Was Chakrata called Ekchakra? A Medieval Garhwal History Discussion

History of Garhwal including Haridwar (1223- 1804 AD) –part -32

                                            

 History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -277

                       By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Student)

         Why Bahuban of Ekchakra are Supposed to be Chauhan or Chahman?

             A Sanskrit classic ‘Nirnayamrit’ created by Allatnath or Alladnath states that Bahuban family ruled Ekchakra (today’s Chakrata?) region. On that time, Chauhan were called by various names as Choohan, Chahvan, Chahuvan etc. Perhaps Allatnath or Alladnath used Bahuban for Chahuban or Chauhan. Dr. Bhandarkar and Professor Kane also support the theory of Allatnath using word Bahuban for Chahuban or Chahuban or Chauhan. Therefore, Bahuban of Ekchakra could be called Chauhan rulers.

                               Was Chakrata called Ekchakra in past?

               Allatnath describes that the capital of Bahuban rulers was ‘Ekchakra’ at the bank of Yamuna River. Ekchakra was situated at hills, valley and foot hills and was beautiful geographical place without diseases. The Ekchakra seems to be today’s Chakrata. Mahabharata also describes about Ekchakra a beautiful place without diseases.

     It is now, difficult to tell the boundary of Ekchakra. However, it was sure that its boundary was touching Delhi Sultan rule. Nirnanyamrit describes the tussle between Ekchakra King and Sultan of Delhi.

                       Sarup. Karnadev and Uddhaharn

   

    Nirnayamrit describes about Kings of Ekchakra. The founder King Sarup was born in Bahuban family. Sarup destroyed his enemies.

        Karnadev was son of Sarup Bahuban. Karnadev was brave as Karna and was handsome King. Karnadev was Shiva devotee.

           According to Allatnath, Uddharan was heir of Karnadev and was handsome, brave, serious, patient, and energetic.  Uddharan also pained to Delhi Shaka King (Muslim King). Most probably, Uddharan had war with Delhi Sultan at border of Delhi Kingdom and Ekchakra Kingdom. Uddharan established capital Ekchakra.

                        Chandrasen, Suryasen, Pratapsen and Devsen

    Chandrasen the son of Uddharan was also Shiva devotee. He was great donor. He had strong cavalry army.

     Chandrasen had two sons – Suryasen and Pratapsen.  

           Suryasen used to honor scholars as Allatnath was court poet of Suryasen. Suryasen inspired Alladnath to create Nirnayamrit.

                Pratapsen was devotee of his elder brother as Lakshaman.

  Devsen the son of Suryasen was also Shiva devotee.

 Bhandarkar, Kane calculate that the ruling period of Sarup, Karnadev, Uddharan, Chandrasen, Suryasen and Devsen would be from 1280-1390.  

   Ratansen and his heirs were successors of Devsen. It seems that either Ratansen or his heirs fought with Timur in 1399. The rule of Ratansen and his successors would be from 1390-1420.

     Delhi Muslim rulers attacked Ekchakra and Dehradun many times. Alibeg and Tartak the successors of Changejkhan attacked on Dehradun and Ekchakra in 1305. There was bloodshed in that area by these cruel attackers.

            There was another Muslim attack on the area in 1324.

** Read more about Bahuban or Chahuban in the next chapter….

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com2/3//2014

                                      References

1-Dr. Shiv Prasad Dabral, 1971, Uttarakhand ka Itihas Bhag-4, Veer Gatha Press, Dogadda, Pauri Garhwal, India 

2-Harikrishna Raturi, Garhwal ka Itihas

3-Dr. Patiram, Garhwal Ancient and Modern

4-Rahul Sankrityayan, Garhwal

5- Oakley and Gairola, Himalayan Folklore

6- Bhakt Darshan, Garhwal ki Divangit Vibhutiyan

7-Foster, Early Travels in India William Finch

8-Upadhyaya, Shri Shankaracharya

9-Shering, Western Tibet and British

10-H.G. Walton, Gazetteer of British Garhwal

11-B.P.Kamboj, Early Wall Paintings of Garhwal

12-H.g Walton, Gazetteer of Dehradun

13- Vimal Chandra, Prachin Bharat ka Itihas

14-Meera Seth, Wall Paintings of Western Himalayas 

15-Furar, Monumental Antiquities

16-Haudiwala, Studies in Indo-Muslim History

17- Rahul Khari 2007, Jats and Gujjar Origin, History and Culture

18- Upendra Singh, 2006, Delhi: Ancient History, Barghahan Books

19- B.S. Dahiya, 1980, Jats the Ancient Rulers (A Clan Study) , Sterling Publications

20- Maithani, Bharat –Gotrapravardeepika

21 Prem Hari Har Lal, 1993, The Doon Valley Down the Ages

22-Dashrath Sharma, Early Chauhan Dynasties

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

History of Garhwal from 1223-1804 to be continued in next chapter          

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -278  

Xx

Medieval History of Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Chakrata Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Jaunsar Bhabhar Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Dehradun Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Haridwar /Hardwar Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Pauri Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Chamoli Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Rudraprayag Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Tehri Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Uttarkashi Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Bahuban or Chauhan rule over Chakrata, Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century Medieval History of Sarup Bahuban or Chauhan , Suryasen and Ratansen over Chakrata, Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century; Medieval History of Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century at the time of Timur attack;  Medieval History of Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century at the time of Changejkhan’s successors attack on Chakrata; Medieval History of Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century at the time of Changejkhan’s successors attack on Dehradun; Medieval History of Hardwar/Haridwar , Garhwal in twelfth and thirteenth Century at the time of Timur attack; Medieval History of Hardwar  in twelfth and thirteenth Century at the time of Timur attack;