Kailas Pal

Raja Kailas Pal Pathania (1313-1353 A.D) was a King of Nurpur, who succeeded Raja Jas Pal as the chief of the Pathania Clan of Rajputs. He is accorded the credit of defeating and wounding a famous Muslim General, named Tatar Khan, ruler or governor of khorasan, who invaded the Punjab, and as a reward received from the Delhi sultanate a Mansab of 5,000 Cavalry and Infantry. Most Probably it refers to some local conflict between the Pathania King and Tatar Khan the viceroy of the Punjab, under Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325-51 A.D). It probably took place previous to 1342 the year in which Tatar Khan was killed in battle with the Gakhars. A Couplet commemorating the battle between Kailas Pal and Tatar Khan has come down to our own time:- "Jo mukh dekhan arsi sise dil-kananda Mathe Phat Tatar Khan Kailase anda" Translation - "when he looks at his face in the heart-rending mirror, Tatar Khan sees on his forehead the scar (of the wound) inflicted by Kailas Pal in battle."

This Raja is said to have constructed the "Ranki Khul" or irrigation channel from the Ravi river to Pathankot, which is still in existence.

It is obvious that he was regarded as a powerful Chief and an important ally by the Delhi Sultanate, from the fact that he had received a mansab of 5,000 from them. He was succeeded by Raja Nag-Pal.

References

*Feristha, Briggs, trans.,1908, Volume I
*Twarikh Rajgan-E-Pathania-E-Nurpur (History of the Pathania Rajas) by Mian Rughunath Singh Pathania