The Era of Chieftains and Harsha
I. The Imperial Transition
The autonomy of the hill republics was significantly diminished under Samudragupta’s expansionist regime. According to the Prayag Prashasti (the Allahabad Pillar Inscription) authored by Harisena, Samudragupta successfully subjugated frontier tribes such as the Kunindas and Arjunayanas.
Rather than annexing these territories outright, he transitioned the hill chiefs into Feudatories (Samantas), allowing them to retain their positions while acknowledging Gupta suzerainty.
The Rise of the Apthakurai Age
The decline of the Gupta Empire led to a period of instability and migration, fundamentally altering the demographic and political landscape of Himachal Pradesh. This evolved through four key stages:
- Republican Origins: Emergence of specific Kshatriya families within the ancient system.
- Hereditary Shift: The title of ‘rajana’ and military leadership became hereditary within these families.
- Sovereignty: Families gained independence in their respective localized territories.
- Institutionalization: Establishment of hereditary domains known as ‘Thakurain’ or ‘Ranhuis’.
II. Social and Etymological Identity
Social Hierarchy: Ranas vs. Thakurs
- The Ranas: Belonged naturally to the Warrior caste (Kshatriya). They occupied the higher social tier and acted as primary feudal lords.
- The Thakurs: Ranked socially below the Ranas. As a caste, they rank immediately below the Rajputs in the hill hierarchy.
Linguistic Evolution of Titles
The transition from ‘Rajana’ to ‘Rana’ follows specific linguistic and historical paths:
- The ‘Ka’ Rule: In Sanskrit, the final ‘Ka’ in Rajanaka is silent, leading to the derivation of ‘Rana’.
- Scriptural Evidence: This change is visible in the Kharosthi script found on ancient tribal coins.
- The ‘Razdan’ Connection: When the title was conferred on Brahmins for special services, it evolved into the Kashmiri name ‘Razdan’.
- The ‘Thakura’ Origin: Likely a Sanskritized foreign term meaning “Lord”, later used to denote Vishnu.
Comparison to Medieval Europe
The role of a Rana was strikingly similar to a European Feudal Baron:
- Iconography: Fountain slabs depict Ranas as knights on horseback with swords and shields.
- Feudal Duty: They maintained personal retainers and were obligated to follow their Raja (Lord Superior) on military expeditions.
III. Geography and Decline
Timeline of Power Loss
The Ranas and Thakurs lost their independence at different times depending on their location:
- Early Period: Kangra and the Upper Ravi Valley.
- 10th – 11th Century: Lower Ravi Valley, Pangi, and Lahaul (under Chamba).
- Late Period (1559 AD): Kullu (under Raja Bahadur Singh).
Geographical Distribution of Power
| Region Type | Ruling Class | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Accessible Valleys | Rajas (Higher Kings) | Trigarta, Kuluta, Bushahr |
| Remote/Inaccessible | Ranas & Thakurs | Interior Pockets/Small Fiefs |
The Final Transition
The era of Apthakurai eventually gave way to Rajput Principalities. These were founded by adventurers from the plains. By this time, the once-independent Ranas and Thakurs were reduced to the status of tributaries to these new noble families.
I. Rise of Harsha (606 A.D.)
- Ascension: Harsha ascended the throne in 606 A.D..
- Shift of Power: The centre of power shifted from ‘Patliputra’ to ‘Thaneswar’ and then to ‘Kanauj’.
- Religion: He was a patron of both Buddhism and Brahminism.
- Empire: Established a unified empire in Northern India.
II. Visit of Hiuen-Tsang (630–644 A.D.)
The great Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang stayed in India for 13 years, traveling extensively through Himachal Pradesh.
Visit to Jalandhar-Trigarta:
- First Visit (635 A.D.): Stayed in Jalandhar for four months as a guest of Raja Utitas.
- Identification: Raja Utitas is identified with ‘Adima’ of the ‘Vamshavali’.
- Return Visit (643 A.D.): Revisited Jalandhar on his journey back from Kanauj.
Hiuen-Tsang’s Description of Jalandhar Kingdom
- Dimensions: Spread about 1000 Li (267 km) East to West and 800 Li (213 km) North to South.
- People: Described as brave and rustic in appearance with rich, well-planned houses.
- Economy: Fertile land used for cultivating rice and pulses; climate was warm and moist.
- Religion: Home to 500 Heretics (Pasupatas/Shiva worshippers) and 2000 Buddhist priests studying both Hinayana and Mahayana.
Historical Analysis: Extent of the Kingdom
Cunningham suggests if HARSHA territory included Jalandhar , then Jalandhar included Chamba, Mandi, and Suket, but records do not show Bharmaur being under Jalandhar. Harsha’s jurisdiction likely ended at Karnal, making Jalandhar an independent state in the 7th century.
III. Visit to Kuluta (Kullu)
- Route: Traveled 700 Li (187 km) from Jalandhar to ‘Ku-lu-ta’.
- Ashoka’s Stupa: A stupa built by Ashokraja existed in the middle of the country to commemorate Buddha’s visit.
- Kelat Temple: Mentioned a stone image of ‘Avalokiteshwara’ in the temple of ‘Kapila Muni’ at Kelat.
- Stone Chambers: Along the mountains were caves where Arhats or Rishis dwelt.
- Roman Trade: Medicinal herbs were exported from Kuluta and Kashmir to Roman territories.
IV. Further Travels (Lahaul & Sirmaur)
- Lahaul: Visited ‘Lo-u-Lo’ (Lahaul) and ‘Mo-lo-so’ (San-po-ho).
- Surughna (Sirmaur): Stayed with the monk Jaya-Guptam. Located 67 km from Thaneshwar, it was probably a feudatory of Harsha.
Conclusion: Situation in the 7th Century
- Atmosphere: Peace prevailed with no foreign aggressions.
- Religion: Equal dignity for Buddhism and Hinduism; emergence of Vajrayana Buddhism.
- Key States: Jalandhara, Kuluta, Surughna, Bharmaur, and Spiti were the important political units.
1. The Period of Confusion (647–700 A.D.)
- Trigger Event: Harsha died in 647 A.D.
- Aftermath: His death was followed by an era of “trouble and confusion” in the history of Himachal Pradesh.
- Stabilization: This chaotic period lasted until the reign of King Yashovarman (A.D. 700-740) of Kanauj.
2. The Struggle for Supremacy: Yashovarman vs. Lalitaditya
A major conflict defined this era, recorded in Kalhana’s immortal work, the ‘Rajtarangini’:
- The Rivals: King Yashovarman (700-740 A.D.) vs. King Lalitaditya (724-760 A.D.) of Kashmir.
- The Outcome: Yashovarman was defeated.
- Impact on Hill States: During this period, Trigarta (Kangra), Brahampura (Chamba), and other Western hill states initially came under the influence of Yashovarman.
3. Kashmir’s Dominance (9th Century)
Following the decline of Yashovarman, the balance of power shifted decisively to Kashmir:
- Extent of Control: By the 9th century, Trigarta (Kangra) and the territory up to the river Satluj were subject to the Kashmir state.
4. The Campaign of Shankaravarman (883–903 A.D.)
The Gurjara Expedition: Shankaravarman, a later King of Kashmir, led a military expedition to conquer Gurjara (Gujarat). This campaign involved a significant interaction with the Trigarta kingdom:
- The Resistance: On his way, he was opposed by the chief of Trigarta, Prithvi Chandra.
- Political Alliance: Prithvi Chandra was likely an ally of Gurjara.
- The Outcome: Upon the approach of the Kashmir army, Prithvi Chandra fled away rather than engaging in a losing battle.
5. Rajput Migration & New Foundations
The “Post-Harsha” period saw a significant migration of Rajput clans from the plains (Rajasthan/Delhi area) to the hills, driven by Islamic invasions in the plains and other reasons.
- Suket: Founded by Bir Sen (from the Sena dynasty of Bengal) around 765 CE.