Other Spellings / Synonyms : Dogras, Dogra Community, Dogri people
Religion : Hinduism
Language : Dogri - similar to the Hindko language of Mirpur and is related to the Punjabi language
Regional Spread : Jammu, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab in India. Dogris are also present in Pakistan.
Population : Close to 1 million
Food Habits : Wheat, maize and Bajra are staple food of Dogra people. Non vegetarian food is limited to Rajputs and Vaish (Mahajans). Their favorite dish include 'Mitha Madra' , 'Ambal' and 'Khatta Meat' - mutton cooked with sour pomegranate seeds or lime juice and flavored with fumes of a burning charcoal soaked in mustard oil.
Marriage Preference : Wheat, maize and Bajra are staple food of Dogra people. Non vegetarian food is limited to Rajputs and Vaish (Mahajans). Their favorite dish include 'Mitha Madra' , 'Ambal' and 'Khatta Meat' - mutton cooked with sour pomegranate seeds or lime juice and flavored with fumes of a burning charcoal soaked in mustard oil.
Related Ethnic Groups : Other Indo-Aryans - Rajputs, Punjabis, Kashmiris, Seraikis, Hindko
People speaking Dogri are called Dogras. The Dogra culture is descended from that of the Indo-Aryans who settled in and became the main population of India. Dogras are divided into castes on the same lines as Hindus in other parts of India, but have local variations.
The Dogras are known for their valour. The Dogra Regiment was among the regiments of the British Indian Army and made significant contributions in both the world wars. At Independence, it became an infantry regiment of the Indian Army composed largely but not exclusively of the Dogra people. The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, another regiment of the Indian Army, consisting of mainly Dogras was formed out of the former army of the Kingdom of Jammu & Kashmir after it was absorbed into the Indian Army.