Kinnaur: Kings, Rulers, and Major Historical Changes
Here’s a concise overview of the kings, rulers, and significant historical events in Kinnaur, focusing on key contributions and changes in control:
Early Period (Pre-Bushahr)
- Rulers: Local chieftains known as Thakurs or Ranas
- Time Period: From very early times, preceding the Bushahr state, with fragmentation into “Sat Khund” (seven regions) by the 14th century.
- Major Events/Changes:
- Mauryan, Kushan, and Gupta Empires: Likely periods of indirect suzerainty (c. 322 BCE – 550 CE).
- Guge Kingdom Influence: Significant portion of Kinnaur under the Guge Kingdom of Western Tibet (10th-11th centuries CE). Crucial for the deep establishment of Tibetan Buddhism in the region.
- Rise of Thakurais: After the decline of larger empires, Kinnaur fragmented into numerous small, often warring, principalities.
- Cultural/Religious Contributions:
- Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo (c. 958-1055 CE): Born in Sunam, Kinnaur, founded numerous monasteries (e.g., Nako, Kanam, Lippa) under Guge patronage, instrumental in the “second diffusion” of Buddhism.
- Cist Burial Culture: Archaeological evidence (Lippa, Kanam, c. 6th C BCE) indicates an Iron Age culture with distinct burial practices and pyrotechnology.
Bushahr Princely State (Medieval Period – 1947)
- Rulers/Dynasty: Bushahr Dynasty, founded by the Thakur of Kamru/Mone.
- Time Period: Emergence from the medieval period, consolidating power, and ruling until 1947.
- Capital Shifts:
- Kamru (Kinnaur): Original capital.
- Sarahan: Shifted by Raja Chatar Singh (early 10th C or medieval period).
- Rampur: Further shifted by Raja Ram Singh.
- Key Kings & Contributions:
- Raja Chatar Singh (Early 10th C or medieval period): Credited with consolidating Kinnaur under Bushahr rule.
- Raja Kehri Singh (Late 17th Century, c. 1639-1696):
- Bushahr-Tibet Treaty (c. 1681-1684): Established free trade, defined Kinnaur-Tibet border along the Kailash range, and granted Hangrang Valley to Bushahr as a jagir.
- Lavi Fair: Initiated in Rampur (1683) as a major international trade fair due to the treaty.
- Tika Raghunath Singh (Late 19th C): Created Chini Tehsil in 1891, an administrative division covering much of Kinnaur.
- Raja Padam Singh (1914-1947): Last ruler before India’s independence and the merger of Bushahr into Himachal Pradesh.
- Changes in Control/Major Events:
- Gurkha Invasions (Early 19th C, c. 1803-1815): Bushahr (including Kinnaur) invaded by Gurkhas; royal family sought refuge in Kinnaur.
- British Paramountcy (Post-1815): British intervened, expelled Gurkhas, and Bushahr became a princely state under British suzerainty (restored to Raja Mahendra Singh via a sanad on November 6, 1815).
- Hindustan-Tibet Road (Mid-19th C onwards): Constructed by the British (commissioned 1850) for strategic and trade purposes, significantly impacting Kinnaur’s connectivity and economy.
- Praja Mandal Movement (Early-Mid 20th C): Local agitations for reforms within Bushahr, part of India’s independence movement.
Post-Independence Era (1947 onwards)
- Administrative Change:
- Initially part of Mahasu district as Chini Tehsil (1947-1960).
- Formation of Kinnaur District: Carved out as a separate district on May 1, 1960, for strategic and developmental reasons.
- Key Figures/Events:
- Shyam Saran Negi (1917-2022): From Kalpa, Kinnaur, he was the first person to cast a vote in independent India’s first general election in October 1951.
- Kinnaur Mahotsav: Declared a State Level festival, celebrated annually from October 30 to November 2 since 1994, showcasing Kinnaur’s culture and produce.