History of the Western Himalayas
1. Paleolithic Era (c. 2 Million Years Ago)
Settlement Type: Nomadic hunter-gatherers. Early humans stayed in the Shivalik foothills due to the harsh glaciated climate.
- Banganga-Beas Valley (Kangra): Most significant site for “Soan” culture pebble tools.
- Sirsa-Satluj Valley (Nalagarh/Solan): A major corridor for early human movement.
- Markanda Valley (Sirmaur): Noted for prehistoric fossils and early implements.
Tools: Large unifacial and bifacial choppers, scrapers, and hand-axes made from quartzite.
2. Mesolithic Era (Middle Stone Age)
Transition: Climatic warming allowed humans to move slightly further inland.
Tools: Use of Microliths (tiny, sharp stone tools) hafted to create composite tools like spears and arrows.
3. Neolithic Era (New Stone Age)
The Revolution: Shift from food-gathering to food-producing (early agriculture).
Settlement: Semi-sedentary life.
Evidence: Polished stone celts found in Ror (Kangra) and the Markanda Valley. Early pottery appears here.
1. The Kols (Mundas): HP’s First Inhabitants
Origin & Identity:
– Earliest/Original Migrants to the Himachal hills.
– Linguistic Group: Kolarian or Austro-Asiatic.
– Race: Known as Proto-Australoid.
Historical Migration Paths:
Driven by the expansion of the Indus Valley Civilization (2250–1750 B.C.), they moved from the Ganga plains into the mountains.
| Source | Terms Used |
|---|---|
| Rig Veda | Dasas, Dasyus, Nishadas |
| Later Literature | Kinnars, Nagas, Yakshas |
The Legend of King Shambra:
Known as the Munda Powerhouse, he was a ruler who controlled 99 Strong Forts between the Yamuna and Beas rivers.
Modern Descendants:
– Western Hills: Kolis, Halis, Dums, Chanals.
– Kinnaur/Lahaul: Chamangs and Damangs.
Physical Traits: Generally described as short in stature with a dark complexion.
2. The Nagas of Himachal Pradesh
Origin & Succession:
– Ancient indigenous tribes of the Shivalik and lower Himalayan ranges.
– Likely coexisted with or succeeded the Kols (Mundas).
Religious Roots:
The Naga cult functioned as an offshoot of the Shiva–Shakti tradition, linking serpent worship to fertility.
Main Festival: Naga Panchami.
The Gugga Cult
Medieval evolution of serpent worship in Chamba, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una, Solan, and Sirmaur.
3. Kiratas – Warrior-Traders of Early HP
Origin and Migration:
– Entered from the Northeast during the early Vedic period (approx. 3rd century B.C.).
– Represented the second major wave of migration after Kols and Nagas.
– Described as Mongoloid people and known as Bhotas in ancient literature.
Geographic Influence:
– Ruled territory between the Sutlej and Yamuna Rivers.
– Controlled trade routes linking the Tibetan plateau with the Indian plains.
– Skilled warriors and expert archers.
– Followed Shamanism and the Kirat Mundhum tradition (nature worship).
The Great Conflict (Aryan vs. Kirata):
– King Shambara (Kirata) vs. King Divodas (Aryan).
– The war lasted forty years (c. 1800–1400 B.C.).
– Key Figures: Rishi Bharadwaj (Advisor to Divodas); Verchi (Ally of Shambara).
Decline and Legacy:
– King Shambara was killed at Udubraj.
– Defeated Kiratas migrated toward Nepal and North-East India.
– In later texts, they were referred to as Mavanas or Mavies.
4. Khasas – Indo-Aryan Migrants & Founders of Hill Republics
Origin and Migration:
– Represented the third and most significant wave of migration into HP.
– Indo-Aryan (Kshatriya) people who migrated from Central Asia around 2000 B.C.
– Route: Entered via Kashgir to Kashmir, spreading across the mid-Himalayan belt to Nepal.
– They preceded the Vedic Aryans and were called Mlecchas (barbarians) by them due to non-observance of strict Vedic rituals.
Settlement and Language:
– Settled mainly in Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, and Kinnaur (where they are known as Khashiya).
– Their language, linked to Sanskrit, evolved into modern Pahari dialects.
– Used the Tankri script for writing.
– Village leader: Mavi or Mavana (Strong man).
– These units evolved into Janapadas (Tribal Republics).
– Warrior groups called Khoonds, divided into Shatha (Kaurava faction) and Pasha (Pandava faction).
– Martial Art: Thoda (archery combat).
Customs and Lifestyle:
– Marriage: Biyah (Arranged), Praino (Love), Gadar (Groom’s home ceremony).
– Inheritance: Jethong (Extra share to eldest), Kanishong (Extra share to youngest).
– Dress: Men wore Achkan; Women wore Gachi, Chhuba, Dohru, and Thipuh.
– Cuisine: Poltu and Siddu.
Religion:
– Followed a Village Deity system (Devta system).
– The Mahasu cult was highly prominent in their religious life.
1. The Rise of the Four Janapadas
As Indo-Aryan influence solidified, the Mahabharata and Puranas recorded the emergence of four major Tribal Republics (Janapadas) in the Himachal hills:
Location: Pathankot/Kangra
Location: Kangra (Oldest)
Location: Kullu Valley
Location: Shimla/Sirmaur
2. Spiritual Geography: The Abodes of Sages
The Himalayas became the Tapobhumi (land of meditation) for Great Rishis. These identifications link Himachal’s geography to Vedic history:
| Sacred Site | Associated Sage (Rishi) |
|---|---|
| Renuka Lake (Sirmaur) | Rishi Jamadagni |
| Nirmand (Kullu) | Rishi Parshuram (Son of Jamadagni) |
| Vashishta Kund (Manali) | Rishi Vashishta |
| Vyas Cave (Bilaspur) | Sage Vyas (Author of Mahabharata) |
3. Epical Testimony: The Pandava Legacy
Physical landmarks across Himachal provide evidence of the transition from the Later Vedic Age to the Epic era:
- Pandava Exile: The Mahasu area (Upper Shimla) is traditionally believed to be the refuge of the Pandavas during their 12-year exile.
- Matrimonial Ties: The Hidimba Temple in Manali marks the union of Bhima and the local deity Hidimba, signifying the blending of Aryan and Tribal cultures.
- Hatkoti Temple: Located in Shimla District, it serves as a massive cultural crossroad between early Vedic architecture and hill traditions.
1. Early Tribal Era & Foreign Incursions
Initially, the Himalayan regions were occupied by groups such as the Kiratas and the Khasas. As the Vedic age progressed, these groups and Aryans began emerging as Janapadas, but their growth was hindered by a series of foreign invasions and the subsequent rise of the Mauryas. Between the 5th century BC and later periods, the region saw the presence of:
- Foreign Groups: Persians, Scythians, Greeks, and Kushans.
- Alexander’s Invasion (327 BC): Reached the Beas River.
- Local Resistance: Opposed by tribal Janapadas in Punjab; Panini refers to these as Ayudhjeevi Sanghs (War-like republics).
2. Mauryan Consolidation (4th Century BC)
The transition from the Nandas to the Mauryas redefined hill politics. Chanakya utilized the strength of the Mlechhas to secure power.
Key Allies & Support:
– Parvataka: A Himalayan chief (likely ruler of Trigarta) who provided support.
– Army Composition: Integrated tribes including Yavanas, Kiratas, Sakas, and Kamboja.
– Vahlika Forces: Included the Khasas, Gandharas, Madras, and Sindhus.
Opposition: Chandragupta faced a coalition of five kings, notably Chitravarman of Kuluta.
3. The Era of Ashoka (3rd Century BC)
Under Ashoka, the region accepted Mauryan overlordship while remaining internally sovereign.
Buddhist Missions: Led by Majjhima to the Himalayas.
– Mission Members: Kassapagotta, Dundubhisara, Sahadeva, and Mulakadeva.
– Reach: Spread Buddhism across modern-day HP, Kumaon, and Garhwal.
Monuments:
– Stupas: Built in the Kullu Valley (noted by Hiuen Tsang in the 7th century).
– Rock Edicts: Located at Kalsi (at the confluence of Tons and Yamuna rivers).
4. Post-Mauryan Independence (2nd BC – 2nd AD)
Following the fall of the Mauryas, the hill states declared themselves free. This “Flourishing Period” saw the rise of the four major republics:
The Four Janapadas: Trigarta, Audumbara, Kuluta, and Kunindas.
Sovereign Symbols: To cement their independence, they issued their own Coins.