Kishtwar has a 1,000-year recorded history. Its founded by kshempal its first ruler of Dor tribe who genealogy traced back to ruler of gauda desh (Bengal) who settled here in the period 900-1000 AD. Yet attempts are being made to club it with the Valley when its history and culture are different.
Kishtwar was one of the important state of the Punjab Hill States since ancient times. Kalhana in his Rajatarangini mentions it as Kshemwata. According to Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, Kishtwar is situated to the south of Kashmir and its distance was 60 kos (120 Miles) from Kashmir in the IInd half of the 16 century some powerful rulers of Kishtwar made it a strong.
Raja KSHEMPAL married and had issue.
GANDHARAB PAL(qv)
Madan PAL
DevaPAL
Raja GANDHARAB PAL, ruled for 14 years.
Raja MAHIPAL
Raja RAMPAL
Raja KARAMPAL
Raja MADAN PAL
Raja BRAHM PAL
Raja UDHAT PAL fl.1088
Raja MATA PAL
Raja GANGA PAL
Raja SANG PAL
Raja RAKH PAL
Raja INDRA PAL
Raja AUTAR PAL
Raja BHOJ PAL
Raja RAI PAL, two petty local rulers succeeded in driving
him out of
his
capital for one year.
Raja DODA PAL
Raja UGAR PAL, added Sartali/Shatali to his state.
Raja MULDAR PAL
Raja LACHMAN SINGH, conquered Dachin in the Maru-Wardwan
Valley.
Raja SANGRAM SINGH fl.1420, conquered Nagsun, adding to his
state.
Raja SANGAR SINGH
Raja MAGAN SINGH
Raja DEVA SINGH
Raja VIR SINGH
Raja NARAIN SINGH
Raja SALHAN SINGH (son), conquered Surur and Bonjwah, adding them to his domains, founded the village of Salhana above Kandani.
Raja RAI SINGH -/c1550, attacked by the Sultan of Kashmir in 1547. Kishtwar Get recognitions around 15 century when under
Rana Vijai Singh (1550-70) made territorial expansion conquering Saraj on the right bank of the Chinab above Doda. He also build a fort and founded a village name Vijai. He was succeeded by Rana Bahadur Singh
Rana Bahadur Singh (1570-88) accepted sovereignty of Ali Shah Chak of Kashmir. He died in 1588 and was succeeded by his son Rana Partap Singh (1588-1618).
Rana Partap Singh (1588-1618)
Partap Singh ascended the throne of Kishtwar with the title of Bhup Singh in 1605 A.D. In 1606 A.D. MirzaAli Akbar, the Mughal Governor of Kashmir under the order of Emperor Jahangir sent an army under the commands Ahmad Khan, Dilawar Khan and Mirza Mohammad Khan against the Chak rebels who fought near Chatru. Aiba Chak the brother of Yaqub Shah fought on the side of Raja Mughal forces were severely beaten back Mirza Mohammad Khan, along with many soldiers, was killed in the battle field. Mirza Haider Koka met with a crushing defeat and found safety in fleeing away to Kashmir from the scene of disaster. This was second defeat of Mughals at the hands of Kishtwar forces. The Mughal authority was reduced to such an ebb that the Rana ruled almost independently throughout his life.
Henceforth Chaks spent their time peacefully in Kishtwar. Bhup Singh was son-in-law of Raja Sangram Dev of Jammu and Raja Saraj Mal of Dhameri (Nurpur).As such he wielded more power and was dauntless. He gave peace and prosperity to Kishtwar.
Rana Goad Singh (1618-29)
Goad Singh succeeded his father at age of 30. The Mughal Governor of Kashmir was in search of an opportunity to bring Kishtwar under his control and thus avenge the earlier defeat.Aiba Chak and Gohar Chak were encouraging strife in Kishtwar and were a source of great trouble to them. So the relations between the Rana and the governor remained strained from the very beginning. emperor Jahangir, while in Kashmir issued a farman in the 14 year in the name of Raja Sangram Dev of Jammu upon whom parganas of Jammu and its dependencies had been conferred, that he should render assistance to his armies sent to invent Kishtwar and imprison Rana Goad Singh. The emperor ordered Dilawar Khan the governor of Kashmir, to reduce Kishtwar. Dilawar made ample preparation for the invasion of Kishtwar because he was aware of the mountainous terrain, the determination of the Kishtwaris. In first instance he collected a huge force of ten thousand soldiers well equipped. He placed one of his son, Hasan to be incharge of the capital city of Srinagar. Dilawar Khan divided his forces into many contigents. One division advanced by the Marbal Pass, called Singpur in the record, under Dilawar Khan himself; another under the command of Jalal ; a second son and the other officers, by another pass, probably the Sinthan Pass, a third under his eldest son Jamal, acted as advance guard to his own force.
The advanced forces met on the descent from the passes at a place called Narkot and put to fight the Kishtwar army.After a delay of four months and tendays they managed to throw a Jhula, or rope bridge, over the river by night, some distance up, and 200 Afghans crossed and attacked the enemy at early down, taking them completely by surprise one of the soldier came upon the Rana and was about to kill him when he called out “I am the king, take me alive to Dilawar Khan”.
Nasrullah Arab was placed incharge of the state. The Rana was taken to Kashmir in chains and brought before the emperor. Jahangir was favourably impressed with Rana's appearance. He remarks – “He is not wanting in dignity. His dress is after the Indian fashion and he knows both the Hindi and the Kashmiri languages, contrary to the other reminders of these regions he looked like the inhabitant of a town”.
Shortly afterwards news came that an outbreak has taken place in Kishtwar in consequence of harsh treatment to Nasrullah Arab and his force had been destroyed. The out break was suppressed with great difficulty. On receipt of this news of out break the Rana was deported to Delhi and imprisoned in Gwalior Fort, then state prison.
In 1622, Goad Singh was liberated and permitted to return to Kishtwar, on condition of allegiance and tribute and a promise to send his son to court.
After the death of Jahangir, Shahjahan (1628-58) ascended the throne in 1628 A.D. Goad Singh came with the usual tribute, which the emperor, probably than in Kashmir accepted and recognised Jagat Singh as Tika or heir-apparent. Goad Singh was much delighted and distributed a lakh of rupees and clothing, among the needy. When Rana came to his capital, he built good houses and a fine deorhi or anteroom, 27 feel long by 18 feet broad. He also built a place at Bandarkot on the Chinab.
In A.D. 1629 Shah Jahan decided an invasion of the Dakhan and he also accompany the Bhagwan Singh, younger son of Goad Singh, who attracted the notice of the Emperor by his bravery. Goad Singh died inA.D. 1629, and was succeeded by his son Jagat Singh.
Rana Jagat Singh (1629-42)
Some time after his accession Jagat Singh invaded Bhadrwah, and in his absence a force from Balor (Basohli), under Raja Bhupat singh and an officer named Kantak, probably a member of the Balauri a family, advanced upon Kishtwar and captured it. Jagat Singh at once reacted and made every effort to recover his state, but in the end was defeated and killed. This invasion is confirmed by the Balor annals which state that Bhupat singh conquered Kishtwar and brought from there the Linga at Nilakanth which is still worshipped in Basohli. He is said to have planted 'reserved cadars' in Kishtwar.
Raja Bhagwan Singh (A.D. 1642)
On hearing about the death of his elder brother Jagat Singh became much shocked. Bhagwan Singh approached the emperor Shah Jahan for help against his enemy. The emperor issued a farman in the name of governor of Kashmir directing him to help the prince with a strong army for re-occupying his ancestral principality. On his departure Bhagwan Singh was required to leave one as a hostage and he named one, Ghias-ud-Din, who was accepted. The two brothers, Khatris by caste, named Jewan Sen and Kahn-Sen were sent with him to help in the administration and they enjoyed the rank of Khawaja (honourable distination at the Mughal Court). Their descendants still reside in Kishtwar. The Mughal army advanced from Kashmir by the Marbal Pass and having defeated the Basohli forces captured the leader, named Kantak. He was beheaded in the Chaugan. Bhagwan Singh was then installed as Raja, his brother having probably died without issue.
Bhagwan Singh sent mughal army back to Kashmir with presented and Khilats to commemorate the defeat of the Balouria troops the instituated a mela called Kantak Jatra, to be held yearly on the Chaugan. Bhagwan Singh is said to have added Ramban to the State.
Raja Maha Singh (A.D. 1661-74)
This Raja was also known by the name of Mahajan who ascended the gaddi after the death of his father Bhagwan Singh. He had two other brothers, Abhay Singh and Dodha Singh. Abhay Singh had embraced Islam with the title of Islam Yar Khan, probably in the Mughal court where he had been sent as a hostage. He is said to have been just and generous wise and learned and also a poet. Some of his compositions are still extant. He was also well read in the Hindu Shastras and was superior to the Rajas of his time. During his reign Kishtwar enjoyed a great measure of prosperity and the capital had a large population. The following incident is told of him. One year there was no rain and the country suffered from a severe famine. As a remedy for the distress the Raja proceeded to a place called Chauki Kalawa to do obeisance to the God Nilkanth (i.e. Siva). With his face to the east he recited a poem composed by himself in praise to diety, and describing the miserable condition of his subjects, and describing the miserable condition of his subjects.The prayer was heard and as soon as the Raja had finished. His prayer was granted. There was a heavy rainfall fields were watered and the dry land quencbed its thirst. People heaved a sigh of relief. Crops did not fail peace and prosperity was thus restored in the principality.
Sometime after his accession Aurangazeb ordered the Vakil of Kishtwar at the Mughal Court to sent for the Raja. In the meantime the state hostage (Ghias-ud-Din, was thrown into prison. Abdul Qasim, his son, at once set off to Kishtwar to summon the Raja. The Raja however did not comply with the order; but to appease the Emperor's wrath he agreed to build a mosque and employ mullahs from Kashmir with a grant of land for their maintenance.
A large number of civil appointments were also given to Muslims. Abdul Qasim then returned to Delhi and reported all these things to the Emperor. However the Jaya Singh the eldest son of Maha Singh, was also sent to Delhi and was also introduced to the Emperor. He was afterwards permitted to return home and was welcomed with great manifestations of Joy – Ghias-ud-Din continued to act as hostage for the state and on his death one Mahabat Khan was appointed. Mahajan had three sons, named respectively, Jaya Singh, Rama Singh and Sirdar Singh. He ruled only a short period and abdicated the throne in favour of his eldest son Jaya Singh. He himself preferred to live a secluded life.
Raja Jay Singh (A.D. 1674-81)
On the advice of his father Maha Singh he made his younger brother, Ram Singh, Wazir of the State, and appointed Sardar Singh to the commander of the army.
A mosque, Masjid Khawaja Garib already been built during the rule of Raja Maha Singh in the town. During his rule muslims from Kashmir often visited Kishtwar. Some muslim families from Kashmir settled around the mosque. The Raja was suspicious of the Muslim influence. His courtiers also advised him to put a stop to their settlement. Accordingly he issued an order not to permit any muslim visitors to remain longer than a day in the territory, failing which they would be punished.
When this announcement reached the Mughal Court, emperor Aurangzeb called for an explaination of the Raja. To avoid this situation of Jay Singh sent his brother Ram Singh as a hostage to the Mughal Court, in the company with Abdul Qasim, whose father had acted as hostage for the state during Bhagwan Singh's reign. The Raja's youngest brother, Sardar Singh, was not a trustworthy person. He conceived some ill will against his brother. He retired to Kashmir, and being unable to obtain his object, he then proceeded to Delhi and was introduced to the emperor. When Jay Singh heared of this he at once sent his own son Kirat Singh to Delhi. Kishtwar, the capital was then very prosperous and had 4,000 inhabitants.
During the reign of Raja Jay Singh that the famous Sufi saint Syed Mohammad Farid-ud-din Qadri, popularly known as Shah Sahib, came to Kishtwar all along from Bagdad. He was a descendent of Abdul Qadir of that place and under-took his journey in consequence of a dream, in which he was told to go and preach in Kishtwar. He reached India towards the end of Shahjahan's reign and remained some years in Agra and Delhi. On finally arriving at Kishtwar he took up his abode, along with his four companions in the house near the Lakshmi-Narain Temple, which is now the site of his Ziarat or tomb, and a famous place of pilgrimage. Raja Jay Singh is said to have embraced Islam on seeing the miracles performed by the saint, and received the name of Baktiyar Khan. He also started a policy of reconciliation towards the muslims in Kishtwar. He soon afterwords died and was succeeded by his son, Kirat Singh.
Raja Kirat Singh (1681-1728)
Kirat Singh ascended the gaddi of his father after his death. His father Jai Singh abdicated the throne in his favour. Ram Singh, his uncle was appointed as wazir.
Kirat Singh reign witnessed the forcible conversation of the administration as well as a large part of the Hindu, population. As stated earlier, Kirat Singh had been compelled to embrace Islam unwillingly. Aurangzeb recognizes him Raja of Kishtwar probably on condition of his conversion. He received the name of Saadat Yar Khan, and the emperor granted him three lakhs of rupees, an elephant and 60 thousand Kharwars 9 grain.
The following conditions were imposed upon him :
1.No Tax should be put upon muslims, and no one should be molested for embracing islam. 2.The Muslim worship should be performed and the Id festival duty observed. 3.The Hindus should be oppressed and kine killed.
These orders were engrossed in a document and signed by the Raja in the presence of witnesses, the document being made over to Abdul Qasim probably for transmission to the Emperor.At the same time Abdul Qasim was by order of the emperor appointed Qazi to administer justice in the state.
After the above mentioned order the Kishtwaris broke into rebellion and massacred huge number of the muslims. Inayat Ullah, son of Abdul Qasim saved his life by taking refuge with Sayyid Shah Faridud-din. By listening about it Nawab of Kashmir at once sent an army to suppress it. Kirat Singh then returned to Kishtwar and his example in embracing Islam was followed by many of his people.
In 1717 on the message of Sheikh-ul-Islam to Raja on the marriage of his sister, Bhup Devi with the emperor, she was sent to Delhi and married to Farrukhsiyar. She was accompanied by the Raja's younger brother, Mian Muhammad Khan, who received a Khilat and a Jagir of eight villages in Kashmir.
About the marriage Irvine writes, another wife of conclubine, the daughter of the hill Raja of
Kishtwar, entered the royal harem on 24 Rajab 1131 Hijri corresponding to 3 July, 1717. Another th rd
authority refers to the Rajput princess to be a 'gentile women, that is, not muslim. She is said to have become his consort or empress, and this connection caused much scandals among the muslims and was the chief reason why Farrukhsiyar was deposed and murdered. She is said to have been a 'heathen' women like most of the Hindu women married to muslim princes, adhered to the Hindu faith and performed, Hindu rituals in her palace. Even the rulers of Kishtwar though forced to embrace Islam outwardly had retained their reverence for their old faith. Tegh Singh the last ruling chief of Kishtwar though himself a muslim entertained the services of a RajPurohit or family priest and even issued a grant of land to him, and it is probable that this custom had continued unbroken in the family in the time of his predecessors. In 1820 Ranjit Singh granted Jammu as jagir to this Dogra family subject to the condition that they would liquidate Dogra freedom fighter Mian Doda (p.152 & 167 ‘A Short History of Jammu’ by Raj Sukhdev Singh Charak); and punish the King of Kishtwar, Raja Mohammad Tegh Singh, for sheltering Shah Shuja (in 1815), the fugitive Afghan king and the owner of Kohinoor diamond.
Kirat Singh had a long reign of 47 years and was at last assassinated by one, Krishna Padhiar at Gulab Bagh.
Thus during the 17 century despite the efforts of the mughal emperors to annex Kishtwar, its rulers succeeded in maintaining their sovereignity. The Rajas such as Goad Singh, realised that Kishtwaris were capable to resist the domination of the outsiders. When the mughal emperor adopted the policy of persuation the Kishtwari rulers allied with them and accepted sovereignity of the mughals. Kishtwar was one of the Punjab Hill States which succeeded in keeping its political identity.
REFERENCES
1.Hutichison & Vogal : History of Punjab Hill States, (1993). Vol. II,Asian Educational Service. 2.Bamzai, Socio-Economic History of Kashmir, Gulshan Book Publishers (Sgr.) 3.Charak, History of Himalayan States. Vol. V, Light & Life Publishers, Delhi (1978) 4.Pt. Shivji Dhar, Tarikh-i-Kishtwar, Peastan, Srinagar. (1962) 5.Nar singh Dass Nargis, Tarikh-i-Jadid Dodra Desh. (1967) 6.Shivji Dhar,Tarikh-i-Kishtwar, Srinagar. (1969)
7.D.C. Sharma, History and Culture of Kishtwar, Kishtwar. (1955)
8.Jahangir, Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri Vol. I & II. Eng. Tr. ByAlexander Roger, Delhi.(1994). 9.Kalhana, Rajatarangini Vol. II. Org. Tr. by M. Stein. Moti Lal Banarsi Dass Publishers, (1989). 10.Frederic Drew: The Jammu and Kashmir Teritories. Oriental Publishers, Delhi. (1971).
Raja AMLUK SINGH [Sa’adatmand Khan] 1728/1771, married and
had
issue.
He died 1771.
Raja MIHR SINGH (qv)
Raja SUJAN SINGH (qv)
Mian Dalel Singh, had descendants in Chamba.
Mian Guman Singh, tried to seize power in 1789, married
and had issue.
Mian Ajit Singh, married and had issue.
Mian Fateh Singh, married and had issue.
Mian Anwar Singh, granted a jagir in Himgari
pargana in Chamba, whose
present
head (1930) is Mian Autar Singh of Himgari-Chamba.
Mian Dalip Singh
Raja MIHR SINGH 1771/1786 [Sa’idmand Khan], married Rani
Vilasamaji and
had issue, one daughter, who was substituted for a boy born at the same
time. He died 1786.
Mian Kundan Singh of Bhadrawah,
appointed
Raja of Kashtwar in 1786 for a short time, by the Raja of Chamba who
had
invaded and occupied Kashtwar, he was displaced and died in Chamba,
where
his descendants still live.
Raja SUJAN SINGH 1786/1787 for 10 months, married and had
issue. He died
1787.
Raja INAYATULLAH SINGH (qv)
Raja PRITHI SINGH 1787/1788, putative son of Raja Mihr
Singh. He died sp
1788.
Raja INAYATULLAH SINGH 1788/1789, married and had issue.
Raja MUHAMMED TEGH SINGH (qv)
Raja LAL DEV of Jammu,
held power for a period of two years 1788/1789
in
opposition to the rightful ruler, a member of the Jammu Royal Family.
Raja GULAB SINGH, held
power for 40 days in 1789, a cousin of the
following.
Raja MUHAMMED TEGH SINGH [Saifullah Khan] 1789/1823,
displaced for a time
by a relative, who was eventually poisoned, gave shelter to the Afghan
ruler, Shah Shuja to 1816, from Maharaja Ranjit Singh, for which the
state
In 1821raja Gulab Singh attacked Kishtwar, took its Raja prisoner and sent him to Lahore where he died through poison given by his servant. Kishtwar eventually served Jammu Kashmir Maharaja Gulab Singh as a springboard to launch his Ladakh campaign.
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