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], the surname ''Dhar'' may have gotten distorted to ''Dar''.<ref name="Bhatt2008"/> With the advent of [[Islam in Kashmir]], new Muslims who had converted from Hinduism retained their surname, but may have modified the spelling to differentiate themselves from the Kashmiri Hindu from which they came.<ref name="Bhatt2008">{{cite book |last1=Bhatt |first1=Saligram |title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace: Proceedings of National Seminar by Kashmir Education Culture & Science Society (K.E.C.S.S.), New Delhi |date=2008 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-313-0402-0 |page=134 |language=English |quote=With the advent of Islam many such ''Dara's'' had converted and to differentiate themselves from Brahmin ''Dara's'', convertee's modified it to Dar while Brahmins persisted with Dhar. ... It is essential to understand that Dhar and Dar is question of writing these in then prevalent script Sharda (then ''Upbrahmbasha''), which could have introduced this subtle discrepancy in pronunciation more so if it was uttered in Sanskrit, which got distorted while speaking ''Kashmeeri''.
The spelling of the surname in [[Sanskrit]] was ''Dhar'' at the time when the prevalent writing system was the [[Sharada script]]; in spoken [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], the surname ''Dhar'' may have gotten distorted to ''Dar''. With the advent of [[Islam in Kashmir]], new Muslims who had converted from Hinduism retained their surname, but may have modified the spelling to differentiate themselves from the Kashmiri Hindu from which they came.<ref name="Bhatt2008">{{cite book |last1=Bhatt |first1=Saligram |title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace: Proceedings of National Seminar by Kashmir Education Culture & Science Society (K.E.C.S.S.), New Delhi |date=2008 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-313-0402-0 |page=134 |language=English |quote=With the advent of Islam many such ''Dara's'' had converted and to differentiate themselves from Brahmin ''Dara's'', convertee's modified it to Dar while Brahmins persisted with Dhar. ... It is essential to understand that Dhar and Dar is question of writing these in then prevalent script Sharda (then ''Upbrahmbasha''), which could have introduced this subtle discrepancy in pronunciation more so if it was uttered in Sanskrit, which got distorted while speaking ''Kashmeeri''.
}}</ref><ref name="Saligram Bhatt3"/><ref name=":0"/>
}}</ref>
 
Pandit Historian [[Kalhana]] has specifically mentioned Dar/Dhar as a Brahman Family in his book Rajatarangini.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Kalhana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KzxTkI9iAxkC&q=Dar&pg=PA506|title=Kalhana's Rajatarangini: A Chronicle of the Kings of Kashmir: Vol 1 & 2|date=1989|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-0370-1|pages=505|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313095145/https://books.google.com/books?id=KzxTkI9iAxkC&q=Dar&pg=PA506|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Dar also should not be confused with Dangar or [[Damara (feudal landlord)|Damara]]. All these surnames have no connection based on historical evidence.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=Dars&pg=PA103|title=Explore Kashmiri Pandits|publisher=Bansi Pandit|isbn=978-0-9634798-6-0|pages=103|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313095147/https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=Dars&pg=PA103|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
==History and origins in Context of Muhammad din Fauq==
 
A survey of Kashmiri farmers and their tribes in 1891 put forward the census of Brahmin Cultivators of Kashmir.
This census included following surnames : Pandit, Sofi, Butt, Ittu, Tantray, Dar, Rather, Rishi, Raina, Kandhi, Ganai.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tareekh Aqwam-e-Kashmir Volume-001 by Mohammaduddin Fauq|url=https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/tareekh-aqwam-e-kashmir-volume-001-mohammaduddin-fauq-ebooks|access-date=29 December 2021|website=Rekhta|language=en|archive-date=29 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229152504/https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/tareekh-aqwam-e-kashmir-volume-001-mohammaduddin-fauq-ebooks|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Fauq|first=Muhammad din|title=Tareekh e Aqwam e Kashmir|publisher=Gulshan Publishers, Srinagar, Kashmir.|year=1996|location=Srinagar|pages=296|language=Urdu}}</ref>
 
Fauq doubted this list and accepted only two surnames as Brahmins (i.e. Butt and Pandit) claiming others to be Vaish and kshatriya. The superintendent also doubted the claims during the census.<ref name=":4"/>


According to Fauq, Dar is a corrupted form of the term "Damara" which is historically used as an umbrella term to refer to both modern day Lone (Lavanya) and Dar (Damar) tribes. In his Book Tareekh e Aqwam e Kashmir, he has specifically mentioned Dars as Troublesome and strong Kshatriya Warlords / Landlords of ancient Kashmir who troubled the Hindu Kings .<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fauq|first=Muhammad Din|title=Tareekh e Aqwam e Kashmir|publisher=Gulshan Publishers, Srinagar|year=1996|location=Srinagar|pages=289–290|language=Urdu}}</ref>
[[Kalhana]] specifically mentioned Dar/Dhar as a Brahman family in his ''Rajatarangini''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Kalhana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KzxTkI9iAxkC&q=Dar&pg=PA506|title=Kalhana's Rajatarangini: A Chronicle of the Kings of Kashmir: Vol 1 & 2|date=1989|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-0370-1|pages=505|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313095145/https://books.google.com/books?id=KzxTkI9iAxkC&q=Dar&pg=PA506|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Spelling Variations in Context of Muhammad Din Fauq ===
Dar also should not be confused with Dangar or Damar. All these surnames have no connection based on historical evidence.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=Dars&pg=PA103|title=Explore Kashmiri Pandits|publisher=Bansi Pandit|isbn=978-0-9634798-6-0|pages=103|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313095147/https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC&q=Dars&pg=PA103|url-status=live}}</ref>


Fauq mentions in his book that many authors from Subcontinent when mentioning Dar and other Kashmiri tribes ignored the proper sound of the Urdu alphabet which resulted in corruption of Dar(ڈار) into Daar (دار) which is very close to Hindu surname Dhar (در).
==== Persian, Kashmiri Pandits and its effects ====
 
==Persian, Kashmiri Pandits and its effects==


<blockquote>"The scholarship of the Pandits in Persian reached its high watermark during this period. They wrote exquisite poetry in Persian and were master writers in prose. Munshi Bhawani Das stands preeminent amongst the prose writers of the day. So also Lachhi Ram Saroor who rose very high at the Court of Nawabs of Oudh mainly because of his high poetical merit. Rai Rayan Anand Ram Karihalu was a great favourite of Shah Alam II and a great poet. He was a great Persian and Arabic scholar. So also Pandit Taba Ram Turki (1776 A.D. to 1847 A.D.), Sat Ram Baqaya, Pandit Daya Ram Kachru (1743 A.D. to 1811 A.D.) Aftab Bhan, Gobind Kaul, Kailas '''Dar''' (died 1772 A.D.) Lasa Kaul, Deva Kaul, Thakur Das, Gopal '''Dar''' (1735 A.D. to 1798 A.D.). Raja Kak '''Dar''', Rugh Nath Kaul (1735 to 1807 A.D.) and many others. The contributions made by them to Persian literature have elicited the significant remarks from competent critics that in the mastery of the Persian language the Kashmiri Pandits were second only to the Persians. About pandit Anand Ram Karihalu it is remarked that his mastery of Arabic and Persian was so complete that even amongst the Muslims nobody could compete with him. Pandit Birbar Kachru (1789-1859 A.D.) to whom reference has been made in these pages has written a voluminous history of Kashmir. He has dealt with social and economic conditions of the people in a very detailed and lucid manner. Pandit Anand Ram Pahalwan has carried the History of Kashmir by Narain Kaul from 1712 A.D. to 1785 A.D. Birbar Kachru, besides being a historian, wrote good poetry as well. The Kashmir Pandits of this period were very orthodox in religion, but that did not cripple their minds. In outdoor life they hayed and described themselves as any other citizen would do. The use of words like Banda, Bandai Chas, Bandai Dargah, Ahqar, Ibn etc with their names would show this. Not only that. They offered sometimes their prayers also in Persian language, and prefixed even their Gods with such epithets as Hazrat."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bakshi|first=S. R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U1LEY1yWmagC&q=Dar&pg=PA138|title=Kashmir: History and People|date=1997|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-85431-96-3|pages=138|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313095200/https://books.google.com/books?id=U1LEY1yWmagC&q=Dar&pg=PA138|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>"The scholarship of the Pandits in Persian reached its high watermark during this period. They wrote exquisite poetry in Persian and were master writers in prose. Munshi Bhawani Das stands preeminent amongst the prose writers of the day. So also Lachhi Ram Saroor who rose very high at the Court of Nawabs of Oudh mainly because of his high poetical merit. Rai Rayan Anand Ram Karihalu was a great favourite of Shah Alam II and a great poet. He was a great Persian and Arabic scholar. So also Pandit Taba Ram Turki (1776 A.D. to 1847 A.D.), Sat Ram Baqaya, Pandit Daya Ram Kachru (1743 A.D. to 1811 A.D.) Aftab Bhan, Gobind Kaul, Kailas '''Dar''' (died 1772 A.D.) Lasa Kaul, Deva Kaul, Thakur Das, Gopal '''Dar''' (1735 A.D. to 1798 A.D.). Raja Kak '''Dar''', Rugh Nath Kaul (1735 to 1807 A.D.) and many others. The contributions made by them to Persian literature have elicited the significant remarks from competent critics that in the mastery of the Persian language the Kashmiri Pandits were second only to the Persians. About pandit Anand Ram Karihalu it is remarked that his mastery of Arabic and Persian was so complete that even amongst the Muslims nobody could compete with him. Pandit Birbar Kachru (1789-1859 A.D.) to whom reference has been made in these pages has written a voluminous history of Kashmir. He has dealt with social and economic conditions of the people in a very detailed and lucid manner. Pandit Anand Ram Pahalwan has carried the History of Kashmir by Narain Kaul from 1712 A.D. to 1785 A.D. Birbar Kachru, besides being a historian, wrote good poetry as well. The Kashmir Pandits of this period were very orthodox in religion, but that did not cripple their minds. In outdoor life they hayed and described themselves as any other citizen would do. The use of words like Banda, Bandai Chas, Bandai Dargah, Ahqar, Ibn etc with their names would show this. Not only that. They offered sometimes their prayers also in Persian language, and prefixed even their Gods with such epithets as Hazrat."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bakshi|first=S. R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U1LEY1yWmagC&q=Dar&pg=PA138|title=Kashmir: History and People|date=1997|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-85431-96-3|pages=138|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313095200/https://books.google.com/books?id=U1LEY1yWmagC&q=Dar&pg=PA138|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>
Line 65: Line 44:
This specific passage explains the probability that there is a high chance many Sanskrit surnames may have been influenced by Persian in the Early Kashmiri Hindu community. Not to ignore that even in the Modern Era a Popular Pandit surname '''Bhatt''' is written as '''Batt / Butt''' by Potohari / Punjabi Speaking Muslims of Kashmiri descent (or ethnic bloodline) around the world which may also have similar reasons.<ref name="Kaul2010">{{cite book|title=Pahāṛi and other tribal dialects of Jammu, Volume 1|publisher=Eastern Book Linkers|author=P.K. Kaul|quote=The But/Butt of Punjab were originally Brahmin migrants from Kashmir during 1878 famine.|isbn=9788178541013|year=2006}}</ref>
This specific passage explains the probability that there is a high chance many Sanskrit surnames may have been influenced by Persian in the Early Kashmiri Hindu community. Not to ignore that even in the Modern Era a Popular Pandit surname '''Bhatt''' is written as '''Batt / Butt''' by Potohari / Punjabi Speaking Muslims of Kashmiri descent (or ethnic bloodline) around the world which may also have similar reasons.<ref name="Kaul2010">{{cite book|title=Pahāṛi and other tribal dialects of Jammu, Volume 1|publisher=Eastern Book Linkers|author=P.K. Kaul|quote=The But/Butt of Punjab were originally Brahmin migrants from Kashmir during 1878 famine.|isbn=9788178541013|year=2006}}</ref>


==Influence on Kashmir==
==== Influence on Kashmir ====


Some Historical accounts clearly record the involvement of people belonging to modern day Dar tribe in Kashmir's politics.
Some Historical accounts clearly record the involvement of people belonging to modern day Dar tribe in Kashmir's politics.
Line 75: Line 54:
''The defeat of the Sayyids brought to the fore front four Kashmiri Leaders. Jahangir Magre, Saif Dar, Idi Raina and Shams Chak. Jahangir Magre has said to be later overthrown by Malik Saif Dar.'' <ref>{{Cite book|last=Parmu|first=R. K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qko_AAAAMAAJ&q=Dar|title=A History of Muslim Rule in Kashmir, 1320-1819|date=1969|publisher=People's Publishing House|pages=186, 189|language=en|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313095152/https://books.google.com/books?id=Qko_AAAAMAAJ&q=Dar|url-status=live}}</ref>
''The defeat of the Sayyids brought to the fore front four Kashmiri Leaders. Jahangir Magre, Saif Dar, Idi Raina and Shams Chak. Jahangir Magre has said to be later overthrown by Malik Saif Dar.'' <ref>{{Cite book|last=Parmu|first=R. K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qko_AAAAMAAJ&q=Dar|title=A History of Muslim Rule in Kashmir, 1320-1819|date=1969|publisher=People's Publishing House|pages=186, 189|language=en|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313095152/https://books.google.com/books?id=Qko_AAAAMAAJ&q=Dar|url-status=live}}</ref>


Furthermore, Sir Walter Roper Lawrence writes in his book Valley of Kashmir that ''"Among the leading Krams may be mentioned the following names:— Tikku, Razdan, Kak, Munshi, Mathu, Kachru, Pandit, Sapru, Bhan, Zitshu, Raina, Dar, Fotadar, Madan, Thusu, Wangnu, Muju, Hokhu, and Dulu. Of these the members of the Dar family have probably been the most influential, though proverbs suggest that their influence has not been beneficial"''<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lawrence|first=Sir Walter Roper|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DqAHweWRUs0C&q=Dar&pg=PA304|title=The Valley of Kashmir|date=2005|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-1630-1|pages=304|language=en|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313095158/https://books.google.com/books?id=DqAHweWRUs0C&q=Dar&pg=PA304|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Notable people surnamed ''Dhar'' or ''Dar'' ==
 
"Dar na baiyad guzisht be zangir"
 
The Dars like doors should be locked up
 
''- A Kashmiri proverb.''{{cn|date=March 2023}}
 
==Notable people surnamed ''Dhar'' or ''Dar''==
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
 
*[[Abdul Majeed Dar]], former Hizbul Mjuhedeen commander
*[[Farooq Ahmed Dar]], liberation leader
*[[Aneek Dhar]], Indian singer
*[[Aneek Dhar]], Indian singer
*[[Angira Dhar]], Indian actress
*[[Angira Dhar]], Indian actress
*[[Anuj Dhar]], Indian author and journalist
*[[Anuj Dhar]], Indian author and journalist
*[[Aditya Dhar]], film director
*[[Aditya Dhar]], film director
*[[Basit Ahmed Dar]], commander of The Resistance Front(TRF)
*[[Birbal Dhar]], leader of Kashmiri resistance to Afghan rule
*[[Birbal Dhar]], leader of Kashmiri resistance to Afghan rule
*[[Divya Dhar]]
*[[Dipsita Dhar]], Indian politician and student activist, All India Joint Secretary of Students' Federation of India
*[[Divya Dhar]], New Zealand medical doctor
*[[Farooq Ahmed Dar]], JKLF leader
*[[Farooq Ahmed Dar]], JKLF leader
*[[Humayon Dar]], Islamic economist and Shari'a advisor
*[[Humayon Dar]], Islamic economist and Shari'a advisor
Line 98: Line 70:
*[[Kiran Kumar]], Indian actor
*[[Kiran Kumar]], Indian actor
*[[Maqbool Dar]], Minister of State for Home Affairs, India
*[[Maqbool Dar]], Minister of State for Home Affairs, India
*[[Meeraji]] (born Mohammed Sanaullah Dar), Urdu poet-scholar, considered one of the fathers of [[modernism]] in [[Urdu literature]]
*[[Meeraji]] (born Mohammed Sanaullah Dar), Urdu poet-scholar, considered one of the fathers of modernism in Urdu literature
*[[Mirza Pandit Dhar|Mirza Pandit Dar]]<ref name=":1" />
*[[Mirza Pandit Dhar]], prominent Kashmiri in the early 19th century
*[[Muhammad Ahsan Dar]], founder and former [[Hizbul Mujahideen]] commander
*[[Muhammad Ahsan Dar]], founder and former Hizbul Mujahideen commander
* [[Muhammad Nasir Dar]], PAF Shaheed
*[[Muhammad Nasir Dar]], PAF Shaheed
*[[Ratan Nath Dhar Sarshar]], Urdu novelist
*[[Sandeepa Dhar]], Bollywood actress
*[[Sandeepa Dhar]], Bollywood actress
*[[Sheila Dhar]], Kashmiri Indian author and singer
*[[Sheila Dhar]], Kashmiri Indian author and singer
*[[Sudhir Dar]] (1932–2019), cartoonist
*[[Sudhir Dar]] (1932–2019), cartoonist
*[[Ratan Nath Dhar Sarshar]], Urdu novelist


=== Sportspeople ===
=== Sportspeople ===
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
*
*[[Aleem Dar]], Pakistani cricket umpire
*[[Asif Dar]], boxer
*[[Asif Dar]], boxer
*[[Aleem Dar]], Pakistani Umpire
*[[Haroon Rasheed]], former Pakistani test cricketer and manager
*[[Haroon Rasheed]], former Pakistani test cricketer and manager
*[[Munir Dar (field hockey)|Munir Ahmed Dar]], field hockey
*[[Munir Dar (field hockey)|Munir Ahmed Dar]], field hockey
Line 117: Line 88:
*[[Raza Ali Dar]], Pakistani Cricketer
*[[Raza Ali Dar]], Pakistani Cricketer
*[[Rumeli Dhar]], Indian cricketer
*[[Rumeli Dhar]], Indian cricketer
*[[Tabarak Dar]], Bangkok cricketer  
*[[Tabarak Dar]], Hong Kong cricketer  
*[[Tanvir Dar]], field hockey
*[[Tanvir Dar]], field hockey


=== Politicians ===
=== Politicians ===
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
*[[Javid Ahmad Dar]], minister of Jammu Kashmir and NC leader
*[[Abdul Rashid Dar]], Politician from Jammu and Kashmir
*[[Ali Mohammad Dar]], MLA Jammu Kashmir
*[[Durga Prasad Dhar]], ambassador of India to the Soviet Union
*[[Durga Prasad Dhar]], ambassador of India to the Soviet Union
*[[Ishaq Dar]], Pakistani Finance Minister
*[[Ishaq Dar]], Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan
*[[Kiran Imran Dar]], politician and MNA for women from [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]
*[[Kiran Imran Dar]], politician and MNA for women from Punjab
*[[Maqbool Dar]], politician from JK
*[[P. N. Dhar]], Principal Secretary to Indira Gandhi in India
*[[P. N. Dhar]], Principal Secretary to Indira Gandhi in India
*[[Shaikh Rohale Asghar|Sh Rohail Asghar Dar]], Pakistani Member of Parliament
*[[Padma Nidhi Dhar]], former CPIM MLA from Domjur Assembly in WestBengal
*[[Usman Dar]], Politician from Sialkot
*[[Shaikh Rohale Asghar]], Pakistani Member of Parliament
*[[Abdul Rashid Dar]], Politician from Jammu and Kashmir
*[[Usman Dar]], politician from Sialkot


==See also==
== See also ==
*[[Kashmiri Muslim tribes from Hindu lineage]]
*[[Kashmiri Muslim tribes from Hindu lineage]]


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}{{Surname|Dhar}}{{Kashmirifamalies}}
{{Reflist}}{{Surname|Dhar}}{{Kashmirifamalies}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Dhar (Surname)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dhar (Surname)}}
[[Category:Bengali Hindu surnames]]
[[Category: Social groups of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Kayastha]]
[[Category:Kashmiri Brahmins]]
[[Category:Kashmiri Brahmins]]
[[Category:Kashmiri tribes]]
[[Category:Kashmiri tribes]]
[[Category:Indian surnames]]
[[Category:Surnames of Indian origin]]
[[Category:Hindu surnames]]
[[Category:Surnames of Hindu origin]]
[[Category:Pakistani names]]
[[Category:Pakistani names]]
[[Category:Mulla Brahmins]]
[[Category:Kashmiri-language surnames]]
[[Category:Kashmiri-language surnames]]
[[Category:Social groups of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Social groups of Jammu and Kashmir]]

Latest revision as of 11:33, 23 November 2025

Dhar
Origin
Word/nameBengali Hindu & Punjabi Muslim
Region of originBengal Punjab

Dhar is an Indian surname. It is commonly found among the Hindu Bengali Kayastha and Baniks including Subarnabanik community in Bengal region.[1][2][3] Dhar or Dar is also used by some Kashmiri and Punjabi-Kashmiri clans and communities[4][5][6] native to the Kashmir Valley and Punjab, and common today[4] among Kashmiri Hindus[7] and Kashmiri Muslims.[8][9]

History and origins[edit | edit source]

Bengali surname[edit | edit source]

The Bengali Hindu surname Dhar is probably derived from Bengali dhār (ধার) meaning 'credit'.[10] It is also used by the Bengali diaspora in neighbouring states.

Kashmiri surname[edit | edit source]

Dhar or Dar is also used by some Kashmiri clans and communities native to the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, India, and common today among Kashmiri Hindus and Kashmiri Muslims. Outside Kashmir, it is used by members of the Kashmiri diaspora, in places like Punjab, [citation needed] Bengal,[11] Gujarat,[12] and Maharashtra,[12] and more commonly in recent times by the global Kashmiri Pandit diaspora following the Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus in 1989–1990.

The Kashmiri surname Dhar originated as an honorific given to a village head, strongman, or warlord of a jagir.[13][14] The title was widespread by the 12th century CE and continued until the 14th century CE. The earliest available records of Dhar or Dar used as a surname date back to the 16th century CE.[13]

Furthermore, Kalhana has explained in Rajatarangini, a book considered vital by historians that the term Dhar comes from the word Dharra (Pronounced : Darra) which also happened to have a connection to an ancient mountain ridge called Kakodar. Kakodar in ancient times was known as Karkotadhara. Kalhana has used the word "similar" for both Dar and Dhar in Rajatrangini, giving modern-day historians a hint of changing pronunciation claims to be true.[15]

Spelling variations of the surname in context of Kalhana[edit | edit source]

According to some Pandit historians the surname originates from the Sanskrit word Dharra which translates to "Lord" and historically this term was always used as a Suffix for the mountains of Kashmir e.g. Karkotadharra which is now called Kakodar.[15] Thus the two spellings have a common origin.[13]

The spelling of the surname in Sanskrit was Dhar at the time when the prevalent writing system was the Sharada script; in spoken Kashmiri, the surname Dhar may have gotten distorted to Dar. With the advent of Islam in Kashmir, new Muslims who had converted from Hinduism retained their surname, but may have modified the spelling to differentiate themselves from the Kashmiri Hindu from which they came.[8]

Kalhana specifically mentioned Dar/Dhar as a Brahman family in his Rajatarangini.[16]

Dar also should not be confused with Dangar or Damar. All these surnames have no connection based on historical evidence.[17]

Persian, Kashmiri Pandits and its effects[edit | edit source]

"The scholarship of the Pandits in Persian reached its high watermark during this period. They wrote exquisite poetry in Persian and were master writers in prose. Munshi Bhawani Das stands preeminent amongst the prose writers of the day. So also Lachhi Ram Saroor who rose very high at the Court of Nawabs of Oudh mainly because of his high poetical merit. Rai Rayan Anand Ram Karihalu was a great favourite of Shah Alam II and a great poet. He was a great Persian and Arabic scholar. So also Pandit Taba Ram Turki (1776 A.D. to 1847 A.D.), Sat Ram Baqaya, Pandit Daya Ram Kachru (1743 A.D. to 1811 A.D.) Aftab Bhan, Gobind Kaul, Kailas Dar (died 1772 A.D.) Lasa Kaul, Deva Kaul, Thakur Das, Gopal Dar (1735 A.D. to 1798 A.D.). Raja Kak Dar, Rugh Nath Kaul (1735 to 1807 A.D.) and many others. The contributions made by them to Persian literature have elicited the significant remarks from competent critics that in the mastery of the Persian language the Kashmiri Pandits were second only to the Persians. About pandit Anand Ram Karihalu it is remarked that his mastery of Arabic and Persian was so complete that even amongst the Muslims nobody could compete with him. Pandit Birbar Kachru (1789-1859 A.D.) to whom reference has been made in these pages has written a voluminous history of Kashmir. He has dealt with social and economic conditions of the people in a very detailed and lucid manner. Pandit Anand Ram Pahalwan has carried the History of Kashmir by Narain Kaul from 1712 A.D. to 1785 A.D. Birbar Kachru, besides being a historian, wrote good poetry as well. The Kashmir Pandits of this period were very orthodox in religion, but that did not cripple their minds. In outdoor life they hayed and described themselves as any other citizen would do. The use of words like Banda, Bandai Chas, Bandai Dargah, Ahqar, Ibn etc with their names would show this. Not only that. They offered sometimes their prayers also in Persian language, and prefixed even their Gods with such epithets as Hazrat."[18]

This specific passage explains the probability that there is a high chance many Sanskrit surnames may have been influenced by Persian in the Early Kashmiri Hindu community. Not to ignore that even in the Modern Era a Popular Pandit surname Bhatt is written as Batt / Butt by Potohari / Punjabi Speaking Muslims of Kashmiri descent (or ethnic bloodline) around the world which may also have similar reasons.[19]

Influence on Kashmir[edit | edit source]

Some Historical accounts clearly record the involvement of people belonging to modern day Dar tribe in Kashmir's politics.

When Hasan Shah wanted to settle Syeds in Kashmir his decision was greatly revolted by People belonging to Dar, Raina, Magre (Magray) and Thakar (Thakur) tribes of Kashmir.[20]

In another book it is mentioned that:

The defeat of the Sayyids brought to the fore front four Kashmiri Leaders. Jahangir Magre, Saif Dar, Idi Raina and Shams Chak. Jahangir Magre has said to be later overthrown by Malik Saif Dar. [21]

Notable people surnamed Dhar or Dar[edit | edit source]

Sportspeople[edit | edit source]

Politicians[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Singh, K.S. Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles. pp. 1421–1423.
  2. ↑ Bhattacharya, J.N. Hindu Castes and Sects.
  3. ↑ "Baniks of Bengal". The Times of India. 17 September 2001. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Explore Kashmiri Pandits. Dharma Publications. ISBN 9780963479860. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  5. ↑ Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute, Volumes 62–63. Dr. A. M. Ghatage. 2004. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2007. Hence Kashmiri speech community can be viewed as the population united by sharing social norms; acquire Kashmiri as their native language; and use Kashmiri language to meet ... The surnames like Bhat, Pandit, Munshi, Dhar, Dar, Handoo, ...
  6. ↑ Explore Kashmiri Pandits. Bansi Pandit. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-9634798-6-0. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  7. ↑ D. D. (Dhruv Dev). Sharma (2005). Panorama of Indian Anthroponomy: An Historical, Socio-Cultural and Linguistic Analysis of Indian Personal Names. Mittal Publication. ISBN 9788183240789. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2007. Similar is the case of Hindus and Christians in Kerala, eg (Krisna Panikkar; George Panikkar), and Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir or Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab who have many common surnames, eg (Kashmir): Bhat, Dar, Malik, Rana, Pandit (Saleem Pandit), etc. and (Punjab): Arora, Bedi, Kapoor, Bjaj, Sahney, Maini, Ahloowalia, etc. In such cases reference to a person by his surname, as Mr. Bhat or Mr. Arora does not indicate whether the person under reference is a Hindu, a Muslim or a Sikh.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Bhatt, Saligram (2008). Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace: Proceedings of National Seminar by Kashmir Education Culture & Science Society (K.E.C.S.S.), New Delhi. APH Publishing. p. 134. ISBN 978-81-313-0402-0. With the advent of Islam many such Dara's had converted and to differentiate themselves from Brahmin Dara's, convertee's modified it to Dar while Brahmins persisted with Dhar. ... It is essential to understand that Dhar and Dar is question of writing these in then prevalent script Sharda (then Upbrahmbasha), which could have introduced this subtle discrepancy in pronunciation more so if it was uttered in Sanskrit, which got distorted while speaking Kashmeeri.
  9. ↑ Saligram Bhatt; Jānakīnātha Kaula (2004). Kashmiri Pandits, a cultural heritage. Lancer Book. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2007. Incidentally it may be stated that many Kashmiri Muslims still have the surnames of the pandits, like Kaul, Bhatt, Pandit, Dar, etc. With the accession to throne of Hari Singh in 1925, the State was given a 'new look'.
  10. ↑ "Dhar Name Meaning & Dhar Family History at Ancestry.com". Ancestry. Indian (West Bengal) and Bangladeshi: Kayastha name probably based on Bengali dhar 'credit' (Sanskrit uddhāra 'deliverance').
  11. ↑ Saligram Bhatt (2008). Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace. A.P.H. Publishing Corporation. ISBN 9788131304020. Retrieved 25 March 2007. A recent article by a Kashmeeri writer has propounded that Dhar's were those who migrated to Gauda {Bengal} and retained their Dhar surname once they returned to the valley.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Saligram Bhatt (2008). Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace. A.P.H. Publishing Corporation. ISBN 9788131304020. Retrieved 25 March 2007. The genesis in outline is that Dhar was the honorific given to a village head, strongman or a warlord of smaller jagir/estate; called Dara pronounced as Dhara. This honorific was prevalent during 12th Century {Jaisimha} and continue to be used till about 14th Century.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Saligram Bhatt (2008). Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace. A.P.H. Publishing Corporation. ISBN 9788131304020. Retrieved 25 March 2007. The genesis in outline is that Dhar was the honorific given to a village head, strongman or a warlord of smaller jagir/estate; called Dara pronounced as Dhara. This honorific was prevalent during 12th Century {Jaisimha} and continue to be used till about 14th Century.
  14. ↑ Barbara Anne Brower; Barbara Rose Johnston (15 September 2007). Disappearing peoples?: indigenous groups and ethnic minorities in South and Central Asia. Left Coast Press. ISBN 9781598741209. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2007. Their surnames (kram) designate their original professions or their ancestors' nicknames (eg, Hakim, Kaul, Dhar, Raina, ...
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Kalhaṇa (1900). Kalhaṇa's Rājataraṅgiṇī: A Chronicle of the Kings of Kaśmīr. Kulhana. p. 126. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  16. ↑ Kalhana (1989). Kalhana's Rajatarangini: A Chronicle of the Kings of Kashmir: Vol 1 & 2. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 505. ISBN 978-81-208-0370-1. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  17. ↑ Explore Kashmiri Pandits. Bansi Pandit. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-9634798-6-0. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  18. ↑ Bakshi, S. R. (1997). Kashmir: History and People. Sarup & Sons. p. 138. ISBN 978-81-85431-96-3. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  19. ↑ P.K. Kaul (2006). Pahāṛi and other tribal dialects of Jammu, Volume 1. Eastern Book Linkers. ISBN 9788178541013. The But/Butt of Punjab were originally Brahmin migrants from Kashmir during 1878 famine.
  20. ↑ Bakshi, Shiri Ram (1997). Kashmir: Valley and Its Culture. Sarup & Sons. p. 231. ISBN 978-81-85431-97-0. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  21. ↑ Parmu, R. K. (1969). A History of Muslim Rule in Kashmir, 1320-1819. People's Publishing House. pp. 186, 189. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
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