History of Dramatically Disturbances in Kumaon

History of Garhwal including Haridwar (1223- 1804 AD) –part -178    

   History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -425  

                       By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Research Student)

               Mohan Chand Escaping from Kumaon

         When there was high tension between Pradyuman Shah and his brother Parakram Shah for the King post in Shrinagar, there as disturbances in Kumaon Kingdom too. Harsh Dev Joshi was trying hard to collect army in Tarai against Kumaon King Mohan Chand. Harsh Dev Joshi requested Garhwal King Pradyuman Shah for help. However, Pradyuman Shah was already entangled with his brother Parakram Shah for the control on Kingdom. Harsh Dev Joshi attacked on Kumaon with huge army in 1788.

             Mohan Chand forcefully collected higher tax from the people with the help of Fartyal and Mahra Groups. People were against Mohan Chand. Soldiers were dissatisfied on Mohan Chand for not getting salaries. Careless Mohan Chand did not know that Harsh Dev reached Sitauli- Railkoti of Havalbagh with his army. When Mohan Chand came to the coming of Harsh Dev Joshi he tried to dfend Kumaon Kingdom. There were battles in Sitauli and Raikoti. Harsh Dev Joshi army killed Bishan Singh the brother of Mohan Chand. Army of Mohan Chand ran away. Harsh Dev Joshi captured Mohan Chand and his brother Lal Singh. Harsh Dev Joshi freed Lal Singh. Joshi killed Mohan Chand in prison.

                                       Invitation to Pradyuman Shah

               Now, Harsh Dev Joshi was whole and sole of Kumaon Kingdom. However, Harsh Dev Joshi was aware that no Kumaoni would accept a Brahmin as their King. Harsh Dev Joshi was in search of a puppet Rajput King for Kumaon.

               Harsh Dev Joshi sent message to Pradyuman Shah for coming to Almora for taking charge of throne. Pradyuman had bad experiences in Almora and he refused to come to Almora.  

Parakram wanted that son of Mohan Chand would be Kumaon King.

        Harsh Dev Joshi appointed Shiv Singh Rautela (Chand family member) the Kumaon King as Shiv Chand.

  Lal Singh (brother of Mohan Chand) attacked on Kumaon with the help of Rampur Nabab. Harsh Dev Joshi was defeated and he along with Shiv Chand ran away towards Garhwal. He took shelter in Ulkagarh of Garhwal. Lal Singh followed Harsh Dev Joshi  till Ulkagarh. Harsh Dev Joshi defeated lal Singh and pushed lal Singh to Koshi River. Parakram Shah sent his army to help Lal Singh. Now, Lal Singh defeated Harsh Dev Joshi.

Harsh Dev Joshi ran away to Shrinagar

                    Mahendra Chand as Kumaon King

           Parakram Shah reached to Almora and with the help of Lal Singh, he ascended Mahendra Chand (son of Mohan Chand) as Kumaon King. Lal Singh centralized the power in hishands. He killed Joshis of Joshi group, he put many Joshis in jail and some Joshi ran away from Kumaon.

                         Jagir for Harsh Dev Joshi

  Garhwal King Pradyuman Shah offered Jagir to Harsh Dev Joshi. Harsh Dev Joshi was made Jagirdar of Paidalsyun and he settled in Joshiyana Ganv with his family. However, Parakram planned to capture Harsh Dev Joshi. Harsh Dev Joshi ran away to Bareli in 1789.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com9/9/2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -426

(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 ….

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

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History of Dramatically Disturbances in Kumaon; History of Dramatically Disturbances in Kumaon in context Pauri Garhwal History; History of Dramatically Disturbances in Kumaon in context Dehradun Garhwal History; History of Dramatically Disturbances in Kumaon in context Haridwar Garhwal History; History of Dramatically Disturbances in Kumaon in context Uttarkashi Garhwal History; History of Dramatically Disturbances in Kumaon in context Tehri Garhwal History; History of Dramatically Disturbances in Kumaon in context Rudraprayag Garhwal History; History of Dramatically Disturbances in Kumaon in context Chamoli Garhwal History;