Bilaspur History: Complete Guide to Bilaspur District History

Mastering Bilaspur history is essential for anyone tackling Himachal Pradesh administrative examinations. Originally founded as the princely state of Kehlur by Bir Chand, this region boasts a complex timeline of Rajput dynasties, strategic alliances, and vital administrative reforms. From the ancient establishment of Fort Kot Kehlur to the progressive era of Raja Anand Chand, these notes break down the most critical dates, rulers, and territorial shifts. Dive into this comprehensive timeline to strengthen your regional studies and streamline your exam preparation for Bilaspur history.

Kehlur (Bilaspur) State: Origins & Overview

• Founder: Bir Chand.
• Name Origin: The fort Kot Kehlur was named after Kehlu Gurjar. According to legend, his goat miraculously defeated a leopard on a stone slab at this site.
• Key Deity/Temple: A Durga idol discovered at the site was consecrated, leading to the establishment of the Naina Devi Temple.
• Historical Sources: Twarikh-i-Rajputana Mulk-i-Punjab (authored by Thakur Kahn Singh & Binod), which records the Bilaspur history starting from 697 A.D.
• Early Administration: The area was initially governed by petty Ranas and Thakurs, a period where succession was primarily decided by brute force.

Raja Bir Chand (c. 900 A.D.)

• Identity: The recognized founder of the Bilaspur (Kehlur) state. He was a Chandel Rajput originating from Chanderi, Bundelkhand.
• Family & Kingdom Expansion: His brothers also established distinct territories:
  • Gambir: Founded the Chanehni state.
  • Kabir: Founded a state in Kumaun.
• Military Conquests: Successfully conquered and brought 15 neighboring states under his suzerainty. These included: Baghal, Kunihar, Beja, Dhami, Keonthal, Kuthar, Jubbal, Baghat, Bhajji, Mahlog, Mangal, and Balson.
• Key Establishments:
  • Built the famous Naina Devi Temple on Dhar Naina Devi and founded his capital directly below the hill.
  • Established the Fort Kot Kehlur (Note: Some historical sources alternately attribute the founding of this fort to Raja Kahal Chand).

Raja Ajit Chand

• Hindur (Nalagarh) Dynasty: Recognized as the founder of the Hindur state, though some historical sources suggest he installed his brother, Suchet Chand, to rule it.

Raja Sangar Chand (1197–1220)

• Legacy & Lineage: His seven sons went on to found seven distinct Rajput families: Darol, Jhandwal, Sangwal, Ghal, Nanglu, Meghari, and Dohkli.

Raja Megh Chand

• Exile: Forced into exile in Kullu due to an uprising against his tyrannical rule.
• Restoration: Successfully regained the throne of Bilaspur with the military assistance of the Delhi Sultan, Iltutmish (who ruled from 1211 to 1236).

Raja Abhisand Chand

• Era: Ruled as a contemporary of the Delhi Sultan, Sikandar Lodhi.
• Military Encounters: Successfully defeated the Amir, Tatar Khan, in battle. However, he was later treacherously assassinated by Tatar Khan’s son in revenge.

Raja Sampuran Chand (c. 1380)

• Demise: Assassinated by his own younger brother, Ratan Chand, in a violent dispute over the throne.

Raja Ratan Chand (c. 1400)

• Reign & Diplomacy: Assumed power after killing his brother and maintained cordial, stable relations with the Delhi Sultanate during his rule.

Raja Gyan Chand (or Ayam Chand, c. 1570)

• Era: Ruled as a contemporary of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
• Religious Conversion: Converted to Islam under the influence of the Mughal Viceroy of Sirhind.
• Tomb: His tomb is located at Kiratpur in Punjab.
• Family & Succession:
  • His sons, Rama and Bhima, also converted to Islam.
  • His son Bik Chand chose to remain a Hindu and fled across the Sutlej River to take refuge in Sunhani.
  • Bik Chand later married the daughter of Kangra’s Raja Trilok Chand and eventually returned to succeed Gyan Chand on the throne.

Raja Kalian Chand (c. 1630)

• Alliances: Married the daughter of Raja Shyam Sen of Suket.
• Hindur Conflict: Provoked a conflict by building a fort on the Hindur border. He fought and killed the Raja of Hindur in battle, but honorably ensured the protection of the slain Raja’s widow and infant child.
• Death: Mortally wounded in battle alongside the Suketi Raja. He succumbed to his injuries at a location now known as ‘Kalian Chand di-dwari’ (the cave of Kalian Chand).

Raja Tara Chand (c. 1645)

• Architectural Contributions: Built the Taragarh Fort within the territory of Hindur.

Raja Dip Chand (1650–1656 A.D.)

• Capital Shift: Relocated the capital from Sunhani to Vyasgufa, situated on the left bank of the Sutlej River.
• Foundations: Built the ‘Dholra’ palace and officially founded Biaspur (which eventually evolved into modern Bilaspur) , a major turning point in Bilaspur history.
• Social Etiquette (Salutes Fixed): Formalized court greetings and social hierarchies:
  • “Jai Deva” for the Raja.
  • “Jai” for Mians (Rajput nobles).
  • “Ram-Ram” for Ranas.
• Invasion (1656): Defeated and forced into submission by Sikh forces.
• Death: Treacherously poisoned at Nadaun by Raja Chander Bhan Chand of Kangra.

Raja Bhim Chand (c. 1667 A.D.)

• Early Reign: Ascended the throne as a minor. His tyrannical Wazir, Manak Chand, was dismissed from power by the Queen Mother, Jalal Devi.
• Rebellion Defeated: Successfully repulsed an attack at Jaboth led by the exiled Manak Chand and Kangra forces, heavily relying on military aid from Raja Sidh Sen of Mandi.
• Sikh Conflicts: Engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Sikhs and was defeated by Guru Gobind Singh on three notable occasions:
  • 1682
  • 1685 (Fought alongside allied forces from Guler and Kangra).
  • 1700 (Fought alongside Raja Alam Chand of Kangra).
• Later Life: Abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Ajmer Chand. He spent his final years living as a Faqir (ascetic) until his death around 1712 A.D.

Raja Ajmer Chand (c. 1712 A.D.)

• Architectural Contributions: Built the Ajmergarh Fort within the territory of Hindur.

Raja Devi Chand (1741–1778 A.D.)

• Hindur Intervention: Deeply involved in the politics of neighboring Hindur. He installed Gaje Singh as the Raja of Hindur following the death of Man Chand, and granted the Ramgarh Fort to Bejai Chand of Hindur.
• Military Diplomacy & Aid: * Provided military assistance to Raja Ghamand Chand of Kangra to repel an invasion by Abhai Chand of Jaswan.
  • In a later shift of diplomacy, he helped restore the same Abhai Chand to his throne in Jaswan.
• Territory & Contemporaries: Successfully recovered state territories that had been previously annexed by the Mughals. He ruled during a turbulent era as a contemporary of the Persian invader Nadir Shah and Adina Begh Khan (the Nawab of Jalandhar).
• Built: Constructed the Fort of ‘Bhamaikot’.

Raja Mahan Chand (1778–1824 A.D.)

• Regency: Succeeded to the throne as a minor. The state administration was managed by key Wazirs, including Ramu (from the Darol family), Bairagi Ram (a former Wazir of Mandi), and Zorawar Chand.
• Kangra Invasion (1795): Faced a major invasion when Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra occupied Chauki Hatwar and constructed the ‘Chhatipur’ fort on Dhar Janjrar.
• Failed Defenses: Attempts to repel Sansar Chand failed disastrously:
  • Raja Dharam Parkash of Sirmaur was killed in battle while coming to Bilaspur’s aid.
  • Sikh Sardars Gurdit Singh and Desa Singh from Anandpur were also defeated and killed trying to assist.
• Gurkha Alliance (1805): In desperation, Mahan Chand invited the Gurkha commander Amar Singh Thapa to intervene against Kangra. The Gurkha forces successfully defeated Raja Sansar Chand at Mahal Morian (Hamirpur).
• Sikh Interventions: *
  • In 1808, Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed the territories of Hathawat, Jahanbhari, and Dharkot.
  • In 1809, Ranjit Singh’s forces liberated Kangra from the Gurkhas.
• Later Losses (1819): Combined forces of Desa Singh Majithia and Raja Sansar Chand captured the Bilaspur forts of ‘Pichrota’, ‘Nihalgarh’, and ‘Biholi’.

Raja Kharak Chand

he ruled prior to 1839 and died childless, sparking a succession crisis in Bilaspur history.

Raja Jagat Chand (1839–1857 A.D.)

• Accession (1839): Officially installed on the throne after his predecessor, Raja Kharak Chand, died without an heir.
• Succession Conflict: Forced to flee to Hindur when Kharak Chand’s widowed Rani launched an attack—backed by the armies of Sirmaur and Suket—to seize the throne on behalf of her newborn son.
• Restoration: Eventually reinstated to power with the intervention of the British Political Agent at Ambala and military support from Raja Ram Saran of Hindur.
• Territory Recovery (1847): Successfully recovered lands situated on the right bank of the Sutlej River that had previously been annexed by the Sikhs in 1809.

Raja Hira Chand (1857–1882 A.D.)

• 1857 Revolt: Provided crucial support to the British during the 1857 uprising. In recognition of his loyalty, he was rewarded with an 11-gun salute.
• Era of Prosperity: His reign is widely remembered and celebrated as the ‘golden age’ of the Bilaspur state.
• Administration & Reforms: * Wazir: Appointed Mian Bhangi Purgnia as his Wazir.
  • Revenue Reforms (1863): Overhauled the taxation system by shifting land revenue from a pure “in-kind” system (taking 1/3rd of the produce) to a modernized mixed cash and kind system.
• Territory Restored: Successfully regained control over the ‘Based Bachhretu’ strip in 1867, as well as the Doab region (which had been ceded to the British by the Sikhs in 1846).
• Death (1882): Fell severely ill during a visit to Shimla. He passed away at ‘Mahol’ while being transported back to his capital in a palki (palanquin).

Raja Amar Chand (1883–1888 A.D.)

• Accession: Officially installed on the throne by the Deputy Commissioner of Shimla in January 1883.
• Internal Conflict: His reign was notably marked by a public revolt protesting his revenue administration.
• Language Policy (1885): Enacted a mandate requiring all official case records to be maintained in ‘Nagari’ (Hindi script).
• Infrastructure & Development: Opened new schools and hospitals, and commissioned the construction of a suspension bridge across the Sutlej River.

Raja Bijai Chand (Installed 1889 A.D.)

• Administrative Reforms: Modernized the administration by introducing court fees and non-judicial stamps. He also established a piped water supply system for Bilaspur town.
• Architectural Contributions: Built the ‘Rang Mahal’ palace in Bilaspur and a summer house at ‘Bahadurpur’. He also constructed royal residences in Varanasi and Haridwar.
• 1901 Revolt & Exile: Faced a significant uprising by the Chandel Rajputs in 1901. Deeply depressed by the lack of cooperation from his officers, he handed over the state administration to Lala Hari Chand (a retired Tehsildar whom he appointed as Wazir) and went into self-exile in Varanasi.
• Interim Administration: Starting in 1903, Rai Sahib Mian Amar Singh managed the state with high efficiency. When the Raja finally returned in 1908, he officially appointed Mian Amar Singh as his Wazir.
• World War I (1914–1918): Lent crucial support to the British war effort. In recognition, he was awarded the K.C.I.E. (Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire) and given the honorary rank of Major.

Raja Anand Chand (1928–1948 A.D.)

• Education: Received his formal education at Mayo College in Ajmer.
• Social Reforms (1942 Act): Implemented progressive social policies that officially abolished child marriage and the exploitative practice of begar (forced labor). He also introduced prohibition in the state.
• Infrastructure: Built the Shri Gopalji Temple and a new royal Palace (which was subsequently submerged following the construction of the Bhakra Dam). He also expanded the road network, building routes to Suket and Mandi.
• Post-Independence Integration: Signed the Instrument of Accession to India, allowing Bilaspur to retain its independent identity as a Part ‘C’ State within the Indian Union.
• Chief Commissioner: Served as the first Chief Commissioner of Bilaspur from October 1948 until April 1949, when he handed over the administrative charge to Sri Chand Chhabra.
• Himachal Pradesh Merger: Bilaspur was ultimately merged into Himachal Pradesh as its fifth district on July 1, 1954.
• Political Career: Maintained a highly successful democratic career post-royalty, serving as a Member of the Constituent Assembly (1947–1948), the Lok Sabha (1952–1957), the Rajya Sabha (1964–1970), and the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (1977–1982).
• Literary Contribution: Authored the historical book, “Bilaspur Past, Present and Future”