History of King Ajeypal Killing Udaipur Chieftain Kaffu Chauhan

History of Garhwal including Haridwar (1223- 1804 AD) –part -83     

                                            

 History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -328 

                       By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Research Student)

                   A famous Garhwali folklore tells the story of brave Chieftain of Udaipur region of Tehri Garhwal.  Ajeypal won over many Garhpati (smaller rulers in Garhwal) and established his capital in Shrinagar. At the time of a ceremony for Shrinagar capital, most of chieftain (under Ajeypal), elites and many other important personalities from all over Garhwal attended the said ceremony. The Chieftain of Uppugarh of Udaipur (Tehri Garhwal) Kaffu Chauhan did not attend the ceremony. Kaffu Chauhan sent message with the messenger of Ajeypal that he (Kaffu) is lion among wild animals and Hawk among birds and would not accept the overruling of Ajeypal. Ajeypal warned Kaffu Chauhan to experience his attack. Kaffu Chauhan sent message that he would destroy the capital of Ajeypal.

 Ajeypal sent his army for attacking Kaffu Chauhan. There was a grass rope way bridge for crossing Alaknanda from Shrinagar region (Today’s Pauri Garhwal) to reach Uppugarh. Kaffu Chauhan cut the bridge. Ajeypal had to construct another bridge. Army of Ajeypal reached near to Uppugarh.  Kaffu Chauhan had smaller army than Ajeypal. He and his army fought with bravery. Ajeypal army destroyed Kaffu Chauhan army; Kaffu was left with a smaller numbers of soldiers. Hearing such news, mother of Kaffu got impression that Kaffu is killed in the battle. She burnt her palace and all inhabitants were burnt in the burning palace. Kaffu reached towards his palace. Kaffu Chauhan was deeply sad knowing the incident.

 Ajeypal also reached at the site. Ajeypal ordered his army to behead the head of Kaffu that his head reached to his (Ajeypal’s) feet. Kaffu gulped soil. The soldier of Ajeypal attacked Kaffu by sword and instead the head of Kaffu falling on the feet of Ajeypal fell on his head. Ajeypal was impressed by bravery of Kaffu Chauhan.

Ajeypal cremated Kaffu Chauhan with state honor at Alaknanda bank.

  Garhwalis respect Kaffu Chauhan more than Ajeypal.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com28/4//2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -329 

                                                              

                                      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

23- Shailndra Nath Sen, Ancient History and Civilization

24-H.M Elliot, 1867, The History of India as told by its Own Historians

25- Jaswant Lal Mehta, 1979, Advance Study in Medieval India

26- Nau Nihal Singh, 2003, The Royal Gurjars: their contribution to India, Anmol Publications 

(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          

Notes on South Asian Medieval History of Garhwal;  SouthAsian Medieval History of Pauri Garhwal;  Medieval History of Chamoli Garhwal;  South Asian Medieval History of Rudraprayag Garhwal;  South Asian Medieval History of Tehri Garhwal;  Medieval History of Uttarkashi Garhwal;  South Asian Medieval History of Dehradun, Garhwal;  Medieval History of Haridwar ;  South Asian Medieval History of Manglaur, Haridwar;  South Asian Medieval History of Rurkee Haridwar ;  South Asian Medieval History of Bahadarpur Haridwar ; South Asian History of Haridwar district to be continued