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Chamba
is bounded on north-west by Jammu and Kashmir, on the north-east and east
by Ladakh area of Jam mu and Kashmir
state and Lahaul and Bara-Bangal area of Himachal Pradesh, on the
south-east and south by the District Kangra of Himachal Pradesh and
Gurdaspur District of the Punjab.
The Chamba District is situated between north latitude 32° 11? 30? and
33° 13? 6? and east longitude 75°49 and 77° 3? 30?, with an estimated
area of 6528 square Kilometers and is surrounded on all sides by lofty
hill ranges. The territory is wholly mountainous with altitude ranging
from 2,000 to 21,000 feet.
Regarding the early history of this region it is believed that this area
was at time inhabited by certain Kolian tribes, which were later,
subjugated by the Khasas. The Khasas too after a time came under the sway
of Audumbaras (2nd centaury B.C.). The Audmabaras had republican form of
government and worshiped Shiva as their principal deity. From the Gupta
period (4th Centaury A.D.) the Chamba region was under the control of
Thakurs and Ranas who considered themselves superior to the low tribes of
Kolis and Khasas. With the rise of Gurjara Pratiharas ((7th Centaury
A.D.) the Rajput Dynasties came to power.
 Chamba is the
only state in northern India to preserve a well-documented history from
circa 500 A.D. Its high mountain ranges have given it a sheltered
position and helped in preserving its centuries old relics and numerous
inscriptions. The temples erected by rajas of Chamba more than a thousand
years age continue to be under worship and the land grant-deeds executed
on copper plates by them continue to be valid under the law.
The Muslims never invaded Chamba, though it had its occasional fights
with the neighboring states in the hills having similar cultural
background. Thus, the damage to Chamba from these invasions was seldom
serious and never beyond the possibility of repair. Even the powerful Mughals
were kept at bay on account of difficulties involved in communications
and long distances. Akbar tried to extend a loose control over the hill
states including Chamba and attached fertile tracts of these states to
the imperial territory south of Dhauladhar. Aurangzeb once issued orders
to the Raja of Chamba Chatter Singh (1664-1694AD) to pull down the
beautiful temples of Chamba. But instead the raja in clear defiance to
the Mughal ruler placed glided pinnacles on the temples. He was ordered
to come down to Delhi to face the imperial wrath. But Aurangzeb himself
had to leave for the Deccan from where he could not disentangle till the
end of his life. On the whole, the northern India experienced
comparatively peaceful condition during the Mughal regime Raja Prithvi
Singh (1641-1664 AD), a handsome and a gallant knight was favourite of
Shahjahan and visited the imperial court many times. He introduced the
Mughal style of court life including Mughal-Rajput art and architecture
in Chamba.
By the last quarter of 18th centaury the Sikhs forced the hill states to
pay tribute to them. Maharaja Ranjit Singh systematically deposed the
hill prices including the more powerful Kangra ruler Sansar Chand Katoch
but spared Chamba in lieu of the services Wazir Nathu (of Chamba) had
rendered him on two occasions. In 1809 A.D. the Wazir had made himself
useful to the Maharaja by negotiating
his agreement with Raja Sansar Chand Katoch, of Kangra. Again in A.D.1817
he had saved Ranjit Singh’s life by offering his horse at a critical
moment during formers winter campaign in Kashmir. After Ranjit Singh’s
death Chamba became un-protected and was drawn into the vortex of the
disintegration of the Sikh Kingdom. The Sikh army invaded the British territory
in A.D. 1845 and the troops of Sikh army, which were stationed in Chamba,
were with drawn. When Sikh’s were defeated it was decided to merge Chamba
in Jammu and Kashmir but on account of the timely intervention of Wazir
Bagha (of Chamba) it was taken under the British control and subjected to
the annual tribute of 12,000 rupees. The Raja’s who saw something of
British hegemony were Sri Singh, Gopal Singh, Sham Singh, Bhuri Singh,
Ram Singh and laxman Singh. Their relations with the British political
officers seem to be cordial and Chamba witnessed many reforms.
On 15th April 1948 merging three principal states formed A.D. Himachal….
Chamba, Mandi-Suket, Sirmour and all the other state falling in Shimla
hills.
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