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

History of Hamirpur District: Himachal Pradesh

1. Association with the Katoch Dynasty

   • The history of Hamirpur district is closely linked to the Katoch dynasty, which ruled the region between the Ravi and Satluj rivers.
   • Hamirpur was part of the ancient Jullundur-Trigarta empire, which dates back to the Mahabharata, Panini's Ashtadhyayi, and the Puranas.

2. Bhumi/Bhuma Chand (Katoch Dynasty)

   • Bhumi Chand, the founder of the Katoch dynasty, was the ruler of Trigarta during the Mahabharata war.
   • He fought on the side of the Kauravas during the war.
   • Panini praised the people of this region as great warriors, a tradition that continues today, with many from the area serving in the Indian Army and previously in the British Army.

3. Ancient Empires

   • Although little recorded history exists about ancient Hamirpur, it is believed that during the Maurya and Gupta periods, the region came under their control.

4. Middle Ages

   • The region was likely under the control of rulers like Mohammad Ghaznavi, Timur, and various Mughal and Sultanate rulers during the Middle Ages.
   • Over time, these rulers faded, and by the time of Hamir Chand's reign, the region was governed by feudal hill chiefs known as Ranas.

5. Hamir Chand and the Katoch Dynasty

   • The Katoch dynasty regained prominence under Raja Hamir Chand, who ruled from 1700 AD to 1740 AD.
   • He built a fort in Hamirpur, and the town was named after him.
   • Hamir Chand subjugated local feudal chiefs such as the Ranas of Mewa, Mehalta, and Dhatwal, consolidating the region under his rule.

Rule of Raja Sansar Chand II

1. Raja Sansar Chand II's Reign (1775 AD - 1823 AD)

   • Raja Sansar Chand II's rule brought prominence to the area now known as Hamirpur district.
   • He made Tira Sujanpur his capital and constructed palaces and temples, establishing it as a cultural and political center.

2. Recapture of Kangra Fort

   • Sansar Chand ascended the throne at a young age and sought to recapture Kangra Fort, which had been under Mughal control for about 160 years.
   • He aspired to restore the old Jullundur-Trigarta empire that his ancestors had once ruled.

3. Confrontation with Sikh Raja Ranjit Singh

   • Sansar Chand made two unsuccessful attempts to expand his kingdom into the plains, but his efforts were thwarted by the rise of the Sikh ruler, Raja Ranjit Singh.

4. Conquering Hill Chiefs

   • After being blocked in the plains, Sansar Chand turned his focus to the hill states.
   • He attacked Mandi State, capturing Raja Ishwari Sen and holding him prisoner for 12 years at Nadaun.
   • He conquered Suket, but returned the territory on the condition that tribute would be paid.
   • He also annexed parts of the Bilaspur State on the right bank of the river Satluj.

Downfall of Raja Sansar Chand II

1. Rising Threat from Hill Chiefs and Gorkhas

   • Raja Sansar Chand's rapid conquests alarmed the hill chiefs, leading them to unite against him.
   • They invited the Gorkhas to invade Sansar Chand's kingdom, aligning with their own expansionist ambitions.

2. First Battle of Mahal Morian (Hamirpur)

   • The combined armies of the Gorkhas and hill chiefs fought against Sansar Chand’s forces at Mahal Morian in Hamirpur.
   • Raja Sansar Chand successfully defeated the alliance, forcing them to retreat across the Satluj River.

3. Strategic Mistake and Weakening of Army

   • Encouraged by his General Gulam Mohammad, Raja Sansar Chand attempted to reduce military costs by replacing parts of his army with Rohillas, weakening the Katoch forces.
   • Sensing this vulnerability, the Gorkhas and the hill chiefs regrouped and prepared for another attack.

4. Second Battle of Mahal Morian (1806)

   • The Gorkhas, alongside the hill chiefs, crossed the Satluj River again and fought a second battle at Mahal Morian.
   • The weakened Katoch army was defeated, forcing Raja Sansar Chand and his family to take refuge in Kangra Fort.

5. Gorkha Siege of Kangra Fort

   • Unsatisfied with their victory, the Gorkhas pursued Sansar Chand to Kangra Fort and laid siege to it.
   • They looted and desecrated villages between Mahal Morian and Kangra, leaving destruction in their wake.

6. Liberation of Raja Ishwari Sen

   • On their way, the Gorkhas freed Raja Ishwari Sen of Mandi, who had been imprisoned for 12 years by Raja Sansar Chand at Nadaun.

Raja Sansar Chand, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the Gorkhas

1. Three-Year Siege of Kangra Fort

   • The Gorkhas besieged Kangra Fort for three years after their victory over Raja Sansar Chand in 1806.
   • Raja Sansar Chand ultimately escaped the fort in disguise.

2. Alliance with Maharaja Ranjit Singh

   • To counter the Gorkhas, Raja Sansar Chand sought the help of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the powerful ruler of the Sikh Empire.
   • In exchange for Ranjit Singh's military assistance, Sansar Chand had to give up Kangra Fort and 66 fertile villages to the Sikhs.

3. Defeat of the Gorkhas (1809)

   • With the aid of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Gorkhas were defeated in 1809.
   • The Gorkhas retreated to the left bank of the Satluj River, ending their control over the region.

Sikhs and the British: The Transition of Power

1. Sikh Control Over Kangra and Hamirpur

   • After helping Raja Sansar Chand defeat the Gorkhas, the Sikhs, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, retained sovereignty over Kangra and parts of Hamirpur.
   • This control lasted until 1846, when the Sikhs were defeated by the British in the First Anglo-Sikh War.

2. British Supremacy Post-1846

   • Following the Sikh defeat, the Sikhs surrendered the territories between the Beas and the Satluj, including Kangra and Hamirpur, to the British as part of the war indemnity.
   • From this point onward, British supremacy was established in the region, integrating it into the British Empire.

3. Raja Sansar Chand's Disillusionment

   • Raja Sansar Chand, who had sought Sikh assistance to regain his kingdom, died disillusioned as the Sikhs retained control of Kangra and the surrounding areas.

4. Raja Parmod Chand's Failed Resistance

   • Sansar Chand's descendant, Raja Parmod Chand, in alliance with the Sikhs and other local rulers, made an unsuccessful attempt to resist British rule.

5. Formation of Kangra District

   • The British reorganized the area, merging Kangra with Kullu and Lahaul & Spiti to form a larger district under their administration, which included Hamirpur.

Administrative History of Hamirpur District

1. Initial Settlement and Nadaun as Tehsil Headquarters (1846)

   • After the annexation of Kangra State in 1846, a summary settlement was conducted by the British Commissioner of Jullundur Doab.
   • As a result, Nadaun was made the tehsil headquarters.

2. Revised Settlement and Shift to Hamirpur (1868)

   • In 1868, a revised settlement introduced significant changes, leading to the shift of tehsil headquarters from Nadaun to Hamirpur.

3. Creation of Palampur Tehsil (1888)

   • In 1888, Palampur tehsil was created by merging parts of Hamirpur and Kangra tehsils.

4. Hamirpur as Part of Punjab Province

   • The region remained part of Punjab Province until 1st November 1966, when it was merged with Himachal Pradesh following the reorganization of Punjab.

5. Formation of Hamirpur District (1972)

   • On 1st September 1972, further administrative changes led to the creation of Hamirpur as a separate district in Himachal Pradesh.
   • The district comprised the entire Hamirpur tehsil and 314 villages from the Barsar sub-tehsil, formerly part of Kangra district.
   • The Una district was also carved out of the old Kangra district during this reorganization.

6. Further Reorganization (1980)

   • In 1980, three more sub-tehsils were created: Tira Sujanpur, Nadaun, and Bhoranj, further enhancing the administrative framework of Hamirpur district.

History of Nadaun

1. Early History and Connection to Kangra

   • Nadaun, now part of Hamirpur district, was originally part of the princely state of Kangra.
   • The Jagir of Nadaun was granted to Raja Jodhbir Singh, the son of Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra.

2. Mention in Literature

   • Nadaun is mentioned by the Sufi poet Bulleh Shah, who referred to it as a "city of innocents" and wrote the famous saying, "Aaye Nadaun Jaye Kaun" (Who comes to Nadaun, who goes from Nadaun).

3. Religious Importance

   • The famous Bilkileshwar Mahadev Temple is located in Nadaun, adding to its cultural and religious significance.

Other Important Information

• Tira Sujanpur: The town of Tira Sujanpur was established by Raja Abhay Chand.
• Sujanpur's Early Visitors: Sujanpur was visited by a German traveler named Traveck and later by a British traveler named Moorcraft.