Pauri Garhwal History : A Journey Through Centuries

Pauri Garhwal History : Panwar Dynasty Rule

Pauri Garhwal History : The Panwar dynasty ruled over the Garhwal kingdom from the 8th to the early 19th century. Some key aspects of their rule:

Establishment of the Kingdom

• The Panwar dynasty traced its origins to the royal family of Kanauj in the plains
• Ajay Pal migrated to the hills in the 8th century and established his kingdom centered around Srinagar-Garhwal
• His descendant Kanak Pal is considered the founder of the Garhwal kingdom around 888 AD

Consolidation and Expansion

• The kingdom was consolidated and expanded by later rulers like Narayan Pal, Bhairava Shah, and Ajay Pal II
• It encompassed parts of present-day Garhwal, Himachal, and western Nepal at its peak
• Key punchline: The Panwar dynasty ruled Garhwal for nearly 1000 years until the early 19th century

Administration and Society

• The kingdom was divided into 52 garhs or forts for administrative purposes
• Land revenue was an important source of income for the rulers
• Caste system was prevalent with Brahmins occupying high positions
• Trade was limited due to lack of transport infrastructure to protect the kingdom

Culture and Architecture

• Garhwali culture flourished under the patronage of the Panwar kings
• Famous Garhwali paintings or ‘Garhwali Kalam’ originated in this period
• Temple architecture saw significant development, eg. Temples at Devalgarh, Pandukeshwar

Pauri Garhwal History : Gorkha Invasion and Rule

Pauri Garhwal History : In 1803, Nepal invaded Garhwal which had been weakened by a major earthquake. This marked the end of Panwar rule.

Causes of Invasion

• The 1803 earthquake had caused widespread destruction in Garhwal
• This prompted the ambitious Gorkha king Prithvi Narayan Shah to attack
• Strategic location of Garhwal on the route to Tibet was also a factor

Conquest and Administration

• Led by Amar Singh Thapa, the Gorkhas captured Srinagar in 1804
• Half of Garhwal came under Gorkha rule while Panwar king Sudarshan Shah ruled the rest
• Oppressive land revenue system and heavy taxation imposed

Resistance and Atrocities

• In Kumaun, Gurkha administration faced popular resistance from 1810-1815
• Atrocities like mutilation of lips and noses were committed to suppress rebellion
• The brutal regime made the hill chiefs welcome British intervention

End of Gorkha Rule

• The Anglo-Nepalese war ended with the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816
• Gorkhas had to cede Kumaun-Garhwal and other territories to the British
• This marked the end of their unpopular 15-year rule over Garhwal-Kumaun

British Intervention and British Garhwal

The British defeated the Gorkhas in 1816 and took over control of Garhwal. Some key developments:

Treaty of Sugauli (1816)

• Ended the Anglo-Nepalese War which the British had won
• British acquired Kumaun-Garhwal, Sikkim, Himachal hills from Nepal
• Strategic areas near Nepal border and foothills came under British

Division of Garhwal

• British restored Sudarshan Shah as ruler in Western Garhwal or Native State
• Eastern half became British Garhwal district under a commissioner
• Pauri was later made headquarters of the British Garhwal district

Administration

• Part of Kumaun commissionary till 1840, then separate district created
• Direct British rule – Deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner appointed
• Revenue system reorganized; cantonments set up at Lansdowne, Kotdwar etc.

Society and Economy

• Strategic roads connecting Tibet were maintained under British
• Trade and economic activities got a boost under efficient administration
• Social reforms like ban on slave trade, sati were introduced

Pauri Garhwal History : Formation of Pauri District

Pauri Garhwal History : Pauri emerged as an important British administrative center in Garhwal:

District Headquarters

• The British made Pauri the headquarters of the British Garhwal district in 1840
• Their assistant commissioner was based in Pauri
• It was initially under jurisdiction of Kumaun commissioner

Separate Identity

• Garhwal was separated from Kumaun in 1969 after statehood
• Pauri remained district headquarters of British acquired eastern Garhwal
• Pauri got its present form in 1998 after some parts merged into Rudraprayag

Strategic Location

• Pauri was located on important British trade routes connecting Tibet
• It became a crucial military cantonment and administrative base
• The British focused on infrastructure development here

Pauri Garhwal History, Pauri Garhwal district as it stands today has a unique history – it was the area captured by the British from the Gorkhas in 1815 during the Anglo-Nepalese war. They developed it as a strategic military and administrative center given its location, with Pauri as HQ.