Baba Jitto — The Faithful Farmer of Dogra Land

In the fertile valleys of Duggar — the ancient land of Jammu — there lived a simple farmer named Jitto. He was a humble, honest man who worked hard on the land of a powerful landlord (zamindar) named Kishore Das.

Every year, Jitto would grow the finest wheat crop, tending the soil with love and prayer. He never missed a day of work, and he always paid his share of the harvest to the landlord. In return, the landlord was supposed to give Jitto and his family enough grain to survive the winter.

One year, the harvest was especially golden — the wheat stalks stood tall and heavy with grain. Jitto's family was joyful, knowing that the winter would be comfortable.

But when harvest time came, Kishore Das refused to give Jitto his fair share. "You get what I give you," the landlord said coldly, "and this year, I give you less."

Jitto's heart broke. His family would go hungry. He went to the landlord and pleaded. He went to the village elders and pleaded. But no one listened to a poor farmer.

Jitto did not give up. He prayed to the Devi (the Goddess) — the mother of all life, the protector of the poor. He fasted and prayed for many days.

And then, in front of witnesses, Jitto made a vow: "If justice will not come in this world, I will offer my own life to the Goddess so that farmers after me may never suffer this injustice."

True to his vow, Baba Jitto offered himself as a sacrifice.

The land trembled. The heavens shook. And from that day, it is said, the ghost of Baba Jitto began to watch over the farmers of Jammu. Landlords who were unjust to their farmers would face misfortune. Those who were fair would prosper.

Every year, on the day of Jitto's sacrifice, farmers across Jammu celebrate the Jhiri Mela near Ramnagar — a great fair held in his honor, beside the banks of the Tawi river. Thousands come to pray, sing folk songs, and remember the brave farmer who gave everything for justice.

And in the hearts of the Dogra people, Baba Jitto lives on — not just as a memory, but as a living presence who still watches over honest farmers to this day.