Bilaspur

HIstory of Bilaspur

Bilaspur, also known as Kahlur, is marked by the reigns of various Chand Rajput rulers and significant events. 

The name “Kahlur” is said to have originated from a Gujjar named Kehlu, whom Bir Chand encountered while founding the state.

Here’s a factual timeline of important rulers and their works:

• Raja Bir Chand (A.D. 900):

   

  • Founder of the Bilaspur state, a cadet of the Chandel Rajput family.
  • Waged many wars and conquered at least fifteen neighboring states during his thirty-three-year reign.
  • Built a temple of Goddess Naina Devi on one of the seven Dhars (now Dhir Naina Devi) and established his capital below it.
  • Humbled the chiefs of Baghal, Kunihar, Beja, Dhami, Keonthal, Kuthar, Jubbal, Baghat, Bhajji, Mahlog, Mangal, and Balson.
  • The idol found at the site of the temple was consecrated in the Naina Devi temple.
• Raja Kahal Chand:

   

  • Sixth descendant of the ruling family.
  • Credited with building the fort ‘Kot Kahlur’, though some accounts attribute it to Raja Bir Chand.
• Raja Megh Chand (1215-1240 A.D.):

   

  • Eldest son of Sangar Chand.
  • Initially tyrannical, he was forced to seek asylum in Kullu but regained his kingdom with the help of Delhi’s Sultan Shams-ud-din Altutmash.
• Raja Abhisand Chand:

   

  • Ruled during the period of Sikandar Lodhi.
  • Fought a victorious battle against Tatar Khan Amir, but was later treacherously killed by Tatar Khan’s son along with his youngest son, Sunder Chand.
• Raja Sampuran Chand (1380 A.D.):

   

  • His short rule was marked by animosity with his younger brother, Ratan Chand, who eventually killed him for the throne.
• Raja Ratan Chand (1400 A.D.):

   

  • Had a long reign characterized by cordial relations with the Delhi court.
• Raja Gyan Chand or Ayam Chand (1570 A.D.):

   

  • Contemporary of Mughal emperor Akbar.
  • Embraced Islam under the influence of the Viceroy of Sirhind; his tomb is in Kiratpur, Punjab.
  • His two younger sons also converted to Islam, but his eldest son, Bik Chand, remained Hindu.
• Raja Bik Chand (1600 A.D.):

   

  • Succeeded Gyan Chand and remained under the Hindu faith, settling in Sunhani.
  • Abdicated in favor of his son, Sultan Chand.
• Raja Kalian Chand (1630 A.D.):

   

  • Built a fort on the borders of Hindur, leading to war where the Raja of Hindur was killed.
  • Mortally wounded and died in a cave called ‘Kalian Chand di-dwari’ while returning to Bilaspur.
• Raja Dip Chand (1650-1656 A.D.):

   

  • Regained the state’s prestige.
  • Shifted the ruling family’s residence from Sunhani to Vyasgufa on the left bank of the Satluj.
  • Founded the town of Bilaspur (now Bilaspur) and built a new palace called ‘Dholra’.
  • Fixed salutes: ‘Jai deva’ for Raja, ‘Jai’ for Mians, and ‘Ram-Ram’ for Ranas. 
  • Was poisoned by the Raja of Kangra during his stay at Nadaun.
• Raja Bhim Chand (1667 A.D.):

   

  • His forces, with help from Sidh Sen of Mandi, repulsed an attack by Manak Chand (his father’s brother) and the Raja of Kangra.
  • Burned the towers of Jai Singapur and Bilaspur (now in Palampur tehsil).
  • Defeated by Guru Govind Singh in 1682 and again in 1685 when he allied with other Rajas.
  • Completely routed in 1700 A.D. when he and Alam Chand of Kangra attacked the Sikhs.
  • Spent his final years as a Faqir after abdicating.
• Raja Ajmer Chand (1712-1741 A.D.):

   

  • Had a long and peaceful reign.
  • Built the fort ‘Ajmergarh’ on the border of Hindur.
• Raja Devi Chand (1741-1778 A.D.):

   

  • Installed Gaj Singh Hindurea as Raja of Hindur after a revolt.
  • Helped Raja Ghamand Chand against Abhai Chand of Jaswan and later restored Abhai Chand to his state.
  • Recovered territories annexed by the Mughals.
  • Constructed the fort of ‘Bahmankot’ and gave it to Hindur’s Raja Bhim Chand.
• Raja Mahan Chand (1778-1824 A.D.):

   

  • During his minority, administration was managed by a Wazir and other officers.
  • Faced invasion by Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra in 1795, who occupied Chauki Hatwar and built a fort called ‘Baghati’.
  • Invited Amar Singh Thapa, the Gurkha Commander, to invade Kangra, leading to Sansar Chand’s defeat in 1805.
  • The Gurkhas continued to occupy Bilaspur and other states until 1814.
  • Jahanbhari, annexed by the Sikhs in 1808, was not restored to Bilaspur and is now in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab.
• Raja Kharak Chand (1824-1839 A.D.):

   

  • His reign is considered the “darkest page” in Bilaspur’s history due to his atrocities, leading to a revolt led by his uncles.
  • Died of smallpox.
• Raja Jagat Chand (1839-1857 A.D.):

   

  • Installed as Raja after his predecessor died childless and due to his active role against oppressive rule.
  • Briefly fled to Hindur but was restored to power by the political agent of Ambala.
  • Regained territory annexed by the Sikhs in 1809 on the right bank of the Satluj in 1847.
  • Abdicated in 1850 in favor of his grandson, Hira Chand, and retired to Brindaban.
• Raja Hira Chand (1857-1882 A.D.):

   

  • Provided valuable support to the British during the 1857 revolt, earning the state an eleven-gun salute.
  • His period is remembered as the “golden age.”
  • Reorganized the land revenue system, making it payable partly in cash and partly in kind.
  • Restored ‘Based’ and ‘Bachhretu’ (a long strip of land) and the Doab region (ceded by Sikhs in 1846) to the state.
• Raja Amar Chand (1883-1888 A.D.):

   

  • His short reign was marked by a revolt against the state administration.
  • Opened schools and hospitals, and constructed a suspension bridge over the Satluj.
  •  Ordered cases to be recorded in ‘Urdu’
• Raja Bijai Chand (1889-1927 A.D.):

   

  • Introduced court fees and non-judicial stamps.
  • Implemented a water supply system in Bilaspur town.
  • Built residences in Varanasi, a summer house at Bahadurpur, a place called Haridwar near Bilaspur, and the ‘Rang Mahal’ palace in Bilaspur.
  • In 1901, faced a revolt by Chandel Rajputs and his officers.
  • Abdicated administrative duties due to depression and moved to Varanasi in 1903.
  • Returned to rule in 1908 and actively supported the British in World War I, for which he was awarded K.C.I.E. and the honorary rank of Major.
• Raja Anand Chand (1928-1948 A.D.):

   

  • Abolished child marriage, ‘begar’ (forced labor), and introduced prohibition.
  • Constructed roads linking the capital with Suket and Mandi, as well as new schools and health centers.
  • Built the Shri Gopalji Temple and a new palace (now submerged).
  • Educated at Mayo College, Ajmer, and received training in revenue settlement and law.
  • Acceded Bilaspur to the Indian dominion in 1947.
  • Appointed as the first Chief Commissioner of the newly formed Part ‘C’ state of Bilaspur (1948-1949).
  • Bilaspur was merged into Himachal Pradesh on July 1, 1954, becoming a district.
  • Authored the book ‘Bilaspur Past, Present and Future’.