Introduction

Himachal is an heroic region of brave warriors and beautiful women—“striking like the sun” (as per one foreign history). For many an age, they have populated the mountainous “land amidst snow” (Hima + chala) and defended it stoutly. However, as times change, so do circumstances and reputations. The people of Himachal have forgotten their ancient identity and long history. It is time they were reminded of their former greatness.

Though most associated with the antique fort of Kangra and the states of Chamba & Mandi, the original name of Himachal was Trigarta (Thrigartha desa). Among its earliest mentions is the Mahabharata itself. The Confederation of the Trigartas produced the most redoubtable opponents of Pandava Arjuna—and distracted him on that fateful day of the Chakravyuha.

However, Pauranic history proper dates the chronology and history of Himachal further back. The lineages of the ancient dynasties here go back an astonishing 450+ Kings. This further underscores the reality of the people of Dvigarta, that is Jammu—who claim association with the people of Trigarta and similarly trace their kings that far back. Trigarta, Dvigarta/Darvabhisaara, and Udhyaana/Uraasa/Hazara, were all once one cultural spectrum.

These are hardy frontier people with a frontier mindset. They hath not the time for the luxury of orthodox rite and ritual—so too, according to legend.

Legendarium

There has been much propaganda under the sun. Some of it has been due to Himachal’s neighbours to the South-west, but most of it due to European Scholars.

Contrary to european scholars, their sepoy pens-for-hire, and assorted intellectuals-yet-idiot, the date of the Kali Yuga commencement  was always clear: 3102 BCE. Those wishing to downplay and deprecate Dharmic heritage and history naturally seek to change it to suit their interests, propaganda, and narcissism. Fortunately, orthodox Pandiths like Kota Venkatachalam gaaru preserved our ancient records and chronology.

Though a land of snow, Himachal is also a place of beautiful blue ice lakes. The striking scenery formed both the setting and the terrain for many a last stand. The story of this region goes further back into what is dubbed mythology.

The Sons of Vishvamitra have long been a tale associated with the modern state of Andhra Pradesh, but in actuality, the Puranas were referring to the Northern Andhras of Jaalaandhara—hence modern Jalandhar in Punjab state.

The Thrigartha-Shashttha (Confederation of Six Trigartas) shows both the positives and negatives of confederation. This became all the more discombobulated when the number of states ballooned to 30 statelets (rather than a more manageable 6 states + fiefs). Where constituent states are unified in purpose, they can cause tremendous trouble to foreign invaders or even famous foes (like Arjuna). Reduced to selfishness and petty pride, however, they can cause disaster to their own people. Removed of economies-of-scale and overarching purpose, they descended into dissension and myopic one-upsmanship.

Being noble is more than just about reciting noble lineage and thumping one’s chest in place of argument. It is about intelligently governing in the interests of one’s people under the auspices of dharma. Dubbing every Tom, Dick, and Harry foreign collaborator as “dharmrakashak!” is not the way of the Dharmaraaja. It is about restoring local rule and punishing dharmadrohis, even if they come from the highest castes—after all, as Sri Krishna showed, even Kamsa and Sisupala were pureblood Kshathriyas.

The true measure of Kshatriyata is not in simply reciting lineage or how loyally you fought for vidharmis, but (as shown by Mihira Bhoja & Rana Pratap )how you yourself defended dharma. That is the sign not only of one’s calibre as Raaja, but as the touchstone of Dynastic descent. If you really are descended from the avatar you claim—prove it by character. The people of Himachal have many heroes. It is time that the remember the right ones.

Ancient History

Trigarta’s antiquity is attested to by both Pandiths and indologists. As the ASI describes in the passage above, it has had a role in many an age. It remains perennially relevant.

Kullu-Manali is famous today as a scenic tourist site; however, the word Kullu comes from the ancient word for Kulootha, which was the name of this province.

However, Himachal’s most prominent landmark is the famed fortress of Nagarkot, better known as Kangra.

Featuring in countless battles from Antiquity, to the Medieval period, to even the Early Colonial era, it was a site of heroism and drama. The fates of Himachal and even Bhaarathavarsha were often decided here. Even the founding of this fort is steeped in the mythical.

The Katoch Rajputs claim their descent from the founders of Nagarkot.

However, Kangra was not the only place of prominence. Kahlur, better known as Bilaspur today, is another. Conqueror of Ladakh, Zorawar Singh Kahluria (the Hindu Rajput General of Raaja Gulab Singh), takes his name from the region of Kahlur. Known today as Bilaspur, it’s origin goes back over a thousand years. [1, 2]

The main traditional history of the state of Himachal is the Shashi Bansa Binod. Other primary sources include the Tawriq-i-Rajputana and the Mulk-i-Punjab. These form the trifecta of inputs for that Secondary Source known as the History of the Punjab Hill States. The Hill States, you see, have long been a cultural and political domain of their own. Just as those who demand respect for their identity, so too should they respect the identity of others in their midst—more ancient than them. The Hill State of Suket traces its history back to at least the 8^th century CE.

Contituent States

Like the Vrjjis before them, there is something about the Hill country that produces proud pedigrees. The Rajputs of Himachal remain haughtily satisfied of their lineages, and not completely without reason. Some like the Katoch are said to go back millennia. However, Himachal embodies both the triumphs and tribulations of confederal politics. There are many states and statelets in this medium-sized modern state. The prominent principalities (ruled by Ranas/Raajas) would typically lead alliances of other statelets (led by Thakurs, which were usually offshoots of the main dynasty. By some counts there were 30 states and statelets, with sometimes triumphant but usually treacherous politics. The haughtiness of royalty would often rub other aristocrats the wrong way, leading to pointless rebellions and fraying of collective strength at a time when unity was the overarching duty. Pride, after all, is an Arishadvarga (deadly sin). More concerning was the typical trend of inviting outsiders to settle internal issues. Most of the statelets date back centuries, but some date back millennia.

Chamba was an ancient kingdom with its capital at Varmapura. Other principalities include Mandi, Kangra, Kahlur, Kinnaur, and Kullu. Manhas Rajput Sikh Banda Bahadur made an alliance with one of these kingdoms, which made it possible to establish the First Sikh Raj. His Bandai Khalsa was later betrayed by the Tat Khalsa faction, which allied with the Mughals. For this reason, some say Lachman Dev (alias Madho Das Bairagi) returned to Hinduism & Vegetarianism before his last stand and martyrdom.

Chamba

Chamba’s founding and nomenclature are quite legendary. It is said to take its name from the goddess Champavati (Durga). It’s founder, Sahil Varma, is said to be near-mythical as well.

Chamba state proper finds its origins going back to a Brahmin king (later incorporated into the Rajput community—validating the Agnivamsa lineages of Puranas). That capital was fittingly named Brahmapura, and is currently dated to 550 CE.

Mandi

The next state to assume prominence is that of Mandi. The commercial overtones of the name aside, there is said to be an alternate etymology.

It produced a number of offshoots, and is said to have a common lineal descent with the states of Suket and Kashtwar. Demonstrating the unity of the Indian Subcontinent, these dynasties are said to descend from the Senas (ostensibly of Bengal).The riverine nature of the Hill States means that geography often dictated the rise of statelets, even where unity would be demanded. Even today, both Dvigarta (2 river tracts) & Trigarta (3 river tracts) can be identified easily on geographical maps.

The satellite state of Suket traces its founding also to these Sena offshoots.

Kangra

The most widely known of all the princely states of Himachal is due to a fortification. Kangra (Nagarkot) was the capital of ancient Kulootha desa (origin for the word Kulu)

Kangra’s history is steeped in both story and song. It was the site of many a battle, and the origin of many a struggle. Nevertheless, the formidable nature of the fortification is obvious even to the casual observer.

Kahlur (Bilaspur)

Raaja Bir Chand was the founder of Bilaspur State. His dynasty was a cadet branch of the famed Chandellas (Chandel Rajputs) of Chanderi, Bundelkhand. Vidyadhar Chandella defeated Mahmu Ghazni at the defensive battle of Kalinjar. He would later chastise and slay the Prathihaara king of Kannauj, for his poor resistance against the invader.  This was the vaunted lineage that would set up shop in this state.

Later Kot Kahlur would be constructed by the sixth king of the Kahlur dynasty.

Kinnaur

Kinnaur stands out among the smaller principalities as it had a prominence of its own despite being a dependency of Bushahr state. It takes its name from the legendary race (actual jaathi) known as Kinnara. They were semi-divine beings with tremendous musical skill and were said to reside in the region.

Some connect the Kinnaras to the Kiraathas and Keeras, but this a bit of a stretch. No doubt, the Keera people had an impact on this region though.

Kullu

True to its name, Kulu is at the core of the Kulootha janapada of antiquity. The people here have an Himalayan mix, however, the Rajputs trace their origins to the plains. They moved first from Prayaagraj to Almora, and from there to Hardwar before settling here.

The etymology is very appropriate. It is said to be a modification of the word Kulantapitha. It truly would seem to ancients to be the ‘end of the habitable world’. There also a text by the same name dealing with the local legendarium of Kullu.

Lahaul

Among the well-known yet more liminal of regions is Lahaul. This state, often combined with the Spiti valley, abuts the junction of Himachal with Ladakh. The historical ebb-and-flow has led to a peculiar melange in the ethno-religious mix.

The people here are mostly Hindu-Buddhist, and demonstrate the phenotype of a mixed Himalayan people. The ruling classes, typically Thakur, nevertheless boast high lineage.

Brahmaur

Last but certainly not least is the ancient state of Brahmapura. True to the origins of the people, it is an age-old place whose rugged people belie the importance of the pauranic culture here.

The founding of Brahmapura goes at least as far back as 550 CE. It traces its establishment to a thapasvi named Maruvarman.

Numbering 30+, we cannot possibly cover all the states and statelets in the Himachali historical record in a single introductory article. Indeed, individual state histories are better covered by locals who are more familiar with the locales and geography.

However, a general discussion of culture and religion remains merited.

Culture & Religion

The people of Himachal have long been overwhelmingly Hindu in majority. Their culture is steeped in the Sanskritic, and the Vedas have been heard here since time immemorial.

There are numerous dialects in the region, so numerous in fact that some of the prominent ones are often clubbed with Hindi or even Punjabi. But the reality is that Pahaadi or at least Kangri stand out as their own languages, with even their own script (Takri).

Wrestling featured as the popular passtime of the people-at-large. By some estimates, there could be upwards of 5,000 people at these bouts.

There are Many Dances too.

Nati is an open air dance, with musical accompaniment.

Swang is a dance with a tableau. It is akin to musical theatre.

Raas-Leela is also popular

The locals are known for their craftsmanship in stone and wood.

“Some of the earliest examples of the high quality wood work in houses and temples can still be seen in Kulu, Kangra, Chamba, Kinnaur in Himachal, also in Kashmir.” [chatto, 35]

Wood was a common material for craftsmanship, not just for houses or decorative panels, but even for toys.  In actuality, modern India can benefit from an environmental perspective, by giving patronage again to these non-plastic kreedanikas.

Pahari Painting

Branches of the Pahari school include Kangra, Guler, Garhwal, Basohli, & Chamba. Kullu and Jammu are both often included as associates. Pahari painting, as embodied by the Kangra branch, is characterised by the use of azure. [shukla, 415]

“Pahari painting does not denote great inspiration or display any decided expression of thought or feeling. It is an art of patient labour and naive devotion. Its chief features are delicacy of line, brilliancy of colour and minutness of decorative detail.” [shukla, 469]

Romantic themes are prominent at Kangra, and here Nayaka is used in the classical sense of Romantic heroes. Themes from Purana and Tantra figure prominently.

A number of portraits of Pahari Potentates also survive to this day. Characteristics of Pahari painting include clean delineations and palpable brushwork.

“Rajputana Painting,is essentially Hindu in expression,& in many aspects demonstrates that it is the indigenous art of India,a direct descendant of the classic frescoes of Ajanta.” [shukla] Pahari school’s branches are Kangra,Guler, Garhwal,Basohli,&Chamba. Kullu & Jammu related to it.

Above all, however, are the prominent temples of Himachal.

Numbering among them are the notable Naina Devi, Jwalamukhi, and even the Lakshmi-Narayan Temple at Kangra Fort.

Conclusion

The land of Himachal is at once beautiful and dangerous. Surrounded by encroaching foreigners, it was and is a land of courageous warriors and simple piety. Over the years, Kangri and Pahaadi have found themselve clubbed with Hindi, when they should stand out as their own language(s). Uniformity is also a path to oppression and conquest. A proper society has balance between unifying ideals/civilization, and local variation. Hindi has its role as Central Administrative Language, however, where it is brusquely framed as general language, then Urdu and even Rekhta have replaced the local identity (as has happened here and elsewhere).

Just as English has its use as internationa language of commerce and diplomacy (but not as Indian identity), so too does Hindi have its limits (serving as Central Administrative Language). The brave Himalayan people of Himachal should restore their ancient Takri script and proud Pahaadi/Kangri languages. Rather than be seen as parochial pidgins, they should be a matter of provincial pride, which outsiders should respect as the local language. Even a “National Language” cannot stifle the local identity, but can only serve as linking medium of communication.

The History of Himachal dates back to the Trigartas, Kuloothas, and Kinnaras themselves. These musical and martial people should reinvest in their local identities—then they will discover the true drivers of a common national and civilizational dharma.

References:

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