Saraz region


Saraz or Siraj is a hilly region located in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. Traditionally, it was a Pargana in Kishtwar Province. The region is classified majorly on the basis of linguistics where the majority of people speak Sarazi as their mother tongue.

About and Demographics

Saraz is a rural area, located on right bank of Chenab river which includes its district headquarter Doda district. The areas on the left bank of river are geographically located in Bhaderwah area.
Saraz is a large area, known for Sarazi dialect spoken here. It includes various villages such as Rajgarh, Ganika, Bhagwah, Dessa, Kashtigarh, Koti, Bhangra, Bijarani, Mahalla, Kulhand, Malwana, Jodhpur, Babor, Jatheli, Bharat and Udayanpur.

History

In the past, Doda was largely inhabited by Sarazi population before people started settling there from Kashmir and other adjoining areas. The reasons for Kashmiri population settling in Saraz during the 17th and 18th centuries is a matter on which historians disagree. However Sumantra Bose says it was repression by feudal class that drew people to the district of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar. The northern side of Doda district borders with the erstwhile Anantnag district of the Kashmir region. People often migrated from Kashmir to Saraz area whenever there were famines in Kashmir. Hindus of this region speak Sarazi, Muslims speak Kashmiri, while Muslims can also speak Sarazi.
This sociocultural region is united by its local language Sarazi. According to linguist Grierson, Sarazi is a dialect of Kashmiri. But locals of the region believe that it has little match with Kashmiri. Sarazi is widely spoken in the region.