Credit: Fowler&fowler
Origin of Garhwal
The first dynasty that ruled over the unified Uttarakhand was the Katyuri dynasty. Evidence of his rule are found in the form of inscriptions and temples.
Credit: John G Bartholomew
The empire of the Katyuri dynasty was so big that, after the fall, it fragmented into 64 principalities. Among these principalities, Chandpurgarh emerged as the most powerful principality under Jagatpal, who was the descendant of Kankapal.
In the end of 15th century, Chunapgarh came under the rule king Ajaypal. He further consolidated his kingdom and added various principalities in Chandpurgarh. In 1506, he shifted the capital from Chandpugarh to Devlagarh and later to Srinagar.
King Ajayapal and his successor were very successful. They ruled over the region for more than a hundred years. However, an important turn of events took place during the Goorkha invasion. It changes the history of the region. The Gorkha army was so brutal that they became synonymous with massacre armies.
Medival History of Garhwal
They first subjugated Kumaon and Doti and then attacked Garhwal forces. But fortunately, the news of a Chinese invasion came, and Gorkha had to retreat.
But happiness did not last long, and Gorkha came again in 1803. They became victorious in 1804 and ruled Garhwal for 12 years.
Gorkha rule was ended by the arrival of Britishers. They drove the Gorkhas to the west of the Kali River. Britishers decided to rule half of the Garhwal region that lies to the east . It was the region east of Alaknanda and the Mandakini River. The west region was restored to King Sudershan Shah, who established the capital at Tehri.
Early Britishers ruled Garhwal through the commissioner of Garhwal and Kumaon headquarters at Nainital. Later in 1840, Garhwal was formed into a separate district with its capital headquarter at Pauri.
Modern History of Garhwal
After independence, Nainital, Almora, and Garhwal were ruled by Britishers under the commissioner of Kumaon division. In 1960, another change took place in the shape of Garhwal district, and Chamoli was carved out.
Similar to the line of Kumaon division, in 1969 Garhwal division was established with headquarter at Pauri.
Present form of Garhwal
In 1998, 72 villages in Khirsu Block were added to the district of Pauri Garhwal to give birth to the new district of Rudraprayag. So the current form of Pauri garhwal in Pauri garhwal is much smaller than Garhwal was.