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History of Suket Princely State

The region known as Suket was called Sukshetra, meaning "Good Land," and was ruled by Ranas and Thakurs.

Bir Sen

• In 765 A.D., Bir Sen, originally from Bengal, crossed the Satluj River at Juiri and began his conquest of the area. He settled in Kunnudhar.
• He attacked and seized Kothidehr, Nanj, Salalu, Belu, and Thanamagra, establishing forts at Kaun and Magra.
• The Thakurs of Kandikot and Saruhi surrendered to him. He built a fort at Pangana and made it his capital.
• Bir Sen captured the fort of Birkot on the border with Kumharsain and extended his control over the Seraj area of Kullu, including Pandoh and Nachni.
• He continued his expansion westward, reaching Secundra-Ki-dhar, defeating the Rana of Hatli, and fixed the boundary with Kangra by constructing the fort of Bira on the Seer/Sir Khudd.
• Suket was founded by Bir Sen in 765 BC. He faced initial resistance from the Thakur of Korali but defeated him and took the fort of Sri Magal.
• He captured Bhup Pal of Kullu and held him prisoner.

Bikram Sen

• Bikram Sen installed his brother, Tribikram Sen, as Raja while he went on a pilgrimage to Haridwar.
• Tribikram Sen betrayed Bikram, with the help of Hast Pal, which led to Kullu’s independence from Suket. Hast Pal was the grandson of Bhup Pal.
• Upon returning after two years, Bikram Sen, with help from the Raja of Keonthal, defeated Tribikram and Hast Pal at Jiuri, regaining control over Kullu.

Lakshman Sen

During Lakshman Sen’s minority, the Raja of Kullu asserted independence.

Bilas Sen

• Known for his tyrannical rule, Bilas Sen was poisoned. 
• His brother, Samudr Sen, was installed as Raja by the officials.

Semant Sen

• Semant Sen, an infant at the time of his father Bilas Sen’s death, was taken to Saraj for refuge by his mother. 
• After becoming Raja, Semant granted a jagir to the zamindar who had sheltered them and built a fort named Rani Ka Kot in the same village.

Madan Sen

• Madan Sen, a notable successor of Bir Sen, was known for his strength and extended the territory of Suket.
• He built the fort of Madanpur in territory conquered from Kullu and defeated Sri Mangal, Rana of Batwara, who later established the principality of Mangal.
• Under his rule, Suket reached its peak of prosperity and power.
• Madan Sen moved the capital from Pangna to Lohara in the plains of Balh and constructed the temple of Asthambnath.
• The decline of the state began after his death.

Parbat Sen (1500 AD)

• Parbat Sen faced a curse (Shap) from a Purohit who had committed suicide after being accused of having an affair with a slave girl.
• To atone for the Brahmin’s son, Parbat Sen appointed him as Wazir of Lag and Sari. This area came under the control of Sultan Chand, the elder son of the Brahmin.
• Sultan Chand founded the city of Sultanpur, which was later acquired by Kullu Raja Jagat Singh, who moved Kullu’s capital from Naggar to Sultanpur.

Kartar Sen

During Kartar Sen's reign, the capital was shifted from Lohara to Kartarpur.

Shyam Sen

• Shyam Sen's Bushahri Rani conspired to kill Prince Ram Singh, born from Guleri Rani, to make her own son, Prithi Singh, the successor.
• Mian Jughanun, appointed by the Bushahri Rani, pushed Ram Singh into a cellar, but Raja’s younger brother, Naurang Singh, discovered the plot.
• The Bushahri Rani was banished, and Mian Jughanun and his family were executed.
• Shyam Sen and Naurang Singh supported Aurangzeb’s forces in capturing forts at Lahore, earning Shyam Sen the title “Khillat” and the privilege to mint his own coins.
• Shyam Sen’s daughter married Kalian Chand, Raja of Kahlur.
• Shyam Sen fought against Kalian Chand and Suraj Sen of Mandi at Mahadeo, defeating both. Kalian Chand was severely wounded and died on the way to Suket. The place is now called Kalian Chand ki Darwari.
• Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur attacked Suket, imprisoning Shyam Sen, Naurang Singh, and Man Singh of Guler in Delhi.
• During captivity, Shyam Sen prayed to Mahun Nag, who appeared as a bee and promised his release.
• In 1641, when Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur revolted against the Mughals, Shyam Sen was released. He faced an attack by the Raja of Bushahr on his way back but emerged victorious.
• In gratitude, Shyam Sen granted a jagir of Rs. 400 per year to the temple of Mahun Nag.

Ram Sen

• Ram Sen, suspecting his sister's chastity, sent her to Pangana. His suspicion proved false, and she poisoned herself.
• Following this incident, Ram Sen became insane and eventually died.

Jit Sen (1663 AD)

• Jit Sen was installed as Raja in 1663.
• Known for losing every battle he fought, his reign saw Mandi annex the Balh area up to Suketi Nallah.
• Jit Sen died childless and was succeeded by Garur Sen.
• He is noted for worshipping a dead princess as a malevolent spirit. His twenty-two children died in infancy.
• Jit Sen fought against Shyam Singh of Mandi on the Balh plain.

Garur Sen (1721)

• Garur Sen, the grandson of Hari Singh (son of Bushahri Rani), was supported by Kullu and Kangra in his claim to the kingdom.
• He founded the city of Baned, now known as Sundernagar.
• His Rani constructed the Suraj Kund temple.

Bhikam/Bikram Sen (1748 AD)

• Bikram Sen became Raja of Suket in 1748 during a turbulent period in Punjab.
• Ahmad Shah Durani invaded Punjab in 1747, and by 1752, the region was ceded to him by Ahmad Shah of Delhi.
• During this upheaval, Suket, like other hill states, gained independence. Sikhs also rose to power, with Jassa Singh Ramgarhia invading the Kangra hills and establishing control over several hill states, including possibly Suket.

Ranjit Sen (1762)

• Ranjit Sen attempted to recover Nachan from Mandi.
• His reign was marked by peace and prosperity in Suket, largely due to his trusted wazir, Narpat.
• However, Ranjit Sen's son, Prince Bikram, had strained relations with Narpat, leading to a confrontation where the prince drew his sword against the minister, but was stopped by his father.
• Ranjit Sen died in 1769 from accidental poisoning.

Vikram Sen (1791)

• Vikram Sen imprisoned Wazir Narpat in the fort of Batwara and executed him.
• In 1792, Raja Sansar Chand of Mandi, with the help of Kishan Sen (Ranjit Singh's brother), invaded Mandi and captured Ishwari Sen, holding him prisoner for 12 years.
• Hill chiefs of Kangra invited Gorkha Commander Amar Singh Thapa to invade Kangra. The Gorkhas defeated Sansar Chand’s forces at Mehalmori and captured the Kangra fort.
• Vikram Sen was briefly imprisoned in Bilaspur and had to surrender six forts seized from Mandi, including Hatli and Balh. He managed a daring escape and returned to his territory on foot.
• The Gorkhas lost control over Kangra by 1809 and were expelled by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Sikhs then gained dominance over the hill states, including Suket, which became a tributary.
• During Vikram Sen's rule, the Pali and Dudar forts were built. William Moorcroft, the first European to visit Suket, came in 1820.
• Vikram Sen was known for his strict administration, dealing harshly with thieves, robbers, and traffickers.
• The capital was moved to Baned (now Sundernagar), founded by Garur Sen. Suket's former importance diminished as the new town Bhojpur emerged between Baned and Suket.

Ugar Sen (1838)

• Ugar Sen became the Raja of Suket in 1838.
• During his reign, he played a constructive role in bringing peace to Kehlur during a revolt, showcasing his diplomatic skills.
• In 1839, traveler Mr. Vigne visited Suket and described the Suket-Mandi valley as fertile and rich, with numerous villages and surrounding forests.
• In 1840, Nau Nihal Singh, the grandson of Ranjit Singh, under General Ventura’s command, attacked Suket, Mandi, and Kullu. Ugar Sen submitted, and was treated kindly by the invaders.
• In 1845, Ugar Sen refused to send a contingent against the British, who had invaded the region. Instead, he allied with Balbir Sen of Mandi and met with Mr. Erskine, the Superintendent of Shimla Hill States, to pledge allegiance to the British Government.
• After the treaty of March 9, 1846, between the British Government and the Sikh Darbar, the Doab between the Satluj and Beas was ceded to the British. Mandi and Suket were placed under British control in October 1846, and Ugar Sen received a ‘Sanad’ confirming his rights and obligations.
• Ugar Sen built the Shiva temple at Amla-Bimla and died in 1876 due to paralysis. He was respected for his liberal views, courtesy, courage, knowledge of Sanskrit, fondness for music, and understanding of medicine.

Rudar Sen

• Rudar Sen imposed a ‘Dhal’ (a type of land revenue) instead of a house tax. His reign was marked by increased land revenue and additional levies on Zamindars, leading to widespread discontent.
• His oppressive rule led to his deposition in 1879. Rudar Sen eventually settled in Hoshiarpur, where he died in 1887.

Dusht Nikandan Sen

• Dusht Nikandan Sen's administration was initially managed by the Superintendent until he reached maturity and took full control.
• He introduced two systems of land assessment and reduced land taxes in 1888, alongside many other improvements in the state.
• Significant developments during his reign included the opening of a dispensary at Baned, a school at Bhojpur, a post office in 1900, and a telegraph office in 1906.
• He also undertook the construction of various public utility buildings, including a bridge on the Satluj River at Juiri (completed in 1889), maintaining roads, and building sepoy lines, a new jail, office complexes, and granaries.
• Dusht Nikandan Sen was succeeded by his son Bhim Sen in 1908.

Bhim Sen

• During Bhim Sen's reign, a fully equipped hospital was constructed at Baned, and rest houses were built at Baned, Seri, and Dehar.
• The road from Suket to Mandi was improved to be motorable.
• Bhim Sen rendered significant services during World War I and was honored with the title of Knighthood.
• He passed away in 1919 and was succeeded by his younger brother Lakshman Sen, as Bhim Sen had no children.

Lakshman Sen

• Under Raja Lakshman Sen, land revenue settlements were updated, and various government departments, including the judiciary, were formally established.
• New facilities constructed during his reign included schools for boys and girls, a club building, an orphanage, and the Chief Court.
• On November 1, 1921, the political control of the State was transferred from the Punjab Government to the Government of India.
• The state of Suket was merged with Himachal Pradesh on April 15, 1948, and a separate district of Mandi was created by combining Mandi and Suket states.

History of Mandi Princely State

Origins and Descent

• The chiefs of Mandi, Suket, Keonthal, and Kishtwar claim descent from the Chandravanshi line of Rajputs, tracing their lineage to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata.
• Mandi, known as Zahor among Tibetans, has historical connections with Padma Sambhava, a prominent Buddhist teacher and missionary. According to tradition, Padma Sambhava traveled from Zahor (Mandi) to Tibet at the request of the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo to spread Buddhism. The special headgear worn by Padma Sambhava in his depictions is still referred to as Zahorma in Mandi.

Formation of Mandi State

• Mandi's separation from Suket occurred around 1200 AD. The split is attributed to a dispute between Bahu Sen and his elder brother Sahu Sen. 
• Bahu Sen, after the quarrel, left Suket and established himself in Manglan, Kullu, where his descendants ruled for eleven generations.

Karanchena Sen

• Karanchena Sen, the tenth descendant of Bahu Sen, married the daughter of the Rana of Seokot. Ambitious and powerful, he subdued various Ranas of Bans, Neru, Baggi, and Thachi, compelling them to pay tribute.
• The subdued Ranas sought help from the Kullu chief, leading to conflict with Karanchena Sen. He was killed in battle against the Kullu Raja. During this period, Karanchena Sen’s pregnant wife fled to her father in Seokot, Mandi. She gave birth to her son, Ban Sen, under a Ban tree. Since her father had no other heirs, he adopted Ban Sen and raised him as his own, giving him the name Ban Sen.

Ban Sen (1301-1346 A.D.)

• Ban Sen became a notable ruler at a young age, famously killing the chief of Kilti, who was notorious for plundering travelers.
• After the death of his maternal grandfather, Ban Sen relocated to Bhiu near the present Mandi.
• His reign was marked by significant achievements including the construction of the Prashar Temple around 1340 AD, noted for its Pagoda style.
• Ban Sen died around 1300 AD, succeeded by his son Kalyan Sen.

Kalyan Sen

• Kalyan Sen continued Ban Sen’s legacy and established his residence at Batahuli on the right bank of the Beas River.
• This location served as the capital of the Mandi state until the establishment of the present Mandi town.

Raja Ajbar Sen

• Raja Ajbar Sen, the 19th descendant of Bahu Sen, succeeded his father in 1527 and is often recognized as the first Raja of Mandi.
• He was an able and benevolent ruler who founded the present Mandi town, shifting the capital there from Batahuli.
• Ajbar Sen commissioned the construction of the Bhutnath Temple in the heart of Mandi town and the Triloknath Temple, inspired by his queen Surat Rani (or Sultana Devi).
• His military and administrative prowess led to the subjugation of the Ranas of Kamlah and Kalar. His son, Chattar Sen, built the fort of Lakargarh in Kalar.
• The surrounding Ranas accepted the supremacy of Mandi and were subjected to pay tributes in cash and kind.
• Ajbar Sen was succeeded by his son Chhatar Sen, followed by Sahib Sen.

Narayan Sen (1575-1595 AD)

• Narayan Sen, son of Sahib Sen, succeeded his father in 1575 AD.
• During his reign, he expanded Mandi's territory by subduing the Ranas of Ner, Pandoh, and Chuhar, annexing their lands.
• He built the fort of Naraingarh and annexed a significant portion of Suket, establishing the boundary at Balh and Lohara.
• Narayan Sen was succeeded by Keshav Sen in 1595 AD.

Keshav Sen (1595-1637 AD)

• Under Keshav Sen, Mandi came under Mughal influence, though the Mughals did not interfere with the internal affairs of the state.
• Mandi acknowledged Mughal authority by paying annual tribute and providing military contingents for Mughal expeditions.
• The Satli/Sati pillars, locally known as Barsetas, mark the Mandi Rajas and their families and stand on the left bank of Suketi Nallah.

Raja Surya/Suraj Sen (1637/1664 or 1623/1658)

• Raja Surya Sen, also known as Suraj Sen, was an ambitious ruler whose efforts to extend Mandi's territory often led to disaster.
• During his reign, Mughal supremacy was firmly established, making Mandi a tributary state to the Mughal Empire.
• His rule saw territorial losses to Kullu and Guler chiefs, and the state was sacked.
• Suraj Sen built the Kamlagarh fort in 1625 AD and the second palace at Mandi, known as Damdama.
• He had eighteen sons, all of whom died during his lifetime. In response, he created a silver image named “Madho Rai” and assigned the kingdom to it.

Raja Shyam Sen (1658-1670 AD)

• Following Suraj Sen's death, his brother Shyam Sen ascended the throne in 1658.
• Shyam Sen was a noted traveler, visiting places like Nepal, Banaras, and Jagannath.
• He built the Shama Kali Temple on Dhar Tarna above Mandi town.

Raja Gur Sen (1670-1680 AD)

• Gur Sen, who succeeded Shyam Sen, brought the image of God from Jagannath.
• He conquered and annexed areas of Dhayara, Bira, and Patri from Suket with the help of the ruler of Bilaspur.
• Gur Sen made alliances with Kehlur against the Raja of Kangra, resulting in a battle at Hatoli.

Raja Sidh Sen (1678-1688)

• Sidh Sen ascended the throne in 1678. During his reign, Jippu, the illegitimate brother of his father Gur Sen, served as a prominent minister.
• Sidh Sen was known for his conquests, including territories from Banaghal, Suket, and Kullu.
• He introduced a revenue system that remained in place until the regular settlement in 1917.
• Sidh Sen also implemented a system of advancing state loans to private individuals.
• He annexed territories such as Nachan, Hatli, and Lad from Suket, and captured forts like Danesargarh and Sarakpur. He also recovered Shivpur and annexed Raipur and Madhopur from Suket.
• Guru Gobind Singh visited Mandi during his time, having previously been imprisoned at Sultanpur by Raja Raj Singh of Kullu. Legend says Guru Gobind Singh escaped using miraculous powers.
• Sidh Sen built temples, including the Sidhganesha Temple and Triloknath Temple.
• He lived to be 100 years old, and upon his death, his son Jawala Sen, who predeceased him, left his grandson Shamsher Sen as his successor.

Ishwari Sen (1826-1839)

• Ishwari Sen was only five years old when his father Shiv Man Sen died.
• During his minority, Sansar Chand of Kangra invaded Mandi and held Ishwari Sen captive at Nadaun for 12 years.
• Released by the Gurkhas in 1806, Ishwari Sen had to pay tribute to the Sikhs following the Gurkhas' defeat by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1809.
• His brother Zalim Sen, who sought Ranjit Singh's help to claim the throne, eventually came to power in 1826.
• Ishwari Sen lived under the protection of Sansar Chand of Kangra, but died in 1839. He handed over administration to his younger nephew Balbir Sen.

Balbir Sen (1839-1851)

• After Ranjit Singh's death in 1839, his grandson Naunihal Singh attacked Suket, Mandi, and Kullu.
• Balbir Sen was captured and imprisoned in Govindgarh Fort at Amritsar by Sikh General Ventura. He was later released in January 1841 by Maharaja Sher Singh of Lahore.
• Mandi supported the British during the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46). After the war, Balbir Sen received a “Sanad” from the British with several restrictions.
• He died in 1851, leaving his four-year-old son Bijai Sen under the protection of Wazir Gasaon.
• Lord Lawrence, Commissioner of Jalandhar, visited Mandi in 1846 and advised building roads. Mr. Barnes, Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, settled boundaries between Mandi, Suket, and Kangra.
• Raja Bijai Sen built the Suspension or Victoria bridge over the Beas River in 1877.
• A council was established to manage the state, with Wazir Gasaon as president and Mian Bhag Singh and Purohit as advisers. Reforms included reducing forced labor and supporting widow marriages.
• European visitors during this period included William Moorcroft (1820), Mr. Vigne (1839), Mr. Clark (1863), and Mr. E. Harrison (1866). Lord Mayo and Lord Elgin also visited Mandi in 1871 and 1899, respectively.

Raja Joginder Sen Bahadur (1986)

• Raja Joginder Sen Bahadur was the last Raja of Mandi, who died in 1986.
• On November 16, 1921, political control of Mandi shifted from the Punjab government to the Indian government. The princely state was officially merged with Himachal Pradesh on April 15, 1948.
• On March 8, 1948, Raja Col. Joginder Sen decided to abolish the separate symbol of Mandi, completing its integration into Himachal Pradesh.