Solan

DISTRICT SOLAN

• Location: Between 31°19′ North and 76°52′ to 77°5′ East in the Shimla Hills.

NALAGARH (HINDUR)

• Area: 256 sq. miles (approx. 410 sq. km)
• Ruling Dynasty: Chand Rajputs (Ajit Chand, Vijay Chand, Dham Chand, Laxman Chand, Kalian Chand, Hiamat Chand, Bhup Chand, Ram Saran, Gaje Chand Singh, Ishwari Singh, Joginder Singh, Surendra Singh)
• Origin of Name: Acquired the name Hindur in the 15th century onwards, from a place in Bilaspur.
• Key Rulers & Events:
  • Ajay Chand: Founder, came from Nalagarh in Kangra.
  • Kalian Chand: Built a fort on the border of Hindur (1701 AD), leading to hostilities.
  • Hiamat Chand (1701-1705): Attacked the state.
  • Bhup Chand (1705-1756): Brave soldier, died in battle.
  • Internal Disputes: The state was divided during a period of dissensions and assassinations (1756 onwards).
  • Gorkha Invasion (early 19th century): Hindur was overrun by Gurkhas. Raja Ram Saran was exiled.
  • British Alliance (1815): Raja Ram Saran assisted the British against the Gurkhas. A reward of Barauli was transferred to him.
  • Esceat of Barauli (1830): Barauli escheated to the British, later incorporated into the Shimla District.
  • Raja Ishwari Singh (died 1911): His wazir was exiled. He was not considered capable; the state was administered by a council of three members. Paid an annual tribute of Rs. 2,000/-.
  • Raja Joginder Singh (succeeded 1911): Helped British in World War I, bought war bonds, sent armed men. Suppressed a revolt in 1918.

BAGHAL (ARKI)

• Area: 124 sq. miles
• Ruling Dynasty: Panwar Rajputs (Aje Dev, Nand Dev, Nar Dev, Sri Dev, Jahar Dev, Ram Dev, Kasas Chand, Kaul Chand, Swachel Chand, Glaum Chand, Alam Chand, Jabbar Chand, Bhupal Chand, Samudra Chand, Dheer Chand, Maha Chand, Jit Chand, Hari Chand, Uda Chand, Inder Chand, Ajab Chand, Pratap Chand, Bhup Chand, Rana Jagat Singh, Rana Kishan Singh, Moti Singh, Tikka Bikram Singh, Tikka Rajendra Singh)
• Origin of Name: Founded by ‘Aje Dev’ a Panwar Rajput from Ujjain. Headquarters: Arki.
• Key Rulers & Events:
  • Aje Dev: Founder, a Panwar Rajput from Ujjain.
  • Rana Bhup Chand (1734-1778 AD): Brave ruler.
  • Gorkha Invasion (1778-1828, early 19th century): Overrun and occupied by Gurkhas (between 1803-1815). Arki became a Gurkha headquarters.
  • British Alliance (1815): Raja Jagat Singh joined the British against the Gurkhas. Restored to his possessions, with a tribute of Rs. 36,000/-.
  • Rana Kishan Singh (1877-1904): Considered one of the most capable among minor Hill Chiefs.
  • Tikka Bikram Singh (born 1904): Minor ruler, a revolt by the Kanet population in 1893 was crushed with British help.
  • Merger: Merged with Himachal Pradesh on April 15, 1948.

BAGHAT

• Area: Not explicitly stated, but historical context suggests it’s smaller than Baghal.
• Ruling Dynasty: Pal dynasty (Hari Chand Pal, Baksh Pal, Bhavani Pal, Inder Pal, Mahender Singh, Vijay Singh, Umed Singh, Dalip Singh, Durga Singh, Keshvinder Singh). Descended from Dharana Giri in the Deccan.
• Origin of Name: Named Baghat by Inder Pal.
• Key Rulers & Events:
  • Founder Raja: Settled at Basantpur (now Bassi), took Keonthal Pargana.
  • Baksh Pal: Annexed Basal, Bhuchali, and Gharoli.
  • Bhavani Pal: Added Bachharang (Patiala) and Kasauli territory.
  • Inder Pal: Added Basal, Ghar, and Tuksal (Patiala). Named the state Baghat.
  • Gorkha Rule (1790 AD for twelve years): Rana Mahender Singh of Baghat was held by old friends during Gurkha war. Eight parganas were taken and given to Patiala.
  • British Period:
    • Sanad granted to Mahender Singh.
    • Vijay Singh (Died 1849): Died without male issue.
    • Escheat to British (1850): Annexed by Lord Dalhousie under Doctrine of Lapse.
    • Umed Singh: Cousin of Vijay Singh, reclaimed the state. Recognised in 1862 after appealing to England.
    • Dalip Singh (1860-1911): Minor son, annual tribute of Rs. 2,000/- imposed. Land reserved for British. Later, due to financial problems, reserved area was restored except General Innes’s estate. Innes’s estate purchased back by Rana in 1876.
    • Jurisdiction Ceded: Land ceded for Shimla-Kalka railway, Solan and Kasauli cantonments, Sabathu and Dagshai waterworks. Tribute gradually reduced and ceased by 1931.
  • Merger: Merged with Himachal Pradesh in 1948.

KUNIHAR

• Area: Not explicitly stated, but smaller than Baghat based on the provided text.
• Ruling Dynasty: Gond Rajputs (Mungeree Dass, Kishan Singh, Tegh Singh, Hardeo Singh, Vijay Singh).
• Origin of Name: Founded by an Abhoj Dev from Kathgarh in Jammu.
• Key Rulers & Events:
  • Abhoj Dev: Founder.
  • Gorkha Invasion: Kunihar was a tributary to Gurkhas, later to Mani Chand.
  • British Control (1815): Taken under British protection. Tribute of Rs. 180/-, later commuted to Rs. 100/-.
  • Rana Tegh Singh (1866-1905): Born 1834, succeeded 1867. Married and had three sons and five daughters.
  • Rana Hardeo Singh (1905-1948): Born 1898/1899. Received powers in 1917. Levies abolished at Coronation Darbar.
  • Merger: Merged with Himachal Pradesh on April 15, 1948.

KUTHAR

• Area: Not explicitly stated, but smaller than Kunihar.
• Ruling Dynasty: Gond Rajputs (Surat Chand, Bir Chand, Pirthi Chand, Gulab Chand, Chhatar Chand, Jag Chand, Samudra Chand, Arjan Chand, Kishori Chand, Jamni Chand, Rattan Chand, Jai Dev Chand, Kahan Chand, Deep Chand, Manak Chand, Khapru Chand, Tulsi Chand, Ram Chand, Dheer Chand, Gure Chand, Karan Chand, Santosh Chand, Kundli Chand, Darat Chand, Buran Chand, Peetam Chand, Karam Chand, Kashipal Chand, Ajeet Chand, Dharam Chand, Jalim Chand, Samar Chand, Gopal Chand, Bhup Chand, Jai Chand, Jagjeet Chand, Kishan Chand, Tikka Pratap Chand).
• Origin of Name: Founded by Surat Chand, from the plains.
• Key Rulers & Events:
  • Surat Chand: Founder, from the plains, adopted title ‘Rana’.
  • Gorkha Invasion: Tributary to Gurkhas, then to Nalagarh, later ruled by Rana Gopal Chand.
  • British Protection (1815): Tribute of Rs. 100/- to the British.
  • Rana Gopal Chand (Died 1815): Died during his exile.
  • Rana Bhup Chand (1815-1858): A minor, his sister, Rani Lal Devi, administered the state.
  • Rana Jai Chand (1858-1895): Received a sanad in 1888.
  • Rana Jagjeet Chand (1895-1930): Built “Jagjeet Naga” in memory of his father.
  • Merger: Merged with Baghat on April 15, 1948, and formed a part of Solan district.

MEHLOG

• Area: Not explicitly stated, but smaller than Kuthar.
• Ruling Dynasty: Chand (Hari Chand, Nagar Chand, Ugar Chand, Nehal Chand, Surat Chand, Gyan Chand, Kirpal Chand, Kalyan Chand, Krishan Chand, Nayan Chand, Vishan Chand, Harbhaj Chand, Swaroop Chand, Prithvi Chand, Beerat Chand, Amar Chand, Nahar Chand, Sansar Chand, Ajeet Chand, Daleep Chand, Raghunath Chand, Durga Chand, Narendra Chand Sisodia).
• Origin of Name: Founded by Hari Chand, a Rathor Rajput from Ayodhya.
• Key Rulers & Events:
  • Hari Chand: Founder, a Rathor Rajput from Ayodhya.
  • Sansar Chand (1783-1849): Was at war with Sirmaur.
  • Gorkha Invasion (1803-1815): Raja Jai Chand of Kangra helped.
  • British Protection (1815): Came under British protection. Tribute of Rs. 1,450/-.
  • Durga Chand (1902-1934): His reign was disturbed by an occurrence on October 4, 1921.
  • Thakur Narendra Chand (1934-1947): Successor.
  • Merger: Merged with Himachal Pradesh on April 15, 1948, and formed a part of Solan district.

BEJA

• Area: Not explicitly stated, likely among the smallest.
• Ruling Dynasty: Chand (Garib Chand, Amar Chand, Ram Chand, Fateh Chand, Tej Chand, Narain Chand, Lachhmi Chand, Bhim Chand, Aja Chand, Narayan Chand, Swaroop Chand, Jai Chand, Pratap Chaind, Puran Chand).
• Origin of Name: Founded by Garib Chand, a Rajput from Bilaspur.
• Key Rulers & Events:
  • Garib Chand: Founder, a Rajput from Bilaspur.
  • Gorkha Invasion: Was under the control of the Gurkhas.
  • British Protection (1815): Came under British protection. Obligation to supply 5 soldiers, later commuted to Rs. 140/- per annum.
  • Thakur Mungeree Dass: Ruled.
  • Kishan Singh (Died 1866): Son of Mungeree Dass.
  • Rana Tegh Singh (1866-1905): Born 1834, succeeded 1867.
  • Thakur Puran Chand (1905-1939): Received his powers in 1917.
  • Merger: Merged with Himachal Pradesh on April 15, 1948, and formed a part of Solan district.

MANGAL

• Area: Not explicitly stated, but among the smallest.
• Ruling Dynasty: Chand (Mungal Chand, Raghunath Chand, Jaichand, Kripal Chand, Man Chand, Diab Chand, Tara Chand, Basia Chand, Jai Singh, Garib Singh, Inder Singh, Veer Singh, Amar Singh, Karam Singh, Bahadar Singh, Prithvi Singh, Jodh Singh, Aji Singh, Tilak Singh, Shiv Singh, Ranbir Singh).
• Origin of Name: Acquired its name from Mangal Singh, son of the founder Raja.
• Key Rulers & Events:
  • Founder Raja: A Rajput from Marwar (Jodhpur). Given the state by Kahlur Raja as a token of loyalty.
  • Independence (1815): Became independent after the expulsion of the Gurkhas.
  • British Tribute: Commuted to an annual payment of Rs. 72/-.
  • Rana Tilak Singh (1892-1920): Born 1859.
  • Shiv Singh (1920-1947): Succeeded Tilak Singh.
  • Merger: Merged with Himachal Pradesh on April 15, 1948.

General Mentions:

• Population changes: Significant population increases over the decades (e.g., 2001-2011 saw a 15.93% increase).
• Economy: Agriculture (fruits, mushrooms), industrialization (Parwanoo, Barotiwala, Baddi, Jabli, Solan), and breweries (Mohan Meakin Breweries in Solan, originally Edward Dyer).
• Cultural: Traditional clothing (dhoti, pyjama, kurti, pyjama/suthana), fairs and festivals (Mata Balasundri Fair, Baisakhi fair).
• Mohan Meakin Breweries: Originally Edward Dyer, later bought by H.G. Meakin, then by N.N. Mohan. Produced “Lion” beer