History of Kangra Himachal Pradesh

Kangra was the part of Jalandhara as in ancient time and was called Trigarta and this territory is drained by 3 rivers ( Sutlej, Ravi & Vyas). The name Trigarta was found in Mahabharata and also in Puranas. The first historical mention was found in 5th century BC in the Sanskrit writings of Panini.
Trigarta had two provinces one is in Nagarkort which lies in Kangra and another one was at Jalandhara. The first historical notices to Jalandhara was found in the works of Ptolemy where it was called Kalindarine. Some archeologists had found tools from the stone age and they were found at village Rahaur & Nadaun.
They also found more remains at variuos places ( Dehra,  gopipur,  jamol,  thor khad etc)
Out of 360 coins of Audumbaras,  103 coins have been foind in Kangra near Tripal and Jawalamukhi.
4 coins of Kushana rulers also been founs in Kanihara.
3 coins of Kulindas in Jwalamukhi.
As per Kaushika's mentionings there were 6 members of Trigarta Confederacy.
Kaundopartha,  Dandaki,  Brahmagupta,  Janaki,  Jalamani, Raushokti. But these confederacy had not been found till date. The capital Nagarkot also had not been mentioned anywhere, but it is believed that when Mahmud of Gazni captured the territory in 1009AD it is called Bhim Nagar or BhimKot ( in Tarikh i Yamini and by Farista)
Trigarta seems to have been identified as Katoch Dynasty and however the origin of actual name is aalso uncertain.  It's also believed that the territory was remained in katoch dynasty since from 625- 1009 AD until it was captured by Gazni.  Traditionally the Kangra fort is said to have been founded by Susharma Chand and this fort was known for his strength. Gazni was attracted by the fabulous weath which was believed to be stored within the walls. He defeated Brahman Pal and captured the fort and looted the whole wealth.
But according to Faristha's account the Raja of that time was Jagdish Chand who was the 202th decendent of Susharma Chand.

About (1030-40AD) Ananta Deva Raja of Kashmir was married to 2 princess of the katoch family. the daughter of indu chandra.
In 1051-1052AD Abdul Rashid captured the fort of Nagarkot and tha rajas of kangra were able to recapture after 1060AD.
Around 1170AD the raja was Raja Padam Chand and his younger brother Parab Chand who founded the state of Jaswan.
Jaya Singh Chandra 1200-1220AD he ruled in the begining of 13th century.

Prithvi Chand 1330AD- During the reign of his time Kangra fort is said to have been captured by Mohd. Tughlaq. With in accordance to Prithvi chand there are many coins existing of the rajas of Kangra.

Parab Chand 1345AD- Prithvi was succedded by Parab chand

Rup Chand 1360 His name was found in Dharam Chnand Natak. written by Manik Chand about 1562 durign the reign of Dharam Chand.. Rup Chand was reigning when the fort was besieged by Feroz Shah Tughlaq about 1365 AD. Rup Chand also set out on a raiding expedition for the plains and plundered the country almost to the gates of Delhi. On during his return journey, laden with hunted bounty he encountered Shahab Ud Din of kashmir.
After some time Feroz shah visited Jawalamukhi Temple and there existed a library of 1300 books. Rup Chand died in 1375.

Sangara Chand 1375AD-  There is nothing more about his reign but there is just a bit that The sucessor of Feroz Tughlaq named Nasir ud din had retreated to Nagarkot and he remained till the end of 1389AD and then he was called to delhi in august 1390  & then he occupied his throne and he was recalled as Mohd Tughlaq. Sangara died in 1390. 

Megh Chand 1390AD There is nothing more intresting about his reign but during his time Mongols raids were around by under leadership of Timur i Lang & Timur i Lang wanted to plunder Kangra but there are no indications any where that he abled to achieved his goal. But there are some indications that Timur had penetrated Dhameri. Timur had already fought 20 wars/battles with various opponents in a very short period of 32 days and he abled to capture 7 forts which belonged to hills.  but Hindur was plundered by Timur I Lang and Alan Chand was the raja at that time (1356-1406AD)

Hari Chand-I (AD 1405) It was said that one day raja of kangra (hari chand ) went on hunting with his colleagues and army but he was seprated from his company and fell into well. He was going towards Harsar which is in Guler. He then  returned back to his territory after 21days but his younger brother Karam Chand was declared as tha raja of Kangra.  After all this incidend Hari Chand decided to form his own state he then founded Fort & town of Haripur (independent state) which is situated at junction of Banganga, Kurali & Neugal rivers. Since then Guler had been precedence over Kangra on all occassions and festivals cuz it was ruled by elder brother.

Karam Chand (1415AD)-   There is nothing more important about his reign but during his period north india was in turbulance and foreign aggression.

Sansar Chand-I (1430AD), Devangna Chand 1450 & Narender Chand (1465)- There is nothing important about their reign.

Suvira Chand (1480AD)-  He was born in Kumhar's hut and with the help of his Nanaa from (poona) and set up his authority over Kangra and he also awarded jagir to that kumhar.

Prayag Chand (1490AD),Ram Chand (1510AD)- There is nothing important about their reign.

Dharam Chand (1528AD)- During his time Mughal King Humayun ordered his general Khwas Khan to capture Nagar Kot. After its conquest Hamid Khan Kakar was made incharge of Nagar Kot, Jammu hills, Jawali & Dadhwal. He lived in fort of Malot ( confusion in its authenticity).
After 1556 Akbar advanced into Hills and Raja Dharam Chand made his submission.

Manikya Chand (1563AD)- son of Dharam Chand and died in 1570.

Jai Chand (1570AD) son of manikya chand. For some unknown cirucumstances Akbar ordered his arrest warrent. Raja Ram chand of Guler affected this order.  During his time of reign Mughals were in power. jai chand died in 1585.
Jai's son Bidhi Chand  revolted against Akbar in 1572AD & Army under Khan Jahan Hussain Quli Khan (punjab's viceroy) was sent to subdue the state which was bestowed by emperor in Jagir upon raja Birbal and joined Mughals at Lahore and set out far Nagarkot bye way of Nurpur and Pathankot.
 On the other hand in 1556 raja of Nurpur Bakht Mal allied himself with Sikandar Shah and Bakht Mal was executed by Bairam Khan (Akbar's general).
On the other hand Mughals won another short-lived battle at Kotla and the fort of was recaptured by mughals which was forcefully occupied by Raja Dharam Chand and Jai Chand but in actual it belonged to Raja Ram Chand of Guler. Mughals gave back the fort of Kotla to Raja Ram Chand.  
During the seizing progress of Kangra fort a news came that the Ibrahim Mirza and Masud Mirza (akbar's relatives) invaded Punjab and to counter the attack of mirzas Khan Jahan Hussain Quli Khan opened negotiations with the commander of garrison and agreed to the payment of 5Mans of gold and some other stuff and the sieze lifted up.

Bidhi Chand (1858AD)- He formed a secret alliance with Jammu and outer hills (1588-1589) and they all broke into mutiny on account of this Akbar sent Zain Koka with the forces to bring them into under control, After this al the 13 hill chiefs on their submission had their territories restored but Bidhi Chand had to leave his son as an hostage at Mughal Durbar (Trilok Chand). Bidhi died in 1605.

Trilok Chand (1605AD)- During the time of ascending of throne, Jahangir on the other hand also succeeded the throne of Mughal Empire. Also it's been said that during their childhood time at Delhi Jahangir and Trilok had a kind of aggression amoung them regarding a bird Parrot. Due to this Jahangir marched against kangra. .Trilok chand died in 1612.

Hari Chand 2- (1612AD)-  Jahangir sent Murtaza Khan & Raja Suraj Mal of Nurpur to capture Kangra fort. On other side Shaikh Farid was awarded with the title of Murtaza Khan for his services of seizing the kangra fort. in 1615AD. Murtaza khan died at Pathankot 1616. Raja Suraj Mal of Nurpur requested Jahangir to annex Kangra fort and the request was accepted by Jahangir he then sent Quli Mohd. Taqi with him.. Mohd Taqi had to go back (recalled by Jahangir) due to some issues with Suraj Mal. and the seizing also delayed. HIs own troops laid hands on money and movable property by ravaging the Parganas.

Shah jahan then sent Sundar Das and Rai Raiyan to take control over revolt and in result Suraj Mal defeated and had to run and he become refugee in Maukot and then to Nurpur and then to Chamba.

In November 1620 Kangra fort was annexed by Mughals armay under Nawab Ali Khan.the whole territory was annexed except only the Jagir of Rajgir being assigned to royal family and it situated on right bank of beas river above alampur which includes Jaisinghpur, Bijapur and Lambagram.
On the other hand Jagat singh was made raja of Nurpur and ordered to join mughal forces under leadership of Rai Raiyan in sieze of kangra fort. Efforts of Rai Raiyan  were then taken to annex/capture fort Kotla and there brother of Suraj Mal ( Madhu Singh was lying as refugee and he had to fled to chamba from there) Suraj Mal died in chamba in 1619 and then raja of chamba had to surrender in front of Rai Raiyan and then raja of chamba had to made return all cash and Madhu singh to Rai Raiyan.
Rai Raiyan was also called Raja Bikramjit.

Its said that after annexation in 1622 January. Jahangir visited Kangra. he was then impressed by the beauty of kangra he then ordered to built a palace for himself and work started at Mauza Gargari but the palace was not constructed and work stopped.. Raja Hari Chand died childless and some said that he had been killed by Jahangir but there are no references made in mohammedan records.

Chander Bhan Chand 1627AD-  He was descended from Kalyan Chand.(brother of Raja Dharam Chand ) He continued guirella warfare against Mughals and he was said to had been finally captured back in the reign of Aurangzeb in about 1660AD. and it's said that Bhan Chand built fort near Nirwanah. now called as Bhan ka Tilla.
During the time of Auranzeb Kangra fort was held under charge of Hasan Abdullah Pathan, Nawab Sayyid khalil  ullah khan, and Sayid ullah khan.

Vija Ram Chand 1660AD He founded town of Bijapur and remained residence of royal family till Ghamand Chand. He then suceeded by his brother Udai Ram Chand cos he had no son.

Udai Ram Chand 1687AD Nothing special in his reign and he died in 1690

Bhim Chand 1690AD His father was udai ram and He built a temple at Bijapur. He followed the policy of Pacific Recourse and regular attendance at Mughal court and he was called as Diwan. 

Alam Chand 1697AD- He founded Alampur and died in 1700

Hamir Chand 1700AD He built a fort near Hamirpur. He was lived long enough to see Last Mughal Governor of Kangra Nawab Saif Ali Khan (1740).

Abhaya Chand 1747AD He built Thakurdwara in Alampur and fort which was called Abhayamanpur.(Tira)  in 1748 on hill of Sujanpur.

Ghamir Chand 1750 AD (brother of Hamir Chand) He had 11 sons but none of them were worthy so the department of their territory assigned Ghamand Chand son of Ghamir's young brother

Ghamand Chand (1751_1774AD)- He was able to acquire supremacy all over hill states and he was able to recover all his lost territory with the exceptions of kangra fort. He also captured Chauki Northern part of Kutlehr  and able to seize Taluqa of Palam from chamba. He also founded sujanpur (Tira Sujanpur.)
During his time Mughal empire was struggling because there was Ahmad Shad Durrani from north side and marathas from south all of them wanted to capture Delhi and to establish the empire. He died in 1774

Tegh Chand (1774-75AD)- He was son of Ghamand Chand

Sansar Chand 2 (1775-1824AD) He was only 10 when he became Raja of Kangra.He called to his aid Jai Singh Kanheya. During that time Kangra fort was under Garrison of Saif ALi Khan. (1781-82). Saif Ali Khan died in 1783 and fort was surrendered.As written in History of Punjab Jai SIngh Kanheya bribed Jewan Khan (son of Saif ali khan) to vacate fort.
In 1787 Jai singh Kanheya agreed to give the fort to sansaar chand with exchange in teeritores coquered by Sansaar CHand. With in the supremacy of powers Sansaar chand demanded from hill chiefs to surrender to him and he remained as it is the Zamindari policy made by Mughals but Raja of CHamba refused (to make over Rihlu) and state of chamba was attacked and raja of chamba was killed in a battle at Netri.
On other side Raja of Mandi Ishawari Sen was captured by Sansaar chand and prisoned him for 12 years at Nadaun. He siezed 3 distt of Mandi. Sansaar chand then gave suket and kullu one one distt and third one remained in his control He also captured State of Kutlehr
Sansaar chand tried to capture fort of Kamalgarh but got unsucssful.
In 1803-1804 he invaded twice the plains towards Hoshiarpur and Bajwarah but he was defeated by Ranjit Singh on that disappointment he turned his army towards BIlaspur  and annexed some partof Bilapur on right side of sutlez. 
Bilaspur made a request to Gurkhas to help them and Amar singh thapa agreed to help Bilaspur. THey all together made alliance ( bilapur, other states of kangra group ,suket and chamba). The raja of chamba (Jit singh) also assited Gurkhas. The first battle took place at Mahal Morian and sansaar chand got a brave stand but in 2nd time sansaar chand defeated. They were able to Liberate Ishwari sen of Mandi who was prisoned for 12 years. 
Sansar chand took position in Tira Sujanpur and later sought refuge in kangra fort with his family. Gurkhas siezed the fort from all sides and cut down the supplies to fort. For 4 years they remained there.
At last Sansaar chand applied for help from Maharaja Ranjit SIngh and offered Kangra Fort as in Price. he tried twice and at last he was ready to made negotiations with gurkhas with the help of his wazir Naurang. Sansaar chand secretly left the fort and as peasent. He then again made request to Ranjit singh for his help from Tira Sujanpur. through his brother Fateh Chand. Around for a month discussions were made on Jawalamukhi b/w ranjit singh and sansaar chand. and the army of Ranjit Singh marched towards Kangra in August 1809. Gurkhas defeated and made them to go back. son of sansaar chand ANirudh Chand made as a hostage by Ranjit singh and replaced Fateh ahluwalia as incharge( for treaty purpose only). Gurkhas then made offer of double amount of najrana to Ranjit singh to withdraw his army from Kangra but Ranjit singh did'nt agreed.
On 24August 1809 Maharaja Ranjit singh then took possession over kangra fort along with 66 villages and amar singh thapa had to pay 1lakh rupess to Maharaja Ranjit Singh to abandoning the battle.
Thus Sansar chand regained back his Fort. Desa singh Majitha was made Governor of fort and kangra hills. This made sansaar chand a obedient dependent and he paid 2 lakh rupes to Maharaja. and he retired to tira sujanpur.

Anirudh Chand (1824AD)- during his time when he was to be a king of kangra Maharaja ranjit singh demanded 2 lakhs in najrana but he refused to pay this big amount and at last settlements were made to 1 lakh and he became raja of kangra.
Raja Dhian Singh of jammu demanded anirudh's sister to marry with his son Hira Singh but anirudh was not agree as he thinks a shame for his royal dynasty. Anirudh chand then delayed the marriage for one year and then he had to sent his family across Satluj and he fled to british territories. Anirudh got his 2 sisters married to Raja of Tehri Garhwal and died 4 years later. He had two sons Ranbir Chand and Pramudh Chand.
In 1833 British govt requested to Ranjit singh to offer them royal life and in return Maharaja ranjit singh recalled them and offered them 50000 as jagir in Mahal Morian.and they took residence there.
On behalf of this He built a temple at Bijapur. with Raja HIra Singh. In reward Fateh CHand received Rajgir Paragana as jagir from maharaja ranjit singh. and Nadaun was granted to Jodhbir chand younger son of sansar chand.
Under the treaty of 9march 1846 kangra directly came under british control.This made a cause for revolt on that wazir of Nurpur and Pramudh CHand along with rajas of Jawan and Datarpur participated. Mr Lawrence supppressed the revolt. For that Pramudh chand and rajas were sentenced to prison at Almora. Later Pratap Chand Succeeded family title in 1851 and died in 1864 and his son Maharaja Sir Jai Chand KCIE. He was honorary colonel in the 37th dogras and served in distinction with black mountain and relief expeditions. 

Dhurv CHand (1935-1948) He was the raja of Lambagaon. he died in 1988

Aditya Dev Chand Katoch- He suceeded the royal property of his ancestors in 1988 which includes Lambagraon, Rajgir and Mahal Morian.