Vikramchandra / Vikram Chandra: The Chand King of Champawat, Himalayan Indian Middle Age King

 (History of Kumaon from 1000-1790 AD)

         (History of Chand Dynasty Rule in Kumaon)

History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar) - Part 157

                                              By: Bhishma Kukreti

 The ruling period of Chand King Vikram Chandra is same in the list ‘A’ and Atkinson.

Ruling time for Chand King of Champawat, Kumaon is 1423-1437 AD.

There are four inscriptions of Champawat King Vikram Chandra available- 1422, 1424, 1433 and 1434 AD.

 Dr Dabral suggested ruling period of Vikram Chand from 1423-1434.

Dabral states that since there is inscription of his heir Kalyan Chandra for 1434 it is obvious that Vikram Chand ruler was till 1434.

                 Completing Repent for Sins of Gyan Chandra

               It was believed in Chand family that due to suppression sins and cruelty by Gyan Chandra, the Chandra or Chand king family was suffering.  Dhyan Chandra (Udyanchand) the son of Gyan Chand started works for repenting by repairing Baleshwar temple. However, Dhyan Chandra expired before completion of Baleshwar temple repair works.   Vikram Chandra completed the temple repair works. Vikram Chandra also donated land to Kunj Sharma and Maheshwari Brahmins.  Vikram Chandra carved his details on the Baleshwar temple copper inscription of Krachalla on July 1423.

The witness of above inscription about donation land to above Brahmins were Madhu Sejyal, Prabhu, Vishnu, Jamadgni, Veer Singh Gambhari, Jailu Bathyal,. Rudrasharma was writer. Raiku.. and Ram Partni were craftsmen to carve writing on copper plate. The work was done in Patanveesi kachhari.

  In 1424, Vikram Chandra donated land to Kulomnai Pande for repenting rituals.

                Destruction of Katehar /Katehr and Kumaon by Delhi Sultan Mubarak Shah

                Though the Chand kings tried to repent the sins of Gyanchandra by ritual means the problems of Kumaon did not end.

                In 1423, Delhi Sultan Mubarak Shah (1421-1434) entered Katehar/Katehr with huge army.  Knowing the news of Mubarak Shah the people of Mal /Bhabhar of Kumaon were disturbed.  Sultan returned by looting Kumaon Bhabhar and Katehar and tribute from local rulers.

     In November 1424, Delhi Sultan Mubarak campaigned again for looting Katehar/Katehr. The Sultan army crossed Ganga and entered hills of Kumaon. The Sultan army stayed there for awhile till summer started. Later on Army reached to Mal or Bhabhar through coming to Rahab the bank of Ram Ganga. It is clear that Delhi Sultan army might have looted Kumaoni hill region. It is suggested that Vikram Chandra might have offered tribute to Delhi Sultan.

                 Battle with Brahmdev Katyuri by Vikram Chandra

                            There is a folklore that states that the Lakhanpur Katuri ruler Brahmdev was on tour of Bhabhar –Tarai , Vikram Chandra attacked on territory of Brahmdev Katyuri. Brahmdev Katyuri fought with Vikram Chandra and won the battle. This was start of tussles between Katyuri rulers and Chand ruler. In second battle Brahmdev and Dhamdev were killed after their brave fight. (This Dhamdev was different than Dhamdev who fought with Thorahcndra in Javadi Sera).  Till date, people of Katyur Plai worshipped Brahmdev and Dhamdev for their patriotic deeds for saving Katuri honor.

   There is one inscription of Dharma Chandra (1429 or 1419?). However, there is no details abaout Dharmadev.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti -bckukreti@gmail.com 30/9/2013

                                      References

Dr. Shiv Prasad Dabral, Uttarakhand ka Itihas Bhag 10, Kumaon ka Itihas 1000-1790

Badri Datt Pande, 1937, Kumaon ka Itihas, Shri Almora Book Depo Almora

Devidas Kaysth, Itihas Kumaon Pradesh

Katyur ka Itihas, Pundit Ram Datt Tiwari

Oakley and Gairola, Himalayan Folklore

Atkinson, History of District Gazette

Menhadi Husain, Tuglak Dynasty

Malfujat- E Timuri

Tarikh -e-Mubarakshahi vol 4

Kumar Suresh Singh2005, People of India

Justin Marozzi, 2006, Tamerlane: Sword of Islam

Bakshsingh Nijar, 1968, Punjab under Sultans 1000-1526 

The Imperial Gazetteer of India, Volume 13 page 52 

Bhakt Darshan, Gadhwal ki Divangit Vibhutiyan

Mahajan V.D.1991, History of Medieval India

Majumdar R.C. (edited) 2006, The Sultanate

Rizvi , Uttar Taimur Kalin Bharat

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

                           

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -158

History of Kumaon (1000-1790) to be continued….

 Middle Himalayan, Indian Medieval Age History of Chand Dynasty rule in Kumaon to be continued…

  (Middle Himalayan, Indian Medieval Age History (740-1790 AD to be continued…)

Xx xxx

Notes on History of Kumaon of Middle Age; History of Delhi Sultan Mubarak Shah attack on Katehar (Rohilkhand)  Middle Age; History of Delhi Sultan Mubarak Shah attacking on Kumaon in Middle Age; History of Delhi Sultan Mubarak Shah attacking on Tarai of Kumaon in Middle Age; History of Delhi Sultan Mubarak Shah attacking on Kumaon in Middle Age; History of Delhi Sultan Mubarak Shah attacking on Bhabhar ,Kumaon in Middle Age; History of Delhi Sultan Mubarak Shah attacking on Kumaon at the time of Vikram Chandra in Middle Age; History aspects of Katehar; History Aspects of Rohilkhand of Middle Age ; History of Champawat  of Middle Age;