Important Dates in the History of Himachal Pradesh - Part 1

B.C. 

• 40000-4000 : Evidences of Human Civilization were found in various parts of Himachal Pradesh. 

• 2000 - 1000 : Formation of small Tribal States, which used to be 1000 called Janas or Janpads.

• 1000 :  Birth of various small Janpads' due to the influence of Aryan culture and politics, During this period many warriors and Ganapatis participated on behalf of Kauravas in the Mahabharata war. Prominent among these were Kulinadas, Trigarta, Adumbar and 'Shatdruj'.

• 600 : Spread of Buddhism and Jainism in Himachal Pradesh. There is a reference to Trigarta (Kangra) in the writings of Sanskrit writer Panini. 

• 345 : Chandra Gupt recruited soldiers from the Hill Gana states and with their assistance destroyed Nand dynasty. 

• 100 : The coin bearing the inscription with the tribal name mentioned in the Mahbharata found. The reference to Audumbara or the country of Udumbaras addressed to Kangra. 

Audumbara's Coin

A.D. 

• 500 :  Sreshta Sen of Kashmir bestowed 'The land of Trigarta upon the Pravarasen (reference is available in Rajatarangini). 

Lo

• 520 : Pravarasen is said to have conquered Trigarta (Kangra). 

• 620 : This is the approximate date of the foundation of Chamba State. First time the name of one Aaditya Varman appears in the Vanshavali and he is referred to as the great grand father of Meru Varman.

• 625 : Establishment of Katoch dynasty in Kangra. The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited Jalandhar Reference is found of Kangra and Kiu-lu-to (Kullu) in his writings. He describes the Kingdom Che-lan-to-lo, i.e.  Jalandhara.  Hiuen Tsang after staying for four months at Jalandhara also visited Kullu.

Hiuen Tsang

• 647 : Harsha died and his death was followed by the era of trouble and confusion in the history of Himachal Pradesh until the reign of Yashovarman.

• 894 : Kot Kehlur Fort was built.

• 900 : Bir Chand of Chandri (Bundelkhand) laid the foundation of Bilaspur State by defeating Ranas and Thakurs. He established his State across Sally and named it as Kahloor, Bir Chand is also said to have annexed some portion of Sirmour State during the year.

• 920 : Sahil Varman after conquering the lower parts of Chamba shifted his capital from Brahmpur to Chamba.

Bharmaur

• 1009 : Sultan Mahmud Ghazi attacked Nagarkot, Tigarte (Bhimkot) during his fourth expedition. He defeated a large Hindu army on the banks of Indus river and advanced into the plains probably following the route along the foothills and suddenly appeared before Nagarkot. Farishta states that the amount looted by Ghazni was 700,000 golden dinars, 700 munds of gold and silver plates, 200 munds of pure gold in ingots, 2000 munds of silver bullion, 20 munds of various jewels including pearls, corals, diamonds and rubies. 

• 1043 :  A garrison of Kangra Fort was lifted. It was during the year that great enthusiasm was aroused among the Hindus by a rumour that the idol had ordered Mahipal (Raja of Delhi) in dream and announced that he would retun from Ghazni to his own temple at Nagarkot.

• 1070 : End of Trigrata ruler dominance over Jalandhar region.