Chamba State

· 1904 · Public domain (published pre-1930) · archive.org ↗

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2CHamBa Stare, | Bhot Varma. [Parr A.

3CHAP. I, B. Lalita Varma—(A. D. 1143).—Two slab inscriptions of this

4History. Raja's reign have recently been found. One of these is dated in

5his 17th year, and records the erection ofa panihdr, or fountain,

6Lalita Yerm® at Debri Kothi, by a Rand-named Néga Pél, who states that le-

7Slab inserip- had received the title of Rdjdnaka from the Raja. The other

8cea -nseribed stone is at Salhi in the Saichu Nélé, Pangi, and is dated

9in the 27th year of Lalita Varma, Sh. 46=A.D. 1170. This Raja

10must therefore have begun to reign in A. 1). 1148-4, and may have

11lived ¢ill about A. D. 1175. ‘The second slab— part of a panthar—

12was erected by a Rand named Ludar Pal, whose lineal descendants

13still hold land in Salhi, as common farmers. In it Pangi is called

14Péngati, which seems to have been the ancient name of the Valley.

15VijayaVarma, Vijaya Varma—(A. D,. 1175).---This prince 18 said to have

164.1175. — heen brave and warlike, and was much beloved by his people. The

17Chronicle states that he invaded Kashmir and Ladakh, and brought

18pack much spoil. The State boundaries were enlarged during his

19reign.) If we bear in mind the political condition of Northern

20India about ttis period, we shall have little dificulty in under-

21standing the easy successes which Vijaya Varma seems to have

22gained. In A. D. 1191 Muhammad of Ghor invaded India, and

23was defeated by the confederate Hindti Princes, under the leader-

24ship of Prithvi R4j of Delhi. He returned in A. D. 1193, and,

25in the great battle which ensued on the banks of the Ghaggar,

26Prithvi Raj perished with the flower of his army. In the following

27year Kanauj also was overthrown, and everywhere confusion and

28disorder reigned. There is thus little room for surprise that Vijaya

29Varma availed himself of the opportunity to extend the boundaries

30of the State.

31He was succeeded by Rdja Varma; Sdéra Varma; Kirts

32Varma ; Ajita Varma ; Madana Varma, brother of the previous

33Raji; Ndrikanjar Varma; Asha Varma; Jimit Varma.

34His conquests,

35| - Vairhat . Vairdsi Varma—(A. D. 1330).—Tkis Raj& is called Vairi

361390. ~S”:«WWaarma io the bansauli, but a copper-plate deed gives his name as

37First one above. It bears the date Shastra 6, Vik. 1387=A. D. 18380, which

38copperplate. as probably the first year of his reign. This is the first plate with

39a distinct date, and for this reason it is both interesting and

40important. Vairdsi Varma had probably a long reign, and died

41about A. D. 1370. |

42og Mani Manikya Varma—(A. D, 1370).—The name of this Chief

43iso. C(é«w CAT'S OTD the copper-plates of his son Bhot Varma, the earliest of

44which is dated A. D. 1897. We may, therefore, assume that

45this was the year of his death.

46Bhot Varma, Bhot Varma—(A. D. 1397).—The earliest plate of this reig¢

47A,D.1397. hag just! been-referred to, and the latest yet found has the date Sh.

4812 an D. aes There is an allusion tv Bhot Varma’s death in a

49deed granted by his son, from which it appears that this ev -}

50place in A. D. 1449. dpa rene een

51| (1) His sway is said to have extended to Gujrat,