Kaffu Chauhan Jagar Gatha: The Great Chieftain of Garhwal who Refused Panwar/Pal Dynasty Rule

Folklore, Folk Legends, Folk Myths, Jagar of Kumaon-Garhwal, Uttarkahnd-30

 Chivalry, Gallantry, Graciousness Folklores, Folk Legends, Folk Myths, Ballads of Bravery of Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand –15  

                                         Bhishma Kukreti

      There were over fifty two small kingdoms/Gadh/Gadhi/Garhs in Garhwal before Ajaypal of Panwar dynasty rule. Devalgarh was the capital of Garh. Ajay Pal won the other kingdoms baring the chieftain of Uppu Garh. The chief of Uppu Garh was brave king Kaffu Chauhan. The Uppu Garh king resisted coming under Ajay Pal Panwar rule. Kaffu Chauhan fought the battle and sacrificed for his Uppu Garh regime till his last breath. The time of Kaffu Chauhan goes around sixteenth century.

  The following lines about Kaffu the chieftain of Uppu Garh are taken from a drama ‘Antim Garh’ written by Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna.

कुमाऊं और गढ़वाल की लोक गाथाएँ/जागर  -30 


 कफ्फू चौहान जागर, वीर-वीरंगनाएं  गाथा : भडौ , कटकू, भड़वळि  या पांवड़ा, जागर 

(Reference: Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna , Antim Garh)

तौंकी रघुवंशी घोड़ी सजिन मर्दों
तौंकी जामा की तणी टूटिंन मर्दों
तौन गंगा -जली धरियाले मर्दों
तौंन बखतरी जामो पैरयाले मर्दों
तौंकी ऐड़ी हथियार अड़ी गे मर्दों
तौंकी क्षत्रीय हुंकार चढि गे मर्दों
तौंकी पौंठिया का बाल बबरैन मर्दों
तों नंगी शमशेर चमकैन मर्दों
तौंक  बावन बाजा बाजेन मर्दों
हनुमंती नीशाण साजेन मर्दों
कभी होल तो फोलेतो खेलदा मर्दों
कभी भैंसा , खाडू मारदा मर्दों
तौन खून का घट रिंगैन मर्दो
तों मुंडळौका चीरा लगैन मर्दो
तौं माई मर्दु का चेलो न मर्दो
तख भांगलो बुतणो करयाले मर्दो   

         Kaffu Chauhan was king of Uppu Garh near the bank of Ganges at the top shrine. Ajay Pal Panwar established his capital from Devalgarh to Shrinagar. He invited all chieftains of Garhs. Barring the chieftain Kaffu Chauhan of Uppu Garh, other chieftains attended the conference. Kaffu Chauhan sent the letter stating that he was Lion among animals, Eagle among birds and he would not accept the rule of Ajay pal Panwar.

            Ajay pal sent his armed forces to win over Kaffu Chauhan of Uppu Garh.

           The queen mother saw the huge army of Ajay Pal and suggested her son Kaffu Chauhan to surrender and accept the rule of Panwar of Shrinagar. Kaffu Chauhan told that the regional freedom is better than central authority.

             In night, Kaffu Chauhan broke the bridge on Ganges. In morning, Kaffu started preparation for the battle of freedom.

       Mother of Kaffu Chauhan told in person to Devu the army chief of Kaffu Chauhan that he would inform her about the result of battle. The mother queen said that if Kaffu die she would burn the whole Uppu Garh and would die.

          In morning, Panwar army chief saw that the bridge was broken and he arranged boats for crossing his army men. The battle started.

               By mistake, in confusion, Devu the army chief of Kaffu sent wrong message that Kaffu lost the battle and died.

            Kaffu own the battle and came to his fort and saw that his forte was burning. He lost consciousness. In that period Panwar army captured Kaffu Chauhan and took him to Shrinagar. Ajay pal put condition for the life of Kaffu Chauhan to accept his rule over Uppu Garh. Kaffu Chauhan refused the rule of Ajay Pal. Ajay Pal ordered the army men that cut head of Kaffu Chauhan that his head fell on the feet of Ajay Pal. In the mean time, Kaffu gulped sands. When army man cut the head of Kaffu by sword the head did not reach to the feet of Ajay Pal.

  Ajay Pal appreciated the pride of great Kaffu Chauhan. It is said that Garhwal King Ajay Pal lit the pyre of brave Kaffu Chauhan of Uppu Garh. Ajay Pal told that it was the win of Kaffu Chauhan.

  

Copyright (Interpretation) @ Bhishma Kukreti, 18/5/2013

Folklore, Folk Legends, Folk Myths of Kumaon-Garhwal, Uttarakhand to be continued…31  

Chivalry, Gallantry, gracious Folklores, Folk Legends, Folk Myths of Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand to be continued…16    

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The chapter contains -Folk Songs, Folktales, Jagar  about Uppu Garh; Folk Songs, Folktales, Jagar  about great chieftains of Garhwal; Folk Songs, Folktales, Jagar  about Brave men/women of Garhwal; Folk Songs, Folktales, Jagar  about great warriors of Garhwal; Folk Songs, Folktales, Jagar  about great Garhwalis; Folk Songs, Folktales , Jagar  about who sacrificed for their motherland.