Askot

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Askot | type = Town | latd = 29.77 | longd = 80.35
state_name = Uttarakhand
district = Pithoragarh
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 1106
population_as_of =
population_total = | population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Askot or Askote (Hindi: असकोट) is a small Himalayan town in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand in India. It is the part of Kanalichhina development Block and Didihat tehsil.

The place is also famous for the Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary dedicated to the conservation of Musk deer. Askot lies midway between Pithoragarh to Dharchula road and located on a ridge. 'Kailash-Mansarovar Pilgrimage route from Delhi - Kathgodam - Didihat - Dharchula, passes through Askot.

Historically, the area has been ruled by the "Doti Kings" of Nepal, Katyuri, Rajbars, Chand, Gorkha and British rulers, though Rajbars continue to be its ceremonial Head. Van Rawats - an endangered tribe of Uttaranchal, inhabits around this area.

Geography

Askot is located at coord|29.77|N|80.35|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/39/Askot.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Askot] ] It has an average elevation of 1,106 metres (3,629 feet).It is located on Gori Ganga- Kali river geogrphical divide. Under beautiful natural setting of trees like "Pinus", "Quercus" and "Rhododendron" ,etc., are at the backdrop of Chhiplakot and Panchchuli . The Fertile slopes of Garkha are situated on the front side, and Kali river and mountains of Nepal on its left.

The area around is under heavy underground tunnel mining operations. There are polymetallic mines of copper, zinc, gold, silver and lead deposits.

Origin of Name

The name Askot is originated from "Assi Kot" (Eighty Forts), many of these forts were in Nepal.

History

Previously Askot was under the Doti Kings of Nepal. Later on, Askot became the part of the Katyuri Empire. After the breakdown of Katyuri Dynasty, King "Abhay Pal", the grandson of Katyuri king, "Brahm Deo", brought a branch of Katyuri Dynasty, here as the Rajbars, and established the state of Askot, by taking it as a grant from Kings of Doti in 1279 AD [http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/a/askote.html Askote] Genealogy of Indian Princely States.] . Later on they came under Chand rulers.

From 1279 to 1588 the descendants of "Abhay Pal" , the Rajbar dynasty ruled over the region,

Administratively, at that time, Askot had two regions-Malla Askot and Talla Askot. This area came under Gorkhas in 1742 but the descendants continued to fight against each other. This family feud continued even after Britishers defeated Gorkhas in 1815. Before Askot became Capital, the king used to live at Lakhanpur Kot, near the now Bagarihat (Bagar means river bank) village on the right bank of river Kali. It was situated at the base of Champhachal mountain. The remnants of the fort and market are still here.

Source:
*"History of Kumaun" By B.D.Pandey

Rajbars of Askot

Rajbar or Rajwar was the official title of the former ruler (feudal kings) Zamidari, of the estate of Askot [http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V06_020.gifAskot] The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1909,v. 6, p. 14.] .
Abhay Pal, (1279 AD)Nirbhay Pal,Bharati Pal,Bhairav Pal,Bhoo Pal,Ratna Pal,Shankh Pal,Shyam Pal,Shah Pal,Bhoj Pal,Surjan Pal,Bharat Pal,Surtan Pal,Achha Pal,Trilok Pal,Sur Pal,Jagat Pal,Praja Pal,Rai Pal,Mahendra Pal,Jayant Pal,Birbal pal,Amar Singh PalBrahm Pal, Uchhav Pal, Vijay PalMahendra Pal, Rudra Pal,Bahadur Pal,Pushkar Pal,Gajendra Pal,Bhupendra Pal,Vikram Bahadur Pal.

"Source:'History of Kumaon' By B.D.Pandey"

Important tourist places near Askot

Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary ; Ghangdhura ; Chhiplakot Or Najurkot; Chhipladhura lake, Narayan Ashram ;Askot Polymetallic Deposit tunnel Mines ; Bhadigad river ;Rauntishgad river ;Gurjigad river.Confluence of Gori Ganga river with river Kali at Jauljibi.

Native Tribes

Van Rawats or Raji or Kirat are native indigenous, ethnic minority community of this area. They inhabit at high altitude. Jamtadi is their nearby village. Their other villages are situated at Ghangdhura ridge.

References