Chand Kings
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chand Kings (चंद नरेश) were a medieval Rajput ruling clan of Kumaon region of the Uttarakhand state of India, which ruled the region after the decline of Katyuri Kings in 11th century AD., and continued till the rise of the British in 18th century.
[edit] History
One of most powerful ruler of Chand dynasty was Baz Bahadur (1638-78) AD., who met Shahjahan in Delhi and in 1655 joined forces with him to attack Garhwal and also recovered the Terai region, in 1672 he started poll tax, and its revenue was sent to Delhi as a tribute. Baz Bahabur also built the Golu Devata Temple, at Ghorakhal, near Bhimtal [1] and the Bimdadeva temple at Bhimtal [2]. One of his successors Debi Chand (1720-6) took part in the wars of Rohillas of Rohilkhand, and was defeated the British troops [1].
In 1744 Ali Mohammed Khan, the Rohilla leader, sent a force into the Chand territory and penetrated through Bhimtal in the Nainital district to Almora; but the Rohillas were ultimately driven out. A reconciliation was subsequently effected; troops from the hills fought side by side with the Rohillas at Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.
Internal strife and dissensions followed, and the government of the plains became separated from that of the hills, part being held by the Nawab of Awadh and part by Brahmins from the hills. In 1790 the Gurkhas invaded the hills, and the Chands were driven to the Bhabhar and finally expelled.
The Tarai and Kashipur were ceded to the British by the Nawab of Awadh in 1801 with the rest of Rohilkhand. In 1814, during the Anglo-Nepalese War, and a force marched from Kashipur in February, 1815. Almora fell in two months and Kumaun became British territory [1].
The capital of Chand rulers was Champawat - the stronghold popularly known as Kali Kumaon, due to its vicinity to river Kali, which is now a district headquarter town. Medieval fort, Baleshwar temple, Nagnath Temple, etc., are a few remnants of once a powerful Chand reign.
The Chand rule was established by Raja Som Chand in 700 AD by displacing the Katyuri Kings (कत्यूरी नरेश) and called their state Kurmanchal.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c History of Nainital District The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1909, v. 18, p. 324-325.
- ^ Bhimtal British Library.
This biography of a member of an Indian royal house is a stub. See the WikiProject India for article coordination. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
