History of Champawat

History of Champawat : Origin of Name and Folklore

History of Champawat : The district gets its name from princess Champawati, the daughter of King Arjun Deo who ruled the region in historic time and had capital in Champawat.

The folklores describe the significant presence of the region during Mahabharata period. Barahi temple of Devidhura, Sapteshwar temple of Sipti, Hidimba-Ghatotkach temple and Tarkeshwar temple of Champawat town are believed to date back to Mahabharata era.

The region is traditionally associated with gods and demons and as the place of penance for rishis. The area covered by the district lies in the part of Central Himalayas, which is designated as the Manas-Khand of the Skand Purana as one of the five divisions of the Himalayan region.

The region has also been known in different times by the names of Kiratamandala, Khasadesha, Kalindavishaya, Kurmachala and Kurmavana. Many legends are associated with different places, mountains, rivers, forests and other sites in the district.

In order to save the earth, Vishnu in his second incarnation assumed the form of the Kurma (Tortoise) and remained standing for three years at a particular spot in the district. The specific rock on which the God stood came to be known as Kurmashila, the entire hill as the Kurmachala and the surrounding forest as Kurmavana.

It is from these terms that the name Kumaon is supposed to have been derived. For a long time the name, in the form of Kali Kumaon, that is Kumaon on the river Kali remained confined to the small tract round about the hill, now roughly covered by the Champawat district, but during the medieval period, when the power of the Chand raja of Champawat expanded rapidly the name Kumaon gradually came to denote the entire region extending from the snow ranges in the north to the tarai in the south.

Historical Significance During Mahabharata Era

As per folklore and legends, the Champawat region had significant presence during the Mahabharata era. Some of the key temples and sites that signify this are:

Barahi Temple, Devidhura: This temple is dedicated to Varahi Devi (an incarnation of Goddess Durga) and is believed to date back to the Mahabharata times. It is an important shrine in the region.

Sapteshwar Temple, Sipti: This is an ancient Shiva temple situated near the town of Sipti. According to legends, the Pandavas visited this place and consecrated the Shivlinga during their exile.

Hidimba-Ghatotkach Temple, Champawat: There is a temple on the outskirts of Champawat town dedicated to Hidimba (wife of Bhima) and their son Ghatotkach. It commemorates their stay in this region during the Pandavas exile.

Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple: This is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on the banks of the Lohawati river. Folklore suggests it was established during the Mahabharata times.

In addition to these temples, the Kurmanchal hill where Vishnu incarnated as Kurma (tortoise) is also situated in the region. Many landmarks in the district are named after this legend – Kurmashila, Kurmachala, Kurmavana etc.

So through its temples, landmarks and folklore, the Champawat region is deeply connected to the Mahabharata era. The Pandavas are believed to have spent significant time here during their exile.

Ancient Rulers and Dynasties

The Champawat region has been ruled by various dynasties and kings over the centuries. Some of the key rulers and dynasties that held sway over this land were:

Kulindas: After the Mahabharata War, the district was possibly under the Hastinapur kings for some time. However, the actual rulers were local chiefs called the Kulindas.

Nagas: Subsequently, the Nagas appeared to have become the dominant power in the district. They possibly ruled here for a few centuries.

Kunindas: During the 4th-5th century BCE, the Nanda kings of Magadha held control over the region. Coins belonging to the Kunindas rulers have been discovered here.

Kushanas: During the last quarter of 1st century CE, the Kushan Empire extended their rule over parts of the western and central Himalayas including this region. However, their empire declined by 3rd century CE.

Katyuris: After the Kushanas, the major dynasty that ruled over Kumaon region including Champawat was that of the Katyuris. They ruled with their capital at Baijnath from around 6th-11th century CE.

Chands: After the decline of the Katyuris, the Chand dynasty originating from Champawat grew into a formidable power. They went on to unite most of Kumaon under their rule from 11th to 18th century CE.

Gorkhas: In the late 18th century, Nepal invaded Kumaon and it was ruled by the Gorkha dynasty for around 25 years from 1790-1815 CE.

British: Finally, after the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816), Kumaon and Champawat passed into British hands in 1815 CE. They ruled till India’s independence in 1947 CE.

So over two millennia, different dynasties like the Nandas, Kushanas, Katyuris, Chands, Gorkhas and British held sway over the Champawat region.

Influence of Chand Rulers

The Chand rulers from Champawat, who belonged to the Chandravanshi clan of Rajputs, had a formidable influence over the region lasting several centuries. Some key aspects:

Origin: As per tradition, Brahmdeva, the Katyuri raja (Hindu ruler) of Kali Kumaon, was a weak ruler. He was troubled by the insubordination of the Rawat of Domkot and also found himself unable to suppress the formidable factions among his own people. He was succeeded by Som Chand, a Chandravanshi Rajput, who married the daughter of the raja.

Establishment of Champawat: Som Chand built his fort here on 15 acres of land. This fort was named Rajbunga and later Champawat. Som Chand was succeeded by his son, Atma Chand who continued consolidating the kingdom’s power and influence.

Expansion of Empire: Over the next centuries, the Chand rulers gradually expanded their empire conquering neighboring kingdoms. Prominent kings who expanded the boundaries were Trilok Chand, Gyanchand, Vikram Chand, Ratanchand and Kirti Chand among others.

Wars and Battles: The Chands fought several wars during this expansion – against the Doti kings, the Sultanate rulers, the Garhwal rajas as well as the Katyuri and Khasa chiefs. The 12 year war during Bharti Chand’s rule and Kirti Chand’s campaign against Garhwal were important events.

Cultural Influence: The Chands built numerous temples and architectural structures including the Baleshwar temple in Champawat which represents the most artistic temple built under them showcasing their cultural influence.

Trade: Chands also initiated trade with Tibet by crossing high Himalayan passes. Minaram Chand started silk cultivation introducing the manufacture of silk fabrics in the region.

So for almost 7 centuries in the medieval period, the Chand rulers exercised political and cultural influence over Kumaon and left a lasting impact on Champawat region’s history.

Transition of Power and British Rule

In the early 19th century, the Chand dynasty declined and their kingdom was racked by internal dissensions. Taking advantage of this, the Gorkhas of Nepal invaded Kumaon and annexed it in 1790. The Nepalese were oppressive rulers and subsequently the British who were expanding their control across India fought a war with them.

Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816): The East India Company fought a bitter war with Nepal forcing them to cede Kumaon region. The Treaty of Sugauli was signed in 1816 handing over Kumaon and other territories like Darjeeling to the British.

Ceding of Champawat: On December 2, 1815 Champawat region along with rest of Kumaon was formally ceded to the British by the Nepalese. It came under British rule as part of the Almora district.

Administrative Changes: In 1837, the British made Nainital their summer administrative capital shifting it from Almora. In 1872, the pargana of Champawat was separated from Almora district and merged into the newly formed Pithoragarh district.

Freedom Movement: In the early 20th century, people of Champawat gradually became politically active and started participating in freedom movement activities like the annual Indian National Congress sessions.

So post the decline of the Chands, Champawat came under Nepalese and then British rule before finally becoming part of independent India in 1947 after a political struggle.

History of Champawat : Independence and Development Post-1947

After India’s independence in 1947, Champawat embarked on a path of development as part of the young nation. Some key milestones:

Becoming a District: On 15th September 1997, Champawat was declared an independent district carved out from Pithoragarh. From being ruled by kings earlier, it now had its own autonomous administration.

Population Growth: From a population of just around 15,000 people in 1816 when the British took over, Champawat has registered robust growth over the last 200 years. As per 2011 Census, the district population stood at 2,59,648 persons rising 15 times since British era.

Economic Development: Agriculture continues to be the mainstay of Champawat’s economy engaging nearly 70% of the workforce. Major crops include wheat, rice, pulses, sugarcane as well as horticultural produce. Tourism has also emerged as an engine of growth with rising visitor interest.

Connectivity: Road connectivity has improved significantly over the years. Important roads like the Champawat-Lohaghat highway and many village roads have come up. Champawat was also connected to the railways for the first time in 2005.

Healthcare and Education: The district has made good progress in improving social indicators like healthcare and education. The number of hospitals, PHCs, schools and colleges has risen over the years enhancing access for citizens.

So in the 70 years since independence, Champawat has registered important milestones in its transition from a backward, underdeveloped region into an emerging district with growth opportunities. However, challenges remain and there is great scope to build further on the gains made so far.

Conclusion to History of Champawat

History of Champawat, Champawat district has a long and eventful history spanning over two millennia. From the ancient connections to the Mahabharata era and legends of gods to the medieval rule under various dynasties like the Chands, it has witnessed the rise and fall of several powers over time before coming under British control in 19th century.

The 20th century marked a transition with the national freedom movement eventually leading to independence in 1947. Thereafter, Champawat embarked on a development journey as part of the Indian republic focusing on economic and social progress. Building further on the gains made so far would be vital in unlocking this district’s immense potential.