kangra history

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I. Geographical Extent & Administration

  • Trigarta Definition: The territory drained by three major rivers: Satluj, Beas, and Ravi.
  • Administrative Provinces:
    • Plains Province: Headquarters at Jalandhara (Jullundur).
    • Hills Province: Headquarters at Nagarkot (Kangra).
  • Kingdom Dimensions (second quarter of 7th C. A.D.): According to Hiuen Tsang, it measured 267 miles (East-West) by 213 miles (North-South).

II. Evolution of Nomenclature & Historical Synonyms

  • Nagarkot: Ancient name for Kangra town. Originally applied only to the fort. Mentioned by Alberuni (1017-1031 A.D.).
  • Trigarta: Found in the Mahabharata, Puranas, and Rajtarangini. Historically synonymous with Jalandhara.
  • Susarmapura: Another ancient name for the capital, explicitly mentioned in the Baijnath Eulogies.
  • Bist-Jalandhara: The name recorded in the medieval Ain-i-Akbari.
  • Bhimnagar: Name used by Utbi (Mahmud of Ghazni’s secretary) in Tarikh-i-Yamini.
  • Bhimkot: Name used by the Persian historian Farishta.
  • Bahlikas / Valhikas: Groups with which Jalandhara was identified in ancient times.
  • Kalindarine: The name used by Greek geographer Ptolemy (first historical notice of Jalandhara).

Sources

1. Archaeological (Stone Age Remnants)

  • Rahaur: 52 stone axes found by Dr. G.C. Mahapatra on the banks of the Banganga river.
  • Nandrool: An almond-shaped stone axe found at the confluence of the Banganga and Patalganga rivers.
  • Nadaun: Remnants found on the banks of the Beas river and its tributaries (South of Nurpur).
  • Dehra-Gopipur: Discoveries situated in the Naker Khad.
  • Jamol Village: Located on the Thor Khad.
  • Panjasaran Village: Located on the Sukhar-di-Khad (near Raja Ka – Talab on the Nurpur-Jawali road, 10 km from Jasur).
  • Other Sites: Kuparlahar, Dhawala village.

2. Numismatic (Coin Evidence)

  • Republic Evidence: A 2nd Century B.C. coin bearing the legend ‘Traketa-Janapadsa’ in Brahmi script (with traces of Kharosthi on the obverse) indicates Trigarta was an independent republic.
  • Audumbara Coins: 103 out of a total 360 found in Kangra (near Tripal and Jwalamukhi).
  • Kushana Coins: 4 found in Kanihara.
  • Kuninda Coins: 3 found in Jwalamukhi.
  • (Note: In 1853 A.D., a ship carrying Audumbara and Trigarta coins to London sank near Sri Lanka, losing them forever).

3. Literary Texts & Genealogies

  • The Mahabharata, The Puranas (specifically Padma Purana), Rajtarangini (Kashmiri chronicle), Panini’s Sutras, the Kaushika, and the local Vamshavali. Trigarta is also noted to be repeatedly referred to in Sanskrit literature.

First Historian: Sir A. Cunningham was the first to detail this royal family’s history.

Foreign Travelers

  • Hiuen Tsang (Chinese Pilgrim): Visited Jalandhara in March 635 A.D. (second quarter of the 7th century); stayed for 4 months as a guest of Raja Utito (perhaps Adima). Stopped there again on his return journey in 643 A.D.
  • Alberuni / Abu Rihan (1017–1031 A.D.): Recorded the route from Kannauj to Kashmir passing through Pinjor via Dhamala/Dhameri (Nurpur). He described Dhameri as the capital of Jalandhara at the foot of the mountains and also explicitly used the ancient name “Nagarkot.”
  • European Travelers (Chronological Order):
    • Thomas Coryat: 1615 A.D.
    • Thevenot: 1666 A.D.
    • Foster: 1783 A.D. (Passed through outer hills only; did not visit Kangra).
    • Moorcraft: 1832 A.D. (Passed through outer hills only; did not visit Kangra).
    • Vigne: 1835 A.D.

Mythological Origins (The Legend of Jalandhara)

  • The Progenitor: Region named after Jalandhara, a Danava (demon) born of the Ganges and the Ocean. Sourced from the Padma Purana. His wife was Vrinda/Bindra.
  • Demise Legends: Killed by Lord Shiva (another version cites Vishnu).
  • Geographical Mapping (Jalandhara Tirath): His body covered a circuit of 48 kos (64 miles).
    • Head: North of Beas.
    • Mouth: Jwalamukhi.
    • Torso: Between the Beas and Satluj rivers.
    • Back: Underneath Jalandhara district.
    • Feet: Multan.
  • Kangra Valley Confinement Variant:
    • Top of Head: Nandikeshwara Mahadeva temple at Jindrangal (on the Neugal river).
    • Head: Mukteshwar temple in Sinsol village (near Baijnath).
    • One Hand: Left bank of Beas, South of Jwalamukhi.
  • Bindravan: Pine forests between Jindrangal and Palampur, named after his wife.
  • Note: All major pilgrimage sites lie North of the Beas, with the sole exception of Kalesar.

Chronological History (Pre-Mauryan to Medieval)

I. Mythological Foundations & The Katoch Lineage

  • Bhuma Chand (The First Raja): * The mythical founder of the Katoch dynasty.
    • Legend states he sprang from the perspiration of the goddess at Kangra.
    • Crucial Note: There is a complete historical gap in the records; no other Rajas are mentioned between Bhuma Chand and Susharma.
  • Susharma Chandra (234th King):
    • considered as King Susharma from the Mahabharata.
    • Epic Role: Sided with the Kauravas and attacked King Virata of Matasyadesa.
    • Original Seat: Multan.
    • Post-War Actions: Retreated to Jalandhara after the great war and founded the legendary Kangra Fort.

II. Ancient History & Early References

  • 5th Century B.C. (Earliest Historical Mention):
    • Recorded in Panini’s writings.
    • Trigarta is described as an ‘Ayudhyajivi Sangha’ (a martial republican tribe).
  • Trigarta-Shashthas:
    • A confederacy of six members mentioned by Panini and the Kaushika.
    • The six members: (1) Kaundopartha, (2) Dandaki, (3) Raushokti, (4) Jalamani, (5) Brahmagupta, (6) Janaki.
    • Status: These confederacies remain unidentified in modern history.
  • 326 B.C. (Alexander’s Invasion):
    • Alexander’s triumphant march was halted at Murthal by Punjabis led by Porus.
  • 1st Century A.D.:
    • The earliest events relating specifically to Trigarta during this era are mentioned in Farishta’s history.
  • Kashmiri Dominance (Sourced from Rajtarangini):
    • A.D. 470: Sreshtha Sena (Raja of Kashmir) bestowed the land of Trigarta.
    • A.D. 520: Praversena II (Kashmir) officially conquered Trigarta.
  • 7th Century A.D. (Harsha’s Suzerainty):
    • During the visits of Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (635 & 643 A.D.), Trigarta was a subject state of King Harsha Vardhana of Kannauj.

III. Medieval History & Major Invasions

  • A.D. 883–903 (Kashmiri Expedition):
    • Sankara Varman (Raja of Kashmir) launched an expedition against Gurajara (Gujarat).
    • He was actively opposed by Prithvi Chandra (Raja of Trigarta), who was acting as an ally to Gurajara.
  • A.D. 1009 (Invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni):
    • A.D. 997: Mahmud of Ghazni succeeded his father.
    • A.D. 1001: Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India for the first time.
    • A.D. 1009: Mahmud’s 4th expedition.
    • Defeated Anand Pal (ruler of Ohind and Lahore) on the banks of the Indus river.
    • Advanced into Punjab and laid siege to Nagarkot (called Bhimnagar at the time).
    • Defeated Brahman Pal (son of Anand Pal).
    • Captured the fort and looted its immense wealth(as per Ferishta).
    • A.D. 1009 (Contemporary Ruler): The Katoch Raja at the time of this invasion was Jagdish Chand (436th in descent from Bhuma Chand, 202nd from Susharma Chand).
  • A.D. 1009 – 1043: A Mohammedan garrison left by Mahmud held possession of the Nagarkot fort.
  • A.D. 1030–1040: Ananta Deva (Raja of Kashmir) married two daughters of Katoch ruler Indu Chandra. (Note: This is the last reference to Kangra in the Rajtarangini).
  • A.D. 1043: The Raja of Delhi (Tomar line) marched against the Mohammedan garrison commanded by Modud (Mahmud’s grandson).
    • Nagarkot was liberated after a 4-month siege.
  • A.D. 1051–1052: Abdul Rashid (son of Mahmud) appointed Hashtagin Hajib as Governor of Punjab.
    • Hashtagin Hajib recaptured the Nagarkot fort.
  • 1060: The Kangra Rajas successfully recovered the fort from Mohammedan control.
  • A.D. 1170: The state of Kangra remained entirely undivided up to this year.
    • Padam Chand was the ruling Raja.
    • His younger brother, Parab Chand, separated and founded the offshoot state of Jaswan.
  • 1200–1220 (The Baijnath Inscriptions):
    • Source: Two inscribed slabs at the Shiva temple, Baijnath (Kangra valley).
    • Ancient Names: The temple was originally called Vaidyanath; the surrounding village was Kiragrama.
    • Local Ruler: Lakshman Chandra (Rana of Kiragrama).
    • Paramount Ruler: Jaya Chandra (Raja of Trigarta).

Kangra During the Tughlaq Dynasty

1. Raja Prithvi Chand (A.D. 1330)

  • 1337 A.D.: Kangra fort was captured by Mohammed Tughlaq (ruled 1325–1351).
  • Numismatics: He is the first Raja of Kangra whose coins exist in abundant numbers.

2. Raja Parab Chand (A.D. 1345)

  • Delhi Transition: During his reign (in 1351 A.D.), Mohammed Tughlaq died and was succeeded by Firoz Shah Tughlaq.

3. Raja Rup Chand (A.D. 1360 – 1375)

  • 1365 A.D. Siege: nagarkot Fort besieged by Firoz Shah Tughlaq for six months. Firoz Shah established sovereignty over Nagarkot by accepting Rup Chand’s submission.
  • Military Raids: Rup Chand famously plundered the plains almost up to the gates of Delhi.
  • Kashmir Encounter: On his return from Delhi with booty, he encountered Shahab-ud-din of Kashmir (1363–86 A.D.). Rup Chand surrendered his spoils and swore loyalty to him.
  • Literary Mention: Rup Chand’s name is recorded in the Dharam Chand Natak (written by Manik Chand in 1562 A.D.).
  • Firoz Shah at Jwalamukhi Temple:
    • Controversy: Legends claim Firoz broke idols and defiled them with cow flesh. However, the official text Tarikh-i-Ferozshahi makes zero mention of this.
    • The Library Loot: Firoz Shah took possession of a library containing 1300 books from the temple.
    • Translation: The famous writer Izzudin Khalid Khani translated these books into Persian verse.
    • Book Title: The translated work was named “Dalail-i-Firozshahi”.

4. Raja Sangara Chand (A.D. 1375 – 1390)

  • The Tughlaq Succession Crisis (1387 A.D.): Firoz Tughlaq’s eldest son, Nasir-ud-din, was driven from power by his cousins.
  • Asylum in Kangra: Prince Nasir-ud-din fled to Sirmaur and eventually sought safe refuge in Nagarkot,
  • Restoration: He remained safely in Nagarkot until the end of 1389 A.D., before being recalled to Delhi to occupy the throne in August 1390 under the title Mohammed Tughlaq.

Megh Chand & Timur’s Invasion (1390 )

  • Raja Megh Chand (1390 A.D.): Ruled during Timur-i-Lang’s 1398 A.D. Mongol raids.
  • Source: Timur’s memoirs, Malfuzat-i-Timuri.
  • 1399 A.D. Route of Timur : Delhi → Meerut → Haridwar.
  • Nagarkot: Timur wished to capture it but failed to penetrate the interior hills (remained uncaptured).
  • Plundered Towns by Timur : Pathankot and Nurpur (ancient name: Dhameri).
  • Hindur (Nalagarh): Ruled by Chief Alan Chand (1356–1406 A.D.) when Timur plundered the lower Sirmaur Hills.

Hari Chand-I & Foundation of Guler (1405 A.D.)

  • Incident: Fell into a well while hunting near HARSAR.
  • Presumed Dead: Ranis committed Sati; younger brother Karam Chand crowned Kangra Raja.
  • Foundation of Guler: Left Kangra to his brother. Founded Haripur fort/town at the junction of Banganga, Kurali, and Neugal rivers.
  • Protocol: Guler takes ceremonial precedence over Kangra (founded by the elder brother).

Suvira Chand (1480 A.D.)

  • Birth: Born en route in a Kumhar’s (potter’s) hut while his mother fled towards Poona fearing succession conspiracies.later Reclaimed the Kangra throne

KANGRA KINGS DURING MUGHAL PERIOD

Ram Chand (1510 A.D.)

  • Contemporary Era: Ruled during the Lodhi Dynasty and Babur’s invasion of Delhi.

Dharam Chand (1528 A.D.)

  • Suri Attack (1540 A.D.): Sher Shah Suri ordered his general, Khawas Khan, to capture Nagarkot.
  • Administration after capture : Sikandar Shah Sur was made Punjab ruler and Hamid Khan Kakar was allegedly made in-charge of Nagarkot, Jawali, Dadhwal, and Jammu Hills (stationed at Malot fort).
  • Submission to Akbar (1556 A.D.): Dharam Chand formally submitted to Akbar upon the emperor’s advance into the hills.
  • Siege of Maukot (1557 A.D.):
    • Akbar attacked Sikandar Shah Sur (Punjab ruler/Sher Shah’s nephew).
    • Sikandar sought refuge in Maukot fortress (Mau hills, between Pathankot and Nurpur).
    • Surrendered after an 8-month siege (July 1557).
    • Exiled to Bengal; assigned Bihar and Kharid as jagirs.

Jai Chand (1570 A.D.) & Akbar’s Era

  • Arrest (1570 A.D.): Jai Chand arrested on Akbar’s orders (executed by Ram Chand of Guler).Akbar granted Kangra as a jagir to Raja Birbal.
  • Bidhi Chand’s Revolt (1572 A.D.): Jai Chand’s minor son revolted.
  • Mughal Expedition: Army led by Khan Jahan Hussain Quli Khan (Viceroy of Punjab) and Birbal marched via Pathankot & Dhameri (Nurpur).
  • Nurpur (Dhameri) Status: Former Raja Bakht Mal executed (1556 A.D.) by Bairam Khan. His brother, Takht Mal, stayed strictly neutral in 1572.
  • Kotla Fort: (12 miles from Nurpur). Mughals captured it from Kangra forces and restored it to its original owner (Guler).
  • Siege Compromise: Khan Jahan lifted the Kangra siege to counter a Punjab invasion by the Mirzas (Ibrahim Hussain & Masud). Settlement price: 5 mans of gold + valuables.
  • Sack of Bhun/Bhawan (1572 A.D.): Recorded in Tabakat-i-Akbari. Khan Jahan captured the Mahamai idol temple. Massacred Rajputs/Brahmins; slaughtered 200 black cows, using blood to defile the temple.
  • Territory Confiscation: Akbar deputed Todar Mal (Finance Minister) to confiscate Hill states’ territory to create an “imperial demesne”.
  • Akbar’s Journey (1583 A.D.): Reached Dasuha (near Hoshiarpur) but returned without seeing Nagarkot fort.

Bidhi Chand (1585–1605 A.D.)

I. 1588-89 Rebellion

  • Confederation: Bidhi Chand allied with states between Jammu and Kangra.
  • Suppression: Akbar’s foster brother, Zain Khan Koka, led the Mughal force.
  • Result: 13 hill chiefs submitted; territories were restored.
  • Hostage: Bidhi Chand’s son, Trilok Chand, kept at Mughal court as security.

II. 1594-95 Rebellion

  • Leadership: Led by the Raja of Jasrota.
  • Neutrality: Bidhi Chand and Raja Basu (Nurpur) did not participate.
  • Mughal Generals: Mirza Rustam Qandhari and Shaikh Farid suppressed the rising.

Trilok Chand (1605–1612 A.D.)

  • Accession: 1605 A.D. (Coincided with Jahangir’s coronation).
  • Hostage History: Raised at the Delhi court as a royal hostage.
  • The Parrot Legend: Local lore claims Jahangir held a grudge after Trilok Chand refused to give him his parrot; this personal enmity allegedly fueled Jahangir’s later invasion of Kangra.

HARI CHAND-II (A.D. 1612)

I. First Expedition (1615 A.D.)

  • Commanders: Murtaza Khan (Shaikh Farid) and Raja Suraj Mal (son of Raja Basu of Nurpur).
  • Internal Discord: Murtaza Khan grew suspicious of Suraj Mal’s loyalty and petitioned for his recall.
  • Murtaza’s Death: Shortly after Suraj Mal left, Murtaza Khan fell ill and died at Pathankot.

II. Second Expedition (1616 A.D.)

  • Commander: Raja Man (Rajput Chief of Amber/Jaipur)
  • Death: Ambushed and killed by Zamindar Sangram while pursuing him into the hills.

III. Third Expedition & Revolt (Suraj Mal)

  • Command: Suraj Mal returned from the Deccan and was sent with Shah Quli Khan Mohammed Taqi (the Bakshi) to annex Kangra.
  • Sabotage: Suraj Mal intentionally delayed the siege and conspired to have the Bakshi recalled to gain a “free hand.”
  • Rebellion: Once in control, he broke into open revolt and ravaged the Jagir of Itimad-ul-daulah (Noor Jahan’s father).
  • Defeat: Shah Jahan dispatched Sundar Das (Rai Raiyan/Raja Bikramjit) to suppress him. Suraj Mal was defeated and took refuge in Maukot, then moved to Nurpur, and finally Chamba. and died in 1619 A.D.

IV. Fall of Kangra Fort (1620 A.D.)

  • Resumption: Siege restarted 5th September 1619 by Rai Raiyan and Jagat Singh (younger brother of Suraj Mal, summoned from Bengal).
  • Capture: Fort was finally subdued in November 1620.
  • 1st Mughal Governor: Nawab Ali Khan (First Kiladar). Mughal control remained until 1783 A.D.

Chamba Related Facts

  • Refuge: Suraj Mal and his brother Madhu Singh took refuge in Chamba under Raja Bala Bhadra.
  • Fort Kotila (Kotla): Located between Kangra and Nurpur; captured by Rai Raiyan in 3 days from Madhu Singh.
  • Imperial Dictate: Raja Bala Bhadra was forced to return all looted assets and surrender Madhu Singh; later forgiven via imperial farman.
  • Succession Conflict: Bala Bhadra’s sons, Janardan and Bishambar, were killed the following year in a war against Jagat Singh of Nurpur.

Jahangir’s Visit (January 1622 A.D.)

  • Route: Entered via Siba and Guler; returned via Nurpur and Pathankot.
  • Palace: Fascinated by the valley, he ordered a palace at ‘Mauza Gargari’, but only the foundation was laid.
  • Historical Status: Jahangir was the first Mughal ruler to bring the fort under direct imperial control.

Chander Bhan Chand (1627 A.D.

  • Jagir of Rajgir(right bank of the Beas (above Alampur)): Only land retained by the family; included Lambagram, Jaisinghpur, and Bijapur.
  • Resistance: Conducted guerrilla warfare against Mughals from the Dhauladhars.
  • Built a fort near Nirwanah (east of Dharamshala)
  • Chander Bhan ka Tilla: A 9,000-ft hideout between Dharamshala and Palampur.
  • Capture: Seized in 1660 A.D. during Aurangzeb’s reign.

LATER KANGRA KINGS (MUGHAL ERA till aurangzeb)

Vijai Ram Chand (1660 A.D.)

  • Capital Foundation: Founded Bijapur, which served as the royal seat until the reign of Raja Ghamand Chand.

Bhim Chand (1690 A.D.)

  • Diplomacy: Adopted a policy of ‘pacific recourse’ toward the Mughals.
  • Title: Earned the title ‘Diwan’ due to his frequent and regular attendance at the Mughal court.
  • Architecture: Built a prominent temple at Bijapur.
  • Irrigation: His brother, Kirpal Chand, constructed the Bhawarnawali Kuhl (watercourse) sourced from the snow-fed Dhauladhars above Bandla.

Alam Chand (1697 A.D.)

  • Township: Founded Alampur near Sujanpur, which became his primary residence.

Hamir Chand (1700 A.D.)

  • Prolonged Reign: Ruled for forty-seven years.
  • Hamirpur: Constructed a fort that gave the modern-day Hamirpur district its name.
  • End of an Era: Witnessed the 1740 A.D. appointment of Nawab Saif Ali Khan, the last Mughal Governor of Kangra.

Abhaya Chand (1747 A.D.)

  • Architecture: Built the Thakurdwara in Alampur.
  • Fortification: In 1748, built a fort called Abhayamanpur (also known as Tira) on the hill overlooking Sujanpur.

ghamir Chand (1750 a.d.)

Ghamand Chand (1751 A.D.)

  • Accession: Son of Ghamir Chand’s younger brother; elected by officials over Ghamir’s eleven sons.
  • Historical Context: Ascended during the Mughal collapse and the Durrani-Maratha power struggle for Delhi.
  • Territorial Recovery (1752 A.D.): After the Mughal Emperor ceded Punjab to Ahmad Shah Durrani, Ghamand Chand reclaimed all ancestral lands except Kangra Fort.
  • Adina Beg Khan (1758 A.D.): Briefly forced to submit to Adina Beg (Viceroy of Punjab).
  • Governor (Nizam): Following Adina Beg’s death, Ahmad Shah Durrani appointed him Governor of the Jalandhar Doab.
  • Military Conquests:
    • Captured ‘Chauki’ (Northern Kutlehr state).
    • Seized the ‘Palam’ taluqa from Chamba.
  • 1770: Ghamand Chand was successful in defeating Sikh intruders twice:
    • Jassa Singh Ramgarhia.
    • Jassa Singh Ramgarhia + Jai Singh Kanhaiya.
  • 1775: Jassa Singh Ramgarhia made Kangra, Nurpur, and Chamba his tributaries. Later, Jai Singh Kanhaiya defeated Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and captured the Kangra group of states, including Datarpur, Siba, and Nurpur.
  • Architectural Legacy:
    • Founded the town of Sujanpur; established the double name ‘Tira Sujanpur’.
    • Constructed magnificent buildings that became the permanent residence for his descendants.

RAJA SANSAR CHAND-II (A.D. 1775 – 1824)

The most notable Katoch chief, ascended the Gaddi at the age of 10. His reign marks the zenith and the subsequent decline of Kangra’s power.

I. Struggle & Recovery of Kangra Fort

  • Context: Sikh misls were rising; Jassa Singh Ramgarhia tried to invade hill states but was defeated in the plains by Jai Singh Kanheya (1775).
  • The Alliance (1781-82): Sansar Chand allied with Jai Singh Kanheya to capture Kangra Fort from the last Mughal Kiladar, Saif Ali Khan.
  • Sikh Betrayal (1783): After Saif Ali Khan’s death, Jai Singh bribed the Kiladar’s son, Jewan Khan, to vacate the fort. The Sikhs retained it for four years.(source :Mohammed Latif’s ‘History of the Punjab’ )
  • Recovery (1787): Jai Singh finally surrendered the fort to Sansar Chand in exchange for conquered territories in the plains.

II. Peak of Power & Expansions

  • Lord Paramount: With the fort secured, he demanded the return of all Imperial ‘Zamindari’ tracts from neighboring hill chiefs.
  • Chamba: Demanded Rihlu. Upon refusal, he attacked and killed the Chamba Raja at the Battle of Nerti (near Shahpur).
  • Mandi: Sacked the capital and imprisoned the young Raja Ishwari Sen at Nadaun for 12 years. Mandi was divided into three (given to Suket, Kullu, and retained by Kangra).
  • Other Campaigns: Annexed Kutlehr completely.
  • Failed to capture Kamlagarh Fort.
  • Fatal Blunder: Annexed the territory of Kahlur (Bilaspur) on the right bank of the Satluj. hence uniting the hill chiefs against him.

III. Art, Culture & The Golden Age

  • Titles: Ghulam Muhai-ud-din (Tarikh-i-Punjab) called him the ‘Hatim’ (generous) and ‘Rustam’ (brave) of his era.
  • Patronage: Kangra School of Painting flourished (artworks preserved in Lahore Museum, Guler, Lambagram, Nadaun).
  • Capital: Early court was chiefly held at Amtar (near Nadaun).

IV. The Downfall & Gurkha Invasion (1803–1809)

  • Plains Defeat (1803-04): Invaded Hoshiarpur and Bajwarah; defeated twice by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
  • Gurkha Invitation: Resenting the Kahlur annexation, the Raja of Bilaspur led a hill coalition inviting Gurkha commander Amar Singh Thapa (40,000 men).
  • Invasion Forces: Gurkhas crossed the Satluj at Bilaspur and Jiuri (Suket). Joined by Chamba forces under Wazir Nathu (sent by Raja Jit Singh).
  • Battle of Mahal Morian: Sansar Chand was decisively defeated in the second encounter.
  • Siege of Kangra (1805-1809): Gurkhas freed Ishwari Sen at Nadaun and besieged Kangra Fort for 4 years, devastating the valley.
  • Escape: With help from Wazir Naurang, Sansar Chand disguised himself as a peasant, escaping the fort’s river gate to Tira Sujanpur.

V. Treaty of Jwalamukhi & Sikh Subjugation (1809)

  • The Pact (May 1809): Negotiated via his brother, Fateh Chand. Ranjit Singh took an oath on the sacred flame at Jwalamukhi Temple to help, taking Sansar Chand’s son, Anirudh Chand, as hostage (kept under Fateh Singh Ahluwalia).
  • Expulsion: Ranjit Singh defeated the Gurkhas (Aug 1809). He rejected a double tribute bribe from Gurkha agent Zorawar Singh. Amar Singh Thapa paid Ranjit Singh 1 lakh rupees for a safe retreat east of the Satluj.
  • Sikh Annexation (24 Aug 1809): Ranjit Singh took Kangra Fort and 66 villages. Commanded by Naurang Wazir at the time; Sansar Chand and Fateh Singh Ahluwalia were the first to enter upon the Gurkhas’ dismissal.Desa Singh Majithia became the first Sikh Nazim (Governor).

VI. Final Years & Legacy

  • Vassal State: Sansar Chand retired to Tira Sujanpur. He held the estate of Lambagraon.His revenue was 6 lakhs, paying 2 lakhs to Ranjit Singh. He maintained two sepoy battalions under European deserter Jackson.
  • Moorcroft’s Visit: British traveler William Moorcroft cured Fateh Chand from a near-death illness. Fateh Chand exchanged his turban for Moorcroft’s hat, adopting him as a brother and granting him land.

RAJA ANIRUDH CHAND (1824 A.D.)

1. Accession & Diplomacy (1824)

  • Nazrana: Paid ₹1 Lakh to Maharaja Ranjit Singh (negotiated down from the demanded ₹2 Lakh).
  • Alliance: Exchanged turbans with Prince Kharak Singh as a token of brotherhood.

2. The Marriage Crisis (1827)

  • The Demand: Sikh PM Dhian Singh demanded Anirudh’s sister marry his son, Hira Singh.
  • The Conflict: Anirudh felt the alliance was an insult to his ancient royal Katoch lineage.

3. Flight & Exile

  • Escape: Fled across the Satluj River to British territory to avoid forced coercion by the advancing Sikh army.
  • Resolution: Safely married his sisters to the Raja of Tehri Garhwal. He died in exile four years later.

4. Redistribution of Kangra Territories

  • Fateh Chand (Uncle): Stayed behind, appeased the Sikhs by marrying his own granddaughter to Hira Singh, and was granted the Rajgir jagir.
  • Jodhbir Chand (Younger Brother): Granted the Nadaun jagir with the title of Raja.

5. Return of the Heirs (1833)

  • British Intervention: At the request of the British Government, Ranjit Singh recalled Anirudh’s two sons (Ranbir Chand and Pramudh Chand).
  • Final Settlement: Granted a jagir worth ₹50,000 at Mahal Morian, where they took up permanent residence.

LAMBAGRAON LINEAGE

1. Raja Anirudh Chand (1824–1831)

  • Fled to British territory (1827) to avoid sister’s forced marriage to Hira Singh (Dogra). Died in exile.

2. Raja Pramudh Chand (1833–1851)

  • Anirudh’s son; recalled to Mahal Morian jagir in 1833.
  • Rebelled in 1848 alongside Jaswan, Datarpur, and Nurpur.
  • Crushed by John Lawrence; died childless in Almora prison.

3. Raja Pratap Chand (1851–1864)

  • Lineage shifted. Grandson of Fateh Chand (Sansar Chand’s brother); inherited the title because Pramudh died heirless.

4. Col. Maharaja Sir Jai Chand (1864–Post WWI)

  • Seated at Lambagram. Mayo College educated.
  • Honorary Colonel in 37th Dogras (fought in Black Mountain & Chitral expeditions).
  • Awarded K.C.I.E. and the title ‘Maharaja’ for WWI service.

5. Raja Dhruv Dev Chandra

  • Son of Jai Chand; the last ruler of the Katoch dynasty.

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