We have some history of Dhol. In the dark ages when human being was in the stage of evolution, there existed some natural type of culture. The history shows that about 3,500 years before Christ, there was some tribe that played an instrument. The name of that instrument was AGSA. It was made with stone and leather. Due to weight of the stone, it was very hard to move this instrument to another place. Stone and wood age came almost together, and they started to use wood in place of stone.

There are some hints that Indian music started from the state of Punjab. Goddess of the Indian music is called Sarsvati. In old time, there were seven rivers flowing in the Punjab, and it was named Sapatt-Sindhu. One of these rivers, called Sarsvsati flowed between the towns of Jalandhar and Ludhiana, close to Ghagar, and both these rivers merged.

There are some statues of the Lord Shiva with Dhol, which were found at Ropar in the Punjab. These statues are preserved in Puratin Vibhag, Punjab (department of preserving old things).

With the time, improvements in the construction of Dhol took place, and its current version is available in the market. Presently, mostly the leather has been replaced with plastic, and metal catches are replacing string.

- Bhai Kuljit Singh

Presently, Dhol is used all over India and in many other countries including Africa. The developing people used drums to convey messages, and as well to warn their enemies, and also to dance.

The drum beat had been, and even now is the " war cry". In India, it is used with Kushti (wrestling), and in the Indian frontiers for Taood (run and catch game) etc. Dhol ia an instrument of accompanying the games of strength. In the state of Punjab, it is famous instrument for Bhangra (Punjabi dance), which is more of a harvest dance. The beat of drum boosts morale, and inculcates courage. Sometimes, some use dhol beat to start harveting, and as well to celebrate Baisakhi - harvest festival.

Dhol is a wonderful, all purpose instrument of music, used at all occasions. Marriage parties are also led by it. It is played in many styles. The Dhol-spirit is now catching up in the overseas countries as well, especially in the Punjabi youth.

Beat of the hand by striking on something, or by clapping, and movements of the feet i.e. dancing, are basic and natural (in born) instincts of the man. Striking of hands (clapping or hitting something), and as well of feet e.g. in dancing, themselves serve as fine natural instruments of music expressing rhythm in joy. To accentuate the sound caused by feet, small Ghungroo (band of tinkles - bells) are tied above the ankles.

Dhol, Dholki, Mirdang, Damru - leather bound instruments are related to each other. Sound of drum is included in Anhad (celestial sound - limitless sound naturally produced without any cause i.e. without hitting anything).

Anhad includes five sounds - String instruments (Veena), Charam (leather) instreuments (Dhol etc.), instruments played with breath (Shahnai), Ghan (gong, heavy bell), sound from space (striking empty earthen pot, sound from sea, sound heard through conch). Out of these, different sounds are heard by the people who meditate on God (Naam-Jaap).

Dhol is the most important, basic (primary), as well as leading instrument of music. One form or the other of Dhol accompanies every type of singing including Shabd-Kirtan (devotion singing in the Sikh faith. Dhol is the king of music (orchestra).

- Kulwant Singh Khokhar USA