Chand Rule in Kumaon Uttarakhand

Chand Rule in Kumaon Uttarakhand

Chand Rule in Kumaon Uttarakhand : The Chand dynasty ruled over the Kumaon region of the present-day Uttarakhand state in India from the 11th to 18th century CE. They played an important role in shaping the history and culture of Kumaon.

Origin of the Chands

The Chands claimed descent from the Lunar dynasty of North India. As per legends, they migrated from Dwarhat near Ranikhet in search of a new kingdom. After some battles, they established their rule over Kumaon in the 11th century during the declining phase of the Katyuri dynasty.

The first prominent ruler was Som Chand, who ruled during 1088-1126 CE. He built the Shiva temple at Baijnath, which still stands today. Gradually the Chands consolidated their rule and replaced the Katyuri dynasty as the main power in Kumaon.

Key Highlights of Chand Rule

• Territorial Expansion: The Chand kings embarked on a policy of territorial expansion. Through war and diplomacy, they were able to extend their kingdom from the Sharda river in the west to the Kali river in the east. This included almost the entire Kumaon division and parts of eastern Garhwal.
• Administrative Reforms: The Chands set up an efficient administrative structure to manage their large kingdom. Important offices like the Chief Minister (Diwan) and the Chief of Army (Kiladar) were created. The kingdom was divided into smaller units (Tarai) for better governance.
• Economic Development: Agriculture, trade and commerce flourished under the Chands. Crops like rice, wheat and millets were cultivated extensively in the fertile valleys. Trade was carried out with Tibet via mountain passes as well as with the plains. Mining of metals and minerals also picked up.
• Religious Tolerance: The Chand kings were generally secular and tolerant towards all religions. They patronized both Hinduism and Buddhism. Several beautiful temples belonging to both faiths were constructed during this period. The Chands also gave land grants to Brahmins and Buddhist monks.

Prominent Chand Rulers

Some of the most prominent Chand rulers were:

1. Kalyan Chand (1372–1390 CE): The greatest ruler of the dynasty who led it to its zenith. He built the famous Golu Devata temple at Ghorakhal near Bhimtal lake.
2. Balo Kalyan Chand (1493-1526): Revived the declining fortunes of the dynasty after defeats against Garhwal. He recovered lost territories and built the Bhimeshwar temple at Bhimtal.
3. Baz Bahadur Chand (1638-1678): The last great king who faced constant attacks from the Rohillas and Garhwalis. He built the famous Bhimtal lake temple.

Downfall of the Chands

After Baz Bahadur, the power of the Chands rapidly declined due to internal rebellions and external invasions. Taking advantage of the chaos:

• The Gurkhas from Nepal captured Kumaon after a series of battles in 1790 CE.
• The British defeated the Gurkhas and took over Kumaon in 1815 CE. This marked the end of the Chand dynasty after 700 years of rule.

Chand Architecture and Art

The Chand period saw an outburst of temple architecture all over Kumaon. Some fine examples are:

Temples: Baijnath, Jageshwar, Bagnath, Bhimeshwar (Bhimtal), Golu Devata (Ghorakhal) etc.

Styles Used: Nagara, Dravida, Vesara. Combination of stone and wood.

Sculptures: Intricately carved idols of gods, goddesses, dancers, musicians made in stone and metal.

Paintings: Miniature style painting of religious themes and court scenes on paper and palm leaf manuscripts.

Social and Economic Life under the Chands

Social

• Caste system was firmly established with Brahmins at the top
• Land grants given to Brahmins and religious centers
• Position of women declined compared to earlier eras
• Sanskritization of local languages and customs

Economic

• Growth in agriculture – rice, wheat and millets major crops
• Trade with Tibet and plains – wool, salt, metal wares were exported
• Mining – copper, iron, gold, precious stones
• Cottage industries – stone/wood works, woolen garments, metal crafts

Religious Life under the Chands

• Revival of Hinduism – Many Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti temples built
• Decline of Buddhism – Patronage shifted from Viharas to Hindu temples
• Bhakti cult – Shakti and Surya worship becomes popular
• Jagars – Folk dance rituals dedicated to local deities like Golu, Narsingh, Kailash
• Festivals like Basant Panchami, Bat Savitri, Harela etc. become prominent

Legacy of Chand Rule

The 700 year long Chand rule left an indelible impact on Kumaon region in various spheres:

• Expansion of culture and ethnicity of Kumaon
• Promotion and preservation of Hinduism and its cultural manifestations
• Architectural heritage in the form of beautiful temples
• Administrative structure later used by the British
• Unification of small chiefdoms into a large hill kingdom

So in many ways, the Chands laid the foundations on which modern Kumaon was built upon.

Conclusion to Chand Rule in Kumaon Uttarakhand

Chand Rule in Kumaon Uttarakhand : The Chand dynasty holds an important place in the medieval history of the Kumaon-Garhwal Himalayas. Emerging from obscurity, they built a powerful hill kingdom that lasted 700 years despite many upheavals. The temples, sculptures, inscriptions and other artifacts left by the Chands showcase the high level of cultural refinement attained during their rule. By promoting both mainstream Hinduism and local faiths, they fostered a syncretic religious tradition that characterizes modern Kumaon. Although the Chand kingdom itself faded away, its cultural and political legacy endured in the region.

FAQ’s on Chand Rule in Kumaon Uttarakhand :

What was the origin of Chand dynasty? 

The Chands belonged to the Khasa tribe and originated from Kannauj region of present-day Uttar Pradesh.

Who were the prominent rulers of this dynasty? 

Key rulers were Baz Bahadur Chand (1563-1573), Lakshmi Chand (1707-1738), Deep Chand (1738-1778).

How was the administration under Chands? 

Chands organized a centralized administration with taxation systems. Sanskrit was patronized. Temples, forts were built.

What led to the downfall of Chand dynasty? 

Internal conflicts and the Gurkha invasion of Kumaon during late 18th century led to the end of Chand rule.