Tira Sujanpur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Tira Sujanpur | type = city | latd = 31.83 | longd = 76.50
state_name = Himachal Pradesh
district = Hamirpur
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altitude = 562
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 7077| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
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Tira Sujanpur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Hamirpur district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Tira Sujanpur had a population of 7077. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Tira Sujanpur has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 76%. In Tira Sujanpur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Overview

Tira Sujanpur is also called Sujanpurtira located on the bank of River Beas. It is a beautiful town inhabited by Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch who was the king of Kangra and later shifted from Kangra to Sujanpurtira after the war with Muslim kings who wanted to capture Kangra fort. Maharaja Sansar Chand constructed his palaces, temples and courts (called Baradari) on the peak of hillock called Tira. hence the name of the town is Sujanpurtira. In the middle of this beautiful town there is one square kilometer green ground popularly called in Pahri language 'Chaougan' (which remains green throughout the year). Now part of the ground is occupied by the Sanik School. The ground is a meeting place for most of the town people, ladies, men's, children for evening walk and for playing all types of games. Most famous Holi fair also takes place on this ground which lasts almost 2-3 weeks during the month of March.

Based on the caste system each side of 'Chaougan' is occupied by Brahmins, merchants (Vaishyas), Kashtriyas and Shudras. The concept is now waning off. The town has two famous temples constructed by the king which are Bansiwala ( For Lord Krishna) on one side of the ground, and Narvdeshwar on the other side towards the river Beas. One of the famous temple at Tira was destroyed during the Kangra Earthquake in 1905 , as also the most of the palace buildings. Archaeological Department has tried to restore some of the monuments but not to an extent desired. It is more like whitewashing done by Archaeological Department. Many of the invaluable Kangra paintings were collected by erstwhile commissioner E.N.Mangatrai and some were returned to the museum in Chandigrah.

People of Sujanpurtira (earlier probably called Sajjanpur due to people being nice, honest and religious-minded) are very hospitable and helpful. Though the town is now-a-days thriving with activities and population in around is over 10,000. The people are highly educated and most of them know how to read and write. This town has produced many scientists, administrators, professors , doctors. Once upon a time it was the most educated town in Kangra and Himachal at large.

The ruins still remind us the old paintings which exists on the temples and palaces though the passage of time and atmospheric attacks have sullened them a lot. Whatever were left were destroyed by locals by whitewashing due to their innocence.

History of Kangra and Sujanpurtira

Sujanpur bears its name from Sajjanpur, which means honest and gentle people, as it used to be inhabited by very innocent, honest and ever helpful people. Tira was later added as Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch moved his capital from Kangra to this place and added more palaces, temples, courts and fort at the top of the hill ‘Tira’. Katoch have been kings for time immemorial and their dynasty can be traced back to 4300BC when Rajanaka Bhumi Chand founded the Katoch Dynasty. They claimed to have fought against Lord Rama in 3000BC and Raja Susrma Chandra fought against Pandavas during the Mahabharta War in 1500BC. He also built the Kangra Fort. In 900 BC Katoch fought Persian and Assyrian in Punjab and Rajanaka Permanand Chandra ( also known as Porus) fought against Alexandra the Great in 500BC. In 275 BC Katoch kings also fought Ashoka the Great and lost their land in Multan. In 100 BC Raja of Kangra fought against Raja of Kannauj, 470 BC against Raja of Kashmir. In 853 AD Rajanaka Prithvi Chandra’s empire expanded. In 1009 AD Mahmud Ghazni attacked Kangra and captured large booty. Inn 1170 Kangra saw the division into Kangra and Jaswan. They lost the war with Muhammad of Ghor in 1220 AD. In 1526 to 1556 AD, Katoch fought against Akbar the Great along with the forces of Sikandar Shah Suri, but lost and yielded to alliance to Akbar in return to the title of Maharaja. Mughals attacked fort of Kangra 52 times but failed to defeat it. In 1620 AD Kangra was occupied by Mughuls. In 1700AD Maharaja Bhim Chadra joined with Guru Gobind Singh in fight against Aurangzeb and was given the title of Dharma Rakshak by Guru Gobind Singh. In 1750 Maharaj Ghammand Chandra took reins. From 1775 AD to 1820 AD , saw the golden era of Kangra under the kingdom of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch. Kangra flourished in education, business and paintings etc. Famous Kangra paintings dates back to the era only. From 1820 decline of Kangra kingdom started and Kangra was occupied by Sikh after the war with Gorkhas of Nepal. Katoch fought against British and lost. Raja Parmod Chand was imprisoned and died in captivity in Almoda in 1924AD. In 1924 Maharaja Jai Chandra of Kangra- Lambagraon was granted the title of Maharaja by British regime. 1947AD Maharaja Dhruv Dev Chandra , the last ruler of Kangra-Lambagraon) merges his state with Independent India and in 1972 princely order was abolished in India and all kings became ordinary citizens of India akin to others. Kangra was merged with newly-founded state of Himachal Pradesh. Later Kangra was split into three districts thereby separating Sujanpurtira from Kangra . Sujanpurtira became part of Hamirpur District. This was in short the historical background of Kangra and its kings.

Golden Era of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch- the most revered King

When Kangra was taken over by Muslim invaders, Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch moved his capital to Sujanpurtira on the left bank of river Beas. Overlooking the town of Sujanpurtira, Abhay Chand Katoch- the ruler, built a fortified palace at the top of the hill called Tira in 1748 AD. Hence the town thereafter acquired the name 'Tira' attached to its original name of Sujanpur. This king was very well-respected as during his regime Sujanpurtira flourished enormously in business, education, arts and culture, sports and in all spheres of life. He also created a one square kilometer green ground in the midst of the town (called Chaugan) which was used to train soldiers for war. The ground still exists and remains green all through the year. This ground adds immense beauty to this small town. The ground is great place for people of all caste and creed to meet in the evening, to have evening stroll and as also great place for young and old to play various games. In fact it has been the most loved place for Himachal intercollegiate or school meets. Part of the ground is now occupied by Sanik School.

Organized Settlement and Occupation of people

The major preoccupation is business, agriculture and services. Many of the young people prefer to serve the army. It may be pointed out that a small village near Sujanpurtira called Khaira has produced 6 army General in Katoch and Pathania families.

Four sides of the ground are so well-planned that on the river side merchant community was inhabited, on the left side all Brahmins were inhabited ; on the right side all service community was inhabited and on the side of the hill all Kashtrya’s were inhabited. At present the total population is close to 10,000 and almost 90% of the populace is literate. The population of men to women is almost 50:50 levels. Only 10% of the population is below 6 years old. This town has produced highly educated people occupying positions at national and international level as scientists, technologists, professors, educationists, politicians, doctors , engineers and administrators. At one time it was the most well-educated town in Kangra district.

Climate and Geographical Location

Tira Sujanpur is located at coord|31.83|N|76.50|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/11/Tira_Sujanpur.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Tira Sujanpur] ] . It has an average elevation of 562 metres (1,844 feet).

Climate here varies all through from very hot summer to cold winter. Being on the bank of river, the winter is quite sever. Since there are no industries to create pollution, most of the people are healthy and live long (over 80 years). The temperatures vary from 38Deg C in summer to almost zero Deg C in winter. Winter experience low lying clouds which add to the cold weather and one can enjoy walking amidst the clouds.

Sujanpurtira is well-connected in all the directions. It is at at stones’ throw to Hamirpur (25km), Palampur (35km) and about 120 km from Dharamshala. Today over 200 buses cross this town to connect various other cities , villages and towns besides regular taxi’s. The nearest railway station is Maranda (near Palampur) where narrow gauge runs up to Pathankot on one side and Jogindernagar to the other. On one side it is connected to Una-Nangal by road, the other side it is connected towards Kangra, Pathankot; To Mandi-Manali and Ladakh and one side to Shimla. Its geographical locations connect this town with almost every direction through web of tarred road network. About a decade ago, Sanik School was opened in Sujanpurtira which is located in the green ground in the middle of the city. This has increased the importance of the town.

Temples of Sujanpurtira

Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch built large palaces and temples. Some of the temples are a piece of great architecture and Kangra paintings. Murlimanohar ( now known as Bansiwala) temple stands on the left side of the ground; Narbadeshwar temple dedicated to Shiva- Parvti Is full of great paintings inside the walls. It is surrounded by 8ft high wall with passage all around. Another temple is Thakardwara not to speak of smaller temples. The temples were built 1790 Ad and 1823 AD by Maharani Pransani Devi- Suketi Rani of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch. Maharaja Sansar Chand also built Chamunda Devi temple within the premises of the palace which still exists.

Devastation by 1905 Earthquake

Kangra district did go through ups and downs. Great earthquake of 1905 almost destroyed the entire valley of its architecture, palaces, temples etc. 90% of the houses were destroyed.

It is said that one of faithful courtier Dogra request some funds from maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch to solemnize the marriage of his daughter, which the King declined. Dogra then committed suicide giving a curse to the King that he would not be able to rule on the left bank of river Beas. Thereafter the King went through much turmoil and had to move his kingdom to Nadaun – 15 km from Sujanpurtira. Nadaun was also on the left bank of river Beas, ghost of Cchurimar Dogra ( sword-killed Dora) haunted him and he had to move his entire kingdom to Lambagraon located 8 km from Sujanpurtira on the right bank of river Beas. The last king and queen of Lambagraon still live in Delhi. A small temple of Cchurimar Dogra was erected at Tira near the Palaces and still exists.

Monumental Ruins still stand with Magnificence in Tira

Palaces , courts and temples built by Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch still exist in Tira though have been destroyed by the passage of time and earthquakes etc. One can see many of the ruins there and can conceptualize how beautiful they must have been. Baradari ( the daily court) still stands and can be seen from the 'Chuagan' ground. He also built a huge water reservoir to take care of the needs of daily water for the entire Tira. Lot of work was done by M.S. Randhawa who fell in love with Sujanpurtira and tried to restore parts of the heritage. He also started collecting the invaluable Kangra paintings. Many of them are available in Chandigrah Museum and with last living king of Lambagraon. Some of the photographs will be appropriate to add here. Maharaja Sansar Chand died in 1824 in Alampur just across Sujanpurtira on the opposite side of Beas River.

Festivals

The lavish decoration of Baradari and palaces were surrounded by green gardens. At the entry of Baradari there was Ashtdhtu statue of Lord Shiva placed with colorful décor. The famous Holi festival was celebrated with lot of pomp and show which has become a tradition now and every year for 3-4 weeks during the month of March Holi fair takes place in the ground. Some of the photos will elaborate it. Other festivals like Diwali, Lohri, Shivratri, Janamashtami Baisakhi, Basant Panchami and many others are also celebrated with great zeal and zest by the people. They all live as one community and help each other. Community feeling is very well imbibed in the mind of people as also the feeling of being Sujanpurian. In fact there is a Sujanpuri Association which meet regularly and arrange a luncheon every year. Some of the photos of Holi fair (mela) are given below:

This town of Sujanpurtira has plenty to offer to the tourists, only they need to go and explore this beautiful town on foot. One can trek toward Tira, or walk miles along each side to explore the rich heritage which still bear marks of the old kingdom.

References