Chamba State

Chamba State[3] was one of the oldest princely states in present-day Republic of India, having been founded during the late 6th century. It was part of the States of the Punjab Hills of the Punjab Province in India from 1859 to 1947. Its last ruler signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union of 15 April 1948.

Not to be confused with Champa.

Chamba State
चम्बा रियासत
~550[1]–1948
Flag of Chamba
Flag
Coat of arms of Chamba
Coat of arms
1911 map of the Princely States of the Shimla Hills showing the boundaries of Chamba State.
1911 map of the Princely States of the Shimla Hills showing the boundaries of Chamba State.
CapitalChamba
History 
• Established
~550[2]
1948
Area
18928,329 km2 (3,216 sq mi)
Population
• 1892
115,773
Succeeded by
India
Today part ofHimachal Pradesh, India
Chamba Princely State
early 18th century Chamba princess
Gopal Singh, Raja of Chamba (ruled 1870–1873)

Geography

Chamba is situated in the bosom of the Himalaya Mountains, and its boundaries are on the northwest, west, and northeast by Kishtwar and Doda district of Jammu region; on the east, Lahaul; and on the southeast and south, the districts of Kangra and Gurdaspur.

The Ravi River flows through this district, and many hydroelectric generating stations have been developed here.

History

According to tradition, the ancient name of Chamba was Champa, and its predecessor state was known as Brahmpur. This site later became Bharmour around 550 AD when Raja Maru Verman came from Kalpagram to the Chamba Hills. In the 900s, the capital was shifted from Bharmour to present day Chamba Town. The rulers of Chamba State patronized artists of the Pahari painting style.[4] Between 1809 and 1846 Chamba was tributary to Jammu. In 1821, Chamba annexed Bhadrawah State. On 9 Mar 1846, Chamba State became a British protectorate.[5]

Rulers

The rulers of Chamba princely state belonged to the Suryavanshi Mushana(मूषाण) Rajput Dynasty.[6]

Rajas

Raja Sahil Verman Around 920AD shifted His Capital From Bharmaur to Present Day Chamba Town. It is believed that King Shail Varman ruled until 940 AD. From then onwards the state of Chamba continued to be ruled by different kings of the Mushana Rajput Dynasty from their capital at Champavati, which later came to be Known as Chamba. Following are some of more famous kings of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh:

The Akhand Chandi palace in Chamba town. This erstwhile palace of the rulers of Chamba state is presently used as a government college.
  • Raja Yugakar Verman
  • Raja Vidagdha Verman
  • Raja Dodaka Verman
  • Raja Vichitra Verman
  • Raja Dhariya Verman
  • Raja Salavahana Verman
  • Raja Soma Varman
  • Raja Asata Varman
  • Raja Jasata Verman
  • Raja Dhala Verman
  • Raja Udayan Varman
  • Raja Anand Verman
  • Raja Ganesa Verman
  • Raja Pratap Singh Verman, (from 1559 to 1586)
  • Raja Vir Vahnu Verman (1586 to 1589)
  • Raja Balbhadra Verman (1589 to 1641) as Chamba.


  • 1690 - 1720 Udai Singh (b. ... - d. 1720)
  • 1720 - 1735 Ugar Singh
  • 1735 - 1794 Raj Singh (b. 1735 - d. 1794)
  • 1794 - 1808 Jit Singh (b. 1775 - d. 1808)
  • 1808 - 1844 Charhat Singh (b. 1803 - d. 1844)
  • 1844 - 1870 Shri Singh (b. 1839 - d. 1870)
  • 1870 - Apr 1873 Gopal Singh (b. 18... - d. 1893)
  • 17 Apr 1873 – 22 Jan 1904 Sham Singh (b. 1866 - d. 1905)
  • 22 Jan 1904 – 22 Sep 1919 Bhuri Singh (b. 1869 - d. 1919)
  • 22 Sep 1919 - 7 Dec 1935 Ram Singh (b. 1890 - d. 1935)
  • 7 Dec 1935 – 15 Aug 1947 Tikka Lakshman Singh (b. 1924 - d. 1971)[7]

Demographics

Religion
Religion in Chamba State (1941)[8]: 42 
Religion Population Percentage
Hinduism [lower-alpha 1] 155,028 91.78%
Islam 12,318 7.29%
Christianity 150 0.09%
Sikhism 107 0.06%
Others[lower-alpha 2] 1,305 0.77%
Total Population 168,908 100%

See also

Further reading
  • The Princely and Noble Families of the Former Indian Empire: Himachal Pradesh V. 1, by Mark Brentnall. Published by Indus Publishing, 2006. ISBN 81-7387-163-9.

Notes
  1. Including Ad-Dharmis
  2. Including Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Tribals, others, or not stated

References
  1. or "6th century" https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V10_136.gif
  2. or "6th century" https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V10_136.gif
  3. "Imperial Gazetteer2 of India, Volume 10, page 130 -- Imperial Gazetteer of India -- Digital South Asia Library". Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  4. Hindu Hill Kingdoms Archived 30 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine V&A Museum.
  5. "Indian Princely States A-J". Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  6. Abhinay Rathore. "Chamba". Rajput Provinces of India. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  7. "Indian states before 1947 A-J". Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  8. "CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME VI PUNJAB PROVINCE". Retrieved 16 January 2023.

32°34′12″N 76°7′48″E

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