Chand Dynasty

**Chand Dynasty (चंद राजवंश)** of Kumaon. Here are the key points covered **1. Founder and Origin (संस्थापक और उत्पत्ति):** * **Somchand (सोमचंद)** is considered the founder by Atkinson and Badridatt Pandey. * **Yoharchand (योहरचंद)** is considered the founder by W. Fraser, Francis Hamilton, and Harshdev Joshi (around 1018 to 1027 AD). * **Somchand's Origin:** * Some accounts say he was the brother of the Kannauj ruler and was brought to Kumaon by representatives of the Katyuri ruler Brahmadev. * Brahmadev married his daughter, Champa, to Somchand and gifted him Champawat as a dowry. * Another theory suggests he was from Jhusi (झूसी प्रदेश). **2. Key Rulers and Their Works (प्रमुख राजा व उनके कार्य):** The document lists many rulers and their contributions, including: * **Somchand:** Built the Raj Dunga Fort (राज ढुंगा किला), was a worshipper of Shiva (शिव का उपासक), defeated the Rawat Raja of Donkot (दोणकोट). * **Indrachand (इन्द्रचंद) (758-778):** Started silk production (रेशम उत्पादन) and weaving, and established trade relations with China via Nepal. He also introduced the *Patarangwali Pratha* (पंटरगवाली प्रथा) to boost silk trade. * **Veena Chand (वीणा चंद) (856-869):** Described as a pleasure-seeking king (*vilasi raja*), during whose time the Khas tribes dominated Kumaon for about 200 years. * **Veer Chand (वीर चंद) (1065-1080):** Ended the dominance of the Khas tribe with the help of Ashok Challa. * **Trilokchand (त्रिलोकचंद):** Built a fort in Bhimtal (भीमताल में किला). * **Abhaychand (अभयचंद):** First Chand ruler with self-generated inscription (स्वयं के अभिलेख). * **Gyan Garud Chand (ज्ञान गरुड़ चंद) (1374-1420):** Most powerful king (*sarvadhik shaktishali raja*), visited the court of Firoz Shah Tughlaq in Delhi, who gave him the title of *Garud Chand*. He was a devotee of Vishnu (विष्णु का उपासक). * **Bharti Chand (भारती चंद) (1437-1450):** Known for bravery, struggled against the Doti kingdom, and formed the *Katak Sena* (कटक सेना). The *Nayak Jati* (नायक जाति) originated during his time. * **Ratan Chand (रतन चंद) (1450-88):** First land settlement (*bho-bandobast*) took place during his reign. * **Bhishmchand (भीष्मचंद) (1555-1560):** Shifted the capital from Champawat to Almora (Alamnagar) and built the Khagmar Qila (खगमरा किला). * **Balo Kalyan Chand (बालो कल्याण चंद) (1560-68):** Almora capital was fully prepared. Built the Lal Mandi Fort (लाल मंडी किला) in Almora in 1563 AD. * **Rudra Chand (रुद्रचंद) (1568-1597):** Contemporary of Akbar, accepted Akbar's suzerainty. Founded Rudrapur city (रुद्रपुर नगर). Wrote the religious text *Traivarnik Dharmanirnay* (त्रैवणिक धर्मनिर्णय). * **Laxmichand (लक्ष्मीचंद) (1597–1621):** Contemporary of Jahangir and Garhwal ruler Manshah. Attacked Manshah 8 times. Known as *Lakhuli Virali* (लखुली विराली) for losing 7 battles. Established two courts: *Nyowali* (न्याय संबंधी) and *Vishtali* (सैनिक मामले). * **Baz Bahadur Chand (बाजबहादुरचंद) (1638-1678):** Founded Bajpur. His employee Kashinath founded Kashipur. Successfully faced Tibetan attacks and was under the protection of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Built the Hatiya Deval temple (हथिया देवाल मंदिर) in Pithoragarh. Imposed *Sirti Kar* (सिरती कर - a cash tax) on Bhotiyas and Tibetans. * **Udyot Chand (उद्योत चंद) (1678-1698):** First Chand ruler after Bharti Chand to struggle with Doti rulers. * **Gyan Chand 3 (ज्ञानचंद 3) (1698-1708):** Attacked Garhwal and took the golden idol of Nanda Devi. * **Jagat Chand (जगतचंद) (1708-1730):** His reign is called the **Golden Age of Kumaon** (*Kumau ka swarnakal*). Conquered Srinagar (Garhwal capital) and met Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah. * **Kalyan Chand 5 (कल्याणचंद 5) (1729-1747):** Faced Rohilla invasion. Built the Chomal in Almora (चोमहल). Referred to as *Kumbhakarna of Kumaon* (कुमाऊँ का कुंभकरण). **Shivdutt Joshi** (his Diwan) is known as the **Shivaji of Kumaon** (*Kumau ka Shivaji*). * **Mahendra Chand (महेन्द्र चंद) (1788-1790):** The **last ruler** of the Chand dynasty. He was defeated by the **Gurkhas of Nepal** in the Hawalabagh ground (Almora) in 1790 AD, which marked the end of the Chand Dynasty and the beginning of the Gurkha rule in Kumaon. **3. Social and Administrative Aspects (सामाजिक और प्रशासनिक पहलू):** * **Four All (चार आल):** Karki, Bora, Tadagi, Chaudhari—who lived in forts (*kilon mein rahte the*). * **Two Factions (दो धड़):** Mahra and Fartyal—who served as Commander and Minister (सेनापति व मंत्री). * **Classification of Brahmins (ब्राहमणों का वर्गीकरण) during Rudra Chand's time:** Chauthani, Tithani, Pichliye, and Haliye Brahmins. * **Administrative Posts:** Sardar (paragana ruler), Faujdar (military officer), Negi (tax collector). * **Goonth Bhumi (गूंठ भूमि):** Land donated to temples. * **Harbola (हरबोला):** One who wakes up the royal family.