Attack on Badhan Garh, Garhwal by Rudra Chandra

(History of Kumaon from 1000-1790 AD)

         (History of Chand Dynasty Rule in Kumaon)

History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar) - Part 174

                                              By: Bhishma Kukreti

             There were many important Garhis on the eastern border of Garhwal kingdom touching Chand kingdom.  There used to be Garhwal army in those Garhi. Chand king who had captured almost whole Kumaon was in his rule extension mood. That means that Balram Shah the Guardian of Garhwal king Man shah was aware about extension mood of Rudra Chandra.

       Sukhaldev Katyuri king was ruler of Katyur, Garud, and Baijnath   (a small portion of Manasbhumi or Kumaon).

             Due to power of Chand king Garhwal king and Sukhaldev had friendship treaty. For attacking on Garhwal for Rudra Chandra, the road from Baijnath –Garud was simpler road.  Badhan Garh of Garhwal kingdom was on the border of Kumaon and Garhwal kingdoms. By capturing Badhan Garh it was easy for Rudra Chandra to capture Pindar valley of Garhwal kingdom. From Pindar valley, the road was from Garhwal capital Shri Nagar. Therefore, to capture Garhwal capital Shrinagar, it was essential to capture Badhan Garh.

Rudra Chandra ordered Purushoattam Pant to capture Badhan Garh.  Knowing the future attack by Chand king on Garhwal, the Garhwal king and Katyuri ruler Sukhaldev had friendly treaty. It was sure that Chand army had to pass through Katyuri region.  Balram Shah sent a platoon at Gwaldam and also arranged army at hills of Badhan region. Purushottam Pant with army marched towards Garhwal via Katyuri region and Sukhaldev could not resist.  However, when army of Pant passed ahead towards Garhwal, Sukhaldev cut the ammunition and food.

                         Battle of Gwaldam

             Around 1590-91 (Though Walton states the year 1581), there was fierce battle between armed forces of Chand king and Garhwal king.  

         A Padyar Rajput killed Purushottam Pant. Padyar Rajput reached with head of Purushottam Pant and Garhwal king rewarded Padyar Rajput that land through which Padyar Rajput came with head of Purushottam Pant. As soon as Commander Purushottam Pant was killed the Chand army ran away to Almora.

                         Killing of Sukhaldev

          When Purushottam Pant was killed and the attack on Garhwal was failed Chand King Rudra Chandra decided to destroy Sukhaldev Katyuri.  Chand army destroyed Katyuri region and poisoned Sukhaldev and his family members. Garhwali king did not help Katyuri ruler Sukhaldev.

     Rudra Chandra was just to punish Katyuri ruler Sukhaldev. In the mean time Rautu an old Gram Pradhan (village council chief) of Rudra Chandra came and he suggested freeing Sukhaldev. Rautu promised that after six month, Rautu will come with Sukhaldev in court of Chand king.  After some time, Rudra Chandra asked Sukhaldev to attend court but he refused to do so. Again Rudra Chandra army attacked on Katyuri region and destroyed. The battle was fought in Baijnath. Sukhaldev was killed in this battle. Rautu was also killed. Rudra Chandra exiled family members of Sukhaldev. Now, it was the end of Katyuri kingdom from Manasbhumi or Kumaon forever.

  The reason for Garhwal king not helping Sukhaldev is not known.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti -bckukreti@gmail.com 28/10/2013

                                      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

Tarikhe Daudi

Vishweshara nand , Bharat Bharti lekhmala

Aine-e Akbari

Akbari Darbar

Tareekh Badauni

Eraly Abraham, 2004 The Mogul Throne

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

                           

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -175  

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…)

Notes on Medieval History of Kumaon; Medieval History of Pithoragarh Kumaon; Medieval History of Bageshwar, Kumaon; Medieval History of Baijnath, Kumaon; Medieval History of Garud, Kumaon; Medieval History of Champawat Kumaon; Medieval History of Nainital, Kumaon; Medieval History of Almora, Kumaon; Medieval History of Udham Singh Nagar Kumaon; Medieval History of Kumaon, Himalaya ; Medieval History of Kumaon, North India ; Medieval History of Kumaon, South Asia ;