HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 299: Model Answer

Question: Throw light on the emergence and growth of early medieval state of ‘Chamba’. (8 marks/120 words)

Answer.

The Chamba Rajas claimed descent from Suryavanshi line of Rajputs. The original home of the family is said to have been in Ayodhya, but they settled in Kalpa.

Expansion and Consolidation of Chamba state during the reign of various Rajas:

Maru: The Vanshavali commences with the name of Maru who was then the head of family. His territory expanded from down to Ravi valley up to the present Chamba Town. He had a war with Dateshwar Pal of Kullu in which Kullu Raja was killed.

Sahil Varman: The capital was shifted from Brahampura to Chamba town. Chamba. According to vanshavali Sahil Varman defeated raja of Kullu with the help of Gurjara- Pratihara. He had built Chaurasi temple.

Pratap Varman: In 1159 A.D. a war broke between Chamba and Kangra, which was won by Chamba. Guler was also occupied by the Chamba Forces.  Chari and Gharoh were annexed by Chamba.

Janardhan:  A battle of Dhalog in 1623 was fought, in which Chamba was defeated and Janardhan was killed. And Chamba become subsidiary of Nurpur for two decades.

Prithvi Singh: He regained the lost Kingdom with help of Raja of Mandi and Suket. He also got suppoet from Raja Man Singh of Guler. He built state offices in Churah and Pangi. The Suffix Varma was droped.

Chattar Singh: When Tibet attacked Lahaul in 1646-47 to get control over Lahaul but the combined forces of Chamba and Kullu expelled the invaders and the divided the Lahaul between them.

Raj Singh: Taking the advantage of Raj Singh’s minority, Ghamand Chand of Kangra, seized the fort of Pathiyar.

Siri Singh: Various reforms and work done during his reign. A post office and a primary School was opened. The State Forest department was leased to the British government for 99 years.

Bhuri Singh: He has received the distinction of Kinghthood. He opened library and upgraded middle school to high school. The famous Bhuri singh Museum was inaugurated.  A power house was installed on the Sal River.