Gaddi and the King

 Gaddi* and the King

(*Pahari word for Sheppard)

I am going to relate you a story about Himachal Pradesh, which really happened a few centuries back. It is not about Shimla but about a princely state of Himachal Pradesh. It is about Kangra and Haripur-Guler, the twin cousin states north west of Shimla. 

Trigatha was a large kingdom witch ruled from Kabul in Afghanistan to Kangra in Himachal Pradesh in the 8th and 9th century. Its Hindu rulers lost many battles to aggressive and freshly converted Afghans to Muslim faith. The Hindu rulers finally retreated to Kangra but were still being chased by Mahmud of Ghazani. In 1009 AD, he came to grab its treasury. After that event, for the next three hundred years, the kingdom shrunk 90%. It was left alone, although a few forays were made by the Muslim rulers in Delhi. The area ruled by the Kangra King was mostly hilly terrain with with a few valleys and rivers flowing through them, hence grain and other production internally fulfilled their needs, but nothing for export.

Now the story begins,

The year is 1419 AD, the local Rajah Hari Chand of Kangra is getting ready with his courtier for a hunt in the Shivalik range. It had abundance hunt and also predators who had kept the hunters at bay. Guns have not been invented by then hence the hunt consisted of stealth and bow & arrows. The hunt was to commence in the month of Phlgun (March) and would last three to four weeks.

Rajah prepared for the hunt with about fifteen of his courtiers and retainers. The hunting ground was about 40 miles from his palace grounds. As usual the Rajah left behind his younger brother Karan Chand in-charge for the duration. As the Rajah was about to leave, his three Ranis (Queens) came to see him off. They wished him well and gave him a pouch full of dry fruits as nourishment during the hunt.   

The journey to hunt site began on the first day of Phalgun. After two days of travel, the Rajah and the party arrived at the location and pitched their camp to begin the hunt. Next day the Rajah mounted his horse followed by a small party of retainers and began the hunt in one direction and others in the party went in the other direction.  They all will return back to the camp in the evening. 

A short ride away in the jungle, the Rajah spotted a deer, his first prey and gave it a chase. In a short chase, the Rajah got separated from his party but he continued. He did not wish to let his first prey get away. The deer disappeared in the thick bush, but unknown to the Rajah, a leopard also eyed the same deer and let out a big roar to let the Rajah know about its presence. The horse got scared and dashed in the other direction to escape leopard’s attack. Now the Rajah did not know in which direction the horse was racing and he shouted for his courtiers but none were in the earshot. The Rajah tried to slow the horse down, but of no avail. It was a thick bush and treed country when the horse finally stopped. It was noon time, with the sun overhead, it made Rajah thirsty. The Rajah decided to search for water nearby. He did not tie the horse least the predator strikes again, that will prevent the horse from escaping. He walked not far, when he ran into an almost a dry deep well. There was some water, but it was at the bottom of the well. The Rajah so far unafraid decided to climb down using his long turban as a rope. That is when his misfortune unfolded. The knot he tied to a tree unfolded and the Rajah fell down in the well. There was a bit of water in the well, but now he had no way to get out, especially when his leg was broken during the fall. The Rajah shouted for help but of no avail. Now afraid, the night fell and no rescue party was in the earshot. Pain in his leg was beginning to dull his senses. He went into an unconscious state. Next morning when he regained his consciousness, he remembered the pouch of dry nuts his queens gave him. These were still In his pockets and as he got out of unconscious state he began to munch those. But he kept shouting for help but of no avail. He munched these dry fruits for days as he stayed trapped in the well.

As the story goes, the Rajah laid in the well with his leg broken for 14 days. Then he heard the barking of a dog above. He started to shout for help. Then a day later, the dog led its  master to the well where the Rajah lay. They were Gaddis (Shepard’s) of Dhaulidhar who were camping in the vicinity. They were on their yearly move in search for green pastures for their sheep. Hundreds of their sheep provide them wool and food. They trade wool for food as they pass by any area. 

The Gaddis pulled the Rajah out in his unconscious state but could not tell who he was, although his attire and sword told them of royalty. They took him to their camp and nourished him for three days on goat’s milk and meat until he could speak. 

In the meantime, the rest of the Rajah’s hunting party mounted a search but could not find him. They found his horse after a few days but found no Rajah. Now the assumption was that a wild animal had got him, hence they decided to return to their capital and give the bad news. At the capital there was a huge mourning for a period of ten days, then a general counsel of the courtiers was summoned to decide about the future of the head of the state. By general agreement, they decided to make his younger brother Karan Chand the king. The new would be king as a mark of respect declared additional fourteen days of mourning. Then, as directed by the priests the last rites of the last king were performed and the Coronation of the new king was set thereafter.

In three weeks, the Rajah’s leg healed partially and he disclosed them his identity. They were all surprised to learn that although they were guessing right. The Rajah requested and Gaddis agreed that he should return back, but only if he is able to walk. It was a four day trip if his leg healed well. A week later, the Rajah and Gaddi party set out on the return journey and the Rajah promised them a big reward. 

By coincidence the coronation of the new Rajah and return of the serving Rajah coincided. The Gaddis and the Rajah saw celebrations in progress right outside the palace, but did not know the purpose. As the Rajah spoke, people recognized him. His appearance and sickness for a month had obscured his recognition. The word quickly spread that the Rajah had returned. Just about that time his younger brother was being crowned as the new Rajah. By the time he got to the Court Room, his younger brother had already been crowned as the new Rajah. He could do nothing to stop it.

Now the high level of deliberations began in the Court. They had a tricky situation at hand - two duly anointed Rajah(s). 

Finally the younger brother acknowledged the grave error and haste in crowning him. He came up with a solution.... “Kingdom was split into two parts. The new king ruled from Kangra. He gave half of his treasury to his big brother and asked him to set up a new kingdom in half of the territory”. Hence the new kingdom was born with the name of Haripur & Guler. These cousin kingdoms lasted four centuries until Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed them in 1811.

Interesting story, eh!......But it really happened. 

Cheers