Mughals and Chamba State | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Akbar's Imperial Demesne and Its Impact

Establishment of Imperial Demesne:

• Akbar assigned his capable finance minister, Todar Mal, with the task of establishing an imperial demesne in Kangra and the adjacent Chamba region.
• This strategic move involved incorporating these areas into the Mughal empire’s administrative framework.

Loss of Chamba Territories:

• As a result of this imperial expansion, Chamba lost control over several areas, including Rihlu, Chari, and Gharoh.
• The incorporation of these territories into the Mughal domain marked a significant reduction in the land and resources under Chamba’s control.

Raja Pratap Singh Verman

Contemporary of Akbar

• Raja Pratap Singh Verman of Chamba was a contemporary of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
• He remained loyal to the Mughal empire, demonstrating his allegiance during this period of Mughal expansion.

Incident with Raja Surajmal of Nurpur

Refuge in Chamba:

• Raja Surajmal of Nurpur sought refuge in Chamba to avoid confrontation with the Mughal army.
• The Mughal authorities demanded that the Raja of Chamba surrender Surajmal or face the consequences of Mughal military action.

Death of Raja Surajmal:

• Before any action could be taken, Raja Surajmal fell ill and subsequently died, eliminating the immediate conflict between Chamba and the Mughal forces.

Battle of Dhalog

Battle Context:

• The Battle of Dhalog, fought near Dhalousie, was a significant conflict between Raja Janardhan of Chamba and Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur.
• The Mughal empire supported Raja Jagat Singh in this battle.

Outcome:

• Raja Jagat Singh emerged victorious in the Battle of Dhalog.
• The Mughal backing played a crucial role in securing victory for Raja Jagat Singh, reinforcing Mughal influence in the region.

Rebellion of Raja Jagat Singh and Restoration of Chamba

Rebellion Against the Mughals:

• Raja Jagat Singh of Chamba revolted against Mughal authority, challenging the control of the Mughal empire over his territory.

Mughal Response:

• To quell the rebellion, Emperor Shah Jahan dispatched a large military force commanded by Murad Baksh in 1641 A.D.
• The Mughal army was tasked with suppressing Raja Jagat Singh's uprising and reasserting Mughal control over the region.

Prithvi Singh's Appeal:

• In the midst of the rebellion, Prithvi Singh, the son of Raja Janardhan of Chamba, sought assistance from neighboring rulers, including the Raja of Mandi and Suket.
• His aim was to gather support for the restoration of Chamba’s throne and to counteract the Mughal forces.

Outcome of the Conflict:

• Despite Raja Jagat Singh's brave resistance, he was unable to withstand the might of the Mughal army.
• Consequently, Chamba was restored to Prithvi Singh, who reclaimed control over the territory.

Succession and Conflict with Aurangzeb

Succession of Raja Chatar Singh:

• Raja Chatar Singh succeeded his father, Prithvi Singh, as the ruler of Chamba.
• Raja Chatar Singh ruled during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Resistance to Mughal Orders:

• Raja Chatar Singh refused to comply with Aurangzeb’s decree ordering the demolition of Hindu temples within his realm.
• This defiance led to a conflict between Raja Chatar Singh and the Mughal authorities, as he was compelled to fight against Mughal forces to protect his religious and cultural heritage.

This period highlights the ongoing struggle between local rulers and the expanding Mughal empire, with regional rulers like Raja Jagat Singh and Raja Chatar Singh navigating complex political and military challenges.