Kings of Kangra during Delhi Sultanate (1330 – 1526 A.D.)
1. Tughlaq Dynasty Era (1320 – 1414 A.D.)
| King | Year (A.D.) | Key Events / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Prithvi Chandra | 1330 | Contemporary of Md. Bin Tughlaq (1325-1351). Invasion of 1337 A.D. (Qarachal Expedition context). |
| Purab Chandra | 1345 | – |
| Rup Chandra | 1360 | Aggressive ruler. Plundered plains up to Delhi. Siege by Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1365 A.D.). |
| Shringar Chandra (Sangara Chand) |
1375 | Son of Rup Chand. Gave asylum to Prince Nasir-ud-Din (exiled son of Firoz Shah). |
| Megh Chand | 1390 | Contemporary of Timur. Timur’s invasion (1398-99 A.D.) occurred during his reign. |
| Hari Chand – I | 1405 | Ascended shortly after Timur’s retreat. |
2. Sayyid Dynasty Era (1414 – 1451 A.D.)
| King | Year (A.D.) | Key Events / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Karam Chand | 1415 | – |
| Sansar Chand – I | 1430 | Mata Devi Bhawan Inscription: Mentioned as a nominal tributary to Mohammed Shah (Sayyid Dynasty). |
| Devanga Chandra | 1450 | Rule coincides with the decline of Sayyids and rise of Lodis. |
3. Lodi Dynasty Era (1451 – 1526 A.D.)
| King | Year (A.D.) | Key Events / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Narendra Chand | 1465 | Contemporary of Bahlul Lodi. |
| Suvira Chand | 1480 | – |
| Prayag Chandra | 1495 | Contemporary of Sikandar Lodi. |
| Ram Chandra | 1510 | Contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi. |
Relation of Delhi Sultanate with HP
1.1 Muhammad Bin Tughlaq (A.D. 1325–1351)
Context: The ambitious nature of the Tughlaq Sultans was fueled by the legendary booty captured earlier by Mahmud Ghazani from Kangra Fort.
- The Invasion: During the reign of Prithvi Chandra, Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq is said to have invaded and captured the fort.
- Historical Dispute: Neither Ferishta nor Barni (in Tarikh-i-Firozshahi) make reference to this invasion.
- Badari Chacha’s Account: Records a siege in A.D. 1337, coinciding with the Sultan’s invasion of China (Quarachi). The Sultan did not accompany the army, and the incursion was of short duration.
1.2 Firoz Shah Tughlaq (A.D. 1351–1388)
Following the uneventful reign of Parava Chand (1354–1360), his successor Rup Chand (A.D. 1360–1375) entered a period of major conflict with Delhi.
The Siege of Nagarkot (A.D. 1361/1365):
- Pretext: Raja Rup Chand plundered the plains as far as Delhi, giving the Sultan a reason to attack.
- The Conflict: The siege lasted for six months. Rup Chand eventually surrendered and was bestowed with robes of honour and an umbrella.
- Renaming: The name of Nagarkot was changed to ‘Mohammedabad’.
– A library of 1,300 volumes of Hindu books was found in the temple.
– Izzudin Khalid Khani translated one book on philosophy and astrology into Persian as Dalayil-i-Firoz Shahi.
– Locals claimed the Jwalamukhi idol was the image of Nowshaba, wife of Alexander the Great.
External Conflict: While returning from Delhi, Raja Rup Chand was intercepted by Sultan Shahabuddin (1356–1374 A.D.) of Kashmir, losing all his captured wealth and fleeing back to Kangra.
1.3 Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah
During the civil war between the successors of Firoz Shah, Prince Nasiruddin (son of Firoz Shah) took refuge in Nagarkot in A.D. 1387.
- He remained in the hills until he was recalled to the throne in A.D. 1390.
- This refuge highlights that despite the Sultanate’s attacks, the hill chiefs retained enough autonomy to provide sanctuary to Delhi royalty.
Provide the content for Timur’s interaction with the Shivalik hill chiefs…
Provide the content for the Lodhi dynasty’s relations with HP…
HPAS Notes: Mohammed Tughlaq’s Invasion (1337 A.D.)
1. The Context
- The Ambition: The booty captured by Mahmud Ghazni made Kangra famous among Mohammedan rulers. The Tughlaq dynasty sultans were more ambitious than their predecessors.
- The Ruler: The invasion occurred during the reign of Mohammed Tughlaq (1325-1351 A.D.).
- The Victim: The Katoch ruler of Kangra at this time was Prithvi Chandra.
2. The Historical Controversy
Badari Chacha vs. Official Chronicles
There is a conflict in historical records regarding this invasion:
- The Silence: Neither the famous historian Ferishta nor Barni makes any reference to the invasion of Kangra in his Tarikh-i-Firozshahi.
- The Evidence: The invasion is recorded in the narration of Badari Chacha (a court poet).
3. The Nature of the Invasion (1337 A.D.)
The “Qarachal” Connection
- Date: The siege took place in 1337 A.D..
- Link to China: This year coincides with the Sultan’s so-called invasion of China (Quarachi/Qarachal).
- Sultan’s Absence: The Sultan did not accompany the army personally.
- Scope: It was likely an incursion of short duration into the outer Himalayas where a detachment reached Kangra simply because it was famous all over India.
HPAS Notes: Firoz Shah Tughlaq & Raja Rup Chand (1365 A.D.)
1. The Succession of Kings
- Parava Chand (1354-1360 A.D.): His reign was largely uneventful.
- Rup Chand (1360-1375 A.D.): A very important period in Kangra history. He was an aggressive ruler who did not accept the Mohammedan yoke passively.
2. The Provocation (Raid on Delhi)
Unlike previous defensive rulers, Rup Chand went on the offensive:
- The Raid: He led a plundering raid on the plains up to Delhi.
- The Consequence: This act provided Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388 A.D.) with a “rational pretext” to launch an expedition for the conquest of Nagarkot in 1365 A.D..
3. The Kashmir Incident (High Yield Story)
The Looter gets Looted
A fascinating sidebar in history occurred while Rup Chand was returning from his Delhi raid:
- The Encounter: On his way back, laden with wealth, he encountered Shahabuddin, the Sultan of Kashmir (1356-1374 A.D.).
- The Loss: Rup Chand lost all his wealth to the Kashmiri Sultan and had to flee back to Kangra empty-handed.
4. Historical Sources
Documented Evidence
Unlike the 1337 invasion (which relies on bardic accounts), this 1365 expedition is well-documented in official chronicles:
- Tarikh-i-Firoz Ferishta.
- Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi.
HPAS Notes: Firoz Shah Tughlaq & Raja Rup Chand (1360-1375 A.D.)
1. The Provocation
- The Ruler: Raja Rup Chand (1360-1375 A.D.) was an aggressive ruler.
- The Raid: He led a plundering raid on the plains upto Delhi.
- The Result: This provided Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388 A.D.) a “rational pretext” to lead an expedition for the conquest of Nagarkot.
High Yield Story: The “Looter gets Looted”
While returning from his raid on Delhi, Rup Chand faced a karmic twist:
- The Encounter: He encountered Shahabuddin, the Sultan of Kashmir (1356-1374 A.D.).
- The Loss: Rup Chand lost all his wealth to the Sultan of Kashmir and fled back to Kangra empty-handed.
2. The Siege and Surrender
- Timeline: Text mentions the invasion in 1361 A.D. (though 1365 is often cited in headers).
- Duration: The siege continued for six months.
- The Surrender: Forced to surrender, Rup Chand threw off his pride and cast himself at the feet of the Sultan.
- The Sultan’s Dignity: Firoz Shah placed his hand on the back of the Raja, bestowed robes of honour, and sent him back to his fort with dignity.
3. Cultural Outcomes (High Yield)
Renaming the Fort
- According to Ferishta’s account, the name of Nagarkot was changed to ‘Mohammedabad’ in honour of the late king (Mohammed Tughlaq).
The Jwalamukhi Library & Alexander Myth
Firoz Shah visited the Jwalamukhi temple during this campaign:
- The Idol Myth: The people told Firoz that the idol worshipped there was the image of ‘Nowshaba’, the wife of Alexander the Great, left by the conqueror himself.
- The Library: A fine library of Hindu books consisting of 1,300 volumes was found in this temple.
- Translation: (Note: Though not detailed in this specific snippet, standard history records that Firoz ordered these books to be translated into Persian, notably as Dalail-i-Firozshahi).
HPAS Notes: Cultural Aftermath & Historical Debates (1365 Invasion)
1. The Literary Legacy (High Yield)
Translation of the Jwalamukhi Library
Firoz Shah Tughlaq ordered one of the books from the Jwalamukhi library to be translated into Persian:
- Subject Matter: The book treated of philosophy, astrology, and divination.
- Persian Title: It was named ‘Dalayil-i-Firoz Shahi’.
- The Translator: The translation was done by Izzudin Khalid Khani.
2. Historical Correction: The Temple Confusion
Nagarkot vs. Jwalamukhi
Historians have often confused the two distinct sacred sites involved in this campaign:
- Ferishta’s Error: In his account, Ferishta has confounded the great Mata Devi of Nagarkot (Bajreshwari) with the Goddess of Jwalamukhi.
- The Reality: These are two different places situated upwards of twenty miles apart.
- Shams-i-Siraj’s Accuracy: He correctly states that Jwalamukhi was situated “in the road to Nagarkot”.
3. The Garrison Controversy
Was a Muslim Garrison left behind?
There is a disagreement among historians regarding the status of the fort after the invasion:
- Cunningham’s View: He asserts that the fort of Nagarkot was occupied by a Mohammedan garrison.
- The Counter-Evidence:
- Lack of Proof: This view is not supported by any contemporaneous account or bardic narratives.
- Ferishta’s Account: Distinctly states that Rup Chand was restored to his dominions.
- Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi: Written during Firoz Shah’s reign, it says nothing about a garrison being left.
- Shah-Fateh-i-Kangra: Affirms that Kangra fort was never occupied by Mohammedan armies before its occupation by Jahangir (1620 A.D.).
HPAS Notes: Asylum of Prince Nasir-ud-Din (1375-1390 A.D.)
1. The Fugitive Prince
- The Succession: Raja Rup Chand died in 1375 A.D. and was succeeded by his son Sangara Chand.
- The Crisis: During this period, Firoz Shah’s eldest son, Nasir-ud-Din, was driven from power by his two cousins and compelled to take shelter.
- The Route: The fugitive prince first fled for safety to the mountains of Sirmaur. Being pursued further, he retreated to Nagarkot (Kangra).
2. The Act of Asylum
The Rajput Tradition
Despite the potential political risk, the Kangra ruler offered protection:
- The Protection: Prince Nasir-ud-Din was given asylum in the fort along with a few of his followers.
- The Code: This was done in fulfillment of the Rajput tradition to extend protection to those who supplicate for it, even if any of them happened to be a fallen enemy.
3. The Outcome (Return to Power)
From Exile to Throne
- Duration: The prince remained at Nagarkot till the end of A.D. 1389.
- Recall: He was recalled to Delhi.
- Ascension: In August 1390 A.D., he ascended the throne under the name of Mohammed Tughlaq.
Tughlaq Dynasty & Kangra (1320 AD – 1413 AD)
Establishment of the Dynasty
- The reign began in Delhi in 1320 AD when Ghazi Malik ascended the throne as Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (or Ghiyath al-Din Tughlaq).
- Succession: Ghiyasuddin died in 1325 AD. (Note: Historian Ibn Battuta claims his son, Ulugh Juna Khan, killed him).
- Identity: Originally named Ulugh Juna Khan, he later changed his name to Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
- Ambition: He dreamed of conquering neighboring countries, including the hill regions.
Raja Prithvi Chandra 1330–1345 AD
- Invasion of Nagarkot 1337 AD: Muhammed Invaded Nagarkot during the reign of Kangra Raja Prithvi Chandra (1330–1345 AD).
(i) No evidence of this invasion exists in Farishta’s works or Barni’s Tarikh-i-Firozshahi.
(ii) Invasion is recorded in the narration of Badari Chacha, stating the siege took place in 1337 AD, the same year as the Sultan’s invasion of China (Quarachi).
(iii) It is said the Sultan himself did not accompany the army during the China invasion.
Raja Parava Chand 1354–1360 AD
- The reign of Raja Parava Chand is considered to have been an uneventful period.
Raja Rup Chand 1360 – 1375 AD
Preceded by Parava Chand.
- Aggressive Ruler: Rup Chand led plundering raids on the plains as far as Delhi.
- Conflict with Firoz Shah Tughlaq:
- In response, Firoz Shah Tughlaq (Muhammad’s nephew, r. 1351–88 AD) launched an expedition against Nagarkot in 1365 AD (or 1361 AD).
- After a 6-month siege, Rup Chand surrendered and apologized.
- Firoz Shah treated him with dignity, bestowing “robes of honor” and an umbrella before sending him back to his fort.
- Literary Records: The invasion is recorded in Tarikh-i-Firoz Ferishta, Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi, and Ma Usir-ul-Umara.
- Fate: During his return, Rup Chand’s plundered wealth from the plains was looted by Sultan Shahabuddin of Kashmir (1356–74 AD).
- Renaming: According to Ferishta, Nagarkot was renamed ‘Mohammedabad’ in honor of the late King Mohammed Tughlaq.
The Jawalamukhi Temple Visit
- During Firoz Shah’s visit, he was told that the idol there was the image of ‘Nowshaba’ (wife of Alexander the Great), left by Alexander himself.
- The temple housed 1,300 volumes of Hindu books.
- Firoz ordered one of these books, covering philosophy, astrology, and divination, to be translated into Persian.
- The translation was done by Izzudin Khalid Khani and titled Dalayil-i-Firoz Shahi.
- Ferishta’s Error: He confounded the great Mata Devi of Nagarkot (Brajeshwari) with the Goddess of Jawalamukhi.
- Shams-i-Siraj accuracy: He stated that Jawalamukhi was situated on the road to Nagarkot.
The Muslim Garrison Controversy
- Cunningham’s View: Claims the Fort of Nagarkot was occupied by a Mohammedan garrison.
- Counter Evidences:
- Ferishta stated Rup Chand was restored to his dominions.
- Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi mentions nothing about a garrison being left.
- Shah-Fateh-i-Kangra affirms the fort was never occupied by Mohammedan armies before Jahangir in 1620 AD.
Raja Sangara Chand & The Protection of Nasir-ud-Din 1375 – 1390 AD
- Rup Chand died in 1375 AD and was succeeded by his son Sangara Chand.
- During Sangara’s reign, Nasir-ud-Din (eldest son of Firoz Shah Tughlaq) was driven away by his two cousins.
- Nasir took shelter first in Sirmaur and then Sangara provided him protection in Nagarkot (following the Rajput tradition of protecting those who supplicate).
- Nasir remained in Nagarkot until the end of 1389 AD, when he was recalled to Delhi.
- In August 1390 AD, Nasir ascended the throne under the name of Mohammed Tughlaq.
HPAS Notes: Invasion of Timur (1398-99 A.D.)
1. The Political Context
- Delhi Sultanate: The last Tughluq ruler, Mahmud Nasir-uddin (1395-1413 A.D.), was in power when the Mongol ruler Timur invaded.
- Kangra Kingdom: Raja Megh Chand had succeeded to the throne of Kangra in 1390 A.D. and was the ruler during this turbulent period.
- Impact on Delhi: Timur’s invasion in 1398 A.D. sealed the fate of the Tughluq dynasty, giving a death blow to the crumbling Sultanate.
2. The Route through the Hills (1399 A.D.)
The Shivalik Campaign
Timur did not enter the deep Himalayas but skirted the outer hills on his return journey:
- Timing: He invaded the Shivalik states on his return journey in 1399 A.D..
- The Path: He reached the foot of the Shivaliks somewhere near Haridwar and advanced along the outskirts of the hills towards Jammu.
3. Historical Evidence
Malfuzat-i-Timuri
- The Memoir: A specific reference to Nagarkot occurs in Timur’s own memoirs, titled ‘Malfuzat-i-Timuri’.
- The Consequence: While Delhi was plundered for fifteen days and temples destroyed, the specific fate of Nagarkot in this text is linked to his march through the Shivalik outliers.
HPAS Notes: Timur’s Route & Conquests (1399 A.D.)
1. The Geographical Route (High Yield)
Tracing the Path of Destruction
Timur’s memoirs reveal a specific path through the outer hills:
- Entry Point: He invaded the Kiarda-dun valley of Sirmaur.
- The Advance: Winning over the lower Sirmaur hills, he marched through valleys and ravines till he reached Nurpur (then called ‘Dhameri’).
- Crossing the Ravi: He crossed the Ravi river over to ‘Dhamal’ (most likely passing through Pathankot).
- Into Jammu: He proceeded to Jasrota and Sambha, reaching Jammu from the North-East.
- The Exit: At Akhnoor, he finally left the Jammu territory.
2. A Tale of Two Rajas: Diplomacy vs. Resistance
1. Raja Alam Chand (The Diplomat)
- State: Ruler of Hindur (Nalagarh) (1356-1406 A.D.).
- Action: He offered needed provisions to Timur and his entourage.
- Result: Timur marched on without inflicting any injury to the Hindur state.
2. Raja Rattan Singh (The Resister)
- Territory: Ruling the area between Shivalik foothills (perhaps part of Kangra/Hoshiarpur or near Sirmaur).
- Action: Unlike Alam Chand, he opposed Timur to his march.
3. The Nagarkot Ambiguity
Did he capture Kangra Fort?
Historical records are slightly vague on the specific fate of the main fort:
- The Claim: Timur claims to have stormed eight forts in the hills but does not actually state that Kangra was one of them.
- The Intent: His camp was probably at Dasuha near Hoshiarpur when he formed the resolve to subdue Nagarkot.
- The Reality: The difficult character of the terrain prevented him from fully carrying out his design.
4. Aftermath
- Jammu: The Jammu people gave tough resistance, but Timur captured the Raja by a stratagem.
- Kangra Succession: A few years after the invasion, Hari Chand became the Raja of Kangra, probably in 1405 A.D..
HPAS Notes: The “Forgotten Century” (1388-1540 A.D.)
1. Historical Context: Chaos in Delhi
- The Trigger: After the death of Firoz Shah Tughlaq in 1388 A.D., the affairs of the Delhi Empire fell into confusion for about a century.
- Impact on Hills: The struggle for power was so intense in Delhi that the hills of Kangra were almost forgotten.
- Silence of Records: Indeed, Kangra finds no mention in any of the Mohammedan records until the reign of Sher Shah Suri (1540-1545 A.D.).
2. Raja Sansar Chand Katoch (I)
The Mata Devi Bhawan Inscription
During this obscure period, one specific inscription sheds light on the political status of Kangra:
- The Ruler: Raja Sansar Chand Katoch (I) (Note: distinct from the famous patron of arts).
- The Source: An inscription found in the temple of Mata Devi Bhawan.
- The Status: It states that the Raja was a tributary of Mohammed Shah.
- The Overlord: This Mohammed Shah was most likely of the Sayyid dynasty.
- Nominal Control: However, the disorder in the Delhi Durbar was so acute that this tributary relationship was purely nominal.
3. The Historical Verdict
Did the Muslims control the Fort?
Based on a careful study of the whole question during this chaotic era:
- Conclusion: The fort remained in the possession of its ancestral chiefs.
- Timeline of Independence: From 1043 A.D. (Tomar intervention/Recovery) continuously till its capture by Jahangir in 1620 A.D..
Here are the complete, structured notes from the provided text, detailing the relationship between the Tughlaq Dynasty and Kangra.
1. Context: Kangra’s Prominence
- Initial Fame: The Kangra fort became famous among the “Mohammedan rulers of Lahore and Delhi” after Mahmud Ghazani captured significant booty from it.
- Tughlaq Ambition: The Sultans of the Tughlaq dynasty are noted as being “more ambitious than their predecessors.”
2. Interaction 1: Mohammed Tughlaq (A.D. 1325-1351)
- Kangra Ruler: Prithvi Chandra.
- Claimed Event: Mohammed Tughlaq is said to have invaded and captured the Kangra fort.
- Historical Dispute:
- Contradiction: Historians Ferishta and Barni (in his Tarikh-i-Firozshahi) make no reference to this invasion.
- Supporting Source: The narration of Badari Chacha states the siege took place in A.D. 1337.
- Context of 1337: This was the same year as the Sultan’s “so called invasion of China (Quarachi)”.
- Probable Nature: Badari Chacha was not with the army. The text suggests it was likely only a “short duration” incursion into the outer Himalayas, and a detachment may have reached Kangra due to its fame.
3. Interaction 2: Firoz Shah Tughlaq (A.D. 1351-1388)
Kangra Rulers of the Period
- Parava Chand (1354-1360): His reign was “uneventful.”
- Rup Chand (A.D. 1360-1375): His reign was an “important period.”
Pretext for Invasion
- Rup Chand’s Actions: He conducted a “plundering raid on the plains upto Delhi,” which provided Firoz Shah Tughlaq with a “rational pretext” for an expedition.
- General Context:
- The Rajput hill chiefs felt “uneasiness” under the “new yoke” of Mohammedan rule.
- Rup Chand had been participating in “revengeful expeditions” (a practice continuing since Ghazani’s time).
- A Separate Defeat: Once, while returning from a raid on the plains, Rup Chand was defeated by the Sultan of Kashmir, Shahabuddin (1356-1374 A.D.), lost all his wealth, and fled back to Kangra.
The Siege of Nagarkot (Kangra)
- Date: One source states the invasion was in 1361 A.D. to “punish Rup Chand.” Another source gives the date as A.D. 1365.
- Duration: The siege continued for six months.
- Source Mention: The expedition is referenced in both “Tarikh-i-Firoz Ferishta” and “Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi.”
The Surrender
- Act of Surrender: The Katoch chief, Rup Chand, was forced to surrender. He “came down from his fort and making apologies, cast himself at the feet of the Sultan.”
- Sultan’s Response:
- Firoz Shah “with much dignity” placed his hand on the Raja’s back.
- He bestowed “robes of honour and an umbrella” on Rup Chand and sent him back to his fort.
- He also presented Rup Chand with “gifts and invaluables.”
- Raja’s Reciprocation: Rup Chand sent “many offerings and horses of priceless worth” to the Sultan.
Aftermath of the Siege
- The Jwalamukhi Library:
- A temple (identified as Jwalamukhi) contained a fine library of 1,300 Hindu books.
- Firoz Shah ordered one book on philosophy, astrology, and divination to be translated into Persian.
- Translator: Izzudin Khalid Khani.
- Translated Work: ‘Dalayil-i-Firoz Shahi’.
- Temple Lore & Confusion:
- Locals told Firoz Shah that the idol at Nagarkot was of Nowshaba, the wife of Alexander the Great.
- Ferishta’s Error: He “confounded” the Mata Devi of Nagarkot with the goddess of Jwalamukhi (two places over 20 miles apart).
- Shams-i-Siraj’s Correction: He correctly stated that Jwalamukhi was “in the road to Nagarkot”.
- Renaming (Disputed): According to Ferishta, Nagarkot was renamed ‘Mohammedabad‘ in honor of the “late king.”
- The Garrison Dispute (Was the fort occupied?):
- Claim (Cunnighum): Citing Ma ‘Usir-ul Umara, he claimed the fort was occupied by a “Mohammedan garrison.”
- Conclusion (Text):No, it was not. This claim is not supported by:
- Any contemporaneous account.
- Ferishta: States Rup Chand was “resorted to his dominions.”
- Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi: “says nothing about a garrison.”
- Ma ‘Usir-ul Umara: (Despite Cunnighum’s claim) also “strengthen the conclusion that the fort was not occupied.”
- Shah-Fateh-i-Kangra: Affirms the fort was “never occupied or garrisoned” by Mohammedan armies before Jahangir.
firoz shah tughlaq attacked sirmur with help of roop Chand when ruler was bhagat Prakash .
4. Interaction 3: Asylum for a Tughlaq Prince
- Kangra Ruler: Sangara Chand (succeeded his father Rup Chand after his death in A.D. 1375).
- The Fugitive: Nasir-ud-Din, Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s eldest son, who was “driven from power by his two cousins.”
- The Event:
- Nasir-ud-Din first fled to Sirmaur.
- Being pursued, he retreated to Nagarkot (Kangra).
- Sangara Chand gave the prince and his followers asylum in the fort.
- Reason: This was “in fulfilment to the Rajput tradition to extend protection to those who supplicate for it, even if any of them happened to be fallen enemy.”
- Outcome:
- The prince stayed at Nagarkot until the end of A.D. 1389.
- He was recalled to Delhi and, in August A.D. 1390, ascended the throne under the name Mohammed Tughlaq.
Here are the structured notes from the text you provided.
1. The Fall of the Tughlaq Dynasty
- Last Ruler: Mahmud Nasir-uddin (ruled 1395-1413 A.D.).
- The Decisive Blow: The invasion of the Mongol ruler Timur in 1398 A.D. “sealed the fate of the Tughluq dynasty.”
- Events of the Invasion:
- Mahmud Nasir-uddin fled Delhi.
- Timur captured the city, destroyed many temples in North India, and killed thousands.
- Delhi was plundered for 15 days.
- Timur then returned to Samarkand with a large amount of wealth.
- The Final End: Muhammad Tughlaq (Mahmud Nasir-uddin) reoccupied Delhi and ruled until 1413 A.D., marking the end of the dynasty.
2. Timur’s Campaign in the Shivalik Hills (1398-99 A.D.)
- Kangra Ruler at the time: Raja Megh Chand (succeeded to the throne in A.D. 1390).
- Source: Timur’s memoirs, called Malfuzat-i-Timuri, reference Nagarkot (Kangra).
- Invasion Route: Timur invaded the Shivalik states on his return journey in A.D. 1399. He started near Haridwar and advanced along the outskirts of the hills to Jammu.
- Specific Actions in the Hills:
- He invaded the Kiarda-dun valley (Sirmaur).
- He “stormed eight forts” but the text does not state Kangra was one of them.
- His excursions reached Nurpur, which was then called ‘Dhameri‘ or ‘Dhamal‘.
- He likely crossed the Ravi near Pathankot and reached Jammu from the North-East, where he captured the local Raja “by a stratagem.”
- Timur’s Unfulfilled Plan for Nagarkot (Kangra):
- While his camp was at Dasuha (near Hoshiarpur), he “formed the resolve to subdue Nagarkot.”
- Outcome: He was “prevented from fully carrying out his design” because of the “difficult character of terrain.”
- Interactions with other Hill Rajas:
- Raja Alam Chand of Hindur (Nalagarh) (1356-1406 A.D.): He offered “needed provisions to Timur and his entourage.” As a result, Timur “marched on without inflicting any injury to Hindur state.”
- Rattan Singh: A local ruler (of an area perhaps between Kangra, Hoshiarpur, or Sirmaur) “opposed his march.”
3. Kangra’s Status After the Tughlaqs
- New Kangra Ruler: Hari Chand became the Raja of Kangra, “probably in 1405 A.D.”
- Power Vacuum in Delhi:
- After Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s death (A.D. 1388), the Delhi Empire “fell into confusion for about a century.”
- Due to the “intense” struggle for power in Delhi, “the hills of Kangra were almost forgotten.”
- A “Purely Nominal” Relationship:
- A temple inscription (from a later date) states that Raja Sansar Chand Katoch (I) was a tributary of Mohammed Shah (most likely of the Sayyid dynasty that followed the Tughlaqs).
- However, the “disorder of uncertainty” in Delhi made this tributary relationship “purely nominal.”
- Period of de-facto Independence:
- Kangra is not mentioned in any “Mohammedan records” again until the reign of Sher Shah Suri (A.D. 1540-1545).
lodhi dynasty :
sikander lodhi attacked nagarkot when king was Pragya Chand and then attacked Mandi when king was dilawar sen .. so there is hill named sikander dhar in HAMIRPUR .
