Devki Arya Putri Pathshalla (D.A.P.P) was established in the year 1910 in Punjabi Mohalla Maisuma, Srinagar by Late Smt. Devki Devi Chandhok. Founded on the principle of educating the girl child, the school had a humble begening with initial enrolment of 35 students hailing from underprivelaged families mostly below poverty line. At a time when women's education was uncommon owing to patriarchal opression and subordination being internalized and accepted by indian women as a way of life, the establishment of an educational institution primarily dedicated the cause of promoting education amongst the girls of the poorest of the poor was clearly a step in the direction of a more egalitarian society for women. Orphans & Girls of the economically and socially marginalized communities were taught free of cost and signigicant provisions were made for their books and uniform. However, there was no compromise on the quality of the education provided and gradually even the daughters of affluent families took admission.

In the year 1954, Devki Ji's son Late Shri Jaidev Chandhok founded the Sangeet Mahavidyalay in order to inculcate the spirit of holistic education inclusive of extra-curricular activities. This was a music institute wherin renowned musicisn of kashmir Late Pt. Shambhunath Sopori Ji was invited to train the students in indian classical music. Many famous musicians of today started their career at the Sangeet Mahavidyalay established by late Shri Jaidev Chandhok under the tutelage of Pandit Sopori Ji.

During the Anti-Sikh riots of 1984, the school was burnt to ashes following which Late Shri Vikram Kumar Chandhok (Grandson of Snt. Devki Ji and Son of Shri Jaidev Chandhok) rebuilt the school and brought it to present structure. With the begening of the era of militancy in kashmir in 1990, the school did not close for even a single day despite several threats. This is a testimony to the bravery of the then principal Late Smt. Prakashvati Kaur who kept the school functioning everyday despite all odds. The strength of the school was that of 1100 Girls then.

Even today, the school consists of about 500 students and is a co-educational institution including both boys and girls. There has also been addition of a toddler's wing. The school now consists of a dedicated team of 30 teachers, teaching all academic subjects across all academic subjects across a spectrum of disciplines as well as several extra-curricular activities including visual & performing arts, sports, NCC and so on. Since 2005, Smt. Veena Chandhok (Grand Daughter in law of Devki Ji and wife of Shri Vikram Kumar Chandhok) has been managing the school as the chairperson and trustee of Arya Samaj Trust, despite the continuing volatile situation of political instablity and hostility in the valley.