Katyuri Kings

Katyuri Kings (कत्यूरी नरेश) were a medieval ruling clan of Uttarakhand, who ruled over the Kumaon region, between 7th and 11th centuries AD.

They called their state "Kurmanchal", the land of Kurma avatar, which gives the region its present name, Kumaon.

History

The Katyuri dynasty was of Khas origin and was founded by "Vashudev Katyuri" [http://www.india9.com/i9show/Katyuri-Dynasty-66287.htm Katyuri dynasty] ] , who displaced the earlier, Doti kings of Nepal from the region.

Originally, from Joshimath, during their reign they dominated lands of varying extent from the 'Katyur' (modern day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon, between 7th and 11th centuries AD, and established their capital, at Baijnath in Bageshwar district, which was then known as "Kartikeyapura" and lies in the centre of 'Katyur' valley [ [http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V06_223.gifKartikeyapura] The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1909, v. 6, p. 217.] .

At their peak, the Katyuri kingdom extended from Nepal in the east to Kabul, Afghanistan in the west , before fragmenting into numerous principalities by 12th century [ [http://uttarakhand.prayaga.org/history.html 9th-11th century] ] . They were displaced by the Chand Kings in 11th century AD. Architectural remains of the Katyur dynasty's rule can be found in Baijnath and Dwarhat.

The Rajbar dynasty of Askot in Pithoragarh, was set up in the 1279 AD., by a branch of the Katyuri Kings, headed by "Abhay Pal Deo", who was the grandson of Katyuri king, "Brahm Deo ". The dynasty ruled the relion till, it became part of the British Raj through the treaty of Sighauli in 1816 [http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/a/askote.html Askote] Genealogy of Indian Princely States.] .

Legacy

The Katyuri kings were great patrons of arts and as result even today the area around Almora district and Bageshwar district is dotted with hundreds of stone temples, most important being the temples at Baijnath [ [http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Aug192007/sundayherald2007081719710.asp The 18 stone temple cluster at Baijnath] Deccan Herald, August 19, 2007. ] , Jageshwar [ [http://www.tourism-of-india.com/jageshwar.html Jageshwar Temples] ] , and Katarmala, 15 km from Almora [ [http://www.indiaprofile.com/discover-india/uttaranchal-tour-india.html History of Uttaranchal] ] [ [http://www.geocities.com/kkarnatak/html/kumaon.htm Temples of Kumaon] ] . After their decline the Chand Kings continued the tradition of patronizing royal arts in the region, chief example of the tradition is the Pahari school of painting.

Legend

Golu Devta

One of the Katyuri kings, is still venerated all over the state, as Golu Devata, who is considered to be the son of King "Jhal Rai", and his temples are spread all over the state, in Chitai, Champawat, and at "Ghorakhal", near Bhimtal.

Rajuli Malushahi

Another popular legend of "Rajuli-Malusahi" relates to Rajuli, daughter of Sunpati Shauka, a local king of Johar, and "Malusahi", son of the Katyuri Kings of Bageshwar.

Baichaldeo

Other important Katuyri kings have been King "Baichaldeo", who ruled the region around Almora [ [http://www.euttaranchal.com/uttaranchal/almora.php Almora History] ] and King "Shalivahandev", who renovated the temples at Jageshwar.

Further reading

* "Malushahi: The Ballad of Kumaon" by Mohan Upreti. New Delhi, Sangeet Natak Akademi, 1980.

References