Dravya Shah: The First Gorkha King in Context Uttarakhand, Himachal History

History of Gorkha /Nepal Rule over Kumaun, Garhwal and Himachal (1790-1815) -2

  

   History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -521

                        By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Research Student)

         The First Gorkha King Dravya Shah (1559-1570) belonged to Kulmandal. Before, Gorkha Rule, Gorkha were ruled by Ghule people (Khas, etc). Dravya Shah was camping in Chhoprak village near Gorkha land. Nearby Chhopal village, there was Liglig the Garud clan republican. They used to elect their King on Vijaya Dashami. When people were gathered to select their King, Dravya Shah attacked on the people and caught the right on Liglig.

 There was a Khas King ruling over Gorkha land. Tagadhari Khas (putting Janeu) and Matwali (who used to take alcohol) were dissatisfied with the Khas King. Narayan Arjyal and Ganesh Pande the well wishers of Dravya Shah enhanced the dissatisfaction among Khas people against Khas king Khandka. It was alsoe spread the rumor that Guru Gorakhnath blessed Dravya Shah. Dravya Shah attacked on Gorkha Land but was defeated by Gorkha. Then diplomatically, Dravya Shah got the people of Khandka on his side. On Krishnajanmashtami, Bhadrapada of 1559, people hid Dravya Shah in Tallakot (old Court or Fort) of Khandka. In mid night Dravya Shah attacked on Mathilo Kot or upper Fort and killed the Khas King of Khandka. Dravya Shah caught the Khandka in mid night. From that day, Shah Dynasty ruled over Gorkha Land. The successor Kings of Dravya Shah added title as Ati Prabal Gorkha-Dakshin Bahu , Mahadhipati.

Dravya Shah also caught rule of Singhanchauk and Ajay Garh.  Dravya Shah ruled from 1559-1570.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com25/12/2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -522

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

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                    Reference

Hamilton F.B. 1819, An Account of Kingdom of Nepal and the territories

Colnol Kirkpatrik 1811, An Account of Kingdom of Nepal

Dr S.P Dabral, Uttarakhand ka Itihas part 5, Veer Gatha Press, Dogadda

Bandana Rai, 2009 Gorkhas,: The Warrior Race

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 Dravya Shah: The First Gorkha King in Context Uttarakhand, Himachal History; Dravya Shah: The First Gorkha King in Context History of Garhwal, Uttarakhand and Himachal History Dravya Shah: The First Gorkha King in Context History of Kumaon, Uttarakhand and Himachal History; Dravya Shah: The First Gorkha King in Context History of Dehradun Uttarakhand and Himachal History; Dravya Shah: The First Gorkha King in Context Langurgarh Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Himachal History