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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = Mau-Paithan-Nurpur kingdom<ref>{{Cite book|title=History and Culture of Himalayan States Vol 1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eExDAAAAYAAJ|first=Sukhdev Singh|last=Charak|publisher=Light and Life|year=1978|isbn=9780391011762|access-date=26 July 2021}}</ref>
| conventional_long_name = Mau-Paithan-Nurpur kingdom<ref>{{Cite book|title=History and Culture of Himalayan States Vol 1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eExDAAAAYAAJ|first=Sukhdev Singh|last=Charak|publisher=Light and Life|year=1978|isbn=9780391011762|access-date=26 July 2021}}</ref>
|common_name       = Pathania
| common_name           = Pathania
|year_start       = 1064
| year_start             = 1064
|year_end         = 1815
| year_end               = 1947
|date_start       =  
| date_start             =  
|date_end         =  
| date_end               =  
|event_start       =  
| event_start           =  
|event_end         =  
| event_end             =  
|p1               = Ghaznavid Empire
| p1                     = Ghaznavid Empire
|flag_p1           = Ghaznavid_Empire_975_-_1187_(AD).PNG
| flag_p1               = Ghaznavid_Empire_975_-_1187_(AD).PNG
|p2               = Trigarta Kingdom
| p2                     = Trigarta Kingdom
|flag_p2           = Seljuk Empire locator map.svg
| flag_p2               = Seljuk Empire locator map.svg
|s1               = Sikh Empire
| s1                     = Sikh Empire
|flag_s1           = Sikh_Empire_flag.svg
| flag_s1               = Sikh_Empire_flag.svg
|s2               = East India Company
| s2                     =  
|flag_s2           = Flag_of_the_British_East_India_Company_(1801).svg
| flag_s2               =  
|s3               = Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)
| s3                     =  
|flag_s3           = Kashmir_Princely_State_CoA.png
| flag_s3               =  
|image_map_caption =  
| image_map_caption     = Detail of the territory of Nurpur from a map of the various Hill States of the Punjab Hills region, copied in 1852. Parts of its borders has not been fully demarcated on the map.
|image_flag       =  
| image_flag             =  
|image_coat       =
| image_coat             =  
|coa_size         =  
| coa_size               =  
|religion         =[[Hinduism]]
| religion               = [[Hinduism]], [[Sikhism]]
|capital           = [[Pathankot]] (1064s–1580)<br />Shahpurkandi (1650s–1781)<br />[[Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh|Nurpur]] (1580s–1815)
| image_map              = Detail of the main, continuous tract of territory of Nurpur from a map of the various Hill States of the Punjab Hills region, copied in 1852.jpg
|government_type   = [[Hereditary monarchy]]
| capital               = [[Pathankot]] (1064s–1580)<br />Shahpurkandi (1650s–1781)<br />[[Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh|Nurpur]] (1580s–1815)
|legislature       =  
| government_type       = [[Hereditary monarchy]]
|title_leader     = Raja
| legislature           =
|leader1           = [[Jhetpal]] (first)
| area_km2              = 180
|leader2           = [[Bhir Singh]] (last)
| title_leader           = Raja
|year_leader1     = 1064–1098
| leader1               = Raja Jhetpal (first)
|year_leader2     = 1805-1815
| leader2               = Raja Gagan Singh (last)
|year_deputy1     =  
| year_leader1           = 1064–1098
|stat_year1       = 1064 est.
| year_leader2           = 1898-1952
|stat_area1       =  
| year_deputy1           =  
|common_languages = [[Takri script]] <br />[[Dogri]] <br />[[Kangri language|Kangri]] <br />[[Chambeali]] <br />[[Urdu]] }}{{History of India}}
| stat_year1             = 1064 est.
| stat_area1             =  
| common_languages       = [[Takri script]] <br />[[Dogri language|Dogri]] <br />[[Kangri language|Kangri]] <br />[[Chambeali]] <br />[[Urdu]]
}}
{{History of India}}


'''Nurpur''' kingdom in the Himalayan foothills of India was founded in 1064 A.D at north-eastern [[Bari Doab]]<ref>{{Cite book|title=Punjab Through the Ages|first=Rashmi Pathak|last=S.R Bakshi|year=2007|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-7625-738-1}}</ref> between the [[Ravi River|Ravi]] and the [[Beas River|Beas]] rivers at the fusion of [[Kangri language|Kangri]], [[Dogri language|Dogri]], [[Majha]], Darhab and [[Chambeali]]  areas which ended in 1815. The remainants of Nurpur kingdom exists as ruined forts, restored temples, water bodies and canals in [[Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh|Nurpur]] tehsil,  [[Fatehpur, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency|Fatehpur]] tehsil, [[Pathankot]] tehsil, [[Dhar Kalan]] tehsil, [[Jawali, Himachal Pradesh|Jawali]] tehsil, [[Indora]] tehsil [[Bhattiat (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Bhattiat tehsil]], and Sihunta tehsil.<ref name="IGI">[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V19_238.gif Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 19, p. 232.]</ref>
'''Nurpur''' kingdom in the Himalayan foothills of India was founded in 1064 A.D at north-eastern [[Doaba|Bari Doab]]<ref>{{Cite book|title=Punjab Through the Ages|first=Rashmi Pathak|last=S.R Bakshi|year=2007|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-7625-738-1}}</ref> between the [[Ravi River|Ravi]] and the [[Beas River|Beas]] rivers at the fusion of [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]], [[Duggar (region)|Duggar]], [[Majha]], Dharab and [[Chamba, Himachal Pradesh|Chamba]]  areas which ended in 1815. The remnants of Nurpur kingdom exist as ruined forts, restored temples, water bodies, and canals in [[Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh|Nurpur]] [[tehsil]],  [[Fatehpur, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency|Fatehpur]] tehsil, [[Pathankot]] tehsil, [[Dhar Kalan]] tehsil, [[Jawali, Himachal Pradesh|Jawali]] tehsil, [[Indora]] tehsil, [[Bhattiyat (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Bhattiyat tehsil]], and Sihunta tehsil.<ref name="IGI">[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V19_238.gif Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 19, p. 232.]</ref>


[[File:Godinscription.jpg 19.jpg|thumb|Relief work dedicated to Krishan Leela on foundation of ruined temple in Nurpur Fort]]
[[File:Godinscription.jpg 19.jpg|thumb|Relief work dedicated to Krishan Leela on foundation of ruined temple in Nurpur Fort]]


==History==
==History==
The Nurpur kingdom, originally known as '''Dhameri''', was founded towards the middle of the 11th century by [[Tomara dynasty|Tomaras of Delhi]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Princely and Noble Families of the Former Indian Empire: Himachal Pradesh |volume=1 |first=Mark |last=Brentnall |publisher=Indus Publishing |year=2004 |pages=350–358 |isbn=978-8-17387-163-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ayYbAvECXQwC&pg=PA350}}</ref> Jhetpal the founder of Nurpur Kingdom in 1064 A.D was the younger brother of [[Anangpal Tomar|Anangpal II]] of [[Tomara dynasty]] from King [[Arjuna]] of Mahabharata fame, 2250 years before him.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Advanced History of Ancient India|first=Shiri Ram |last=Bakshi|pages=29}}</ref><ref>Annals of Rajasthan Annals of Mewar: The Annals of Mewar
The Nurpur kingdom, originally known as '''Dhameri''' (धमेरी/دھمیری/ਧਮੇਰੀ), was founded towards the middle of the 11th century by [[Tomara dynasty|Tomaras of Delhi]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Princely and Noble Families of the Former Indian Empire: Himachal Pradesh |volume=1 |first=Mark |last=Brentnall |publisher=Indus Publishing |year=2004 |pages=350–358 |isbn=978-8-17387-163-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ayYbAvECXQwC&pg=PA350}}</ref> Jhetpal the founder of Nurpur Kingdom in 1064 A.D was the younger brother of [[Anangpal Tomar|Anangpal II]] of [[Tomara dynasty]] from the family of King [[Arjuna]] of Mahabharata fame, 2250 years before him.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Advanced History of Ancient India|first=Shiri Ram |last=Bakshi|pages=29}}</ref><ref>Annals of Rajasthan Annals of Mewar: The Annals of Mewar
By James Tod, Tod Payne C. H, C H Payne,Asian Educational Services,p39</ref> King [[Vikramaditya]] who began the Vikrama Samvat era in 57 BCE after defeating the Shakas belonged to the same lineage.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Essays on Indian Antiquities, Historic, Numismatic, and Palæographic, of the Late James Prinsep|first=James Prinsep, Edward Thomas|last= Henry Thoby Prinsep|publisher=J.Murray|year=1858|page=157}}</ref> The principal era to which the luni-solar system is exclusively adapted is that of Vikramaditya, called Samvat. The prince from whom it was named was of the Tuár dynasty, and is supposed to have reigned at Ujjain (Ujjáyini).
By James Tod, Tod Payne C. H, C H Payne,Asian Educational Services,p39</ref> King [[Vikramaditya]] who began the Vikrama Samvat era in 57 BCE after defeating the Shakas belonged to the same lineage.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Essays on Indian Antiquities, Historic, Numismatic, and Palæographic, of the Late James Prinsep|first=James Prinsep, Edward Thomas|last= Henry Thoby Prinsep|publisher=J.Murray|year=1858|page=157}}</ref> The principal era to which the luni-solar system is exclusively adapted is that of Vikramaditya, called Samvat. The prince for whom it was named was of the Tuár dynasty and is supposed to have reigned at Ujjain (Ujjáyini).


Tomar Raja Mahipal a k.a Kunwar Pāla (1021-1051) of Delhi in 1043 defeated [[Mahmud of Ghazni]]'s grandson [[Mawdud of Ghazni]] and liberated the Nagarkot fort. [[Mahmud of Ghazni]]'s fifth son Abd al-Rashid (1049-1052) appointed Hastagin Hajib as the governor of Punjab and captured the Nagarkot fort in 1052.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Kangra Himachal Pradesh|url=https://www.aimsuccess.in/2021/07/history-of-kangra-himachal-pradesh-in.html?m=1|publisher=Aim Success|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref>
Tomar Raja Mahipal a k.a Kunwar Pāla (1021-1051) of Delhi in 1043 defeated [[Mahmud of Ghazni]]'s grandson [[Mawdud of Ghazni]] and liberated the Nagarkot fort.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Medieval History of Himachal Pradesh|url=https://hpgeneralstudies.com/medieval-history-himachal-pradesh/|publisher=hpgeneralstudies|access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref> [[Mahmud of Ghazni]]'s fifth son Abd al-Rashid (1049-1052) appointed Hastagin Hajib as the governor of Punjab and recaptured liberated Nagarkot fort in 1052 after the death of Raja Mahipal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Kangra Himachal Pradesh|url=https://www.aimsuccess.in/2021/07/history-of-kangra-himachal-pradesh-in.html?m=1|publisher=Aim Success|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> Late Raja Mahipal's brother Jhetpal Tomar led an expeditionary force to protect Trigarta king Jagdish Chand of [[Katoch]] dynasty and successfully recaptured the [[Kangra fort]] in 1060 AD.<ref>{{cite book |first=André |last=Wink |title=Al-Hind the Making of the Indo-Islamic World: The Slave Kings and the Islamic Conquests 11th-13th centuries |volume=II |publisher=Brill |year=1997 |page=134}}</ref> In retaliation, [[Ibrahim of Ghazna]] (1059-1099) sent his son, Mahmud, with an army of ''ghazis'' consisting of 40,000 cavalry to raid [[Doab]] of [[Punjab region]], between 1063 and 1070.<ref>{{cite book |first=André |last=Wink |title=Al-Hind the Making of the Indo-Islamic World: The Slave Kings and the Islamic Conquests 11th-13th centuries |volume=II |publisher=Brill |year=1997|page=134}}</ref> Due to these constant attacks [[Trigarta Kingdom]] shifted its capital from [[Doab]] [[Jalandhar]] to [[Kangra Fort]] in 1070 A.D. and to double secure [[Kangra Fort]] Jhetpal Tomar overpowered the garrison of [[Ghaznavid]] [[Kiladar]] Kuzbak Khan stationed at Paithan Fort, [[Pathankot]] which was the gateway to [[Kangra Valley]] between [[River Ravi]] and [[River Beas]]  from the plains of [[Doab|Badi doab]]. Raja Jhetpal, after the death of [[Ibrahim of Ghazna]] in 1099 <ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ghaznavids |title=Ghaznavids |first=C.E. |last=Bosworth |year=2007|page=81}}</ref> permanently stationed his garrison at Pathankot and the territorial surname [[Pathania]] became surname of clan.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Mian Goverdhan|title=Wooden Temples of Himachal Pradesh|year=1999|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=9788173870941|page=34|edition=1999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QgZFhkVINvkC&pg=PA34}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Chronology of Royal House of Pathania, Nurpur|first=A.N|last=Walia|year=2004|page=46|publisher=Languages and Culture Department, Shimla H.P}}</ref>
[[Ibrahim of Ghazna]] (1059-1099) sent his son, Mahmud, with an army of ''ghazis'' consisting of 40,000 cavalry to raid [[Doab]] of [[Punjab region]], between 1063 and 1070, Jhetpal Tomar led an expeditionary force to protect Trigarta king Jagdish Chand of [[Katoch]] dynasty and successfully recaptured the [[Kangra fort]] in 1060 AD.<ref>{{cite book |first=André |last=Wink |title=Al-Hind the Making of the Indo-Islamic World: The Slave Kings and the Islamic Conquests 11th-13th centuries |volume=II |publisher=Brill |year=1997 |page=134}}</ref> Due to constant attacks [[Trigarta Kingdom]] shifted its capital from [[Doab]] [[Jalandhar]] to [[Kangra Fort]] in 1070 A.D. and to double secure [[Kangra Fort]] Jhetpal Tomar over powered the garrison of [[Ghaznavid]] [[Kiladar]] Kazakh Khan stationed at Paithan Fort, [[Pathankot]] which was the only inlet from plains to [[Kangra Valley]], settled at Pathankot and took the territorial surname [[Pathania]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Mian Goverdhan|title=Wooden Temples of Himachal Pradesh|year=1999|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=9788173870941|page=34|edition=1999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QgZFhkVINvkC&pg=PA34}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Chronology of Royal House of Pathania, Nurpur|first=A.N|last=Walia|year=2004|publisher=Languages and Culture Department, Shimla H.P}}</ref>


Nurpur reached its peak between 1580 and 1613 during the reign of Raja Basu Dev who built an impressive fort that can still be seen today but his son [[Suraj Mal of Nurpur]] was driven away by Mughals in 1618.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/6980/9856/0/9900 |title=Ashmolean − Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art |publisher=Jameelcentre.ashmolean.org |date=2012-04-22 |accessdate=2013-08-24}}</ref><ref name=jerath>{{cite book|first=Ashok|last=Jerath|title=Forts and Palaces of the Western Himalaya|year=2000|publisher=M L Gidwani, Indus Publishing Company|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2oZiyOqReoC&pg=PA27|accessdate=March 28, 2013|location=New Delhi|page=27|chapter=2 - Forts on the left side of Ravi|isbn=9788173871047}}</ref>
Nurpur reached its peak between 1580 and 1613 during the reign of Raja Basu Dev who built an impressive fort that can still be seen today but his son [[Suraj Mal of Nurpur]] was driven away by Mughals in 1618.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/6980/9856/0/9900 |title=Ashmolean − Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art |publisher=Jameelcentre.ashmolean.org |date=2012-04-22 |accessdate=2013-08-24}}</ref><ref name=jerath>{{cite book|first=Ashok|last=Jerath|title=Forts and Palaces of the Western Himalaya|year=2000|publisher=M L Gidwani, Indus Publishing Company|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2oZiyOqReoC&pg=PA27|accessdate=March 28, 2013|location=New Delhi|page=27|chapter=2 - Forts on the left side of Ravi|isbn=9788173871047}}</ref>


In 1620 the change of name from Dhameri to Nurpur was done by [[Raja Jagat Singh]]  to honour Mughal emperor and empress as 'Nur' was a common prefix to their names Nur-ud-din Muhammad [[Jahangir]] and [[Nur Jahan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=नूरजहां ने जलन के कारण इस किले में कटवा दी थी एक खूबसूरत नर्तकी की जीभ!|publisher=Navbharat Times|url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/photomazza/travel/interesting-facts-about-nurpur-fort-himachal-pradesh/photoshow/msid-75578125,picid-75578211.cms|access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref> Nurpur kingdom  paid taxes after it came under Mughals. It rebelled when taxes were raised to 66% and the settlement took place after the War of Taragarh 1640–1642.
In 1620 the change of name from Dhameri to Nurpur was done by [[Raja Jagat Singh]]  to honour Mughal emperor and empress as 'Nur' was a common prefix to their names Nur-ud-din Muhammad [[Jahangir]] and [[Nur Jahan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=नूरजहां ने जलन के कारण इस किले में कटवा दी थी एक खूबसूरत नर्तकी की जीभ!|publisher=Navbharat Times|url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/photomazza/travel/interesting-facts-about-nurpur-fort-himachal-pradesh/photoshow/msid-75578125,picid-75578211.cms|access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref> Nurpur kingdom  paid taxes after it came under Mughals. It rebelled when taxes were raised to 66% and the settlement took place after the War of Taragarh 1640–1642.


Till 1739 kingdom remained a feudatory state of [[Mughal Empire]] and became independent during [[Campaigns of Nader Shah]]. During [[Indian campaign of Ahmad Shah Durrani]] from (1747-1767) Raja Fateh Singh survived the invader but Raja Prithvi Singh (1770-1805) expelled Muslim branch of [[Pathania]] (1650-1781) based at Shahpurkandi Fort near [[Shahpurkandi dam project]] colony, they migrated to Pakistan in 1947. Also, Prithvi Singh forced his brother Inder Singh ([[Rey Khas|Rey]] branch) whom he considered as claimant of Nurpur kingdom to take exile in 1779 at Mahal Moriyan Fort [[Kangra State]] (presently at Mehal Khas, [[Bhoranj]], [[Hamirpur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Hamirpur]]), they later migrated to [[Rey khas|Rey]] in 1823 after the death of [[Sansar Chand]], [[Sikh Empire]] appointed Inder Singh's son Ishri Singh as courtier in the [[Sikh period in Lahore|Lahore durbar]] and awarded [[Rey khas|Rey]] jagir. Ishri Singh was also father-in-law of [[Dhian Singh]], the longest reigning prime minister of [[Sikh Empire]] from 1818-1843.
Till 1739 kingdom remained a feudatory state of [[Mughal Empire]] and became independent during [[Campaigns of Nader Shah]]. During [[Indian campaign of Ahmad Shah Durrani]] from (1747-1767) Raja Fateh Singh survived the invader but Raja Prithvi Singh (1770-1805) expelled Muslim branch of [[Pathania]] (1650-1781) based at Shahpurkandi Fort near [[Shahpurkandi dam project]] colony, they migrated to Pakistan in 1947. Also, Prithvi Singh forced his brother Inder Singh ([[Rey Khas|Rey]] branch) whom he considered as claimant of Nurpur kingdom to take exile in 1779 at Mahal Moriyan Fort [[Kangra State]] (presently at Mehal Khas, [[Bhoranj]], [[Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh|Hamirpur]]), they later migrated to [[Rey khas|Rey]] in 1823 after the death of [[Sansar Chand]], [[Sikh Empire]] appointed Inder Singh's son Ishri Singh as courtier in the [[Sikh period in Lahore|Lahore durbar]] and awarded [[Rey khas|Rey]] jagir. Ishri Singh was also brother-in-law of [[Dhian Singh]], the longest reigning prime minister of [[Sikh Empire]] from 1818-1843.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Walia|first=A N|title=History of Pathania Rajas of Nurpur, District Kangra|year=2002|publisher=Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-9|page=60}}</ref>


Raja Bhir Singh had to face threats from all sides bordering [[Sikh Empire|Sikhs]], [[Gorkha Kingdom|Gorkhas]], [[Sansar Chand|Katoch]] and [[British East India Company|British]]. Ultimately after just 10 years of his reign [[Ranjit Singh]] the final winner of the contest annexed Nurpur kingdom in 1815.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Macintyre|first=Ben|title=The Man Who Would Be King: The First American in Afghanistan|year=2002|publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux|isbn=978-0-374-20178-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/manwhowouldbekin00benm|page=160}}</ref> Raja Bhir Singh  retook the Nurpur in 1846 but died fighting at the gates of Nurpur Fort.
Raja Bhir Singh had to face threats from all sides bordering [[Sikh Empire|Sikhs]], [[Gorkha Kingdom|Gorkhas]], [[Sansar Chand|Katoch]] and [[British East India Company|British]]. Ultimately after just 10 years of his reign [[Ranjit Singh]] the final winner of the contest annexed Nurpur kingdom in 1815.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Walia|first=A N|title=History of Pathania Rajas of Nurpur, District Kangra|year=2002|publisher=Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-9|page=55}}</ref> Raja Bhir Singh  retook the Nurpur in 1846 but died fighting at the gates of Nurpur Fort.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Macintyre|first=Ben|title=The Man Who Would Be King: The First American in Afghanistan|year=2002|publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux|isbn=978-0-374-20178-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/manwhowouldbekin00benm|page=58}}</ref>


His struggle was continued by his son Raja Jaswant Singh Pathania and his uncle's son 'Bansein Wazira' [[:hi:राम सिंह पठानिया]], who resorted to [[guerilla]] warfare but was captured by deceit from [[Lakhanpur, Jammu]] Fort by [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)]] which was under British control. The state was annexed by the [[British East India Company]] in 1849 and the last ruling monarch of Nurpur, was given Rs 5000/- [[financial compensation|financially compensated]] by the British for the loss of his state.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wazir Ram Singh Pathania|url=https://pathaniajathere.com/nurpur/wazirramsinghpathania.html|publisher=Nag Mandir Jathare|access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref>
His struggle was continued by his son Raja Jaswant Singh Pathania and his uncle's son 'Bansein Wazira' [[:hi:राम सिंह पठानिया]], who resorted to [[guerilla]] warfare but was captured by deceit from [[Lakhanpur, Jammu]] Fort by [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)]] which was under British control. The state was annexed by the [[British East India Company]] in 1849 and the last ruling monarch of Nurpur, was given Rs 5000/- [[financial compensation|financially compensated]] by the British for the loss of his state.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wazir Ram Singh Pathania|url=https://pathaniajathere.com/nurpur/wazirramsinghpathania.html|publisher=Nag Mandir Jathare|access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref>


==Kings==
==See also==
The rulers of Nurpur bore the title '[[Raja]]'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldstatesmen.org/India_princes_K-W.html|title=Indian Princely States K-Z|website=www.worldstatesmen.org|access-date=2019-08-31}}</ref>
 
[[File:Royalcourt.jpg|thumb|View from ruined palace of Nurpur Kingdom]]
* {{circa|1095}} Raja Jhet Pal
* 12th century – 1313  Uncertain number of successors
* 1313 – 1353  Jas Pal
* 1353 – 1397  Kailas Pal
* 1397 – 1438  Nag Pal
* 1438 – 1473  Prithi Pal
* 1473 – 1513  [[Bhil Pal]]
* 1513 – 1558  [[Bakht Mal]]
* 1558 – 1580  Pahari Mal
* 1580 – 1613  Basu Dev
* 1613 – 1618  [[Suraj Mal of Nurpur|Suraj Mal]]
* 1618 – 1646  [[Raja Jagat Singh]]
* 1646 – 1661  Rajrup Singh
* 1661 – 1700  Mandhata Singh
* 1700 – 1735  Dayadatha
* 1735 – 1770  Fateh Singh
* 1770 – 1805  Prithvi Singh
* 1805 – 1815  Bhir Singh
* 1846 – 1849  Jaswant Singh (state annexed by the British) (d. 1898)
 
==Forts==
===Nurpur (Dhameri) Fort===
Fortified by Raja Vasudev after Pathankot was overtaken by Akbar in the 16th century. It was sacked in 1618 and 1640 by Mughals and remained the main seat of the royal family till 1849.
 
===Taragarh Fort===
This fortress was captured by [[Raja Jagat Singh]] Pathania from Chamba state and was secretly fortified by him and his sons in preparation for his infamous rebellion against Mughals(1640–42). This fort was never seized or captured.<ref>Dogra Legends of Art & Culture
By Aśoka Jeratha, Ashok Jerath,Indus Publishing,p172,173</ref> However, Raja Jagat Singh Pathania was persuaded to stop the war against the [[Mughals]]. [[Shahjahan]] knew that Jagat Singh could not be browbeaten and he could use his help in times of war. Therefore, he sent for a compromise on mutually agreed terms.
 
The folklore associated with the siege of fort goes that the Mughals forces cordoned the fort for such longtime that they planted mango plants which fruited before the end of siege (this place near taragarh fort today is called ''Amb ka Bagh'' literally meaning Mango orchard). Yet this long siege could not break the will of Raja jagat Singh and his men whose ration had diminished. According, to folklore the men of Raja Jagat Singh one day to fool cordoning forces used milk of female dog (who had given litter inside fort but fed in Mughal camp) to prepare a ''kheer'' (milk pudding) and threw it out side the fort. When the cordon commander of Mughal forces saw this he died of shock and the news reached the Mughal emperor who was forced to negotiate with Raja Jagat Singh Pathania.
 
===Pathan Fort===
The very first fort after which the Pathania became a surname is now in ruins. Today, Fort Road and Gulmohar Resthouse exists on a top of a small hill at that very location.
 
==Temples==
===Brijraj Mandir Nurpur Fort===
It is the biggest shrine representing the Nurpur kingdom. The temple inside the fort called Brij Raj Swami was built in the 16th century and is known to be one of the only places where both the idols of Lord Krishna and Meera Bai are worshiped. Ancient rulers of Nurpur patronised the [[Pahari painting]] style which has survived as frescoes in Diwan-i-Aam dates back to 1610 and Raja Mandhata's name is inscribed as restorer on the wall. It also houses statue of Krishan-Mira which is believed to be brought from Fort Chittorgarh when Raja Vasudev laid a siege to capture Rana of Mewar [[Amar Singh I]] in 1613. In 1886 ASI discovered the ruins and in 1904 excavated the original temple  where initially statues of Krishan-Mira were installed, built in the style of famous temples of Vrindavan and Mathura as the architecture was not found in Punjab hills.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ASI Report 1904|url=https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.207530/2015.207530.Archaeological-Survey_djvu.txt| pages=28–29}}</ref>
The shrine was safely buried in the pond in 1618 when the Fort was besieged and there were no chances of survival by Raja [[Suraj Mal of Nurpur]]. The shrine came into the dreams of Raja Mandhata (1700-1735) who drained the pond and restored shrine's former glory.


===Kali Mata Mandir Nurpur Fort===
* [[Tomaras of Delhi]]
Patronised by Raja Jagat Singh who practiced his battlefield strategies by playing chauper (chess) with Devi. The temple seems to be rebuilt at the old location.
* [[Tomaras of Gwalior]]
* [[Beja State|Tomaras of Beja]]


===Raja ka Bagh===
On the foots of Fort Mau, established at a 'bauli' (natural spring) to honour a snake born along with Raja Nag Pal in 14th century. Descendants who believe their lineages from Nurpur kingdom offer the first hairs of their newly born sons.
===Ratte Ghar Wali Mata===
This temple is visible from some majorly parts of Nurpur, because it is located at high location. It is believe that this temple has the divine power, if someone pray for something then their wish is definitely fulfilled. For visiting this temple one should need go from a village named Baduhi, otherwise a backward road from Jassur town also keep you to this temple.
[[File:Ratte Ghar Wali Mata Temple.jpg|thumb|center|Ratte Ghar Wali Mata]]
==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Entrance to the Nurpur fort from inner view.jpg|Exit of the Nurpur Fort
File:View of Ravi river from Nurpur fort.jpg|West view  from Nurpur fort
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Kangra painting]]
*[[Kangra painting]]


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[[Category:History of Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:History of Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Nurpur kingdom]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1947]]

Latest revision as of 10:57, 11 March 2026


Mau-Paithan-Nurpur kingdom[1]
1064–1947
Detail of the territory of Nurpur from a map of the various Hill States of the Punjab Hills region, copied in 1852. Parts of its borders has not been fully demarcated on the map.
Detail of the territory of Nurpur from a map of the various Hill States of the Punjab Hills region, copied in 1852. Parts of its borders has not been fully demarcated on the map.
CapitalPathankot (1064s–1580)
Shahpurkandi (1650s–1781)
Nurpur (1580s–1815)
Common languagesTakri script
Dogri
Kangri
Chambeali
Urdu
Religion
Hinduism, Sikhism
GovernmentHereditary monarchy
Raja 
• 1064–1098
Raja Jhetpal (first)
• 1898-1952
Raja Gagan Singh (last)
History 
• Established
1064
• Disestablished
1947
Area
• Total
180 km2 (69 sq mi)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Ghaznavid Empire
Trigarta Kingdom
Sikh Empire

Nurpur kingdom in the Himalayan foothills of India was founded in 1064 A.D at north-eastern Bari Doab[2] between the Ravi and the Beas rivers at the fusion of Kangra, Duggar, Majha, Dharab and Chamba areas which ended in 1815. The remnants of Nurpur kingdom exist as ruined forts, restored temples, water bodies, and canals in Nurpur tehsil, Fatehpur tehsil, Pathankot tehsil, Dhar Kalan tehsil, Jawali tehsil, Indora tehsil, Bhattiyat tehsil, and Sihunta tehsil.[3]

Relief work dedicated to Krishan Leela on foundation of ruined temple in Nurpur Fort

History[edit | edit source]

The Nurpur kingdom, originally known as Dhameri (धमेरी/دھمیری/ਧਮੇਰੀ), was founded towards the middle of the 11th century by Tomaras of Delhi.[4] Jhetpal the founder of Nurpur Kingdom in 1064 A.D was the younger brother of Anangpal II of Tomara dynasty from the family of King Arjuna of Mahabharata fame, 2250 years before him.[5][6] King Vikramaditya who began the Vikrama Samvat era in 57 BCE after defeating the Shakas belonged to the same lineage.[7] The principal era to which the luni-solar system is exclusively adapted is that of Vikramaditya, called Samvat. The prince for whom it was named was of the Tuár dynasty and is supposed to have reigned at Ujjain (Ujjáyini).

Tomar Raja Mahipal a k.a Kunwar Pāla (1021-1051) of Delhi in 1043 defeated Mahmud of Ghazni's grandson Mawdud of Ghazni and liberated the Nagarkot fort.[8] Mahmud of Ghazni's fifth son Abd al-Rashid (1049-1052) appointed Hastagin Hajib as the governor of Punjab and recaptured liberated Nagarkot fort in 1052 after the death of Raja Mahipal.[9] Late Raja Mahipal's brother Jhetpal Tomar led an expeditionary force to protect Trigarta king Jagdish Chand of Katoch dynasty and successfully recaptured the Kangra fort in 1060 AD.[10] In retaliation, Ibrahim of Ghazna (1059-1099) sent his son, Mahmud, with an army of ghazis consisting of 40,000 cavalry to raid Doab of Punjab region, between 1063 and 1070.[11] Due to these constant attacks Trigarta Kingdom shifted its capital from Doab Jalandhar to Kangra Fort in 1070 A.D. and to double secure Kangra Fort Jhetpal Tomar overpowered the garrison of Ghaznavid Kiladar Kuzbak Khan stationed at Paithan Fort, Pathankot which was the gateway to Kangra Valley between River Ravi and River Beas from the plains of Badi doab. Raja Jhetpal, after the death of Ibrahim of Ghazna in 1099 [12] permanently stationed his garrison at Pathankot and the territorial surname Pathania became surname of clan.[13][14]

Nurpur reached its peak between 1580 and 1613 during the reign of Raja Basu Dev who built an impressive fort that can still be seen today but his son Suraj Mal of Nurpur was driven away by Mughals in 1618.[15][16]

In 1620 the change of name from Dhameri to Nurpur was done by Raja Jagat Singh to honour Mughal emperor and empress as 'Nur' was a common prefix to their names Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir and Nur Jahan.[17] Nurpur kingdom paid taxes after it came under Mughals. It rebelled when taxes were raised to 66% and the settlement took place after the War of Taragarh 1640–1642.

Till 1739 kingdom remained a feudatory state of Mughal Empire and became independent during Campaigns of Nader Shah. During Indian campaign of Ahmad Shah Durrani from (1747-1767) Raja Fateh Singh survived the invader but Raja Prithvi Singh (1770-1805) expelled Muslim branch of Pathania (1650-1781) based at Shahpurkandi Fort near Shahpurkandi dam project colony, they migrated to Pakistan in 1947. Also, Prithvi Singh forced his brother Inder Singh (Rey branch) whom he considered as claimant of Nurpur kingdom to take exile in 1779 at Mahal Moriyan Fort Kangra State (presently at Mehal Khas, Bhoranj, Hamirpur), they later migrated to Rey in 1823 after the death of Sansar Chand, Sikh Empire appointed Inder Singh's son Ishri Singh as courtier in the Lahore durbar and awarded Rey jagir. Ishri Singh was also brother-in-law of Dhian Singh, the longest reigning prime minister of Sikh Empire from 1818-1843.[18]

Raja Bhir Singh had to face threats from all sides bordering Sikhs, Gorkhas, Katoch and British. Ultimately after just 10 years of his reign Ranjit Singh the final winner of the contest annexed Nurpur kingdom in 1815.[19] Raja Bhir Singh retook the Nurpur in 1846 but died fighting at the gates of Nurpur Fort.[20]

His struggle was continued by his son Raja Jaswant Singh Pathania and his uncle's son 'Bansein Wazira' hi:राम सिंह पठानिया, who resorted to guerilla warfare but was captured by deceit from Lakhanpur, Jammu Fort by Jammu and Kashmir (princely state) which was under British control. The state was annexed by the British East India Company in 1849 and the last ruling monarch of Nurpur, was given Rs 5000/- financially compensated by the British for the loss of his state.[21]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Charak, Sukhdev Singh (1978). History and Culture of Himalayan States Vol 1. Light and Life. ISBN 9780391011762. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  2. S.R Bakshi, Rashmi Pathak (2007). Punjab Through the Ages. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 978-81-7625-738-1.
  3. Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 19, p. 232.
  4. Brentnall, Mark (2004). The Princely and Noble Families of the Former Indian Empire: Himachal Pradesh. Vol. 1. Indus Publishing. pp. 350–358. ISBN 978-8-17387-163-4.
  5. Bakshi, Shiri Ram. Advanced History of Ancient India. p. 29.
  6. Annals of Rajasthan Annals of Mewar: The Annals of Mewar By James Tod, Tod Payne C. H, C H Payne,Asian Educational Services,p39
  7. Henry Thoby Prinsep, James Prinsep, Edward Thomas (1858). Essays on Indian Antiquities, Historic, Numismatic, and Palæographic, of the Late James Prinsep. J.Murray. p. 157.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. "Medieval History of Himachal Pradesh". hpgeneralstudies. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  9. "History of Kangra Himachal Pradesh". Aim Success. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  10. Wink, André (1997). Al-Hind the Making of the Indo-Islamic World: The Slave Kings and the Islamic Conquests 11th-13th centuries. Vol. II. Brill. p. 134.
  11. Wink, André (1997). Al-Hind the Making of the Indo-Islamic World: The Slave Kings and the Islamic Conquests 11th-13th centuries. Vol. II. Brill. p. 134.
  12. Bosworth, C.E. (2007). "Ghaznavids". Encyclopedia Iranica. p. 81.
  13. Singh, Mian Goverdhan (1999). Wooden Temples of Himachal Pradesh (1999 ed.). Indus Publishing. p. 34. ISBN 9788173870941.
  14. Walia, A.N (2004). Chronology of Royal House of Pathania, Nurpur. Languages and Culture Department, Shimla H.P. p. 46.
  15. "Ashmolean − Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art". Jameelcentre.ashmolean.org. 22 April 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  16. Jerath, Ashok (2000). "2 - Forts on the left side of Ravi". Forts and Palaces of the Western Himalaya. New Delhi: M L Gidwani, Indus Publishing Company. p. 27. ISBN 9788173871047. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  17. "नूरजहां ने जलन के कारण इस किले में कटवा दी थी एक खूबसूरत नर्तकी की जीभ!". Navbharat Times. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  18. Walia, A N (2002). History of Pathania Rajas of Nurpur, District Kangra. Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-9. p. 60.
  19. Walia, A N (2002). History of Pathania Rajas of Nurpur, District Kangra. Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-9. p. 55.
  20. Macintyre, Ben (2002). The Man Who Would Be King: The First American in Afghanistan. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-374-20178-4.
  21. "Wazir Ram Singh Pathania". Nag Mandir Jathare. Retrieved 19 February 2022.


32°18′N 75°54′E / 32.3°N 75.9°E / 32.3; 75.9