#1Uttaraki Judicial Bhowal Nainital Legal Acade UJALA UTTARAKHAND UDICIAL AND LEGAL ACADEMY, BHOWALI NAINITAL Topic of Presentation: History of Garhwal Region of ANJALI BENJWAL ANOOP SINGH BHAKUNI Uttarakhand HINA KOUSAR#2Contents 1. Historical Background of Garhwal Region 2. Geographical Location 3. Society and Culture 4. Dynasties of Garhwal 5. Administration 6. Economy 7. Legal System and Administration of Justice 8. Gurkha Invasion and British Occupation 9. Political Movements in Garhwal Region Uttarkashi Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal Rudrap Chamoli Pithoragarh Garhwal Bageshwar Hardwar Almora Nainital U.Singh Nagar Champawat#3Historical background of Garhwal Region (Cont..) ● Earliest references regarding Garhwal are cited in the SKANDA PURANA by the name of Kedarkhand and also mentioned in Mahabharta. Also find mention in the 7th Century travelogue of Huen Tsang. • However it is with Adi Shankaracharya that the name of Garhwal is linked as in 8th century he visited remote snow laden heights of Garhwal and established a JOSHIMATH and restored most scared shrine of Badrinath and Kedrnath. ● Garhwal means the area or region formed by the integration of 'Garhs' (forts). The word Garh means forts in hilly areas or on hills.#4Historical background of Garhwal Region(Cont..) • This garhwal region also called Shiv ki kridasthali because of pilgrimage sites in kedarnath, badrinath, tungnath, etc • • • The geographical area of Kedarkhand is considered to be from Gangadwara (Haridwar) in the south to the end of the Shvetang Parvat (Himalaya) ranges in the north and from Boudhanchal (possibly Badhan Patti) in the east to Tamasa (Tons) in the west. The history of Garhwal as a unified whole began in the 15th century when King Ajay Pal merged the 52 separate principalities, each with its own Garh or fortress. For 300 years Garhwal remained one Kingdom, with its capital at Srinagar(On the left bank of Alaknanda River. Excavations have reveled that it formed part of Mauryan Empire.#5Historical background of Garhwal Region(Cont..) • According to Pt. Harikrishna Raturi, such a mountainous region which has many strongholds, was called Gadhdesh, Garhwar. • These forts belonged to the earlier small Thakuri kings, chieftains and thokdars and also had different names of the state departments of those kings and chieftains, which are now known as parganas and patis. During Vedic age, in Rigveda this region was called HIMVANT DESH.#6Garhwal kingdom: An Overview Garhwal kingdom was an independent Himalayan kingdom in the current- north western Himalyan state of Uttarakhand, India. • Founded in 688 CE by Kanak pal, the progenitor of the Pawar dynasty that ruled over the Kingdom uninterrupted until 1803 CE. STATUS 1949CE) - Absolute Monarchy(688- Capitals 1. Chandpur Garhi (888-1512CE), 2. Devalgarh(1512-1517CE), 3. Srinagar(1517-1804) 4. Tehri(1816-1862 CE) 5. Pratapnagar(1862-1890), 6. Kritinagar(1890-1925 CE) 7. Narendranagar(1925-1947) Language: Garhwali, Hindi, Sanskrit 10#7Garhwal kingdom: Brief History . Established in 688CE, Conquered by the Gurkhas and merged with kingdom of Nepal (in 1804CE). • Restored as a Princely State of British India following the Treaty of Sugauli (the treaty that established the boundary line of Nepal between the East India Company and Guru Gajraj Mishra(nepali politician) on 4 march 1816, nepalise controlled Garhwal region came under control of British), Acceded to India and joined the Union of India in 1949 CE. • During British Raj kingdom was divided in two parts namely princely state of Garhwal(Tehri Harhwal-1816-1947) and Garhwal District of British India. Preceded by Kulinda kingdom and succeeded by Dominion of india. Manabendra Shah s/o Narendra Shah was the last Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal before the Princely state joined independent India in 1947. Manabendra Shah also known as 'Bolanda Badri(living incarnation of lord Vishnu) was 60th guardian of temple of Badrinath in Garhwal.#8GARHWAL TEHSIL MAP Rudraprayag Chamoli Geographical location In skanda puran, Heavenly abode of kedarkhand is 50 yojan in length and 30 yojan in breadth. Several holy rivers have shaped the landscape and culture of garhwal region over centuries. Rivers of Garhwal Region . Dehradun Yamkeshwar Telui Garhwal Paun Srinagar Satpuli www.mdpsofieyen.com S Hardwar Uttar Pradesh Legend State Boundary Detrit Boundery Tehsil Boundary Kotdwara Lansdowne Ganga is the holiest of all rivers. This sacred river symbolising qualities of divinity, spirituality, moksha, and cleanliness. The Ganges River flows from Gomukh in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. • Sources: Gangotri Glacier, Satopanth Glacier, and Khatling Glacier. . The tributaries of the Ganga river are Bhagirathi and Alaknanda. Almora Dhoomakot Nainital Copyright @ 2015 www.mapsofindia.com (Last Updated on 15th Sep 2015) The Ganga is termed as Bhagirathi upto the point where it meets tributary alaknanda at devprayag.#9Geographical location(Cont..) . ● · ● Yamuna is another one of the sacred river in Hindu mythology that flows from the Yamuna glacier. The melting glacier flows from below the top of Kalindi Parbat to the Saptarishi Kund, where the river's journey begins. Alaknanda River major tributory of the holy Ganga river in Uttarakhand. It originates from confluence of the Satopanth Glacier and the Bhagirathi Kharak Glacier in UK. Bhagirathi River originates at Gaumukh, Uttarakhand, at the head of the Gangotri glacier. This river joins Alaknanda at devprayag. The Mandakini River flows from the Chorabari Glacier near Kedarnath in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This river joins Alaknanda River at rudraprayag.#10Mountains • • Nanda Devi parvat: Second highest mountain in India associated with goddess Nanda devi. Badrinath range dedicated to lord vishnu and kedarnath range dedicated to lord shiva range holds immense religious significance, one of the four sacred shrine of char dham yatra. Trishul mountain: A group of mountains that consists of three peaks trishul 1, trishul 2, and trishul 3 these peaks are named after trident of lord shiva.#11· ● ● Society and Culture Language: Garhwali is the main language spoken here that has a number of dialects too including Jaunsari, Marchi, Jadhi and Sailani. Religious and Ethnic groups: Garhwal region has strong influence of Hinduism, Garhwali people predominantly follow the shaivite sect of Hinduism. Garhwal is inhabited by people belonging to a number of ethnic groups and castes. These include Rajputs who are believed to belong to the Aryan origin, Brahmins who migrated after the Rajputs. Tribals of Garhwal who stay in the Northern tracts and comprise of Jaunsaris, Jadhs, Marchas and Van Gujars. •⚫ Festivals: The typical Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Holi and Navratri are celebrated here. Along with this, the Garhwali culture has its festivals such as: Harela parv, phooldei, Basant panchama, Ganga Dussehra.#12Society and Culture(Cont..) Igaas is another Garhwali festival celebrated a few days after Diwali and is also known as Garhwali Diwali. The history behind igaas is that the men of Garhwali families who worked in the Army couldn't come off duty on Diwali. So, they would go home a few days after it, and their families would celebrate Diwali all over again to celebrate their safe homecoming • Garhwali Cuisine: Most Garhwali cuisine revolves around plant-based items that can be grown in the mountains. These includes chainsoo, kaafuli, jholi, til ki chutney. • Traditional Dress Men wear a kurta and pyjama and a koti on top of the kurta. A Koti is a form of wool coat made in Garhwal to keep the cold winds at bay. The women wear colourful headscarves to protect their faces from the sun, a loose shirt is worn and on top of that a colourful Koti. In addition, a Ghagra or lehenga made of wool or cotton.#13Dynasties of Garhwal Region Katyuri Dynasty • Katyuri kings were the medieval ruling clan of present Uttarakhand that ruled over the region now known as Kumaon from 800 to 1100 AD. The Katyuri Raja of Uttarakhand was styled 'Shri Basdeo Giriraj Chakra Churamani. Tradition gives the origin of their Raj at Joshimath in the north near Badrinath and a subsequent migration to Katyur valley in Kumaon. There are no primary sources to trace the origin of this dynasty. Rahul Sankrityayan, traces Katyuri's ancestry to Saka rulers and further identifies them with Khasas. According to folk tradition it is believed that Katyuris were descendants of the Khasas.#14Katyuri Dynasty(Cont..) . • Vashudev Katyuri was the founder of the katyuri dynasty. Historian K.P Nautiyal is of the view that Vashudev Katyuri was the founder of Katyuri dynasty who ruled from 850 to 870 CE. He was a pious ruler and follower of Shaivism. Pandushewar copper plate inscriptions throw some light on administrative setup of katyuri. Perhaps the initial capital of the Katyuri dynasty was Joshimath. After the expansion of the state, it would have been established in the Katyur valley later.#15Katyuri Dynasty(Cont..) Nimbartadeva was the first Katyuri king who initiated temple architecture. • K. P Nautiyal is of the view that the 'Vimanas', the tallest structures over the sanctum sanctorum in the famous Jageshwar group of temples were constructed during his rule. • . The King wielded absolute power (Monarchy) and was assisted by a council of ministers, which included: The Prime Minster (Amatya), • A Minister of religious affairs (Maha danakshapatala dhikrta), • Minister of War and Peace (Maha sandhi vigrahadhikrta) and • The Commander-in-Chief (Maha samanta).#16Katyuri Dynasty(Cont..) • For administrative purpose the kingdom was divided into Prantas, Vishayas (provinces) and Kshetras, each governed by Uparika (governor), Vishayapati and Kshetrapala. village was the smallest administrative unit during the Katyuri rule and was headed by a Mahamanushya. The King assisted by Mahadandnayaka was the chief dispenser of justice Chief Justice). Military Katyuri Veervahini is world famous for her bravery. The Veeravahini Katyuri army was divided into four parts. (1) पदातिक (2) गजारोही (3) अश्वारोही (4) ऊष्ट्रारोही With all the military supervised by the King himself. The military department was headed by the Mahasamanta who also led the army during war.#17Katyuri Dynasty(Cont..) : Architecture The katyuri kings were known for constructing several temples in present-day Uttarakhand. ● The Katyuri period is known as the golden-era of architecture in Uttarakhand. One of the leading temples constructed by the rulers of katyuri dynasty includes the Vasudev temple at Joshimutt Manila Devi temple near Almora katarmal temple. : Decline Towards the end of the eleventh century the Chand rulers successfully invaded the Garhwal and dhoti regions resulting in the establishment of the Chand Dynasty in Uttarakhand region And with this the great kathuri empire Got disintegrated into many small principalities.#18Parmar dynasty • Till the 9th century, Garhwal was ruled by 52 small and big Thakuri rulers. The most powerful of these was Bhanu Pratap, the king of Chandpur Garh. • In 887 AD Kanakpal, the ruler of Dhar (Gujarat) came to Pilgrimage, Bhanupratap welcomed it and married his daughter to him. • In 888 AD, the Kanakpal laid the foundation of the Paramara dynasty at Chandpurgarh (Chamoli). The 37th king of this dynasty, Ajaypal, conquered all the Garhpatis and unified the Garhwal land. He established his capital first in Devalgarh and then in 1517 AD in Srinagar.#19Parmar dynasty(Cont..) • Sultan Bahlol Lodi of Delhi (1451-88) honored Parmar Naresh Balabhadrapal with the title of Shah. That is why Parmar Naresh started being called Shah. • In 1790 AD, the Gurkhas attacked Garhwal in 1791 AD but were defeated. The king of Garhwal imposed an annual tax of Rs 25,000 under the treaty with the Gurkhas and promised that they would not attack Garhwal again. But in 1803 AD, under the leadership of Amar Singh Thapa and Hastidal Chautariya, the Gorkhas invaded the earthquake-prone Garhwal and captured a considerable part of it. ● Later in 1804, Pradhumann Shah died in a battle with Gorkhas at Khudbuda Maidan in Dehradun, thus empowering Nepalese Gorkhas all over Garhwal and Kumaon.#20Administration of Garhwal State • Agricultural based society and plentiful forest. Revenue officials-SDM is the senior most official, who is assisted by Tehsildar, Kananoongo, Patwari, Padhans and Thokdars. Patwari was assigned with the duty to collect revenue, maintenance of land records and measurement of Land record. Police ➤ Two types: Revenue Police and Urban Police#21Administration of Garhwal State(Cont..) . Revenue Police-There was Patwari in the respective pattis of the rank of officer in charge of police station • Raja Pratap shah of Tehri set up Police department and first police station is Tehri Garhwal. ⚫ Civil Police(Tehri, Pratapnagar and Kritinagar) and Armed Police(to guard over the jail, Treasury and Palace)#22Authorities in the Administration • Vazeer- All the departments and their officers were under him. • Mukhtar- He was the authority of 2nd rank and during the times of unable Kings, all the powers were centralized in him. ● ● Daftari-Chief Officer of the executive office of the King. Responsible for appointment, salary, transfer, reward etc. Faujdar- Army Chief and management of Army was under him. Goldar- Responsible for security of all important places like forts.#23Local Self Government • There was Patti Panchayats started by Rulers of Tehri Garhwal state through Village Panchayat Act 1922. • ● It was based upon ancient culture and traditions. Panchayats were entrusted with the management of works of local interest like sanitation, construction, drinking water, forests.#24ECONOMY ● • Agricultural based economy. . Land was divided into awwal (fertile and irrigated land),uprau (hilly land) & izran (uncultivated land) • Tea Plantations started in Pauri, Lansdowne, Chamoli. • Trade with Tibet- Niti and Mana Passes(May-June, when ice melts)- Trade Chaukis were estd, where entry fee has to be paid according to number of sheeps/animals laden with goods. . • • Export- Barly, Rice, Wheat, Janghora, Mandua. • Import- Salt, Sheeps, Dogs, Wool, Wollen Cothes, Carpets. • Import from Bhabhar Region(Tarai area)-Sugar, Clothing, Iron.#25Legal System and Administration of Justice Divided into Civil, Criminal and Revenue • Till 1815, no set up of courts. • • Raja has all the powers of Civil, Criminal and Revenue. Raja dispense justice by himself or through officials 'Ditha' and 'Hakim ilaka’. King's Court was situated in capital. Petty cases were decided by the village community itself. If people were dissatisfied then they resort to 'Bunda' (diety/customary practices) and ask for justice.#26Legal System and administration of Justice (Cont..) . • 1870-Raja Pratap Shah was coronated and court of Raja was named as Chief Court. Chief court was divided into Magistrate Court(Criminal), Deputy Collector Court(Revenue),Ditha Court(Civil) • Collector has Revenue and Executive work Deputy Collector -First Class Magistrate(criminal powers) Rs 3000 valuation(civil judge) 1917 during the time of King Narendra Shah Harikrisha Raturi compiled Narendra Hindu Law which was baesd upon local customs and usages.#27Legal System and Administration of Justice (Cont..) • 1920-King Narendra Shah established Hazoor Court(Appellate Court), chief was appointed to hear appeals from subordinate court • 1938- Raja Narendra Shah issued a charter constituting Tehri Garhwal State High Court which abolished Chief Court and establish a judicial committee to advice his highness(Raja) in judicial matters. • It also reserved with Highness the power to entertain appeals against HC Judgments.#28Gurkha Invasion and British Occupation 1803- Amar Singh Thapa and Hastidal Chaturiya attacked Garhwal. Pradyumna Shah fled to Srinagar. • 14 May 1803 Battle of khurbura was fought between Pradyumna Shah and Gurkhas in which the former was martyred. • Sudarshan Shah took help from East India Company. British Army under the leadership of Gardner and Nicolson defeated Gurkhas in the battle. . 28 November 1815- Treaty of Sagauli with Gurkha.#29Gurkha Invasion and British Occupation(Cont..) • Terms- Gurkhas to hand over possession of Garhwal and Kumaoun to Britishers • Nepal Govt agreed to keep British Regiment troop in Kathmandu. Sudarshan Shah failed to give 5 Lakh to British therefore they have to leave Srinagar and shifted their capital to Tehri. • Till 1839 British Garhwal was under Kumaoun Commissionary, after that Srinagar became new district.#30Causes for Political Dissent Indirectly implemented divide and rule by creating a class of Pradhan and thokdars which were loyal to british and isolated from legal folks. Forest Management- in the guise of conservating forests they deprived the villagers from food, fodder and other forest produce. Arms regulation- Prohibited from possessing khukri. Coolie Begar System#31Political Movements in Garhwal • Gurkha Period- "Gorkhyani” - Cruel and Injustice . 1919- Barrister Mukundi Lal Anusuya Prasad Bahuguna formed National Congress in Garhwal. • 1919 Garhwal council was formed which led the people to participate in Rowlatt Satyagraha. • 1921- Kuli Begar movement • Mathura Prasad Naithani, Bhairav Dutt Dhulia participated in Satyagraha ● Peshawar Kand-23 April 1930 • Satyagraha committee was formed in Pauri Grhwal in June 1930. Committee organized Conference in Dugadda where Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru participated.#32Political Movements in Garhwal (Cont..) • • 1930- Bholadutt chandola and Maheshanand Thapliyal threw stone upon Ibetson for which they were awarded 3 months imprisonment. Bhawani Lal Rawat brought Chandra shekhar Azad to his village in Pauri where he trained shooting to youth. • 1940- Gandhiji started individual Satyagraha Kar bandi, sharab bandi and boycott of foreign clothes in various areas in Garhwal.#33Prajamandal Revolution • • 1938- Sridev Suman founded Prajamandal in Dehradun with the purpose of ● "Responsible Adminitration" Suman was arrested and prosecuted for treason. Died during hunger strike. Leadership Taken over by Nagendra Saklani, Molu Singh and Daulat Ram who captured Tehri Court on 10 January 1948. Both leaders were executed in police firing and their dead bodies were brought to Tehri by Chandra Singh Garhwali and Jayanand Bhatt.#34Prajamandal Revolution (Cont..) • There they founded Azad Panchayat and captured Tehri and only then the bodies of the martyrs were cremated. Assessing situation Raja Manvendra shah declared to estd "Responsible Administration” on January 15, 1948. • Revolutionaries demanded complete independent State and there wrere revolts in the state like Saklana Revolt. • 1 August, 1949 Tehri was merged into Uttar Pradesh State.#35Present day Garhwal • ● There are 13 district in Uttarakhand, which are grouped into two Administrative divisions Kumaon and Garhwal Division. Garhwal,lying in Himalayas, it is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by Kumaon, on the south by Uttar Pradesh state and on the northwest by Himanchal pradesh Garhwal Division Districts-Chamoli, Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal,Haridwar, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi(total 7) • Rest Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nanital, Pithoragarh Udam Singh Nagar are in Kumaoun Division, • Important places- Char Dham- Kedarnath, Badrinath Gangotri, Yamunotri, Valley of flowers, Nanda Devi peak etc#36Thank you