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Chamba
is bounded on north-west by Jammu and Kashmir, on the north-east and
east by Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir state and Lahaul and
Bara-Bangal area of Himachal Pradesh, on the south-east and south by the
District Kangra of Himachal Pradesh and Gurdaspur District of the
Punjab.
The
Chamba District is situated between north latitude 32°
11΄ 30″ and
33° 13΄ 6″ and
east longitude 75°49 and
77° 3΄ 30″, with an estimated area of 6528 square
Kilometers and is surrounded on all sides by lofty hill ranges. The
territory is wholly mountainous with altitude ranging from 2,000 to
21,000 feet.
Regarding
the early history of this region it is believed that this area was at
time inhabited by certain Kolian tribes, which were later, subjugated
by the Khasas. The Khasas too after a time came under the sway of
Audumbaras (2nd centaury B.C.). The Audmabaras had republican
form of government and worshiped Shiva as their principal deity. From
the Gupta period (4th Centaury A.D.) the Chamba region was under the
control of Thakurs and Ranas who considered themselves superior to the
low tribes of Kolis and Khasas. With the rise of Gurjara Pratiharas
((7th Centaury A.D.) the Rajput Dynasties came to power.
In
circa 500 A.D., a legendry hero called Maru migrated to north-west from
Kalpagrama (a mythical place from where majority of the Rajput dynasties
claim their descent) and founded Brahamputra (Bharmour) in the valley of
the Budhal river, seventy five kilometer to the east of present Chamba
town. His successors continued to rule over the country from that
capital city for over three hundred years until Sahilla Varman shifted
his capital from Brahamputra to the more centrally located plateau in
the lower Ravi valley. He named the town after his beloved daughter
Champa. His rani voluntarily offered herself as a scarifies to bring
water for the town’s people through a running channel which takes
origin at a place called Bhalota. The layout of the plan of Chamba seems
to be in conformity with the ancient texts. From then on the rajas of
Chamba continued to rule from here in an uninterrupted and direct line
of descent.
Chamba
is the only state in northern India to preserve a well-documented
history from circa 500 A.D. Its high mountain ranges have given it a
sheltered position and helped in preserving its centuries old relics and
numerous inscriptions. The temples erected by rajas of Chamba more than
a thousand years age continue to be under worship and the land
grant-deeds executed on copper plates by them continue to be valid under
the law.
The
Muslims never invaded Chamba, though it had its occasional fights with
the neighboring states in the hills having similar cultural background.
Thus, the damage to Chamba from these invasions was seldom serious and
never beyond the possibility of repair. Even the powerful Mughals were
kept at bay on account of difficulties involved in communications and
long distances. Akbar tried to extend a loose control over the hill
states including Chamba and attached fertile tracts of these states to
the imperial territory south of Dhauladhar. Aurangzeb once issued orders
to the Raja of Chamba Chatter Singh (1664-1694AD) to pull down the
beautiful temples of Chamba. But instead the raja in clear defiance to
the Mughal ruler placed glided pinnacles on the temples. He was ordered
to come down to Delhi to face the imperial wrath. But Aurangzeb himself
had to leave for the Deccan from where he could not disentangle till the
end of his life. On the whole, the northern India experienced
comparatively peaceful condition during the Mughal regime Raja Prithvi
Singh (1641-1664 AD), a handsome and a gallant knight was favourite of
Shahjahan and visited the imperial court many times. He introduced the
Mughal style of court life including Mughal-Rajput art and architecture
in Chamba.
By
the last quarter of 18th centaury the Sikhs forced the hill
states to pay tribute to them. Maharaja Ranjit Singh systematically
deposed the hill prices including the more powerful Kangra ruler Sansar
Chand Katoch but spared Chamba in lieu of the services Wazir Nathu (of
Chamba) had rendered him on two occasions. In 1809 A.D. the Wazir had
made himself useful to the Maharaja by negotiating his agreement with
Raja Sansar Chand Katoch, of Kangra. Again in A.D.1817 he had saved
Ranjit Singh’s life by offering his horse at a critical moment during
formers winter campaign in Kashmir. After Ranjit Singh’s death Chamba
became un-protected and was drawn into the vortex of the disintegration
of the Sikh Kingdom. The Sikh army invaded the British territory in A.D.
1845 and the troops of Sikh army, which were stationed in Chamba, were
with drawn. When Sikh’s were defeated it was decided to merge Chamba
in Jammu and Kashmir but on account of the timely intervention of Wazir
Bagha (of Chamba) it was taken under the British control and subjected
to the annual tribute of 12,000 rupees. The Raja’s who saw something
of British hegemony were Sri Singh, Gopal Singh, Sham Singh, Bhuri
Singh, Ram Singh and laxman Singh. Their relations with the British
political officers seem to be cordial and Chamba witnessed many reforms.
On
15th April 1948 merging three principal states formed A.D.
Himachal…. Chamba, Mandi-Suket, Sirmour and all the other state
falling in Shimla hills.
Before
Raja Sahilla Varman came on the same the Chamba region was divided into
bits and pieces of territory called Rahnu occupied by numerous Ranas and
petty Chieftains who carried on relentless warfare with each other. Raja
Sahilla Verman subjugated the Ranas and unified the territory. Rajas,
therefore, for better administration divided Chamba into five zones
known as Mandlas. These Mandlas were later reamed as Wizarats. This five
fold division of Chamba region continues till today. The Wizarats are
now called Tehsils. These are Bharmour, Chamba, Bhattiyat, Churah
and Pangi.
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