Authored By: Anil Kumar Bhagat
The prevailing historical narrative identifies Kahan Pal as the first historical king of Kishtwar. This assertion, repeated across numerous texts, primarily stems from Pandit Shivji Dhar's "Tariq-e-Kishtwar," published in 1962 AD. Subsequent historians and authors have largely accepted this account. However, a closer examination of the available historical evidence reveals inconsistencies and raises critical questions about the accuracy of this claim.
Historical accounts offer varying timelines for Kahan Pal's reign, with estimates ranging from the 5th to the 10th century AD. These discrepancies already point to a lack of consensus among historians. Moreover, the origin of the name "Kahan Pal" itself remains unclear. Shivji Dhar's "Tariq-e-Kishtwar" introduces the name, but the original source or evidence for this identification is not provided.
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| Stone Carving at Kishtwar |
Traditional accounts suggest Kahan Pal arrived in Kishtwar from Gour Bengal (present-day Murshidabad, Bangladesh). Some narratives depict him as a member of Bengal's royal lineage, possibly traveling on a pilgrimage or fleeing with followers. These accounts describe a four-month winter stay at Kandani (Drabhshalla), during which Kahan Pal allegedly gathered intelligence about Kishtwar. Spies are said to have extracted crucial information from a Panjsasi woman, enabling Kahan Pal to strategize the capture of the Kishtwar plateau.
At the time, Kishtwar was inhabited by three clans: Rathars, Ganies, and Panjsasis, often engaged in conflict. The Panjsasis held significant power. Exploiting this fragmented political landscape, Kahan Pal is said to have attacked the unarmed Panjsasis during the Kakul festival. Victory in this encounter led to the surrender of the Rathars and Ganies, establishing Kahan Pal as the ruler, who then constructed a residence at Tund and reigned until his death.
Challenging the Established Narrative: Examining the Evidence
A fundamental issue lies in the divergent timelines presented by various historians regarding Kahan Pal's arrival. This lack of a unified timeframe undermines the certainty of his historical position. The reliance on "Tariq-e-Kishtwar" as the primary source for Kahan Pal's name raises further concerns, particularly given the absence of documented sources within that text.
Some historians propose a connection between Kahan Pal and Harsha Vikramaditya of Ujjain, suggesting he embarked on the Shri Amarnath Yatra. This theory posits that Kahan Pal, noticing political instability in Kishtwar, decided to stay and eventually rule. However, certain authors have noted that the formal discovery of the Shri Amarnath cave is traditionally attributed to the 18th century AD, which contradicts this earlier association.
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| Coins of Hindu Shahi Dynasty |
Contrasting this, historical records, such as "Rag Prabhati," indicate the presence of the Amarnath cave much earlier. The text mentions Guru Nanak Dev Ji visiting the cave via Ladakh (Guru Nanak Dev Ji's lifespan: 1469-1539 AD). Furthermore, scriptures like the Brigu Sahinta's "Amarnath Mahatmayam" suggest the existence of the Amarnath pilgrimage route with designated holy sites, implying a long-standing tradition predating the 18th century. Mentions of King Uadyan Dev of Kashmir visiting the Amarnath shrine also point to its ancient significance. These accounts challenge the notion that the pilgrimage route, and by extension the cave's prominence, was a later development.
The theory linking Kahan Pal to a flight from Gour Bengal following an invasion by Bhoja-I (Mihira Bhoja) of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty around 870 AD also presents problems. While Mihira Bhoja did defeat the Pala ruler Narayanapala (not Vigrapala-I) around 873-874 AD and annexed parts of his kingdom, the Palas were not completely crushed and continued to rule. Attributing the migration of Kahan Pal's supposed ancestors (Hari Pal and Manak Pal) and their followers (Gauria Brahmans and Barwalas) to this event is speculative. Crucially, no historical records from Gour Bengal or the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty mention these individuals. If they were war prisoners in Ujjain, as some interpretations suggest, their subsequent migration to the Chandra Bhaga zone as founders of a dynasty remains unsubstantiated.
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| Stone Inscription found by author |
The Pala dynasty of Bengal, staunch patrons of Buddhism, ruled from the 8th century AD. If Kahan Pal originated from this region and established rule in Kishtwar, one would expect to find evidence of Buddhist influence, such as monasteries or learning centers, reflecting the cultural norms of a conquering power. The absence of such evidence in Kishtwar weakens the Gour Bengal origin theory. Historical precedent shows that conquering rulers often impose their cultural and religious norms on the subjugated territories.
The considerable distance (approximately 2000 km) and diverse terrains between Gour Bengal and Kishtwar pose logistical challenges to the narrative of a direct migration. The climatic differences and unfamiliar Himalayan environment would have presented significant hurdles for a large group, including women and children, particularly the supposed four-month winter stay at Kandani, a location not prominently mentioned in other historical contexts of Kishtwar.
The claim that Gauria Brahmins and Bharwalas accompanied Kahan Pal also warrants scrutiny. The traditional social divisions of Brahmins and the historical placement of Bharwalas as a lower social group employed for specific tasks make their large-scale migration and association with a royal figure from a potentially Buddhist background less plausible. The arrival of Gaur Brahmins in Kishtwar likely occurred later, possibly invited by subsequent rulers for religious purposes, a common practice in ancient and medieval India. Similarly, the presence of Bharwalas as a community engaged in specific occupations is a common feature across various regions and doesn't necessarily link them to Kahan Pal's arrival.
A significant point is the lack of any historical figure named Kahan Pal in the documented histories of Bengal, Malwa, or Ujjain. This absence further undermines the foundation of his supposed origins and rule.
A Potential Alternative: The Influence of the Shahi Palas
The Hindu Shahi dynasty, with rulers like Jayapala (964-1002 AD), who fiercely resisted the Ghaznavids, offers a compelling alternative perspective. Their kingdom stretched across regions near Kishtwar. Following defeats against Mahmud of Ghazni, some Shahi princes sought refuge in Kashmir and the Middle Himalayan Ranges.
The Rajatarangni, a more contemporary and authoritative chronicle of Kashmir, mentions the influence of Shahi princes like Rudrapala, Diddapala, and Anangapala in Kashmir during the 11th century AD. It also records the existence of states bordering Kishtwar, such as Rajapuri (Rajouri), whose rulers used the suffix "Pala," and the Bhadu state (Ramkot), with rulers also bearing the "Pala" suffix. Prithvi Pala is mentioned as a ruler of Rajapuri around 1000-1025 AD. These kingdoms had geographical and potentially political connections to the regions controlled by the Hindu Shahis.
The Rajatarangni also provides the earliest seemingly reliable information about a ruler of Kishtwar, identifying Uttamraja (also known as Oudat Dev) as the King of Kashthavata (Kishtwar) in the 63rd year of the Kashmiri era (1087-88 AD). His father was Raja Braham Sen, suggesting an established lineage. This account offers a more concrete historical anchor compared to the contested figure of Kahan Pal.
Conclusion: Re-evaluating Kishtwar's First Historical King
The historical figure of Kahan Pal as the first king of Kishtwar is shrouded in considerable uncertainty, lacking robust primary source evidence and facing contradictions within existing narratives. The reliance on a single, later-published source without clear origins for the name raises serious questions.
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| Author at Heritage Site in Kishtwar |
Conversely, the historical context of the Hindu Shahi dynasty and their interactions with neighboring regions, coupled with the Rajatarangni's account of Uttamraja, presents a more plausible framework for understanding the early rulers of Kishtwar. It is likely that a prince or member of the Hindu Shahi royal family, facing pressure from the Ghaznavids, may have sought refuge and established influence in Kishtwar.
The subsequent use of suffixes like "Sen," "Dev," and "Singh" by the rulers of Kishtwar, which are prevalent in Punjab and surrounding areas, could further hint at connections beyond Bengal. The hypothetical change from "Pala" to "Sen" by Gandarb Sen, son of the supposed Kahan Pal, out of fear of Ghaznavid pursuit based on the "Pala" suffix, suggests an awareness of the Shahi lineage and the dangers posed by the Ghaznavids.
Pandit Kalhana's Rajatarangni offers the first historically grounded reference to a King of Kishtwar, Uttamraja, in the late 11th century AD. While the earlier history remains debated, the evidence leans towards a potential link with the displaced Hindu Shahi dynasty rather than an unverified migration from distant Bengal.
Further research, particularly the examination of local stone inscriptions, temples, caves, and lesser-known literary works, is crucial to shed more light on the early history of Kishtwar and potentially uncover more definitive evidence about its first rulers. The conventional narrative surrounding Kahan Pal warrants a critical reassessment in light of the available historical data.
Evidences of Shahi Palas That Still Exists in Kishtwar
Numerous overlooked proofs may exist in Kishtwar, awaiting proper investigation. These could include stone inscriptions, relics in temples and caves, and within local literary traditions. Focused research in these areas could provide further insights into the region's early connections and potentially validate the influence of the Shahi Palas.
Author: Anil Kumar Bhagat
Email: anilk11111982@gmail.com
Contact: 7051350159
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