History of Joshiyani (Repression of Kumaoni Joshis) in Garhwal

History of Garhwal including Haridwar (1223- 1804 AD) –part -174    

   History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -421

                       By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Research Student)

 After returning of Sirmur King Jagat Prakash, Garhwal King planned to visit Rajrajeshwari temple the family ritual temple of Garhwal Kings in Navaratri. Rajrajeshwari temple was established in Devalgarh the old capital of Garhwal. Jai Kirti Shah took ritual materials and other valuables.

                Quite a few treachery Garhwal administrators informed Pradyuman Chand (Kumaon King) about Jai Kirti Shah Visit to Rajrajeshwari temple at Devalgarh.   It was obvious that at this juncture, King would not take his full force.

 According to Kumaoni folklore, Pradyuman force led by Joshi brothers raided on Devalgarh temple on Vijayadashami festival. The King had less soldiers and he could not protect himself from Joshi force. King Jai Kirti Shah had to flee from Rajrajeshwari temple, Devalgarh.  Joshi force looted ample of wealth from Rajrajeshwari temple.

  When Jai Kirti Shah escaped away, the treachery administrators reached to Pradyuman Chand in Kumaon.

                  Looting Library by Joshi Pundits

   When Joshi’s soldiers were busy in looting villages nearby Rajrajeshwari temple a few Joshi Pundits reached to Pokhari village of Bahuguna Pundits. Joshi Pundits looted the manuscripts available in library collected and created by Medhakar Bahuguna Shastri, Ram Datt Bahuguna, Bharat Kavi and other scholars. There were manuscripts on grammar, Dharma, Tantra, mantra, Ved, Poetries, Astrolgy, Medicines, Karmkand etc. Joshi took those manuscripts with them.

                        Destruction of Shrinagar

      Pradyuman Chand (Shah) reached to Shrinagar with hi s force. Perhaps supporters (elites, people and few soldiers) of Jai Kirti Shah resisted Pradyuman Chand. Subject did not go to see Pradyuman Chand. The city citizens burnt their houses and ran away from Shrinagar.

 Pradyuman Chand (Shah) was in Shrinagar for three years. After three years, he went to Almora.

 According to Atkinson, Parakram was representing Pradyuman shah in Almora till Pradyuman was in Shrinagar. The administration of Parakram was not able administration. Maularam did not mention about Parakram. There are no inscriptions available of Parakram.

 Parakram came back to Shrinagar with Pradyuman Chand (Shah) in 1785.

 There is difference between Kumaoni folklore and description of Maularam. Rudri Datt Pant described the Kumaoni folklore and does not match the logical sequences.

                         Last Effort by Jai Kirti Shah

       When Pradyuman went back to Almora from Shrinagar, Jai Kirti Shah came back to Shrinagar. Jai Kirti Shah captured the Kingdom and started ruling. Jaya Nand Joshi was no more alive. Harsh Dev Joshi was being treated as the most cunning person. Kumaon Kingdom was busy in conspiracies and counter conspiracies of administrators among themselves. Therefore, Harsh Dev Joshi and Pradyuman Chand could not send force to resist Jai Kirti Shah.

            Important Garhwal Kingdom administrators were not supporting Jai Kirti Shah. Ajab Ram and his party were interested in ascending Prarakram shah on the crown. Jai Kirti Shah did not have force and money too. Dhaniram Dobhal and a few administrators were supporting Jai Kirti Shah. However, Ajab ram Negi had upper hands in Shrinagar.

               Request to Sirmur King Jagat Prakash for Help

                 In past the Sirmaur King Jagat Prakash helped Jai Kirti Shah and Jai Kirti Shah offered Jagat Prakash money and jewls and Doon Jagir.

           Now, again, Kai Kirti Shah sent Dhani Ram to Nahan to meet Jagat Prakash. Due to different situation at that time, Sirmoor King Jagat Prakash refused to help Garhwal King. Dhani Ram Dobhal persuaded mater for many days but Sirmur King Jagat Prakash did not agree for rescuing Garhwal King from the difficulties.

                   Betrayal by Dhani Ram Dobhal

      Dhaniram Dobhal came back to Shrinagar without any help from Jagat Prakash.

      Dhaniram Dobhal asked money from Jai Kirti Shah for organizing and employing force. Jai Kirti Shah made Dhaniram Dobhal to understand the situation. Jai Kirti Shah told Dhaniram to arrange money as he was chief minister. Dhaniram Dobhal betrayed the King. Dhaniram surrounded the palace of Jai Kirti Shah by his own force.  It was a shock for Jai Kirti Shah as in past , Jai Kirti shah saved the life of Nautiyals and Dhaniram Dobhal from Ghamand Singh.

 Jai Kirti Shah sent a jewel box for saving his life from deceitful Dhani Ram.

                          Death of Jai Kirti

      Watching the mean acts of Dhaniram, Jai Kirti Shah was in restless situation. Jai Kirti Shah came to Dev Prayag. He died after four days in Dev Prayag.

   Four wives of Jai Kirti Shah burnt with his dead body (became Sati). They all were childless. Those wives cursed Pradyuman, Parakram and administrators for deceiving the King and cursed that they would see worst days in future.

  When Jai Kirti Shah died in Dev Prayag, his properties were looted. In Shrinagar too, the state properties and King’s properties was looted by administers as Ajab ram Negi.

                       Character of Jai Kirti Shah

               Lait Shah mistreated his eldest son Jai Kirti from the childhood. Jai Kirti shah was kind hearted and believed on his people too. However, he was always deceived by his own men and brothers.

 His ruling period would be remembered for conspiracies and counter conspiracies among administrators and King family members.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com5/9/2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -422

(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 Joshiyani (Repression of Kumaoni Joshis) in Garhwal; History of Joshiyani (Repression of Kumaoni Joshis) in Garhwal in context Shrinagar Garhwal History; History of Joshiyani (Repression of Kumaoni Joshis) in Garhwal in context Devalgarh Garhwal History; History of Joshiyani (Repression of Kumaoni Joshis) in Garhwal in context Rajrajeshwari Mandir Garhwal History; History of Joshiyani (Repression of Kumaoni Joshis) in Garhwal in context village Pokhari Garhwal History; History of Joshiyani (Repression of Kumaoni Joshis) in Garhwal in context Chalansyun Patti, Garhwal History; History of Joshiyani (Repression of Kumaoni Joshis) in Garhwal in context Chamoli Garhwal History; History of Joshiyani (Repression of Kumaoni Joshis) in Garhwal in context Tehri –Uttarkashi Garhwal History; History of Joshiyani (Repression of Kumaoni Joshis) in Garhwal in context Dehradun –Haridwar - Garhwal History;