The Wheels of Tradition Turn Again: Jammu Welcomes a Partial Darbar Move

For generations, it was a rhythm of life in Jammu and Kashmir, a grand, if sometimes bewildering, ballet of bureaucracy: the Darbar Move. And after a hiatus of some four years, you could say the wheels are, at least partially, beginning to turn once more. Come Monday, November 4th, the hum of official activity returns to Jammu, with key government offices swinging their doors open again. It’s a return that feels, for many, both familiar and — dare we say — a little bit surprising.

Think about it: this was a practice, a really old one, initiated by Maharaja Gulab Singh way back in 1872. Its purpose? To allow the administration to shift between Srinagar in the summer and Jammu during the harsh winter months. A grand, almost regal procession, involving thousands of employees, files, and all the paraphernalia of governance. It became, in truth, more than just a logistical exercise; it was an ingrained part of the region's identity, a tangible link to its princely past.

But then, life, as it often does, intervened. In 2020, the union territory administration, citing immense financial burdens — hundreds of crores annually, if you can believe it — and the logistical nightmares, especially exacerbated by the global pandemic, decided to hit pause. The move, this venerable tradition, was suspended. A year later, in 2021, the government even declared it would cease altogether, positioning it as a modern, efficient step forward, saving public money and reducing disruption. And honestly, it made a lot of sense on paper.

Yet, here we are. It’s not quite the full-blown, all-encompassing Darbar Move of yesteryear, not yet anyway. What we're witnessing is more of a strategic, partial reopening. Key departments, particularly within the Jammu secretariat, are preparing to welcome staff and resume operations. The General Administration Department, for one, has already set the ball rolling, issuing directives to ensure a smooth transition. Security arrangements, naturally, are being beefed up, and everything points to a meticulous, if somewhat understated, return.

So, what does it mean? Perhaps it’s a recognition that some aspects of the old ways, perhaps those tied to the efficiency of specific regional operations, still hold value. Or maybe it’s a subtle nod to the historical and cultural expectations that, for some, remain deeply rooted. Whatever the precise motivations, this partial re-establishment of the Darbar Move isn't just a bureaucratic announcement; it's a living echo of a long-held tradition, adapting, evolving, and finding its place in a changing landscape.