HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 88 : Model Answer

Question: What were the different stages of political development in Kullu state during Medieval Period?

 Answer:

Different stages of development of Kullu state during Medieval Period:

Consolidation of state: When Vihangamani Pal arrived in Kullu Valley from Haridwar, the territory was under Thakurs / chiefs. He overthrew the Thakurs and established the first ruling dynasty of Kullu. His next in succession, Pachch Pal continued to contest with local Ranas and Thakurs and ultimately forced them to become his tributary.

Aquisition of Kothi Barsai: Rajender Pal attacked Kothi Barsai but lost his 11 sons in the fight with Rup Sundari of Gajan. Later Rup Sundari got married to Vishad Pal (son) and peace was made. The Kothi suffixed with Barsai, as it took one year (baras) to annex the Kothi.

Making Naggar as Capital: Visuddh Pal had enlarged the boundaries by subduing Naggar and making it his capital from Jagatsukh (Residence only).

Chamba Vs Kullu War: During 7th Century AD, Meru Varman invaded Kullu state. At that time Dateswar Pal (31st King of Kullu) was the king of Kullu. King of Kullu was defeated and killed by Meru Varman and Kullu came under the control of Chamba. In 8th Century AD, Jareshwar Pal (34th King) liberated Kullu from Chamba with the help of Bushehr. This event took place around 780-800 AD, when Chamba was invaded by Kiras and Lakshmi Verman of Chamba was killed. This led to further

animosity between Chamba and Kullu. Narad Pal (40th King of Kullu) was involved in a war with Chamba for 12 years. After 12 years war, peace was concluded and social gathering was arranged to which Chamba people were invited , but a great part of Chamba army was deceitfully drowned in the river Beas.

Baltistan and Tibet: Sikandar Pal (50th) took the help of Delhi King in order to expel Tibetans from his territory and captured Baltistan and Tibet until Mansarovar. Delhi Raja came himself, ousted Tibetan and made Kullu his tribute collector of nearby principalities.

Territorial expansion under Singh Dynasty: Sidh Singh (1500-1532 AD) was the 1^st amongst the kings with Surname as Singh. Raja Sidh Singh was 74th from Vihangmani Pal. Dynasty of Kullu Rajas is Badani (Chandrabansi) which rose under Raja Sidh Sing. Legend says that he was blessed with Kingdom by Devi Hidimba.

Acquisition of Waziri Rupi and Seraj: Sidh Singh was succeeded by his son Bahadur Singh. Bahadur Singh is said to have decimated several petty Thakurs of Waziri Rupi and parts of Seraj were captured. He also gave protection to Ranas of Rupi who were humiliated by King of Suket, Arjun Sen. He built Hidimba temple (1553 AD) to commemorate victory over Ranas & Thakurs.

Tussle with Mughals: In 1657 AD, Raja of Kullu Jagat Singh captured Lag, which was under Mughal protection. Dara Shikoh ordered (a Farman) Jagat to free Lag, but he didn’t comply as a war for throne was anticipated amongst Mughals. Jagat Singh transferred his capital from Naggar to Sultanpur (Lag principality) in about 1660 AD. He made a palace and a temple for the Raghunath Ji where he installed an image of Rama.

Man Singh (1688-1719 AD): Under him, Kullu reached its climax in terms of area under control. Total area under his kingdom was about 10,000 sq. miles, which was highest ever for Kullu state. It spanned from upper Lahaul in the north to Shimla in the south. Raja Man Singh of Kullu invaded Spiti around 1690 and made it tributary to Kullu. He defeated Raja Sidh Sen of Mandi and captured salt mines of Drang, though he spared Mandi town on request of latters queens. Man Singh presented a

dagger to Sidh Sen. He captured Bara & Chotta Bhanghal in 1719 AD, when Sidh Sen of Mandi murdered Prithvi Pal.