2 Ancient History of Himachal Pradesh

2 Ancient History of Himachal Pradesh

0 A2.1 PREHISTORIC AND VEDIC PERIOD
(I) Pre-historic Himachal: Inscription was not developed in pre-historical times. We have not received any written
documents of human beings at this time. We were only dependent on archaeological resources for this period.
This period is divided into the period of Palaeolithic period (30 Lakh to 10 thousand BC), Mid-Paleolithic
period (1000 BC-4000 BC) and Neolithic period (7000 BC- 1000 BC).
The Proto-historic is called the period, in which the script was there, but it has not yet been read, such as the
Harappan period.
(1) Paleolithic Source: In the 1951, Olaf Prufer has been found in stone pots like Khurpa etc., in Nalagarh on
the right side of Sirsa river, tributary of Sutlej. In 1955 B.B. Lal received samples of instruments of 72 stones
of Adisohan type from Guler, Dehra, Dhaliara and Kangra. Among them mains are Chopper, Hast Kuthar
and Vedani. Dr. G.C.Mahapatra also got the remains of stones made of stone in the Sirsa river valley _and
North Paharan period (3 million-4 lakh years ago) in Kangra. Remains of this period have been received in
1974 in the Suketi area of Markanda River of Sfrmaur.
(2) Mid-Paleolithic and Neolithic Sources: This period (10000 BC-lO00BC) has been considered as one in
India, whereas it is divided into Europe. The origins of sustainable agriculture and civilizations took place
during this period. The evidence of the Neolithic era is found in Kotla-Nihong in Ropar. In the foothills of
the Saraswati-Yamuna rivers, brown paintings are made in.pottery.
(3) Proto-History (at the time of Indus Civilization) Resident of Himachal
• Kol : Kol is native to Himachal Pradesh, which laid the foundation of the new stone age culture. The
people of Koli, Hali, Doom, Chana}, Badhi, etc. of the present in the Western Himalayas are from Kol
caste. Kol tribe finds the settlement in Himachal Pradesh with the rocks of Chandeshwar valley in
Kumaun.
• Kirat: Kirat (Mango}) was·the second caste to come here after the Kol caste. Rishi Vasishtha has called
him 'Shishna Dev' (who worshiped 'Linga' Goddess). In the Mahabharata Kirat has been described as
the resident of the Himalayas. In chapter 140 of the Van Parva (Mahabharata), the description of his
residence is found. The Khash were the people who drive them from the mountain foothills to the high
mountains. Manu also described the Kirato. Kinnnar get mention in Raghuvansh of Kiladas .
• Naag: People of this caste lived everywhere in the hills of Himachal. There are 10 feet high statues
of serpents in the Panchvaktra Shiva temple of Mandi. Serpent gods have been shown in the seals of
Harappa civilization. In the Mahabharata, Arjuna had Gandharva married· from the Nag Kanya, the
Naag King Vasuki ofUlupi. Vasu]4 Nag is worshiped in Chamba, Kullu etc. Takshaka Naag established
the Naga state in the Himalayas.
• Khas : The third branch of the Aryans1 which spread from Central Asia through Kashmir to the entire
Himalayas, is called the Khash caste. His residence is found in a village named Khaskandi, Khasdhar
in Rohnu region. The Bhunda festival is celebrated as the victory of the Khaso over the Naga caste, in
which the sacrifice of a family of people belonging to the 'Beda c~ste' who are considered descendants
of the Naga caste is performed. The 'Budhi Diwali' celebrated by the Khaso in Nirmand is also a symbol
of their victory over the primitive castes here. In this, the Khas-Nag war is staged. The Kanait (Kulind)
people descended from the ~ash caste are known as Khasia. This caste is mentioned repeatedly in the
Mahabharata. These people also fought the M~abharata war on behalf of the Kauravas. Descriptions
of Khas have also come in Vayu Purana and Vi~hnu Purana. The warlords of these Khas people later
formed small state associations which were called 'Mavanas'. The Khaso also adopted the polyandry
system like the ancient castes. The Pandavas had also taken the practice of polyandry during exile.
(4) Ancient Gods
• Shiv : Evidence of w orship of such a deity is found by the residents of Himachal, who resemble Shiva.
An example qf this is the temple of Manimahesh, Kinnar Kailash, Mahasu Devta. The oldest religion of
Himachal is Shaivism. Evidence of worship of Pashupat_i Devta is found in the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Shakti : In Himachal Pradesh, Shiva worship was accompi:lllied by Shakti Puja. It became famous in
the mythological names such as Durga, Kali, Amba and Parvati. Shakti Devi in Chhatrari, Lakshana
Devi in Bharmour, Brajeshwari Devi Temple, Jwalamukhi, Hedimba Devi Kullu, _Naina Devi Bilaspur,
Hateshwari Devi Hatkoti and Bhimakali Sarahan are ancient evidence of Shakti worship in Himachal
Pradesh.
4 General Knowledge (Himachal Pradesh)
• Naag Devta : Ancient evidence of many temples and places of worship of Nag Devta has been found
in Himachal Pradesh.
(5) Aryans and Himachal : Aryans have entered into a branch of Central India through Central Asia. These are
called Vedic Aryans. These people brought their livestock, deities and household goods and went towards
the narrow kingdom of Sindhu. They took 400 years to complete their settlement. Vedic Aryans face the
people of the ancient inhabitants of Kol, Kirat and Naga castes, after the Sapta from Sindhu (Punjab) to
Shivalik.
• Sambar-Devodas War : Dasu king "Sambar" had 99 forts in the hills between Yamuna to Beas river.
According to the Rigveda, there was a 40-years war between the Dasyu king Sambar and the Arya king
Devodas. In the end, Devodas killed Sambar at a place called Udvraj. The Aryans forced Kol, Kiratas
and Nagas to move from the lower valleys to the inaccessible hills. Rishi Bharadwaj was the chief
advisor to the Arya king Devodas.
• Khas and Arya: The Aryans also pushed Khas to the inaccessible hills, which sett).ed there, the Aryans
merged them into their own or made slaves.
(II) Vedic period
(1) Vedic Arya : Yayati, the powerful King of the Vedic Arya, laid the foundations of his kingdom on the banks
of the Saraswati river. After that his son 'Puru' became the ruler of this kingdom. ·
• Dashrag War : According to the Rigveda, the battle of Sudas, the son of Devodas, happened between
ten Arya and Anarya King, which is called Dashragya war: Sudas' s army was led by his master and
Minister (Mantri) Vashishtha while Vishwamitra led the armies of the other ten kings. The army of
Sudas defeated the army of ten kings (Puru State). After this Sudas became the most powerful king of
the Rig Vedic period. This war happened along the river Ravi.
(2) Vedic Rishi: Vedic Rishi are connected to the Vasishtha, from Vedic Rishi, from Beas Rishi, Bilaspur to
Beas Rishi, Narmand to Parashurama, Manali to Manu Rishi and Vashishtha Kund hot water chashrne near
Manikaran in Kullu valley. .
• Jamadagni Rishi: Jamadagni Rishi is worshiped in the village of Malana in the form of Jamlu Qeity.
The place where the Jamadagni rishi resided was called the 'Jamu dune (Jamu ka Tibba)'. It is located
near Renuka of Sirmaur district. Renuka was the wife of Rishi Jamadagni. The temple of Parashuram,
son of Jamadagni Maharshi, is located near Renuka Lake. Agastya and Gautama Rishis also made their
own ashram around Renuka and later went to other places to reside.
• Rishi Parashuram : Vedic Arya King Sahastrarjun (Kartavirya) when he reached Renuka, he was
welcomed by .the Jamadagni Rishi. Sahastrarjun demanded 'Kamdhenu' cow from Jamadagni Rishi,
which the rishi refused to give. Being angry at this, he destroyed J amadagni Rishi' s ashram and robbed
his cows. Parashuram organized a local union of the kings and castes and attacked Sahastrarjun and
killed him. Sahastrarjun's sons killed Jamadagni Rishi. From this, Parashurarn got burnt and attacked
all the Kshatriyas. .
(3) Mahabharata Period and Four Ancient Districts of Himachal Pradesh : Himachal is called 'Himvant'
in the Rigveda. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas had spent time in unknown hills in the upper hills of
Himachal. Bhimsen married Hidimba, the deity of Kullu during his exile. Trigarta· king Susharma fought
on be~alf of the Kauravas in the Mahabharata war. The rulers of Kashmir, Audumbar and Trigarta gave taz
to Yudhishthira. The Kulind Princely State accepted the subjection of the Pandavas. In the Mahabharata,
description of 4 districts - Trigarta, Audumbar, Kulind and Kulu!a is found.
• Audumbars : According to Mahabharata: Audumbars- were the descend~t of sage Vishwamitra
whr,, funded the Gotra of the 'Kaushik' group. Aadumbar State Coins have been found in the areas of
Kangra, Pathankot, Jwalamukhi, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur confirming their habitat. These people
used to worship Shiva. The description of Aadumbar caste is also found in Panini 'Ganpath'. Due to
the plurality of Adumbar tree, this district is called Aadumbar. The word 'Mahadevasa' is found on
the coins of Aadumbars in Brahmi and Kharosthi script which symbolize 'Mahadev'. Trident is also
inscribed on coins. The Aadumbars carried copper and silver coins. Aadumbar was a devotee of Shiva
and a sheepman who may have had connections with the Gaddi tribe of Charnba.
• Trigarta : Trigarta distri~t was founded by Bhumichand. Susharma was the 231st King of his generation.
_Susharam Chandra assisted the Kauravas in the Mahabharata war. Sushararn Chandra attacked the .
P~dava~, who had ~heltered ~ -the unknown, the Matasya ki,ng 'Viraat' (Hattkoti), which was its
ne~ghbonng state. Tngarta, Ravi was part of the river between Beas and Sutlej. Susharam Chandra
bmlt Kangra fort and made Nagarkot his capital. Kanishka described the six state groups as part of
History of Himachal Pradesh 5
the Trigarta. Kauravas Shakti, Jalmani, Janki, Brahrnagupta, Dandki and Kaundoparastha were parts
of the Trigarta. Panini has called Trigarta as an Aayudhjivi Sangh, which means the Sangh living with
the help of war. Trigarta has also been mentioned in Panini's Ashtadhyayi, Rajatarangini of Kalhan,
Vishnu Purana~ Brihat Samhita and Mahabharata's Dronaparva.
• Kulluta : The Kulluta kingdom was the upper bank of river Beas, whose description is found in the
Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vrihatsamhita, Markandeya Purana, Mudrarakshas and Matsya Purana. Its
ancient capital was 'Naggar', which is found in Panini's 'Katreyadi Ganga'. The oldest coinage in the
Kullu Valley is -known as Raja Viyars from 100 AD. It has been written in 'Prakrit' and 'Kharosthi'
languages. The princely state of Kulluta was founded by 'Vihangmani Pal' from Prayag (Allahabad).
• Kulindas : According to Kulind-Mahabharata, Arjuna conquered Kulind. The Kulind Pri.J;lcely State
was the land between Beas, Sutlej and Yamuna covering the areas of Sirmaur, Shimla, Ambala in plains.
The "Kunayat" or "Kanayat" of the present day is believed to be related to Kulind. The name of King
'Amoghbhuti' has been inscribed on the silver coin of Kulind. The mythical name of river Yamuna is
'Kalindi' and the area along with it is called Kulind. Due to the abundance of 'Kulind' (Behera) trees that
grow in this region, this district must have been named Kulind. In the Mahabharata, Arjuna conquered
the Kulindas. Kulind Raja Subahu presented gifts to Yudhishthira in the Rajasuya Yagna. Kulindas
have got the 'Bhagavata Chatreshwar Mahatman' posture of the second century. The Kulindas had
a 'republican system of governance'. The Kulindas, along with the Punjab warriors and Arjunayan,
succeeded in driving away the Kushanas.
0 A2.1 QUESTION-ANSWER
a. Description of which group of six republics found in Mahabharata and other books? -Trigarta Sastha
· [Asst. Conservator Forest Exam-2007]
B- Which war in ancient history is known by the ncl!lle of ten Arya kings' war? -Dashragya
[Asst. Conservator Forest Exam-2007]
B- Which Aryan King started the campaign to win Himachal Pradesh between the 3000 BC to 2,500 BC? -
Devodas [Asst. Conservator Forest Exam-2{)07]
B- What was the foreign tribe to attack first on Himachal Pradesh? -Arya (HP SAS (Jv1.ain)-2015 held in 2016)
B- According to Mahabharata, who is the descendant of Aadumbar? -Vishwamitra
[HAS (Main)-2013 held in Oct-2014)(HP Non-Med TET-2014]
B- In which Hindu scripture is the description of war of ten Arya kings Dashragya? -Rigveda
[HAS (Main)-2006]
a. Which rishi was the Chief Adviser of the Arya King Devodas during the war against the King Sambar? -
Bhardwaj Rishi [HAS (Main)-2004]
a. Which king conquered in Dashragya, the war of the ten kings mentioned in Rigveda? -Sudas /
[ HAS ·(Main)-2005]
a Which city of the Punjab was known as Trigarta in ancient time? -Jalandhar [HAS (Main)-2005] -
a Which Kirat kings fought with the invading Arya King Devodas Between 3000.;to 2500 BC? -Sambar
B- What is the meaning of 'Dashragya' in the Rig Veda? -Battle of ten Arya kings
. [H~S (Main)-2001]
[HAS (Main)-2001)(HAS Clerk-2014]
a. The Trigarta described in the Mahabharata is the name of which city of Punjab?·-Jalandhar
[HAS (Main)-20oi]
a Who was the Chief of Army Staff among the Aryans and Kiratians' mentioned in Rigveda, in the 40-year
war between 3000 BC to 2500 BC? -Kirat King Sambar and Arya Raja Devodas. [HAS (Main)-1999]
a Trigarta was divided into two parts, one is Nagarkot and another is? -Jalandhar
[Statistical Asst. (Pre) Exam-2009]
a. What ridicule did Vedic Arya call to the inhabitants of North India? - Dasyu [HAS (Main)-2011 held in 2013]
a Where was 1;he Sambar killed?-In Verchi Udubraj ·
a. Which way did Khaso enter Himachal Pradesh? -From the Kashmir (Kashagiri) _
B- Which republic~ mentioned in 'Ashtadhyayi' of Mahabharata and Panini? -of the Republic of Khas
B- Before the Rajasuya Yagna, who had traveled for the Trigarta, Kullut and Kulind republics? - Arjuna
a. Who, among the people, Khas, Ekasan, Parod and Kulind presentes;l the golden vows during Rajsuya
· Yagna? - To the Yudhisthir
6 General Knowledge (Himachal Pradesh)
~ Which rishi killed King Janamtapi? -Rishi Vasishtha
;s Capital of Trigarta-Nagarkot
"2S. In the Vedic period, the residents of Himachal Pradesh were known as. - Das, Dasyu, Nishad
"2S. Whose son was Ghatotkacha? - Bhim and Hidimba.
cS. According lo the Mahabharata, on the basis of the which rakshasha's cut ears, Kangra made from Kangadh?

-Jalandhar Rakshasha ·
"2S. Jalandhar, who was killed by Vishnu, is the name of the scholar who believed to be a Sambar Rakshash in
the Vedic '")eriod. -Rahul Sankrityanan
,s. Fow1der o Puru State -Yayati ·
~ By what name do the Kalindi which flow from the Kalind mountain of area of kulinds. - Yamuna river
~ District of Gad di - Relates to the Gaddis of Chamba
~ What was the name of the ruler of Kullu, whose famous name Vasundhara was called Prithvi? -Pruthu
"ls.. Which ruler was born in the 234th generation of Bhurnkhand, who supported the Kauravas during
Mahabharata? -Susharma
"ls.. Which of the following was the origin of King Bhumichand of Katoch dynasty of Kangra? -Parvati
~ Which legendary King's capital was Sarahan?-Banasura
~ How many forts were there have Da~yuraj Sambar? -99 Forts
~ According to the Mahabharata, who was the descendant of Aadumbar? -of yishvamitra
[HP Asst. Engg. (Elect.) Deputy Manager-2017]
"ls.. What ancient tribe lived during the Indus Valley Civilization? -Dasyu [HP Company Secratory-2017]
0 A2..1 OBJECTIVE-QUESTION
l. Which ancient tribe were re ated to the Sambar
king who fought against the Arya king Devodas?
Ans.
2.
Ans.
3.
Ans.
4.
Ans.
5.
Ans.
6.
(A) Kinnar
(C) Kirat
(C) Kirat
[HP PGT (Maths)-2016]
(B) Khas
(D) Das
In which ancient book of India is the description
of Khas? [HP PGT (English)-2016]
(A) Bhagwat Puran (B) Vayu Puran
(C) Brihat Samhita (D) All of the above
(D) All of the above
"Aadumbar" (Kaushik Gotra) connects with
which saint? [HP Asst. Prof (CC) Zoology-2016]
(A) Vashishtha (B) Bhrigu .
(C) Vishwamitra (D) Parashara
(C) Vishwamitr;:i
Who were the residents of Shivalik valleys in the
former Vedic period?
(A) Kinnar
(C) Nagajati
(D) Dasyu
(B) Arya
(D) Dasyu
According to which mythology, "The person who
thinks of the Himalayas without seeing him gets
a bigger result than the worship done in Kashi."
[HP DPRO-2014]
(A) Shiv Purana (B) Skanda Purana
(C) Vayu Purana
(B) Sakand Purana
(D) Garuda Purana
Who was the assistant of Sambar in the war with
the king Devodas of Aryans?
(A) Varchi
[HP Naib Tehsildar (Pre)-2014]
(B) Sudas
(C) Atjun (D) Pradyumna
Ans. (A) Varchi
7. In Himachal Pradesh 'Arya' is known by which
name? ·
(B) Koli
(D) Kulind
Ans.
8.
(A) Bhot
(C) Rathi
(D) Kulind
According to which religious group, Anarya
tribes like Kol, Kirat, Yaksh and Naga had settled
before Aryans in Himachal Pradesh?
Ans.
9.
Ans.
10.
Ans.
11.
, (A) Mahabharata
(C) Manusmriti
(B) Rigveda
[HP CDPO-2014]
(B) Rigveda
(D) Yoga Vasishtha
Who lost in t, le war between the ancient Aryan
kings Devodas and Sambar for 40 years?
(A) Shak
(C) Kirat
(C) Kirat
[HAS (Pre)-2014]
(B) Khas
(D) Kinnar
In which scripture is the description of war
between the King and Arya King lasted for 40
years? [HAS (Main)-1998 HAS (Pre)-2004]
(A) In Kathodpanishad (B) In Rigveda
(C) In Atharvaveda (D) In Hitopanishad
(B) In Rigveda
How long did the war between Devodas and
Sambar described in Rigveda last?
(A) 10 years
(C) 40 years
Ans. (C) 40 years
[HAS (Pre)-2006]
(B) 15 years
(D) None of these
History of Himachal Pradesh
12. Who was the chief adviser of Arya King Devodas?
[Leet. College (Botany)-2005)
Ans.
13.
Ans.
14.
Ans.
15.
[HP Forest Rangers Exam-2006)
(A) Rishi Bharadwaj (B) Panini -
(C) Kapil Muni (D) Megasthenes
(A) Rishi Bharadwaj
King Susharma, who fought on behalf of the
Kaurava in the war of Mahabharata, is considered
the founder of an important dynasty of Hirnachal
Pradesh. By which name is the Dynasty known?
(A) Katoch
(C) Pathania
(A) Katoch
[HP Naib Tehsildar (Pre)-2011)
(B) Bhankotiva
(D) Kathwal
Which Katoch dynasty king of Kangra took part
in the war on behalf of Kaurvas in the battle of
Mahabharata?
[HP Clerk-2010) [HP Stenotypist-2009)
(A) Jagat Chandra (B) Sachendu
(C) Ganesh Chandra (D) Susharam Chandra
(D) Susharam Chandra
Which king of Anarya King Raja Sambar was a
war with Aryan king multiple times?
(A) Duvendra
(C) Sashank
Ans. (B) Devodas
[HP Clerk-2010]
(B) Devodas
(D) Prithu
7
(C) Kinnaur (D) Shirnla and Sirmaur
Ans. (D) Shimla and Sirmaur
19. What was the second inhabitant of Hirnachal
Ans.
20.
Ans.
21.
Ans.
22.
Ans.
23.
Pradesh?
(A) Kirat
(C) Mangol
(A) Kirat
(B) Arya
(D) Khas
What was the third tribe that entered the northern
part of Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Khas (B) Iqrat
(C) Mangol (D) Arya
(A) Khas
Who was the oldest inhabitant of Hirnachal
Pradesh?
(A) Kol
(C) Gaddi
(A) Kol
(B) Arya
(D) Khas
According to the famous Linguist Grierson, who
were the first (former) familiar 'lndo-Aryans' of
Himalayan territory?
(A) Khas
(C) Das
(A) Khas
[HP Naib Tehsildar (Main)-Oet. 2018)
(B) Naga
(D) Kirat
Which of the following ancient tribe is believed
to be inhabited by the Himalayan Tarain, Ganga
16. In which area did the Pandavas spend to Chandrabhaga, till the Guptas? 12 years of
exile?
(A) Bil (B) Sirmaur . (A) Das
aspur (C) Kirat
[HP Naib Tehsildar (Main)-Oet. 2018)
(B) Kinnar
~ci ~::~ (D) Naag (D) Kaza Ans. (B) Kinnar
~7. What was the second oldest hill state of Himachal 24. Which centuthry Budddhisbt s110lar Chandragomi
Pradesh? [Leet. College (Commeree)-2005) wrote about e Aa urn ar.
(A) Trigarta (B) Bharrnour [HP Asst. Prof (Geography)-2018]
(C) Kutlehar (D) Kullut (A) Second century
Ans. (D) Kullut (B) Third century
18. Where did the Kulind permanently reside? (C) Fifth century
[HP Clerk-Nov. 2018) (D) Seventh century
(A) Kangra - (B) Kullu Ans. (C) Fifth century
0 A2.2 MAURYAN PERIOD AND POST-MAURYAN PERIOD
(i) Mauryan period .
. ♦ Sikandar's Invasion: Around 326 BC Sikandar attacked India and reached the river Beas. Sikandar's
soldiers refused to go beyond the Beas River. Most prominent in this was his commander 'Coenus'.
Alexander constructed twelve stupas as a sign of his ,India campaign on the banks of the Beas river, which
has now been destroyed. .
♦. Chandragupta Maurya : • Chandragupta Maurya, along with the king Parvatak and his Prime Minister
Chanakya, took steps towards the establishment of the Maurya Empire. The treaty between Parvatak and
Chanakya is found in Vishakhadatta's Mudrarakshasa and Jain Granth Parivishthapavaran. According
to Mudrarakshasa, Chandragupta recruited Kirat and I<;hasho in his army. Pravatak mu~t have been a
Trigarta king. Among the hill kings, only King Chitravarma of Kulut and King Pushkaraksa of Kashmir
opposed Chandragupta. With the help of Chanakya,;in 323 BC, Chandragupta destroyed the Nand dynasty
and sat on the throne and established the Maurya Empire. The kingdom of Kulind was called Shirmourya
in the Mauryan period as the Kulind state was situated at the apex of the Maurya Empire. Over time, it
.b ecame SirmIa ur.
r
8 General Knowledge (Himachal Pradesh)
♦ Ashoka: Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, sent Majjhima and 4 Buddhist monks to propagate
Buddhism in the Himalayas. According to Hiuentsang, Ashoka had built Buddhist stupas at Kullu and
Kangra. Stupas built of Ashoka are located in Kalath of Kullu and Chaintadu of Kangra. Ashoka period
inscriptions h~ve been found in Kalsi (Uttarakhand). In the promotion of Buddhism in the Himalayas,
Majjhima was supported by 4 Buddhist monks - Kappapagota, Dhundibhisara, Sahadeva and Mulakdev.
Buddhism had entered in :?42 BC in Himachal Pradesh. The decline of the Mauryan Empire began around
210 BC, which was completed by the establishment of the Shunga dynasty in 185 BC.
(ii) Post Mauryan Period (Shunga, Kushan dynasty) : After the fall of the Mauryas, the Shunga dynasty could
not keep the hill republics under them and they became independent. The Shakas invasion began around
the first century BC. In the reign of Kanishka, the most prominent king of the Kushanas afte~e Shakas, the
hill states surrendered and accepted Kanishka's subjugation. 40 Kushan coins have been found on the KalkaKasauli
road. A coin of Kanishka is found at Kanihara in Kangra. The hill kings were free to run their coins
with the Kushanas. In the late second and early third centuries, when the power of the Kushans weakened, the
Yudhayas, the Arjunayans (Punjab) and the Kulindas, pushed the Kushanas across the Sutlej and carried coins
a? a symbol of their independence.
0 A2.2 QUESTION-ANSWER
'Is.. On the banks of which river did Alexander build twelve stupas, who are giving testimony of his India
campaign? -Be~s (Hypesis) [Asst. Conservator Forest Exam-2007]
'Is.. What was the name of that commander who forbade Alexander to proceed to conquer India? -Coenus
. [HAS (Main)-2005] [HAS (Main)-2001]
'Is.. At which place did Ashoka built some stupas in Himachal Pradesh? -Kullut Valley [HAS (Main)-2005]
'Is.. In the midst of the invasion of India, what reason was responsible for returning Alexander without crossing
the Beas river? -:-Refusal by the astrologers [HAS (Main)-1999]
'Is.. Which monk sent for the propagation of Buddhism in Hirnachal Pradesh? -Majjhima
[HAS (Main)-1998, HAS (Pre)-2003]
'Is.. What did Alexander dot<> identify the last point of the Indian victory?-50 cubic height vedies are made on
the upper bank of the Beas rive·r · . · · . _ ~ · · · · [HP ACF-2010]
0 A2.2 OBJECTIVE-QUESTIONS .
1. A famous village for its oldest, structure, whose
name is associated with Alexander the Great.
[HP Computer Operator-2013]
(A) Paragpur
(B) Losar
(C) Malana ·
(D) Kahtur
Ans. (C) Malana
2. What was the main reason for Alexander's
decision to not move beyond the Beas river in the
middle of his -India ~ory? "[HAS (Pre)-2006]
(A) Floods in Beas and other rivers .
(B) Fear of large army gathered.by lridian rulers
(C) Revolt of lμs warfords . "
(D) The advice of their astrologers
Ans. (C) Revolt of their warlords
(D) The advice of their astrologers
3. Who.was the author of the proclamation written
on stone at Kalsi near Tons and Yamuna river?
~ ' . .
(A) Chandragupta ·
(B) Kanishka
(C) Buddha
(D) Ashoka
Ans. (D) Ashoka
4. Which year did Alexander drive to the banks of
the river Beas? [HAS (Pre)-2006]
(A) 326 BC
(B) 221 AD
(C) 550AO·
(D) 50BC
Ans. (A) 326 BC
5. Where was a Muslim ruler transferred a stupa
built by Ashoka in Paonta Valley of Hirnachal
Pradesh to Delhi? [HAS (Pre)-2006]
(A) Chandni Chowk
(o) Paharganj
' (C) Firoz Shah Kotla .
(D) Shadara
· Ans. '(C) Firoz Shah Kotla
, . / ,
History of Himachal Pradesh
0 A2.3 GUPTA PERIOD
Chandragupta-I, the grandson of Shrigupta, laid the foundation of the Gupta Empire in 319 AD. Napoleon
'Samudragupta' of India conquered the mountainous districts in 340 AD and took control of them. The Allahabad
(Prayag) commendation of Harishen mentions the conquest of Samudragupta over the districts of 'Bhadra,
Trigarta, Audumbar, Kullut and Kartikpur. All the kings accepted his subjugation and made him like a Jagirdar.
Kulind district is not mentioned in it. He may have come under the Gupta Empire at the time of Chandragupta-I.
Samudragupta confessed his sovereignty to the hill districts and granted him the freedom to maintain internal
freedom, power and security.
Skandagupta, the son of Kumar Gupta defeated the Huns and maintained the prestige of the Gupta empire. After
Skandagupta, the influence of the Gupta Empire began to decline and was disbanded. The invasion of the Huns
was the main reason for the decline of the Gupta Empire. Kalidas composed Kumarasambhava and Meghdoot in
this period, in which the description of Himalaya is found. During the Gupta period, the influence of Hinduism
increased in the mountainous regions and many temples were built.
0 A2.3 QUESTION-ANSWER

-a. In which century did Samudragupta subjugate the newly formed states of Himachal Pradesh? -4th
century [HPPTI 2014][HAS (Main)-2006]

-a. In which year did Samudragupta send the local rulers of Himachal Pradesh the challenge to accept their
sovereignty? -340 AD . [HAS (Main)-2001]
a. Which Gupta emperor challenged the kings of Himachal Pradesh to accept or fight their dominion? -
Samudragupta [HAS (Main)-1998, HAS (Pre)-2003]
0 A2.3 OBJECTIVE-QUESTIONS
l. Which Indian emperor forced the Kulindas, Yodheyon and Arjunas to accept their sovereignty?
(A)
(C)
Ans. (B)
Chandragupta Maurya
Mahapadam Nand
Samudragupta
(B) Samudragupta
(D) Kanishka
0 A2.4 POST-GUPTA PERIOD (HUNAS, HARSHVARDHAN)
[HAS (Pre)-2006]
(i) Invasion of Hunas: In the 521 AD the Hunas attacked the west~rn Himalayas under the leadership of Toramana.
Earlier, between 480-90, Toramana had invaded the Gupta empire. After the glory, his son Mihirakula, which
was called 'Attila of India', took control of the area from Punjab to central India in 525 AD. Magadha emperor
Narsingh Baladitya and Yashovarman defeated Mihirakula and forced Kashmir to flee. Gujars consider
themselves to be descendents of Hunas.
(ii) Harshavardhana and Hiuen Tsang : Harshvardhana sat on the throne of India in _606 AD. During his reign,
Patliputra, Thaneswar and Kannauj were the main centers of governance. During his reign, Hiuen Tsang
traveled to India from 629-644 AD. In 635 AD, Hiuen Tsang came to Jalandhar (capital of Jalandhar-Trigarta)
and stayed there with the king utitas (Udima) as a guest for four months. At the time of China's return to India,
he had stayed in Jalandhar even in 643 AD in India. Hiuen Tsang had visited Kullu, Lahaul and Sirmaur after
Jalandhar. Harshavardhana died in 647 AD. In the book of Kalhan, 'Rajatarangini', there is a description of
the war between King Lalitaditya and Yashovarman of Kashmir and details about Yashovarman's impact on
Trigarta, Brahmapura (Chamba) and other mountainous areas. In the nintl,l century Trigarta and Upper Sutlej
areas got the right of Kashmir State. . . 1
Hiuen Tsang has given a detailed description of the visit of Sirmauri Tai, Lahaul (Lo-u-Lo), capital of Jalandhar
. (Se-lan-Talo), Kullut, Sirmaur (Shatrughan). The Chamba state may have been subjected to Tirgara at that
time. In his book 'Si-u-Ki' he mentioned about the prevailing Mahayana religion. The description of King
" Samudrasen of Spiti is found in the manuscript on copper plate of Nirmand. In addition to Trigarta and Kullut,
groups of small chieftains, called Thakurs and Rana, emerged in Himachal Pradesh. In the post-Gupta period
the Thakurs' reign was called 'Apathakurai' and the jurisdiction was called 'Thakurai'. The jurisdiction of
the Ranas was. called 'Rahun'. Rajputs who came from the plains between the seventh and tenth centuries
established their dynasties in Himachal. He brought the Rana and Thakurs to the status of their feudatories.
10 General Knowledge {Himachal Pradesh)
0 A2.4 QUESTION-ANSWER
B- According to the Chinese Hiuen Tsang, whose rule was in Kullu in 500? -Vihangmani Pal
[HAS (Main)-2007]
B- According to the Farishta, which king of Kannauj is said to defeat the King of Nagarkot? -Harshvardhana
[HAS (Main)-2013 held in Oct-2014)
B- In 500 AD, which ruler of Haryana had disrupted life in India including Himachal Pradesh? -Toramana
(HAS (Main)-2001)
B- Who defeated Mihirakula (Huns) known as 'Attila of India' in 520 AD, after which he was defeated and
became a king by the deception of Kashmir? -Yashovarman
B- Gutjars are associated with whom? -From the Hunas
B- The word 'Thakur' is the word of the Yuv-che-Tokhri tribe, originally from where?-of Aral Sea
B- According to Hiuen Tsang, how many miles did the Kullu circle? -75 miles
0 A2.4 OBJECTIVE-QUESTION
1. Which year did Hiuen Tsang visit India?
(A) 629 BC
(B) 292 BC
(C) 629AD
(D) 922AD
[HP Asst. Prof (ASH) Physics-2016)
Ans. (C) 629 AD _
2. In 480-490, after the disintegration of the Gupta
empire, who among the following had established
himself as a powerful ruler? [HAS (Pre)-2006)
(A) Mihirakula (B) Toramana
(C) Yashovardhan (D) Harsh
Ans. (B) Toramana
3. Who was Toramana? [HAS (Pre)-2007]
Ans.
4.
(A) A Hun invader and ruler of the fifth century
(B) A historian of the Gupta dynasty
(C) A captain of Alexander's army
(D) A monk of Buddhist religion in China
(A) A Hun invader and ruler of the fifth century
In his description, who has described the Trigarta
"as a state 267 miles long from east to west and
213 miles from north to south"?
[HP Naib Tehsildar (Main)-Oct. 2018]
(A) Panini (B) Kalhana
(C) Hiuen Tsang . (D) Ptolemy
Ans. (C) Hiuen Tsang