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

Earliest Mention of Sirmaur

• The earliest mention of Sirmaur appears in the Taba-quat-i-Nasiri in 634 A.D.
• According to Kanwar Ranzor Singh in Tarikh-i-Riyasat Sirmaur, the state was founded by Raja Rasaloo, who came from Jaisalmer.
• Sirmaur’s old name was ‘Surughna’, and the earliest inhabitants were the “Kunindas”, identified with the modern “Kanets”.

Madan Singh (1046 A.D.)

• Madan Singh, a Surajbansi Rajput, was the ruler of Sirmaur.
• During his reign, a woman skilled in necromancy performed an acrobatic feat by crossing the Giri river on a rope. She was promised half the kingdom if she succeeded, but treachery led to her death, causing a flood that destroyed the town and the royal family.
• Pandits of Sirmaur then sought a successor from Jaisalmer, and a pregnant Rani from Jaisalmer gave birth to “Badan Singh” under a Dakh tree, who became the next ruler.

Badal/Badan Singh

• Badan Singh was the chief of Pargana and gave land to Brahmins (Devas) and Rajputs (Rawats) for their sustenance.
• A conflict between Brahmins, led by Kama, and Rajputs, led by Kir Chand, resulted in Kama’s death. His wife avenged his death by killing Kir Chand.

Sobha Rawal

• Another account states that Raja Ugar Sen Rawal of Jaisalmer sent his son Sobha Rawal to assume the throne of Sirmaur after being invited by a Bhat named Hoshang Rai Nath.
• Sobha Rawal became king, took the title "Subhans Parkash", and made Rajban his capital. He ruled for four years, dying in 1099 A.D.
• His descendants continued to use the title “Parkash” in their names.

Mahe Parkash (1108-1117 A.D.)

• Son of Subhans Parkash.
• Known as a good ruler, religious, and charitable.
• Built the Lakshmi Narayan temple.

Raja Udit Prakash (1227 A.D.)

• Shifted the capital from Rajban to Kalsi (now in Dehradun).
• Nizam-ul-Mulk Mohammed Khan, rebelling against Razia Sultan, sought refuge in Sirmaur’s Bardhar region during his rule.

Raja Somer Parkash

Captured the fort of Ratesh (now in Keonthal) and made it his capital.

Raja Suraj Parkash

• Moved the capital from Ratesh back to Kalsi.
• Faced a revolt in Sirmaur, which he subdued with the help of his daughter.
• Defeated and subdued the Thakurs of Jubbal, Balsan, Kumharsain, Ghond, Sahri, Theog, Rawain, and Kotgarh, imposing tribute and appointing his brother Kalyan Chand as their in charge.

History of Sirmaur and its Rulers

Raja Bhakat Parkash

During his reign, Sirmaur was made a tributary by Firoz Shah Tughlaq of Delhi.

Raja Veer Parkash

• An energetic ruler who subdued revolts from the Thakurs of Jubbal, Balsan, Kumharsain, Sahri, and Rawain due to mal-administration under Raja Jagat Parkash.
• Built the Hatkoti Fort on the boundary of Sahri, Rawain, and Jubbal.
• Constructed a Devi temple dedicated to Goddess Durga on the banks of the river Pabbar (now in Shimla district).
• Built another fort known as Rawingarh.

Raja Nekat/Wakat Parkash

• Made the village of Neri his palace and the seat of government.
• His successor, Raja Garbh Parkash, shifted the royal residence from Neri to Gajari (Gargah) in Ratesh, Shimla district.
• Bubhal Parkash later moved the capital back to Kalsi.

Raja Braham Parkash

Made Kot Deothal his capital.

Raja Bhakhat Prakash

• During his reign, a jagir named "Kotaha" was granted to the ancestors of Thakur Man Chand by a previous Sirmaur Raja.
• Bhakhat Prakash demanded Man Chand’s daughter for marriage, but Man Chand refused and fled to Delhi. He gave his daughter to Jahangir and converted to Islam, adopting the name Raja Mohan Murad.

Raja Budhi Parkash

Established his capital at Rajpur.

Raja Karam Prakash

• Founded the city and fort of Nahan.
• A disciple of Baba Banwari Dass, whose descendants still hold the Jaganath temple in Nahan.
• Assisted Nijabat Khan, faujdar of Shah Jahan, with horses and troops to invade Srinagar.

Raja Mandhata Prakash

Contemporary of Emperor Shah Jahan.

Raja Subhag Parkash

• Assisted Shah Jahan in conquering Srinagar.
• The Mughal Emperor rewarded him with the illaqa of Kotaha, which he annexed.
• A skilled administrator who improved agriculture, which led Emperor Alamgir to grant him the illaqa of Kalakhar (modern Kolagadh) due to the Zamindars' mismanagement.

Raja Mahi Parkash (Bidhi/Budh Chand Parkash)

• Demanded a marriage alliance with Raja Rup Chand of Keonthal but was refused.
• With the help of his father-in-law, the Raja of Guler, Mahi Parkash attacked Rup Chand and successfully married the princess.
• Sent gifts such as musk, wild pomegranates, and ice to Begam Jahan Ara, Shah Jahan's eldest daughter, and received valuable rewards in return.

Raja Jog Raj (Mast/Medni Parkash) (1678)

• Ruled from 1684 to 1701 A.D. under the title of Mast or Medni Parkash.
• During his reign, Guru Gobind Singh came to Sirmaur after being expelled from Anandpur by Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur over a dispute involving a white elephant.
• Guru Gobind Singh stayed at Paonta Sahib in Kiardun for several years.
• A conflict arose when Guru Gobind Singh's gifts were returned by Fateh Shah of Garhwal due to pressure from Bhim Chand, leading to the Battle of Bhangani near Paonta Sahib.

History of Sirmaur and its Rulers (1703 A.D. - 19th Century)

Raja Bhup Parkash (1703 A.D.)

He was honored with a Khillat and the title of Bhim Parkash by the Delhi emperor.

Raja Biji Parkash

His Rani brought the idol of Kali from Kumaon, which was installed in the temple at Kalistan.

Raja Kirat Singh Prakash

• Introduced major reforms in the state.
• Defeated the Raja of Srinagar and fought successfully against the Sikhs, capturing Naraingarh, Rampur, Thanadhar, Ramgarh, Morni, Pinjaur, and Jagatgarh.
• Formed an alliance with Raja Amar Singh of Patiala and regained Saifabad.
• He led an army to help Kahlur against Ghulam Qadir Khan Rohilla and aided the Garhwal Raja against the Gurkhas, resulting in a peace treaty that fixed the Ganges as the boundary between Sirmaur and the Gurkhas.

Raja Jagat Singh

• Maintained strong relations with the Patiala Raja and, with their help, defeated Ghulam Qadir Rohilla in the Battle of Katasan near Nahan.
• Built a temple dedicated to the Devi of Katasan to commemorate this victory.

Raja Dharam Parkash

• Fought against Ram Singh of Hindur at Chhalra Bhaira, capturing Raja Jagat Singh of Baghat.
• Forced Ram Singh to sign a peace treaty in exchange for Jagat Singh's release.
• Left no issue and was succeeded by his younger brother, Karam Parkash.

Raja Karam Parkash

• Succeeded his brother Dharam Parkash, but was an inexperienced ruler.
• Faced internal rebellion, instigated by Raja Ram Singh of Hindur and Sirmaur officials who supported Kanwar Ratan Singh, Karam’s brother.
• During the siege, Karam Parkash escaped to Kalsi while Ratan Parkash seized the throne.
• Karam Parkash sought the help of Amar Singh Thapa, a Gurkha general, who expelled Ratan Singh but established Gurkha control over Sirmaur.
• Thapa’s son, Ranzor Singh, was appointed administrator, and the Jaitak Fort was constructed.
• Karam Parkash took asylum at Buria in Ambala District and later sought British assistance.
• After the Anglo-Gurkha War in 1815, the British occupied Sirmaur, and Karam Parkash was passed over due to his notorious behavior.

Raj Kumar Fateh Parkash (1815 A.D.)

• A minor of 6 years, he was granted the Sanad of Sirmaur by the British.
• Guler Rani was appointed regent, and Aziz-Ullah-Khan was appointed administrator during Fateh Parkash’s minority.
• Fateh Parkash built the Sheesh Mahal and Moti Mahal for his Rani from Kahlur.
• Remained loyal to the British government during the expedition against Afghanistan and the First Anglo-Sikh War.

History of Sirmaur and its Rulers (1856-1948)

Raja Shamsher Parkash (1856-1898)

• Ascended the throne at the age of ten and ruled until 1898.
• Provided support to the British during the 1857 revolt, earning him a salute of seven guns.
• His wife, the daughter of the Raja of Keonthal, was known for her judicial and administrative skills and conducted state affairs in his absence.
• In memory of his Rani, Raja Shamsher Parkash laid out the Ranital Bagh garden in Nahan.
• He banned the custom of Siyapa (mourning ritual) as a social reform.

Reforms and Achievements

• Modernized the administration, introducing police, judicial and revenue courts, a district board, public works, and a municipality in Nahan.
• Established dispensaries, schools, post offices, and attempted to develop the Chehta iron mine.
• Set up the Nahan foundry, manufacturing well-known tools and equipment.
• Colonized Kiarda Dun, transforming a wild, forested area into productive land.
• Settled land revenue and conferred proprietary rights to zamindars, preserving forests for revenue.

Other Achievements

• Received a khillat for his service in 1857 and became a member of the Imperial Legislative Council.
• Honored with the K.C.S.I. in 1876 and G.C.S.I. in 1886, raising his personal salute to 13 guns.
• The state came under the control of the Commissioner of Delhi in 1896, removing it from the political control of the Simla Hill States.

Raja Surinder Bikram Singh (1898-1911)

• Installed by Sir Mackworth Young in 1898.
• Received the K.C.S.I. in 1901 and served in the Imperial Legislative Council from 1902.
• Donated 20,000 lbs. of tea for soldiers in the South African War.
• Enforced strict discipline and fought against bribery and corruption.
• Died in Mussoorie in 1911.

Maharaja Amar Parkash (1911-1933)

• Formally installed as Raja by Sir Louis Dane in 1911.
• Sent his army of 400 soldiers to fight in Mesopotamia during World War I.
• Awarded the K.C.S.I. in 1915 and the title of Maharaja in 1918, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
• Received the K.C.I.E. in 1921, and his personal salute was raised to 13 guns in 1931.
• Inaugurated the Mahima Library and completed the metalled road from Nahan to Kala Amb in 1927.
• Died in Vienna on 13th August 1933.

Maharaja Rajender Parkash (1933-1948)

• The last Raja of Sirmaur, ruling from 1933 until 1948.
• A sportsman, fond of hockey, polo, cricket, and tennis.
• After initial agitation, he signed the merger document on 13th March 1948, and the legal merger with Himachal Pradesh was recognized on 15th April 1948.

Praja Mandal Movement

• The Praja Mandal of Sirmaur was founded in 1935-36, with the regular formation in 1937 under Chaudhary Sher Jung.
• Key leaders included Nagender Singh, Rajender Dutt, and Devender Singh.
• The movement gained strength from 1943-45 under Dharam Narayan and Pandit Shiva Nand Ramoul.