History of Mismanagement in Dehradun in Pradyuman Period

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)

                           Looting in Dehradun

          After death of Ghulam Qadir, the small chieftains, looters from nearby territories started looting, raiding in Dehradun.  Ummed Singh became governor of Garhwal now.  However, by not getting sufficient army from Shrinagar, Ummed Singh was unable to resist Looters of Dehradun.

             Sikhs looters were crueler in collecting Rakhi tax. Rajput looters from Saharanpur, Haridwar were also not behind looting Doon valley.  There was no sanctity of officers administrating Doon.

                Khushhalpur Battle

  Jai Kirti Shah appointed Sirmoor King Jagat Prakash as Jagirdar of Doon valley for collecting tax. His brother Dharma Prakash made it clear that he was King of Doon valley. Dharama Prakash declared him as King of Doon valley and sent his resident officer in Prithwipur of Doon.

           After getting information, Parakram came to Doon with army. He crushed the looters of Doon in Dehradun and came to Khushhalpur fort where Sirmoor army was there. Parakram and his army defeated Sirmoor army and pushed them towards Sirmoor.

              Dharam Prakash sent Prince Inshwar Singh with new army to Khushhalpur to defeat Parakram. Sirmoor army defeated army of Parakram. Parakram and his army ran to Shrinagar. There was rule of Sirmoor on Doon valley. Sirmoor gazette  states the year of Khushhalpur battle as 1793.

                               Help from Maratha

    When Garhwal army was not able to push back the rule of Sirmoor/Sirmur King, Garhwal King decided to take help of Marathas. After death of Ghulam Qadir (Rohilla Chieftain), Mahdaji Scindia (Maratha) captured Doab (between Ganga and Yamuna). Maratha army used to camp in Haridwar, Saharanpur and like cities.  With the help of army, Maratha regional commanders used to collect tax.

  There was huge Maratha army in Saharanpur to stop the raids of Sikhs on the Maratha territories. By this army, Dehradun was also protected from Sikh’s Raids.

  In October 1793, a Sikh army was looting in Saharanpur, Maratha army led by Devji Gole and Bapu Malhar pushed Sikhs crossing Yamuna.

            Mahadaji Scindia died in Fabruary 1794.  Northern Maratha Viceroy Gopal Bhau posted Bhairon Pant Tatya as Faujdar (commander or governor) of Sahranpur. Other regional Maratha governor or commanders were also appointed at strategic places as Panipat, Sambhal, Delhi, and Jhajhar. There was stiff competition among those regional Maratha commanders. Every regional commander was eager to increase his personal power (army) and wealth than Maratha power. They were always ready to attack and loot for increasing their wealth.

    Garhwal King requested Maratha commander Bhairon Pant Tatya to help Garhwal to get rid of Sirmoor King.

    Maratha army attacked on Sirmoor twice but was not able to defeat Sirmur army. Perhaps both the time, Marathas took bribery from Sirmoor King. There was Sikhs attack too on Marathas. In October 1795, Sikh army defeated Maratha army at Karnal and five thousand Sikhs raiders entered into Saharanpur. Sikh raiders dominated Maratha in all segments. Now, it was not possible for Maratha to protect Dehradun from Sirmoor.

   Daulat Rao Sindhiya got the help of Irish Captain George Thomas. Thomas came to Saharanput with his Topkhana. Maratha pushed back Sikh raiders to cross Yamuna with the help of Captain Thomas.

                          Brutal Mass Killing in Haridwar by Sikh raiders

      George Thomas could push back Sikh raiders for the time being. In April 1796 the Kumbh year , twelve thousand Sikh cavalry soldiers under King of Patiyala Sahib Singh, Budhiya King Ray Singh and Sher Singh with their families came to Haridwar for taking Holy dip into Ganges.  Maratha were ruling Haridwar. However, Naga Sadhus took the Kumbh Fair Management into their hands. They wanted to take bath first as to show their supremacy. Sikh snet their Udasi Saint to take bath. There was clash or tussle between Naga –Gusain Sadhus and Udasi Guru of Sikh sect for taking the dip into Ganges. On tenth of April, Sikh rulers sent back their family members away from Haridwar. Then, Sikh soldiers were scattered in Haridwar in different groups.  Sikh soldiers attacked on Gusain, Naga and other Sadhu by swords, guns and Bhala. Sikh cavalary soldiers started killing Sanyasi, Naga, Vairagi, and Gusain etc. Sikh soldiers killed more than 500 Sadhus. They also killed innocent devotes taking part in Kumbh Fair. Sikh soldiers looted there. There was stamped everywhere.  English Captain Mure protected the people. Sikh soldiers returned after killing and looting.

                              Mismanagement in Dehradun

             There was no rescue for people of Dehradun against the regular raids of Rajput, Gurjar, Rohillas and Sikh raiders. Maratha King appointed a French Captain Paran in May 1799 and sent him to Saharanpur with Ambaji to collect tax and to stop raids of Sikhs and Rohillas.

 In December 1799, Peron defeted Rohillas and pushed back them from Saharanpur. This French Commander became strong commander of Maratha. In 1801, He sent army to Dehradun for tax collection. The Maratha army looted Doon in that year. Then there was the time of Maratha fall.

    There were disturbances in Dehradun for long.

                            Hari Singh Guleria

              Hari Singh Guleria was the son in law of Pradyuman Shah. Instead of making peace in Doon, he was looter and used to oppress people of Doon valley.

             Raja Ramdayal Singh of Landhaur (Haridwar)

             The ruler or chieftain Landhaur (Haridwar) used to raid Dehradun frequently and used to loot Doon valley. He used to use various repressive methods to terror the people of Doon valley.

               High Dip in Income from Doon valley

               Due to disturbances in Dehradun, there was deep dip in the income from Doon valley. The annual income of Doon dropped from one lakh rupees to 8000 rupees.

                 Various Changes in Administration of Doon Valley

   Garhwal King sent Rama Khanduri and his brother Dharani Khanduri for taking corrective measures in Doon Valley. Khanduri brothers were devotee of Pradyuman Shah. Parakram Shah killed Khanduri brother in a conspiracy.

          Puran Singh of Sahaspur was appointed the in charge of Dehradun. However, he was also unable to stop various raids from raiders.

 Parakram sent his devotee minister Shiv Ram Saklani to correct the situation.      

  Ummed Singh was a clever and cunning man. He was always the Faujdar of Dehradun in all conditions. Pradyuman Shah married his daughter with him .

When Gorkha attacked Dehradun, Ummed Singh took shelter under Sirmoor Kingdom. Ummed Singh did not help Pradyuman Shah when Gorkha killed Pradyuman Shah in Kuhdbuda battle.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com10/9/2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -427

(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 ….

XX                     

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

XX

History of Mismanagement in Dehradun in Pradyuman Period; History of Mismanagement in Dehradun in Pradyuman Period in context Kumabh Mela Haridwar History and Dhamavala Dehradun History; History of Mismanagement in Dehradun in Pradyuman Period in context Rurki Haridwar History and Rajpur Dehradun History; History of Mismanagement in Dehradun in Pradyuman Period in context Landhuar Haridwar History and Sahaspur Dehradun History ; History of Mismanagement in Dehradun in Pradyuman Period in context Bahdurpur Haridwar History and Chakrata Dehradun History ; History of Mismanagement in Dehradun in Pradyuman Period in context sahranpur and Haridwar History and Dehradun History