kinnaur Hitory

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1. Nomenclature & Regional Identity

  • Tibetan Name: Khunu.
  • Leh Name: Maon.
  • Other Names: Kurpa.
  • Etymology: Kinner (किम् + नर:) / Kimpurusha = “What kind of human beings?”.
  • People: Known as Kinnauras, also called Khas or Khasia.

2. Ancient & Literary References

  • Amarkosa (Sanskrit Classic): Mentions Kinners as a divine race (demigods) alongside Gandharvas and Yakshas.
  • Vimanvathu (Sutpitak): 2nd–3rd Century B.C. text confirming Kinner habitation in the Western Himalayas.
  • Vayu Purana: Inhabitants of the Mahanand Mountains.
  • Kalidasa: Mentions them in ‘Kumarasmbhava’.
  • Mahabharata: Pandavas spent part of their 12-year exile here.
  • Ancient Kingdoms: Known as Kimpurushavarsha or Kimpurshavarata.
  • Literature Era: Strictly post-Vedic; habitat once stretched from Kashmir to Nepal.

3. Social Structure & Dialects

  • Ethnic Stock: Khasas arrived before Vedic Aryans; shared similar origins.
  • Sub-sects: Kanait (or Kunait) resulted from Khasa-Kinner assimilation.
  • Rajput Divisions: Primarily Kanaits and Jads.
  • Dialects:
    • Tibetan influence: Hangrang Valley and Indo-Tibet border.
    • Non-Tibetan: Nichar tehsil and lower Sangla Valley.

4. The Bushahr & Trade Connection

  • Historical Status: Part of Rampur Bushahr state.
  • Mone/Maon: Names for Bushahr state; Kamru was its former seat.
  • Settlement (7th Century A.D.): Transition to settled life and trade with ‘Bhoteas’ of Tibet.
  • Lavi Fair: Born in Rampur Bushahr due to trade expansion between Rampur and Sangla markets.

5. Political Evolution & Transitions

  • 7th–10th Century: Strong Buddhist influence under the Guge Empire (Tibet).
  • Empire Collapse: Last Bhot Emperor, Partampal (end of 12th Century), saw the empire crumble.
  • Thakurai Period: The region split into small “Thakurais” (valley/village units).
  • Historic Fort Ruins: Labrang, Morang, and Kamru (represent the defensive Thakurai age).
  • 16th Century: Thakur of Mone defeated all rival Thakurs, unifying the tract and extending power to Rampur Bushahr.

History of Rampur Bushahr: Final Exam Notes

1. Legendary Origins (The Three Devtas)

  • Source: Three gods (devtas) appeared in Mathura-Anna Puran Vrindavan.
    • Tapa Puran: Settled at Badri Nath.
    • Anna Puran: Settled at Tehri Gharwal.
    • Deva Puran: Occupied Kamru Badri Nath.
  • Conquests of Deva Puran: Liquidated the Thakurs of Kamru, Sangla, and Chini; exterminated the Chuling Thakur.
  • Foundation of the Dynasty: Deva Puran killed the ruler Banasur at Sarahan and crowned Praduman Singh (a Chandervamshi from Varanasi) at Kamru.
  • Tradition: Kamru remains the traditional site for crowning the state’s kings.

2. Raja Chatar Singh (110th Ruler)

  • Historical Milestone: Official historical records of Bushahr begin with his reign.
  • Political Status: Established Bushahr as a Paramount Power among Shimla Hill states, alongside Bilaspur and Sirmaur.

3. Raja Kehri Singh (The “Chattarpati”)

  • Physical Trait: Known as ‘Ajanvahu’ (arms reaching knees while standing).
  • Mughal Recognition: Awarded the title ‘Chattarpati’ by Aurangzeb.
  • Military Success: Humbled the rulers of Garhwal, Sirmaur, Mandi, and Suket. Subdued the Thakurs of Keonthal, Kotkhai, Kumharsain, Balsan, Theog, and Darkoti.
  • Tibet Alliance: Aided Tibet in the Tibeto-Ladakhi Mughal War.
    • Reward: Received Hangrang Valley as a Jagir and granted free trade rights with Tibet (active until 1962).

4. Raja Mahender Singh & Gurkha War (1803–1815)

  • Flight to Kamru: Raja and Queen Mother fled Sarahan during Gurkha invasions, leaving the treasury behind.
  • Local Resistance: Led by Wazirs Tikka Ram and Badri Prasad.
    • Decisive Battle: Fought at Chholtu bridge (near Chirgaon).
    • Wangtu Bridge: Destroyed by locals to stop the Gurkha advance.
  • British Sanad (1815): Former territories restored except Rawin and Kotgarh (later traded by British to Keonthal in exchange for Shimla).

5. Raja Shamsher Singh (1850–1914)

  • 1857 Revolt: Act of defiance; refused help to the British (enraged DC William Hay).
  • 1859 Revenue Revolt: People revolted against Munshi Ram Lal’s system; settled by G. Barnes.
  • Administrative Crisis: Pressurized to abdicate for Tikka Ragunath Singh (who ruled until 1898).
  • British Control: After Ragunath’s death, British appointed Rai Sahib Mangat Ram as Chief Wazir with full powers, bypassing the Raja.

6. Raja Padam Singh & Integration (1914–1948)

  • Accession: Recognized as legitimate heir by the British on Nov 13, 1914.
  • Independence (1947): Ruling Raja at the time of freedom; initially reluctant to merge.
  • Merger Movement: Led by freedom fighter Master Annu Lal.
  • Key Official: Baldev Singh was the Dewan of the state.
  • Final Merger: In March 1948, Bushahr joined the Chief Commissioner’s province of Himachal Pradesh.

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