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

Sikh Gurus in the Hill States

• Guru Nanak's Visits: Guru Nanak visited several hill regions including Kangra, Jawalamukhi, Kullu, Sirmaur, and Lahaul-Spiti.
• Guru Arjun Dev: The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev, sent Bhai Kaliana to the hill states to collect charity for the construction of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).
• Guru Hargobind Singh: Guru Hargobind Singh, the sixth Sikh Guru, initiated the construction of Kiratpur on land gifted by the Raja of Kehlur (modern-day Bilaspur).
• Guru Teg Bahadur: The ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur, acquired land from the Raja of Kehlur to build the village of Makhol, which later became Anandpur Sahib.

Guru Gobind Singh

• Conflict with Raja Bhim Chand: A conflict arose between Guru Gobind Singh and Raja Bhim Chand of Kehlur over a white elephant gifted by Rani Ratan Rai of Assam.
• Guru Gobind Singh at Paonta Sahib: Guru Gobind Singh spent five years in Paonta Sahib, where he composed the tenth Granth (Guru Granth Sahib).
• Battle of Bhangani (1686 A.D.): Guru Gobind Singh defeated a coalition of forces from Raja Bhim Chand of Kehlur, Fatehshah of Garhwal, and Raja Harichand of Hindur. Raja Harichand was killed by Guru Gobind Singh.
• Return of Property: After the battle, Guru Gobind Singh returned the confiscated property of Raja Harichand to his successor, fostering a friendship with Raja Bhim Chand.
• Battle at Nadaun: When Mughals attacked Kehlur, Guru Gobind Singh helped Raja Bhim Chand defeat them at the Battle of Nadaun.
• Visit to Mandi and Kullu: Guru Gobind Singh visited Mandi and Kullu during the reign of Raja Sidh Sen of Mandi.
• Foundation of Khalsa Panth (1699 A.D.): On April 13, 1699, Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa Panth at Anandpur Sahib with an army of 80,000 soldiers.
• Death (1708 A.D.): Guru Gobind Singh passed away in Naded, Maharashtra.
• Post-Banda Singh Bahadur Era: After the death of Banda Singh Bahadur, the Sikhs split into 12 misls (territorial divisions).

Sansar Chand, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Gurkhas, and Kangra Fort

• Jassa Singh Ramgarhia: Jassa Singh Ramgarhia was the first Sikh to attack the Kangra hills.
• Sansar Chand and the Kangra Fort: After Raja Ghamand Chand's death, Sansar Chand II regained control of Kangra Fort in 1782 A.D. with the help of Jai Singh Kanhaiya, who initially refused to hand it over but eventually returned it in 1785 A.D..
• Golden Era of Sansar Chand (1786-1805 A.D.): During this period, Sansar Chand II emerged as the most powerful king of Kangra, defeating the Raja of Chamba in the Battle of Nerti Shahpur in 1786 A.D. and gaining control of Kangra Fort.
• Decline of Sansar Chand: In 1794 A.D., Sansar Chand attacked Kehlur (Bilaspur), leading to his downfall. The Raja of Kehlur sought help from Gurkha Commander Amar Singh Thapa, who defeated Sansar Chand at Mahalmorio (1806 A.D.).

Gurkhas

• Gurkha Conquests: Amar Singh Thapa conquered 30 hill states including Kumaon, Garhwal, Sirmaur, and Shimla by 1804 A.D..
• Kangra Fort Siege: Sansar Chand sought refuge in the Kangra Fort, which Amar Singh Thapa besieged for four years.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh

• Jawalamukhi Treaty (1809 A.D.): Maharaja Ranjit Singh helped Sansar Chand by defeating the Gurkhas and signed the Jawalamukhi Treaty.
• Acquisition of Kangra Fort: Sansar Chand gave 66 villages and Kangra Fort to Maharaja Ranjit Singh in exchange for protection. Desa Singh Majithia was made the Nazim (Governor) of Kangra.
• Conquests of Maharaja Ranjit Singh: In 1813 A.D., Ranjit Singh took over Haripur (Guler), Nurpur, and Jaswan, and later defeated Datarpur (1818) and Kutlahar (1825).
• Anirudh Chand's Reign: After Sansar Chand’s death in 1823 A.D., Anirudh Chand was crowned but later sought asylum from the British, rejecting a marriage proposal from Ranjit Singh.
• Post-Ranjit Singh Era: Following Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death in 1839 A.D., the Sikh Empire began to decline.