11th & 12th topic will be uploaded on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2024
10.Sir Henry Ramsay
-Ramsay worked in Kumaon on various posts for 44 years, worked as a commissioner for 28 years
-Henry Ramsay held the post of commissioner from 1856 to 1884, who was the 6th commissioner of Kumaon
-In Kumaon, he was known as He was called Ramji Saheb
-Ramsey was originally a resident of Scotland and was the cousin of Governor General Dalhousie
-Ramsey was married to the daughter of former Commissioner Lushington
-Ramsey is also called the uncrowned king of Kumaon
-Ramsey was able to speak the Pahari dialect, and farmers and labourers used to eat roti made of lentils at home
-Ramsey opposed the settlement of the British in Kumaon
-Ramsey made the first attempt at disaster management in Uttarakhand
-Henry Ramsey developed the city of Nainital as a centre for school education
-Henry Ramsey used to live in Binsar, Almonda and Bhabar at intervals of four months each
-Pastor William Butler established India’s first Methodist Church in Nainital in 1858
-Ramsey established the Terai Improvement Fund in 1883 for the development of Terai Bhabar
-In 1867, the first landslide occurred in Nainital, the reasons for this were Hillsite Safety Committee was formed to find out the cause.
-In 1880, a dangerous landslide occurred in Nainital, in which 151 people died
-Wicket Settlement 1863-73 AD was the first scientific settlement of land and it was the 9th land settlement by the British
-Ramsey, while working as Conservator in Uttarakhand,
-ended the contract system
-The Notified District Act 1874 was passed, the rules made for forest panchayats in Kumaon in 1931 were under this Act
-Even after retiring in 1884, Ramsey lived in Almora till 1892
9. John Halliton
After Lushington, Baton was the Kumaon Commissioner from 1848 to 1856. • Baton made a twenty-year settlement, the specialty of which was the Khasra survey
Commissioner Strachey built the first iron suspension bridge in Garhwal in Srinagar, its cost was Rs 17078-1853.
8.British rule in Uttarakhand:
British rule in Uttarakhand began in 1815 AD in Garhwal region. It was divided into parts. The British had control over the area east of the Alaknanda river and the western part of the Alaknanda was called British Garhwal and Tehri Garhwal
-The British first set up a hemp factory in Kashipur
-In May 1815, Edward Gardner was appointed the first commissioner of British Kumaon
-Gardner’s tenure lasted for a total of 9 months, and his assistant was Trail
-The Kumaon Commissioner was given authority as the representative of the British government in the Tehri State
-From 1825 to 1842, the commissioner of Dehradun worked as the British agent in the Tehri State
-The Tehri State was merged with the Punjab Hill State Agency in 1937
-In 1864, the post of Kumaon Commissioner became a High Court in itself
-In 1926, the Kumaon region was placed under the jurisdiction of the Allahabad High Court
-The Garhwal district was formed in 1839 and the Terai district was formed It was done in 1842 A.D.
-There were a total of 23 British commissioners and one Indian commissioner in Kumaon. After independence, K.L. was the commissioner in Kumaon from 1947 to 1948 A.D. Mehta took over the post of Kumaon Commissioner
-The 23rd Commissioner of British Kumaon was W. Finlay, who remained on this post from 1943 to 1947
-At the time of India’s independence, the Kumaon Commissioner was W. Finlay
-The 22nd Commissioner of British Kumaon was J.C. Acton, who remained from 1941 to 1943. Before this, the Commissioner was Mr. Stiff
-At the time of the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Kumaon Commissioner was P. Vidham, whose tenure was from 1914 to 1921
-At the time of the Swadeshi Movement, the Kumaon Commissioner was Campbell, whose tenure was from 1906 to 1914 AD
-After Ramsay in 1884, the Kumaon Commissioner was Fisher
-At the time of the establishment of the Congress in 1885 AD, the Kumaon Commissioner was G. Ross
-Lushington started work on the Khairna-Nainital road in 1845. In 1848, a dam was built in the Gomti river in Bageshwar The bridge was constructed by Lushington
-In 1847 AD, a surgeon was appointed in Nainital
-In 1848, a dispensary committee was formed in Almora and a dispensary was established in Almora
-Poet Gumani Pant has written some verses about Lushington
7. Battle of Khurbura
Battle of Khurbura occurred in May 1804 near modern-day village of Dehradun, Khurbura
The battle is regarded as the first major attack that triggered between Kingdom of Nepal forces and Maharaja Pradyuman Shah, and continued for 13 days until the Garhwal king was defeated.
It is chiefly regarded the only defeat of Pradyumna Shah’s life and the victory of Gorkhali forces under Kingdom of Nepal.
With great difficulty due to unstable circumstances caused by earthquake, Maharaja Pradyuman Shah first moved to Srinagar to Dehradun and then to Saharanpur arranging the forces to combat Gorkhas.
King Pradyumna Shah of Garhwal Kingdon prepared for warfare by assembling 12,000 men of various groups under a Gujjar Sardar Ramadayal Singh of Landhaur.
On the other hand, Gorkhali forces were led by overall commander ‘Bada Kaji’ Amar Singh Thapa, and his subordinate commanders Kaji Ranajit Kunwar and Bhaktibir Thapa.
Pradyumna Shah on his horseback was having a conversation with Miya Dulal Singh of Prithvipur and momentarily, Kaji Ranajit Kunwar shot Pradyumna Shah to death. His shot proved successful as Garhwali soldiers ran away and the war finally ended.
6. Chand dynasty of Kumaon
The Chand dynasty Kumaon was a Hindu dynasty that ruled the Kumaon area in present-day Uttarakhand state of India, after the decline of the Katyuri rule.
One of the most powerful rulers of the Chand dynasty was Baz Bahadur (1638–78), who met Shahjahan in Delhi, and in 1655 joined forces with him to attack Garhwal, which was under its king, Pirthi Sah, and subsequently captured the Terai region including Dehradun, which was hence separated from the Garhwal kingdom. Baz Bahadur extended his territory east to Karnali river.
In 1672, Baz Bahadur started a poll tax, and its revenue was sent to Delhi as a tribute. Baz Bahadur also built the Golu Devta Temple, at Ghorakhal, near Bhimtal after Lord Golu, a general in his army, who died valiantly at war. He also built the Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple at Bhimtal.
Towards the end of 17th century, Chand Rajas again attacked the Garhwal kingdom, and in 1688 Udyot Chand erected several temples at Almora, including Tripur Sundari, Udyot Chandeshwer and Parbateshwer, to mark his victory over Garhwal and Doti.
The Pabateshwar temple was renamed twice, to become the present Nanda Devi temple.
Later, Jagat Chand (1708–20), defeated the Raja of Garhwal and pushed him away from Srinagar, and his kingdom was given to a Brahmin.
However, a subsequent king of Garhwal, Pradip Shah (1717–72), regained control over Garhwal and retained Doon till 1757, when Rohilla leader Najib-Ul-Daula established himself there, though he was ousted soon by Pradip Shah.
The Chand kings also defeated the Rajwars of Askot, though the latter were allowed to hold their land on the payment of a tribute.
The hill station of Binsar, 30 km from Almora was a summer retreat of the Chand kings.
In the coming years, Jagat Chand’s successor, Debi Chand (1720-6) took part in the wars of Rohillas of Rohilkhand and was defeated by the British troops.
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5. Decline of Chand Dynasty
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; the resistance of Chand army, under its ruler, Kalyan Chand, was weak and ineffective, and Almora fell to the Rohillas, who stayed here for seven short months, though they were ultimately driven out, an exit made possible by paying them a sum of three lakh rupees, and hastened by the harsh terrain of the region.
In 1760, he renamed the old Parbateshwer temple as Dipchandeshwar temple.
During British rule, then divisional commissioner of Kumaon, George William Trail, got the statue of the Nanda Devi, which had been relocated to the Udyot Chandeshwar temple, from the ‘Malla Mahal’ (Upper Court) of Chand kings, where the present collectorate exists, and in time, the temple started being called the ‘Nanda Devi temple’. The ‘Talla Mahal’ (Lower Court) of Chand rulers now houses the District Hospital.
Due to internal strife, in the coming thirty years the kings lost most of the land they had previously ruled in the plains, and retained only the Bhabhar region.
In early 1790, the Gurkhas invaded the Kumaon hills and Almora, they advanced by crossing River Kali, through Gangoli; and the Chands, under the titular Chand Raja, were driven to the Bhabhar and finally expelled.
The Terai & Kashipur were ceded to the British by the Nawab of Awadh in 1801, along with the rest of Rohilkhand
Nepalese rule lasted for twenty-four years. The end came because of their repeated intrusion into British territories in the Terai from 1800 onwards.
Lord Moira, the Governor General of India, decided to attack Almora in December 1814, marking the beginning of the Anglo-Nepalese war. After the war, the old Lal Mandi fort, near Almora (present cantonment), was renamed ‘Fort Moira’.
Harak Deo Joshi, the minister of the last Chand Raja, took the side of the British, a force of 4500 men marched from Kashipur in February, 1815. Champawat was first taken in March from Pilibhit, through the Kali River. Within two months, a strong British army under Colonel Nichols attacked and captured Almora, on 26 April 1815. A truce was called the same day, and with the ratification of Treaty of Segauli on 4 March 1816, Kumaon and Garhwal became a part of the British Raj.
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4. Parmar dynasty in Garhwal- Rule, Administration, society, Economy
The Panwars, also known as Parmars, are a Rajput clan that traces its origins to the Malwa region of Central India. They are believed to be descendants of the Agnivansha, one of the four primary Rajput clans.
Where Did The Panwar Dynasty Establish Its Rule In Uttarakhand?
The Panwar Dynasty established its rule in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, a picturesque area known for its lush valleys, towering mountains, and sacred rivers.
Who Was Ajay Pal And What Was His Significance?
Ajay Pal was one of the most celebrated rulers of the Panwar Dynasty. In the 14th century, he united the fragmented Garhwal region into a cohesive kingdom and established the city of Srinagar (in Uttarakhand) as the capital.
What Is Maharaja Pradyumna Shah Known For?
Maharaja Pradyumna Shah is known for his valiant resistance against the invading Gorkhas in the early 19th century. Despite facing significant challenges, his bravery and strategic acumen are remembered as a testament to the resilience of the Panwar rulers.
What Contributions Did Sudarshan Shah Make To The Dynasty?
After the British expelled the Gorkhas, Sudarshan Shah played a pivotal role in re-establishing Garhwal’s sovereignty. He moved the capital to Tehri, laying the foundation for the modern princely state of Tehri Garhwal.
What Are Some Of The Cultural And Architectural Achievements Of The Panwar Dynasty?
The Panwar Dynasty was known for its patronage of art, literature, and religion. Notable constructions include the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, a significant pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Tehri Fort, symbolizing the dynasty’s strategic prowess and architectural grandeur.
What Is The Significance Of The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?
The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a significant pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. It reflects the Panwar Dynasty’s devotion to religion and their contribution to Uttarakhand’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
How Is The Legacy Of The Panwar Dynasty Remembered Today?
The legacy of the Panwar Dynasty is celebrated through Uttarakhand’s festivals, traditions, and folklore. The descendants of the dynasty are respected figures, and their contributions to the region’s socio-cultural fabric are honored.
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3. Katyuri dynasty
The Katyuri kings were a medieval Hindu ruling clan of Khasha origin that ruled over the regions in Uttarakhand in India and western Nepal from 700 to 1200 CE.
The founder of this dynasty, King Vasu Dev was originally a Buddhist ruler, but later he started following Hindu practices sometimes attributed to a vigorous campaign of Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara (788–820 CE)
Architecture
The Katyuri Kings were known for constructing several temples in present-day Uttarakhand and they followed Brahminical practices.[9]
Most of the ancient temples in Uttarakhand are architectural contributions by the Katyuri dynasty. Vasu Dev temple at Joshimath, several shelters and small shrines along the route to Badrinath, as well as the Lakulesha, Mahishasuramardhini, Navadurga and Nataraja temples at Jageshwar were constructed by Katyuri Kings.
Bhuv Dev (955-970) was follower of Brahminical practices and built several temples at Baijnath and Bageshwar, but the structures are lost and tradition continues.
A relatively rare Surya temple, is located at Katarmal, now a remote village near Kosi, which was built by Katarmalla, a lesser known Katyuri ruler and the temple has 44 carved temples around the main temple, but is in a state of neglect after the theft of an important idol. The Katyuri Kings also build a temple known as Manila Devi near Sainamanur.
Kingdom :
The Katyuri dynasty was founded by Vashudev Katyuri (sometimes spelled Vasu Dev or Basu Dev); the ancient Basdeo temple in the city – the oldest stone temple in Uttarakhand – is attributed to him
The Kingdom was then named Jyotiryana, and had its capital at Joshimath in the Alaknanda Valley. Vasu Dev was of Buddhist origin, but later started following Hindu practices. The Hindu practices of Katyuri kings in general is sometimes attributed to a vigorous campaign of Adi Shankara (788-820 CE).
Later they shifted their capital to Baijnath from Joshimath, during their reign they dominated lands of varying extent from the “Katyur” (modern-day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon, between 7th and 11th centuries C.E., and established their capital at Baijnath in Bageshwar
during their reign they dominated lands of varying extent from the “Katyur” (modern-day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon, between 7th and 11th centuries C.E., and established their capital at Baijnath in Bageshwar district; which was then known as Kartikeyapura and lies in the centre of “Katyur” valley. Brahmadev mandi (a trading and business center in a flat area of the then Katyuri kingdom) in the Kanchanpur District of Nepal was established by Katyuris king Brahma Deo (Brahma Dev). Brahmadeo Mandi still exists by this name.
At its peak, the Katyuri dynasty of Kumaon extended from Sikkim in the east to Kabul, Afghanistan
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2. Kunindas
The Kingdom of Kuninda was an ancient central Himalayan kingdom documented from around the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century, located in the southern areas of modern Himachal Pradesh and far western areas of Uttarakhand in northern India and Doti Gadwall in Nepal.
The first mention of kuninda appears in Panini Ashtadhyay where he mentions it as an Ayudhajivi Sangha, meaning a warrior republic.
One of the first kings of the Kuninda was Amoghbhuti, who ruled in the mountainous valley of the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers (in today’s southern Himachal and far western Uttarakhand in northern India).
The Greek historian Ptolemy linked the origin of the Kuninda to the country where the rivers Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna and Ganges originate.
One of the Edicts of Ashoka on a pillar is also present at Kalsi, in the region of Garhwal, indicating the spread of Buddhism to the region from the 4th century BCE.
The Kuninda kingdom disappeared around the 3rd century, and from the 4th century, it seems the region shifted to Shaivite beliefs.
There are two types of Kuninda coinage, the first one issued around the 1st century BCE, and the second around the 2nd century CE.
The first coins of the Kuninda were influenced by the numismatic model of their predecessor Indo-Greek kingdoms, and incorporated Buddhist and Hindu symbolism such as the triratna and images of Lakshmi. These coins typically follow the Indo-Greek weight and size standards (drachms, of about 2.14 g in weight and 19 mm in diameter), and their coins are often found together with Indo-Greek coins in hoards, such as those of the Yaudheyas, or the Audumbaras
A very large portion of the Kuninda coins are in the name of king Amoghabhuti , and it is believed that coinage under his name continued after his death.
Some later coins of the 2nd century CE bear the symbol of the Hindu god shiva
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Q.1 Major archeological sites of Uttarakhand
Baijnath
Baijnath identified as ancient Karttikayapura often is believe to be the seat the Katyuries, earliest ruling dynasty of central Himalayan region who had shifted their capital from Joshimath (District Chamoli) to this place sometimes in 8th Century AD. The main temple known as Baijnath is dedicated to Siva. Panchratha on plan, the temple consist of sanctum with projected portico.
Purola
The ancient site at Purola is located on the left bank of the river Kamal. The excavation yielded the remains of Painted Grey Ware (PGW) from the earliest level alongwith other associated materials including terracotta figurines, beads, potter-stamp, the dental and femur portions of domesticated horse (Equas Cabalus Linn).
Dhikuli
Remains of ancient Vairatpattana, the capital of the old kingdom of Govisana are spread in deep reserve forest of Jim Corbett National Park in Dhikuli.
Kalsi
The site of Asoka’s inscriptions at Kalsi the only place in north India where the great Mauryan emperor has inscribed the set of the fourteen rock edicts (res). The language of these edicts is Pali and the script Brahmi which reflect Asoka’s humane approach in his internal administration, his fatherly concern for the moral and spiritual welfare of his subjects, and his commitment to non-violence and abandonment of warfare.
Badhwala
This ancient site was excavated by of Archaeological Survey of India between 1952 – 54, revealing remains of three fire alters and other associated material including inscribed bricks. Built in Syena Chiti form (Eagle shaped), these alters are believed to associate with the Ashvamedha sacrifices, perform by their authors.
British cemetery, Roorkee
This is a vast cemetery having 33725 Sq m area (3372 Hectare/7.623 Acare) with a regular compound wall, pierced with an entrance gateway having a pointed arch of the Gothic style.
Gangolihat
There are six temples, five samadhis (memorials) of Sadhus and one inscribed water reservoir. Of these four temples stands in one complex while the remaining two temples and samadhis are situated in another complex circulated by separate boundary walls. The temples are generally triratha in plan with a short projected portico in front.
Dwarahat, Almora district
The celestial hamlet of Dwarahat located about 34 km from Ranikhet is a small town that was once the seat of Katyuri Kingdom.
