Indian Himalayan Medieval History Accounts of Lakshaman Pal in Katyuri Kingdom Resurgence

History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar) - Part 133

     Himalayan, Indian Medieval Age History of Katyuri Imperialism of Karvipur (Uttarakhand, India) – 15

            (History of Kumaon from 1000-1790)

          (Himalayan, Indian Medieval Age History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar, Doti Nepal (Uttarakhand, India))- (740-1300 AD)

                                              By: Bhishma Kukreti

               Tripathi states that Lakshaman Pal Dev was son of Indra Pal Dev. However, the broken rock inscription of Baijnath state that the title of Lakshaman pal Dev was ‘Prambhattarak Mahadhiraj ‘. In that inscription, Mahipal Dev is engraved before Lakshaman Pal Dev. Mahipal Dev coming before proofs that Lakshaman Pal Dev was successor of Mahipal Dev.

     The title‘Prambhattarak Mahadhiraj’ indicates that Lakshaman Pal Dev strengthen his power after Ashok Challa. Lakshaman Pal Dev got support of regional ruler (mandalik) and became stronger.

                          Rebellious Regional Chieftains  

          

                         There was jealousy among regional chieftains for re-up rising of Katyuri Kingdom. The chieftains of Eastern Manaskhand (Kumaon) were happy for name sake over rule of Ashok Challa as virtually the regional chieftains were real kings.   

     The Domkot, Sor, Seera, Sonpatti regional chieftains preferred over rule of Ashok Challa of  Doti king far away from them.  Charal-Champawat‘s Sing regional chieftains flourished because of help from Ashok Challa.  The existence of Jay Singh of Charal-Champawat depended soley on Ashok Challa or his successors.     

                                            Thapuva Raut (1219)

             The Goril temple inscription of Ganai state that a Khasa chieftain Thauva Raut became very strong.  He or his son Jahal revolted against Katyuri king Baichhal Dev of ganai that Katyuri king Baichhal ran away from his kingdom in 1220 AD. Baichhal Dev took shelter in Sui.

                                Attack by Krachalla

         When Lakshaman Pal Dev declared his title as ‘Prambhattarak Mahadhiraj in 1222 or 1223, and refused to pay tax to Challa king , Krachalla the successor of Ashok Challa attacked Mansabhumi )Kumaon) in 1223.   

  There was draught and famine in Nepal at this period. Therefore, Krachalla got soldiers for looting in Mansbhumi in numbers. Thorchandra from plains also supported Krachalla in attacking Mansasbhumi.

  When Krachalla crossed Kaliganga the traitors of Lakshaman Pal Dev – two Raut chieftains, three Khsa Gadhpati Jay Singh of Singh dynasty joined hands with Krachalla. Krachalla rewarded them by providing them high post in his court.

                  Krachalla speeded his army and supporters towards capital of Lakshaman Pal Dev Katyuri and defeated Lakshaman pal Dev. Krachulla destroyed Karvipur (Kirtipur) the capital of Katyuri. Lakshaman Pla and his supporters ran towards west. Krachalla handed over the rule to his supporters who supported him to defeat Lakshaman Pal Dev.

           Copper Inscriptions of Krachalla

   Around 900 AD, Katyuri king Deshat Dev engraved a inscription in Baleshwar temple of Champawat. After three hundred years, Krachalla added his declaration on December 1223.

   Krachalla donated land for temple management to the temple priest a Bangaj Brahmin Bhatt Narayan.

There are names of his governors on this inscription-  

Shri hariraj Raut Raj

Shri Aniladitya Raut Raj

Shri Jahaddev Mandlik (regional chieftain)

Shri Chandra Dev Mandlik (regional chieftain)

Shri Vinay Chandra Mandlik (regional chieftain )

Shri Vadya Chandra Mandlik (regional chieftain)

Shri Jay Singh Mandlik (regional chieftain)

 Shri Jeehaldev Mandlik (regional chieftain)

Shri Ballaldev Mandlik (regional chieftain)

Shri Musadev Mandlik (regional chieftain)

  After handing over his captured territory to his governors, Krachalla returned to Nepal. The inscription shows that he did not move to Kedarbhumi (Garhwal).

   

              Winning Doti , Nepal by Lakshaman Pal Dev

      

                     After Krachalla returned to Doti, Lakshaman Pal Dev strengthen his position (his rule on west part was there). Lakshaman Pal recaptured his capital Krirtipur. Lakshaman Pal Dev established new capital near Kritipur. Lakshaman Pal used materials from Kirtipur for constructing new capital.

   Baring rebellious leaders, Lakshaman Pal Dev pardoned all Mandlik who accepted rule of Krachalla. Krachalla did not attack on Lakshaman Pal Dev again.

   Lakshaman Pal Dev attacked on Doti most probably after death of Krachalla. Lakshaman Pal captured Doti.

 However, it seems that there was rule of Krachalla successors on the territories as Jumla, Vyans, Daikhal, Chaudasof Manskhand (Kumaon). The attack period would be 1225 AD

 There are folk songs in contrast that Lakshaman capture Doti.

  Dham Dev took over Katyuri rule after death of Lakshaman Pal Dev. 

                     Ruins of Karvir pur or Kartikeypur

  There are ruins of capital Baidyanath  Kartikeypur or Karvir pur in Tailihat, Baijnath , Kot.

                                

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti -bckukreti@gmail.com 2/9/2013

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

                           

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -134

 Himalayan, Indian Medieval Age History of Karvipur Katyuri to be continued…

  (Himalayan, Indian Medieval Age History (740-1300 AD to be continued…)