Chamba

Kings of Chamba: A Chronological Overview

Early Kings of Brahmpura (Ancient Capital)

• Maru (circa 500 AD):
  • Credited as the founder of the Chamba State and the Maru Dynasty.
  • Established his initial capital at Brahmapura (modern Bharmour).
  • His name marks the beginning of the historical Vamshavali.
• Aditya Varman (A.D. 620):
  • First Chamba Raja to use the suffix “Varman“.
  • Grandfather of Meru Varman.
• Bala Varman (A.D. 640):
  • Father of Divakara Varman and grandfather of Meru Varman.
• Divakara Varman (A.D. 660):
  • Appears as Deva Varman in the vamshavali and Chitrari inscription.
• Meru Varman (A.D. 680):
  • One of the most notable early Brahmapura rulers, expanding the kingdom through conquest.
  • Built temples of Mani-Mahesha, Lakshmi Devi, Ganesha, and Narasimha at Bharmour.
  • Extended his rule to the Ravi Valley up to present Chamba town 
  • Killed the Kullu Chief during a war with Brahmpura.
• Ajai Varman (A.D. 760):
  • During his reign, Gaddis (shepherds) from Delhi settled in Bharmour.
• Lakshmi Varman (A.D. 800):
  • Suffered a severe epidemic during his reign.
  • ‘Kiratas’ (Tibetans or Turushkas) occupied the territory.
  • Kullu regained independence upon his death.
• Mushan Varman (A.D. 820):
  • Drove out invaders from Brahmpura.
  • Prohibited the killing of mice in his kingdom.
  •  Regained his kingdom after being hidden and educated in Suket.

Kings of Chamba (New Capital)

• Sahil Varman (A.D. 920):
  • Pivotal figure, founding the town of Chamba and shifting the capital from Brahmpura to Chamba around 920 AD.
  • Subjugated numerous local Ranas and Thakurs.
  • Credited with constructing the Laxmi Narayan Temple complex, Champavati Temple, Chandrasekhara at Saho, and Chandragupta and Kameshvara temples.
  • Initiated the tradition of issuing land grants on copper plates.
  • Named his new capital Champavati in honor of his daughter.
  • His wife, Rani Naina Devi, sacrificed herself for Chamba’s water supply, leading to the Sui Mata Temple in her memory.
  • Ordered pierced ear on coins in honor of Charpatnath.
  • Abdicated in favor of his son Yugankar and retired to Brahmpura.
• Yugankar Varman (A.D. 940):
  • Maintained the tradition of issuing copper plate grants.
  • His queen, Tribhuvanrekha Devi, erected the Ishwara-Gauri temple at Chatrari.
• Vidagdha Varman (A.D. 960):
  • His reign is documented by Sungal and Sai copper-plate inscriptions, attesting to land grants.
• Salavahana Varman (A.D. 1040):
  • Kashmir ruler Ananta Deva invaded Chamba during his reign.
• Soma Varman (A.D. 1060):
  • Present in Kashmir during Kalasa’s reign.
  • Inscriptions record donations to Hari (Vishnu) and Shiva temples.
• Asata Varman (A.D. 1080):
  • Forged political ties with Kashmir through his sister Bappika’s marriage to Raja Kalasa.
• Jasata Varman (A.D. 1105):
  • Provided refuge to Bhikshachara, King Harsha of Kashmir’s grandson.
  • Supported Harsha’s cousin against Kashmir.
• Dhala Varman (A.D. 1118):
  • Brother of Jasata Varman, ruled for a short period.
• Udaya Varman (A.D. 1120):
  • Strengthened ties with Kashmir through his sisters’ marriages to King Sussala.
• Lalit Varman (A.D. 1143):
  • Two slab inscriptions from his period have been found.
• Vijaya Varman (A.D. 1175):
  • Extended the state’s boundaries.
  • Invaded Kashmir and Ladakh, bringing back spoils.
• Vairasi Varman (A.D. 1330):
  • Had a long reign, died around A.D. 1370.
• Manikya Varman (A.D. 1370):
  • Succeeded his father Vairasi Varman.
• Bhat Varman (A.D. 1397):
  • Ruled from 1397 to 1442 A.D..
• Sangram Varman (A.D. 1442):
  • Ruled probably from 1442 to 1475 A.D..
• Anand Varman (A.D. 1475):
  • Believed to have the power of working miracles.
• Ganesh Varman (A.D. 1512):
  • First to use the suffix “Singh” in the Chamba family name.
  • Built a fort at Sarol of Bushahr to protect his frontier.
• Pratap Singh Varman (A.D. 1559):
  • Contemporary of Emperor Akbar.
  • War with Kangra, ending in Kangra’s defeat.
  • Guler occupied by Chamba forces.
  • ‘Chari’ and ‘Gharoh’ districts annexed by Chamba.
  • Chamba later surrendered Rihlu and other territories to the Mughals.
  • The suffix ‘Singh’ first used with Raja’s name in Chamba dynasty during his time.
• Vir Varman (A.D. 1586):
  • Ruled for only four years.
• Balbhadra (A.D. 1589):
  • Famous for his piety and generosity, giving profuse gifts to Brahmins.
  • Known as ‘Bahukarna’ by his people.
  • 42 copper plates from his reign are known.
  • His lavish gifts caused state administration problems.
  • Later restored to power after Janardhan’s death.
• Janardhan Varman (A.D. 1623):
  • Assumed administration due to his father’s excessive generosity.
  • War with Raja of Nurpur (Suraj Mal).
  • Killed by Jagat Singh of Nurpur, making Chamba state subject to Jagat Singh 
• Prithvi Singh (A.D. 1641):
  • Recovered his kingdom with help from Mandi and Suket Rajas.
  • Maintained amicable relations with Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, introducing Mughal artistic styles.
  • Brought the stone image of Raghubir (Lord Rama) from Delhi.
  • Built state bungalows in Churah and Pangi.
  • Killed Sangram Pal of Basholi and annexed ‘Bhalai’ pargana.
  • Temples of Khajinag, Hidimba, and Sita Ram constructed during his reign.
• Chattar Singh (A.D. 1664-1690):
  • Defied Aurangzeb’s decree to demolish Hindu temples, instead adding gilt pinnacles to chief temples.
  • Re-occupied Bhalai after invading Basholi.
  • Formed a confederation against the Viceroy of Punjab.
  • Combined Chamba and Kullu forces expelled invaders from Lahaul.
• Udai Singh (A.D. 1690-1720):
  • Patron of the Chamba school of Pahari miniature painting.
  • Appointed a barber as Wazir.
  • Killed in a conspiracy.
• Ugar Singh (A.D. 1720-1735):
  • Installed as Raja with assistance from the Raja of Jammu.
  • Erected a temple where Udai Singh was killed.
  • Later fled to Kangra.
• Dalel Singh (A.D. 1735-1748):
  • Voluntarily abdicated in favor of Urned Singh and became a Sadhu. 
  • Granted Pathiyar Pargana in Kangra as Jagir.
• Umed Singh (A.D. 1748-1764):
  • Period of significant cultural development.
  • Enlarged state’s territory south of Dhauladhar up to Mandi.
  • Patronized artists, contributing to Chamba Rumal embroidery and Pahari paintings.
  • Undertook construction of Rajnagar palace and parts of the Rang Mahal.
  • Notable patron of Vaishnava-themed art.
• Raj Singh (A.D. 1764-1794):
  • Continued royal patronage to the arts.
  • Invaded and conquered Basohli, restoring it on payment.
  • Killed in battle near Shahpur.
• Jit Singh (A.D. 1794-1808):
  • Warrior king, conquered Basohli and restored it upon war indemnity payment.
  • Contemporary and rival of Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra.
  • Chamba became tributary to Lahore.
• Charhat Singh (A.D. 1808-1844):
  • Chamba avoided direct annexation by Sikhs due to Wazir Nathu’s diplomatic acumen.
  • Bhadrawah came under Chamba’s control.
  • Zanskar area made tributary to Chamba.
  • His two queens became Sati upon his death.
• Sri Singh (A.D. 1844-1870):
  • Chamba state came under British influence.
  • Placed state under British-appointed superintendent (Major Blair Reid) in 1863, initiating reforms.
  • First post office and primary school established in Chamba in 1863.
  • State’s forests leased to Imperial government in 1864.
  • Roads connecting Chamba to Dalhousie constructed.
  • Hospital opened in 1866.
  • Loyal to the British during the First War of Independence (1857).
• Gopal Singh (A.D. 1870-1873):
  • Continued and pushed forward reforms.
  • Several new roads constructed.
  • Primary school raised to middle standard.
  • Abdicated in favor of his eldest son, Sham Singh.
• Sham Singh (A.D. 1873-1904):
  • Land revenue settlement resulted in considerable financial gain.
  • Improved communication lines, with roads to Chauri Pass and Khajiar.
  • New Darbar Hall added to the palace.
  • Hop-growing introduced in 1880.
  • Postal convention concluded in 1887, integrating state with Imperial postal system.
  • Sham Singh Hospital built.
  • Judicial department reorganized on British pattern, police force increased.
  • Education fostered by opening new schools.
  • Abdicated in favor of his brother Bhuri Singh due to illness.
• Bhuri Singh (A.D. 1904-1919):
  • Highly cultured, with wide administrative experience.
  • Bhuri Singh Museum inaugurated in 1908 
  • Power house installed at Sal, town electrified.
  • Water supply system completed.
  • Rendered help to the British in World War I, honored with Knighthood.
  • Middle school upgraded to a high school.
• Ram Singh (A.D. 1919-1935):
  • Gave a great fillip to education, opening fifteen new village schools.
  • Physical education introduced. 
  • Chamba-Bharmaur road completed.
  • Drainage system provided in Chamba town.
  • Big tank constructed to overcome water scarcity.
• Lakshman Singh (A.D. 1935):
  • State remained under a Council of Administrators due to his minority until 1945.
  • Chamba state contributed significantly towards World War II expenses and supplied recruits.
  • In 1948, Chamba was merged with Himachal Pradesh.