Mandi

Mandi State

• Ruling Dynasty: Sen dynasty (Chandravanshi Rajputs)
• Origin: Separated from Suket around 1200 A.D. by Babu Sen.
• Key Rulers & Contributions:
  • Bahu Sen: First chief.
  • Ajbar Sen (19th in descent from Babu Sen, c. 1522):
    • Considered the first Raja of Mandi.
    • Founded Mandi town.
    • Built the old palace with four towers.
    • Reduced the four Ranas of Maratu, Sadiana, Kunhal, and Gandharba.
  • Sahib Sen:
    • Allied with Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu.
    • Defeated Jai Chand of Waziri Laksari, gaining “Saraf Mandi” territory.
    • In a second joint expedition, gained Sanor and Bada.
  • Narayan Sen: Subdued Ranas of Ner, Bandoh, and Chuhar.
  • Suraj Sen (ruled till 1658):
    • Ambitious soldier, attacked Raja of Kullu.
    • Built Kamlahgarh fort (1625 A.D.).
    • Installed the silver image of “Madho Rai” (1653 A.D.), declared him king of the kingdom.
  • Shyam Sen (1658 – ~15 years):
    • Great traveller (Nepal, Banaras, Jaganath).
    • Conquered Dunjgarh from Kullu (1659) and Lohara from Suket.
    • Built Shama Rafi temple and a tank beyond the Beas.
  • Gur Sen (5 years):
    • Brought image of God from Jaganath.
    • Allied with Kahlur against Kangra.
    • Conquered Dhanyarn from Suket (1675), and Baira and Patd (1676).
  • Sidh Sen (succeeded Gur Sen in 1678 A.D.):
    • Mandi was powerful under his minister Jippu.
    • Seized fort of Dhanyara and parganas of Seri, Pirkot, Narangarh, Jalalpur, and Sarai from Kullu.
    • Guru Govind Singh prophesied that Mandi capital would never fall to an enemy.
  • Ishwari Sen (ruled till 1826 A.D.):
    • Became Raja at a young age.
    • Kangra invaded Mandi, seized Hatoli (given to Suket), Chuharid (given to Kullu), and kept Ishwari Sen prisoner at Nadaun for 12 years.
    • Restored to throne by Gurkhas after Sansar Chand’s invasion of Kangra.
    • Paid tribute to Gurkhas (Rs. 30,000 annually) until 1815.
    • Paid tribute of Rs. One lakh to Maharaja Ranjit Singh to retain his throne (after 1815).
  • Zalim Sen (brother of Ishwari Sen): Administered the state during Ishwari Sen’s imprisonment.
  • Balbir Sen:
    • Imprisoned by Sikh General Ventura (1840) at Amritsar (Govindgarh fort).
    • Released by Maharaja Sher Singh of Lahore (January 1841).
    • Re-instated by British after Anglo-Sikh War (1846).
    • Died 1851.
  • Bijai Sen (succeeded 1851 at 4 years old):
    • British took increasing control over administration.
    • Construction of mule road from Baijnath to Sultanpur Kullu (via Bhubu Pass).
    • Administration became confused due to “Zanana” influence.
    • British warned him (1868) and appointed advisors (Mr. E. Harrison in 1870, leading to improvement).
    • Lord Mayo (Viceroy) visited Mandi (1871).
  • Teeka Rajendra Pal (appointed Wazir in 1903): Replaced Mian Udhan Singh.
  • Bhawani Sen (succeeded 1902):
    • Education in Lahore and Ajmer.
    • Died 1912.
  • Jogender Sen (1913-1948):
    • Educated at Queen Mary’s College, Lahore.
    • Last Raja of Mandi.
    • Transferred political control from Punjab Government to Government of India (1921-1947).
    • Decided to abolish separate Mandi State (March 8, 1948).
• Major Events/Changes in Control:
  • 1200 A.D.: Separation from Suket.
  • 1534 A.D.: Ajbar Sen died.
  • 1625 A.D.: Kamlahgarh fort built by Suraj Sen.
  • 1653 A.D.: Madho Rai image installed, becoming nominal ruler.
  • 1806-1809: Mandi conquered by Gurkhas; Raja Ishwari Sen imprisoned by Sansar Chand.
  • 1809: Mandi became a tributary to Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
  • 1840: Sikh army under General Ventura invaded Mandi; Raja Balbir Sen imprisoned.
  • 1841: Raja Balbir Sen released by Sher Singh.
  • 1846: Mandi came under British control after Anglo-Sikh War.
  • 1948 (April 15): Mandi State merged to form part of Himachal Pradesh.

Suket State

• Ruling Dynasty: Sen dynasty (Chandravanshi Rajputs), common ancestor with Mandi, Keonthal, and Kishtwar.
• Origin: Founded by Bir Sen (A.D. 765 according to Sir A. Cunningham).
• Key Rulers & Contributions:
  • Bir Sen (A.D. 765):
    • Founded Suket.
    • Conquered Kullu (imprisoned Raja Bhup Pal).
    • Captured forts including Pandoh, Nachin.
    • Moved westward to Sikandar Kee Dhar, defeated Rana of Hatli, built Birkot fort.
    • Fixed boundary with Kangra, built ‘BIRA’ fort at Seer Khad.
  • Dhir Sen: Short reign.
  • Vikram Sen (religious disposition):
    • Installed brother Tribikram Sen as regent and went on pilgrimage.
    • Regained throne with help from Keonthal.
  • Semant Sen (A.D. 1120): Conferred a Jagir and built ‘Rani Ka Kot’ fort.
  • Madan Sen (A.D. 1240):
    • Long and prosperous reign.
    • Expedition against Rana of Nachan, built ‘MADANKOT’ fort.
    • Conquered Drang and its salt mines.
    • Reconquered Kullu territory, built Madanpur fort.
    • Dealt severely with rebellious Ranas and Thakurs.
    • Built forts of Katwalwah, Seoni, Tenoi, and Dehar.
    • Built temple of ‘Asthambnath’, transferred it to Lohara.
    • Suket reached its zenith under his rule.
  • Kartar Sen (A.D. 1520): Capital shifted from Lohara to Rartarpur (now Old Rana Nagar).
  • Arjun Sen (A.D. 1540): Arrogant, half the territory alienated.
  • Udai Sen (A.D. 1560): Subdued rebellious chiefs, confiscated Cheddi, built Udaipur fort.
  • Shyam Sen (A.D. 1620-1650):
    • Imprisoned at Delhi by Mughal authority (on complaint of Jagat Singh of Nurpur).
    • Released when Raja Jagat Singh revolted against Mughals (1641 A.D.).
    • Attacked by Rana of Bushahr, emerged victorious.
    • Granted jagir to Mahun Nag temple for his deliverance.
    • Suket lost substantial territory to Kullu and Mandi during his imprisonment.
    • His reign marked the beginning of decline for Suket.
  • Jit Sen (A.D. 1663-1721):
    • Weak disposition, lost territory to neighbors.
    • Defeated by Shyam Sen of Mandi; Mandi annexed Balh plain.
    • His 22 children died in infancy.
  • Garur Sen (A.D. 1721-1748):
    • Grandson of Hari Singh.
    • Initially people didn’t pay allegiance, retired to Kullu and Kangra.
    • Regained authority.
    • Founded Sundernagar (earlier Baned), which became capital under Dikram Sen.
    • His Rani built ‘Suraj Kund’ temple.
  • Bhikam Sen (A.D. 1748-1762): Reign marked by prosperity.
  • Ranjit Sen (A.D. 1762-1791): Administration by minister Narpat.
  • Bikram Sen (A.D. 1791-1838): Succeeded after his father’s accidental poisoning.
  • Ugar Sen (A.D. 1838-1876):
    • Suket became a tributary to British after Anglo-Sikh War (1846).
    • Reintroduced ‘dand’ fines.
    • Well-versed in Sanskrit, music, medicine.
    • Built temple of Devi Bimala.
    • Suffered paralysis and died.
  • Rudra Sen (A.D. 1876-1887):
    • Oppressive ruler.
    • Deposed in 1879, settled in Hoshiarpur.
  • Arimardan Sen (A.D. 1879 – short reign): Died soon after accession.
  • Dusht Nikandan Sen (A.D. 1879-1908):
    • Administration by Superintendent Sardar Hardyal Singh.
    • Land assessment reduced (1888).
    • Opened dispensary at Baned, telegraph office (1906).
    • Inaugurated Fitzpatrick Suspension Bridge over Suketi Nala.
  • Bhim Sen (A.D. 1908-1919):
    • Education in Lahore.
    • Died 1919.
  • Lalit Sen: Born 1932, died 1986. Last ruling Raja of Suket.
  • Lakshman Sen (1919-1948): Last ruling Raja.
• Major Events/Changes in Control:
  • Early period: Subjection of local Ranas and Thakurs.
  • 1200 A.D.: Separation of Mandi.
  • 1641 A.D.: Shyam Sen imprisoned by Mughals, released due to Jagat Singh’s revolt.
  • 1806-1809: Gurkhas invaded, but unable to capture Kangra fort.
  • 1809: Suket became a tributary to Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
  • 1846 (February 21): Suket became a tributary to British after Anglo-Sikh War.
  • 1948 (April 15): Suket State merged with Mandi to form part of Himachal Pradesh.

Story Behind the Name of Mandi District:

• The district of Mandi was formed by the merger of two princely states, ‘Mandi’ and ‘Suket’, on April 15, 1948.
• The town Mandi was founded by Raja Ajbar Sen, who became the first Raja of Mandi around 1522 A.D. The district likely took its name from this prominent town, which also served as the capital of the Mandi state.
• The historical text doesn’t provide a specific etymological story for the name “Mandi” itself, but rather explains its formation as a district and the founding of its main town.

Account of Foreign Visitors (Mandi specific):

• General Ventura (French): Led a large Sikh army to Mandi in 1840, imprisoned Raja Balbir Sen.
• Colonel Tapp (Political agent at Subathu): Raja Balbir Sen sought asylum from him.
• Mr. Clarke: Councillor to Raja Bijai Sen (from October 1866), removed in 1870.
• Mr. E. Harrison: New advisor to Raja Bijai Sen (from 1870), brought marked improvement in administration. Left Mandi in 1872 on promotion.
• Lord Mayo (Viceroy of India): Paid a visit to Mandi in October 1871.
• Mr. A. Brandreth (Commissioner of Punjab): Accompanied Lord Mayo.
• Sir Henry Davis (Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab): Visited Mandi in 1874.
• Robert E. Egerton (Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab): Visited Mandi in 1880.
• Mr. C. E. Fendall: Engaged as Superintendent of Works by Raja Bijai Sen.
• Sir Dennis Fitzpatrick (Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab): Visited Mandi in 1893, inaugurated the Fitzpatrick Suspension Bridge.
• Mr. G. C. Barnes: Instrumental in the accession of Ugar Sen to the throne of Suket in 1844-45.
• Colonel David Ross (Commissioner of Jalandhar): Installed Rudra Sen as Raja of Suket in 1876.
• Mr. Donald: Appointed Wazir of Suket from 1884 to 1891.
• Sir Louis Dane (Lt-Governor of Punjab): Came to Mandi in 1908.
• Colonel B.C. Battye (Chief Engineer): Oversaw the construction of the Shanan Power Project in Jogindernagar in the late 1920s.