A Himalayan fort, a 12-year war, and a royal dowry
In short: Pithoragarh is a town defined by shifting borders and dynastic struggles. From ancient legends of its fort's builder to a 15th-century conflict that lasted twelve years, the region's history is a complex tapestry of conquest, marriage alliances, and imperial transitions.
The history of Pithoragarh is marked by a succession of diverse rulers. The town's namesake fort is subject to two local legends: it was either built by Prithvi Gosain of the Chand dynasty, originally named 'Prithvigarh', or by a Gurkha raja named Pithora. The region has seen many hands, including the Kuninda Kings, the Katyuri kings, and the Bam kings of Saur, who were vassals to the Raikas of Doti. Ancient inhabitants like the Asuras and Nagas likely preceded the Kiratas and Khasas. These early groups were eventually superseded by the Kuninda Kings, who may have served as Kushana feudatories.
A pivotal conflict occurred in the 15th century when King Bharti Chand of Champawat amassed a massive army to plunder the Doti Kings. This resulted in a war that lasted 12 years and ended in a victory for the Chands. Following Bharti Chand's death in 1462, a subsequent conflict broke out when the king of Doti, Nagmalla, attacked his son, Ratna Chand. Ratna Chand successfully defended himself, and Nagmalla was killed in the fighting, leading the Bams to become feudatories of the Chands. This victory allowed the Chand dynasty to expand their influence significantly. The resulting political shift saw the Bams transition into vassals of the Chand rulers.
The political landscape shifted again in the 16th century under King Balo Kalyan Chand. While he reigned, the Raika king of Doti transferred the Saur pargana to the Kumaon Kingdom as a wedding dowry for his daughter. Later, in 1790, the Chand kings constructed a new fort on a hill where the Girls Inter College now stands, a structure that was eventually destroyed by the Indian government in 1962 following the Chinese attack on India. This destruction occurred during the 1962 conflict with China. The town's administrative status has evolved significantly since that period.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Pithoragarh
- Also: www.britannica.com — Pithoragarh | Himalayan, Trekking & Adventure | Britannica
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