History of Kullu | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Geography of District Kullu

• According to ancient beliefs, Kullu was considered the farthest extent of human settlement. 
• In local folklore, it is often described as Kulanthpith, signifying the end of the habitable world. Kullu is speculated to have been one of the oldest states, following closely after Kashmir and Kangra.

Sources of the History of Kullu

Ancient Texts and Chronicles

• Vishnu Purana and Ramayana: Kullu is mentioned in these Hindu mythological texts, where it was originally referred to as Kuluta.
• Chinese Pilgrim Hiuen Tsiang (A.D. 629-645): Hiuen Tsiang described the region of Kullu as Kiu-lu-to, located about 117 miles northeast of Jalandhar, aligning with the location of Kuluta.
• Ancient Tibetan Chronicle “rGyal-rabs”: This Tibetan chronicle, a book of kings, includes references to Kullu.
• Kashmiri Chronicle “Jonaraja”: This chronicle also mentions Kullu, adding to the historical records from the region.

Epigraphic Evidence

• Nirmand Plate (7th Century): This inscription, granted by Raja Samudra Sen, provides evidence of Kullu's history, although the exact identity of Raja Samudra Sen remains unclear.
• Coin of Raja Virayasa: The oldest known historical record of Kullu, this coin bears the inscription “Rajna Kolutsya Virayasasya,” meaning "Virayasasya, The Raja of Kulluta."

Historical Accounts

• Colonel A.P.F. Harcourt’s Book: In “Kooloo, Lahaul, and Spiti,” Harcourt provides a historical account of Kullu.
• Ancient Administrative Structure: Kullu was historically governed by seven Wazirs, each responsible for different regions:
  • Waziri Parol: Kullu proper.
  • Waziri Rupi: The area between Parbati and Sainj Nullah.
  • Waziri Saraj: The southern portion, divided into Inner Saraj and Outer Saraj.
  • Waziri Lag Maharaja: The right bank of Sarvari Nullah to Sultanpur and of the Beas from there to Bajaura.
  • Waziri Lag Sari: The tract between Phojal and Sarvari Nullah.
  • Waziri Bhaghal: A portion of Chhota Bhanghal.
  • Waziri Lahaul: This included the earlier British Lahaul.

Founding Legend

• According to known history, Kullu was founded in the first century A.D. by Behangamani Pal, whose ancestors migrated from Tripura to Allahabad, then to Mayapuri near Hardwar. 
• Behangamani Pal was accompanied by Rani, Purohit Udai Ram, and his son Pachch Pal.

Origin of the Pal Dynasty

• Founding: The Pal dynasty was established by Behangamani Pal in the first century AD. The local population of the upper Kullu valley, oppressed by the Thakurs of Spiti, sought a new ruler. Behangamani Pal, with support from an astrologer and blessings from the goddess Hadimba, led a successful revolution against the Thakurs.
• Capital: The original capital was Jagatsukh. After ruling from Jagatsukh for nearly ten generations, the capital was moved to Naggar, where it remained for around 1,400 years before finally shifting to Kullu.

Key Rulers

• Behangamani Pal: Initiated the revolution against the Thakurs and established the Pal dynasty. His efforts were supported by local deities and astrology.
• Pachch Pal: Son of Behangamani Pal, continued to consolidate and expand the kingdom after his father’s death.
• Rajender Pal: Noted for his attempt to acquire the small state of Kothi Barsai. Initially faced resistance but eventually succeeded through strategic marriage alliances.

The Pal dynasty is characterized by its early resistance against local oppressors, consolidation of power, and strategic expansions.

Visad Pal

• Capital: The capital of Kullu was initially “Nast,” also known as Jagat Sukh.
• Conflict: During his reign, Visad Pal fought against Rana Karam Chand of Naggar, defeating and killing him.

Visud Pal

• Capital Shift: He moved the capital from Jagat Sukh to Naggar.

Rudra Pal

• Tribute to Spiti: Faced an attack from Rajender Sen, the Raja of Spiti, and was forced to pay an annual tribute.
• Loss to Chamba: Chamba is said to have conquered Lahaul from Kullu during his reign.

Prasid Pal

• Refused to pay tribute to the Spiti Raja, leading to a battle with Chet Sen near Rohtang Pass. 
• Prasid Pal emerged victorious.

Sri Dateshwar Pal (780-800 A.D.)

• Invasion by Chamba: Chamba ruler Meru Varman invaded Kullu, resulting in the death of Dateshwar Pal.
• Succession: His first son, Amar Pal, also killed in battle. His second son, Sital Pal, fled to Bushahr and was unable to regain Kullu.

Sri Jareshwar Pal

• Sixth in descent from Sital Pal. 
• He regained control of Kullu after Chamba was attacked by the Kiras (Tibetan invaders), which led to the death of the Raja of Chamba.

Narad Pal

• Conflict with Chamba: Faced an invasion by Chamba forces, who built a fort in Majnakot near Rohtang Pass.
• War and Treaty: Engaged in a twelve-year war with Chamba, which ended with a peace treaty. A feast was organized in Kullu for Chamba guests, during which many Chamba people and soldiers were drowned in the Beas River by the Kullu people.

Bhup Pal

• His reign saw the attack by Bir Sen, the founder of Suket state, who captured Bhup Pal and later released him on the condition of paying tribute and providing feudal service. 
• Bhup Pal’s son, Anirudh Pal, continued paying tribute to Suket.

Hast Pal-I/Hait Pal

• Freed Kullu from Tribute: Freed Kullu from paying tribute to Suket by agreeing to assist Suket in a civil war.
• Conflict with Suket: During the reign of Raja Bikram Sen of Suket, Hast Pal and Tribikram Sen, Bikram’s younger brother, joined forces against Bikram. A battle took place at Jiuri near the Satluj River, resulting in the deaths of Hast Pal and Tribikram. Bikram Sen then took control of Kullu.

Surat Pal/Hashir Pal

• Liberation from Suket: Freed Kullu from Suket during the minority of Lakshman Sen of Suket.
• Re-Annexation by Suket: When Lakshman Sen came of age, he invaded Kullu and annexed Waziri Rupi, Lag, Saraj, and part of Waziri Parol.

Santokh Pal

• Conquests in Ladakh: Conquered Gya-mur and other regions of Ladakh.

Teg Pal

• Conquests in Baltistan: Conquered Baltistan, defeating Muhammad Khan and making his son a tributary.

Uchit Pal

• Invaded Tibet but faced retaliation from the Tibetan Raja Lhachen Utapala, who, along with forces from Gya-mur (Ladakh) and Baltistan, captured Uchit Pal’s son. 
• The son was confined at Mohangarh near Bhubu Pass and bound by an oath to pay tribute in dzos (a type of cattle) and iron to the Ladakh king as long as the Kailash glaciers did not melt or the Mansarovar Lake did not dry up.

Sikandar Pal

• Sikandar Pal sought assistance from Delhi and managed to capture Gya Mur, Baltistan, and Mantilac (Mansarover Lake) from Tibet.

Hast Pal-II

• During his reign, the Raja of Bushahr invaded Kullu, imposed a tribute, and then departed.

Gambhir Pal

• Gambhir Pal succeeded in freeing Kullu from Bushahr and expanded the state’s territory to the right bank of the River Satluj, which became its new boundary.

Narender Pal

• Under Narender Pal, Kullu was conquered by the Bangahal state and remained under its control for ten years.

Nand Pal

• During Nand Pal’s rule, Kullu became a tributary of Kangra.

Raja Urdan Pal

• Raja Urdan Pal, who ruled from 1418 to 1428, built the Sandhya Devi temple at Jagatsukh.

Kailash Pal

• Kailash Pal was the last Raja of Kullu to use the surname Pal, likely ruling until around 1450. 
• After his reign, Kullu had no Raja for about 50 years and was controlled by Suket, Ranas, and Thakuras.

Sidh Singh (1500 A.D.)

• Sidh Singh, who changed the surname from Pal to Singh, founded a new dynasty in Kullu after a 50-year gap, possibly being a descendant of the Pal family. 
• He worked hard to subdue the Ranas and Thakuras.

The Story of Jhinna Rana and Muchiani

• Jhinna Rana, a powerful chief ruling both banks of the Beas River above Jagatsukh, had strongholds in Madankot and Manali. Due to his power, Sidh Sen resorted to treachery. 
• Rana’s groom, Muchiani, was a sportsman with a mustache, which Rana disliked. Rana demanded Muchiani either cut his mustache or kill a bird without harming a cow. 
• Muchiani eventually had to cut his mustache. Sidh Sen bribed Muchiani to kill Rana, leading to the Rana’s death. 
• The Rana’s widow and other women, including Muchiani’s wife, committed sati by burning themselves, and they are now worshiped as Jogin (Goddess in Kullu). 
• Following Rana’s death, Sidh Sen captured Madankot, Manali, and Baragarh fort from Suket’s garrison.

Bahadur Singh (1532 A.D.)

• During Bahadur Singh’s reign, the area of Waziri Ruppi, still under Suket's control, sought to rejoin Kullu due to Suket’s notorious and arrogant ruler. 
• Bahadur Singh’s capital remained at Naggar, but he built his residence at Makarasa, a place associated with the Mahabharata figure Makas, the son of Vidura. 
• Makas had been raised and taught by the sage Vayasa Rishi. Bahadur Singh’s three daughters married Pratap Singh, the son of Raja Ganesh Verman of Chamba.

Jagat Singh

• Jagat Singh annexed the Lag area, previously controlled by brothers Jai Chand and Sultan Chand, capturing Sultanpur and moving his capital from Naggar to Sultanpur in 1660. 
• He also captured the outer Saraj area. During his reign, a Brahmin named Durga Dutt from Tippari, who possessed three pounds of pearls, was ordered to give the pearls to the Raja. 
• The Brahmin’s refusal and subsequent self-immolation of his family caused the Raja great guilt. 
• A Brahmin from Suket advised that the sin could be atoned for by bringing the image of Raghunath Ji from Ayodhya, which was done in 1653. This led the Kullu Rajas to consider themselves subservient to Raghunath Ji.

Man Singh (1688-1719)

• Man Singh expanded Kullu's territory by conquering parts of Mandi, including the Darang salt mine. He negotiated a boundary with Ladakh at the Lingti Plain and made Spiti pay tribute. 
• He captured Shangri from Thakur and built a palace in Rath village. Man Singh was assassinated by the Rana of Kumarsain, who was romantically involved with Man Singh.

Raj Singh (1719–1731)

• Raj Singh’s reign saw Guru Govind Singh visiting Kullu seeking assistance against Muslim forces, but Raj Singh refused to help.

Jai Singh

• Jai Singh had conflicts with his Wazir, Kalu of Diyar, who revolted and sought Mughal support in Lahore. 
• Raja Shamsher Sen of Mandi took advantage of this and acquired the Chauhar territory. 
• Jai Singh went to Ayodhya to live there and worship Raghunath Ji until his death.

Pritam Singh

• In 1778, Pritam Singh faced an attack from a combined force of Sansar Chand (Kangra), Shamsher Sen (Mandi), and Raj Singh (Chamba). 
• They seized the Banghal area and captured Wazir Bhag Chand.

Bikram Singh (1806-1816)

• In 1809, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Kangra forced Kullu to pay tribute. In 1813, Sikh forces under Mokham Chand entered Kullu by the Dulchi Pass, demanding Rs. 50,000. 
• When Raja Bikram Singh refused to pay, the Sikh army plundered the territory, forcing the Raja to flee to the village of Sangla.

Ajit Singh (1816-1841 A.D.)

• Ajit Singh, who was not the legitimate son of Raja Bikram Singh, was installed as Raja with the support of the Raja of Mandi. He was initially defeated by his uncle Krishan Singh with help from Kangra but later regained the throne with assistance from Mandi and his able Wazir Shoba Singh.
• During 1816-17, Ajit Singh granted asylum to Shah Shuja, the ex-amir of Kabul, despite a demand from Raja Ranjit Singh to arrest him. This led Ranjit Singh to impose an Rs. 80,000 fine on Ajit Singh. To pay the fine, Ajit Singh plundered Spiti and Lahaul and raided Zanskar with the help of Lahaul’s chief, securing significant booty.
• In 1820, Mr. Moorcraft, the first European to visit Kullu, adjudicated a trade dispute between Kullu and Ladakh and found Kullu guilty of aggressive actions to raise money to pay Ranjit Singh.
• In 1839, the Sikh army under the Sindhanwala Sardars captured Ajit Singh and forced him to surrender the state. However, Kullu people ambushed the Sikh army on their return through Outer Saraj and Basloh Pass, leading to the liberation of Ajit Singh and the death of about 1,000 Sikh soldiers. Ajit Singh then took refuge in Shangri, now under British control, where he died in 1841.
• Following Ajit Singh's death, Kullu and its capital Sultanpur came under British control. The British granted Shangri to Ranbir Singh, Ajit Singh’s first cousin, and appointed Thakur Singh, another cousin of Ajit Singh, as Raja of Waziri Ruppi. After the first Anglo-Sikh war, the British ceded the hill country between the Satluj and Indus, including Kullu, to their administration. Spiti was separated from Ladakh and merged with Kullu.
• Thakur Singh died in 1852 and was succeeded by his illegitimate son Gayan Singh, who was given the title of Rai instead of Raja after the British withdrew all political power from him.
• Shortly before 1857, Pratap Singh, son of Krishan Singh (Ajit Singh’s uncle), claimed the Gaddi of Kullu. He was arrested by Major Hay, tried, and hanged at Dharamshala.
• Since 1846, Kullu became a subdivision of Kangra and was established as a separate district in 1963. It remained part of Punjab until October 31, 1966.

People of Kullu

• Religions and Demographics: The majority of Kullu's population are Hindus, with Buddhists, Sikhs, and Christians making up smaller fractions.
• Social Classes: The predominant classes are Rajputs, Brahmins, and Scheduled Castes. Historical references to Kulindas, Khashas, and Vedic Aryans suggest a diverse historical presence. Non-Aryan groups are also mentioned in epic texts like the Mahabharata.
• Cultural Influence: The region's culture and language have been influenced by trade routes linking Tibet and Yarkand in Russia. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim, noted Kullu's beauty and its many Devta Temples representing various sects.
• Unique Traditions: Kullu is known for its ancient democracy in the village of Malana, where traditional customs hold more sway than modern laws. It is also believed that idol worship originated in the Kullu Valley.
• Local Deities: Known as Dev Bhumi, or "Land of Gods," Kullu has a rich tradition of local deities (Deo-Devta or Devi), each associated with a village. These deities play a crucial role in daily life, with their festivals marking significant events such as births, marriages, and disputes.
• Economic Changes: The economic life of the people has evolved with increased education and a shift from agriculture to horticulture. Developmental activities have further improved living standards.