Do you know about the Jadhs of Nelong valley? If not, this blog is for you! The Jadhs were a semi-nomadic tribe that lived in the Nelong valley before the Sino-India war in 1962. This valley was the hub of a central trade route. The Jadhs were expert traders and used their resources to build one of the unique trading guilds. 

By reading this blog, you will gain knowledge of the people who lived in the Nelong valley. Also, you will learn about their culture, work, and lifestyle. Soak up all the details contained herein and enjoy!

The Jadhs of Nelong valley.

The people of Jadh in Nelong are the actual dwellers of the valley along the river Janhvi or Jadhganga. They are a semi-nomadic tribe mixed with Tibetan-origin Bhotias. The Jadhs live in two villages – Nelong (3819 m) and Jadhung (3727 m). The villages are compact, unlike the Gujjars, who roamed around. The Jadhs are sturdy and peaceful people engaged in farming, livestock breeding, and trade. They are also known for their excellent weaving skills.

The Bhotias.

The Bhotias mainly rely on their forest surroundings for their everyday needs. Bod is the native name of the tribe in Tibet. Over many centuries and usage, Bod became Bhot and now Bhotia. Apart from Tibet and Nepal, the Bhotia tribes dwell in the Himalayan range of the Indian states. They live in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh. The Bhotias split into eight sub-groups (as per Singh 1994), of which Jad or Jadh society is one.

How do they live in harsh terrain?

The Jadh people of Nelong valley are hardy, living in the harshest terrain. Located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, Jadhung and Nelong are two main villages. The Jadhs and Tibetan Bhotias maintained good relations with each other. Viewing the harsh climatic conditions and mostly infertile and thin topsoil, the Jadhs grew one crop yearly during the warmer months. Their main crops were potatoes, mustard, and radish. Apart from farming, they spent time in animal husbandry.

They used to rear flocks of sheep and migrate to the plains during the winter months. While the men raised the sheep, women spent time spinning the wool into yarn. Back then, the Jadhs had built a trading culture with Tibet that we will discuss in detail in the next blog.

The cultural value of the people in Nelong valley.

The people of Nelong valley are of significant cultural and linguistic value. They are a Rajput community divided into subcastes of Negi, Bhandari, Guruyata, Rawat, Rana, and Risala. Marriages among these subcastes are common. Also, they kept a close social and economic affinity with the Bushahris of Himachal Pradesh. The Jadhs and Bhotias have typical Mongoloid features. They speak the Jad dialect along with Himachali and Garhwali dialects. The people of the valley are Buddhists and Hindus practicing their respective rituals. The Jads celebrate the Buddhist New Year Losar; while also professing religion in many Hindu deities and rituals.

Tradition and Migration of the Jadhs.

The Jadh people of Nelong valley were a classic community of sheep and goat herders who lived in the Janhvi valley of Uttarkashi. Their lifestyle and way of life changed vastly post the 1962 war with China. After the war, many Jadhs migrated to settlements in Bagori (Barari) near Harsil and Dunda near Uttarkashi. Today, the Jadh people are a small but integral community who still lives an orthodox lifestyle, herding sheep and worshipping forest deities. Their migration and pastoral habits speak of their shared identity as Jadhs. And their way of life is a vital part of Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage.

How do I get a permit for Nelong Valley?

To visit Nelong valley, one has to take a permit from the Bhatwari sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in Uttarkashi town. Also, take a pass from Gangotri National Park authorities at Bhaironghati (entrance of Nelong valley).

Where is Nelong valley?

The Nelong Valley lies on the north eastern part of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. This valley shares the border with Tibet, now part of China.

Where do the people of Nelong Valley come from?

The people of Nelong valley are originally from Tibet and migrated to the valley many centuries ago.

Conclusion

The Jadh people of Nelong valley are ancient and enigmatic. They have lived in the harsh and unforgiving terrain of Nelong valley for centuries. Exploring the culture, traditions, migration, and settlement patterns, we gain insights into the vivid way of their lives. Thank you for reading!