<–2/”>a >The Katyuri kings were a medieval ruling clan of present-day Uttarakhand, India. They ruled over the Kumaon region from 800 to 1100 AD. They called their state Kurmanchal, the land of Kurma, the second Avatar of Vishnu, which gives the region its present name, Kumaon.
ORIGIN
Historians such as Badri Dutt Pandey believe the Katyurs were originally from Ayodhya. Others, however, trace their origins back to the Kunindas, having found coins from the Kuninda period. Rahul Sankrityayan traces their ancestry to Kshasha and Shaka stock, who were in India before first Century BCE.
Now called Kumaon, the name is derived from Kurmanchal; the land of Kurma and Uttarakhand is also referred to as “Abode of Gods” or Deva Bhumi.
KINGDOM
The Katyuri dynasty was founded by Vashudev Katyuri, also called Vasu Dev or Basu Dev, according to traditions, but his name is not found in any inscriptions and ancient Basdeo temple at Joshimath is attributed to Vasu Dev.Vasu Dev was of Buddhist origin, but later became staunch follower of Brahminical practices and the brahminical practices of Katyuri kings in general is sometimes attributed to a vigorous campaign of Shankaracharya (788-820 CE). Originally from Joshimath, during their reign they dominated lands of varying extent from the ‘Katyur’ (modern day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon, between 7th and 11th centuries C.E., and established their capital at Baijnath in Bageshwar district; which was then known as Kartikeyapura and lies in the centre of ‘Katyur’ valley.Brahmadev mandi (a trading / business center in a flat area of the then Katyuri kingdom) in the Kanchanpur District of Nepal was established by Katyuris king Brahma Deo (Brahma Dev). Brahmadeo Mandi still exists by this name.
At its peak, the Katyuri kingdom extended from Nepal in the east to Kabul, Afghanistan in the west, before fragmenting into numerous principalities by the 12th century. They were displaced by the Chand Kings in the 11th century AD. Oppressive rule by Bira Dev was one of the reasons for the end of Katyuri dynasty.[7] He used to collect heavy taxes and forced his people to work as his slaves, which led to unpopularity and revolt after his death.
LATER OFFSHOOTS
The Rajbar dynasty of Askot in Pithoragarh, was set up in the 1279 AD, by a branch of the Katyuri Kings, headed by Abhay Pal Deo, who was the grandson of Katyuri king, Brahm Deo. The dynasty ruled the region until it became part of the British Raj through the treaty of Sighauli in 1816. The Doti Kingdom was another strong offshoot of Katyuri dynasty. They were known as Rainka Maharaj, presently Doti is a part of Nepal.
RULERS
The period of certain Katyuri rulers, is generally determined as below, although there is some ambiguity in respect to exact number of years ruled by each King.
- Vasu dev
- Basantana Dev (850-870 CE)
- Kharpar Dev (870-880 CE)
- Abhiraj Dev (880-890 CE)
- Tribhuvanraj Dev (890-900 CE)
- Nimbarta Dev (900-915 CE)
- Istanga (915-930 CE)
- Lalitasura Dev (930-955 CE)
- Bhu Dev (955-970 CE)
- Salonaditya (970-985 CE)
- Ichchhata Dev (985 -1000 CE)
- Deshat Dev (1000 -1015 CE)
- Padmata Dev (1015-1045 CE)
- Subhiksharaja Dev (1045-1060 CE)
- Dham Dev and
- Bir Dev (Very short period)
BUILDERS OF TEMPLES
The Katyuri Kings were known for constructing several temples in present-day Uttaranchal and they followed Brahminical practices. Vasu Dev temple at Joshimath, several shelters and small shrines along the route to Badrinath, Lakulesha, Mahishasuramardhini, Navadurga and Nataraja temples at Jageshwar were constructed by Katyuri Kings. Bhuv Dev (955-970) was follower of Brahminical practices and built several temples at Baijnath and Bageshwar, but the structures are lost and tradition continues. Most of the ancient temples in the present day Uttarakhand are the result of architectural contribution by Katyuri dynasty. A relatively rare Surya temple, is located at Katarmal, now a remote village near Kosi, which was built by Karatamalla, a lesser known Katyuri ruler and the temple has 44 carved temples around the main temple, but is in a state of neglect after the theft of an important idol.
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The Katyuri kings were a dynasty that ruled over parts of what is now Uttarakhand in India from the 8th to the 12th centuries. They were originally from the Katyur region of present-day Himachal Pradesh, and they migrated to Uttarakhand in the 8th century. The Katyuri kings were patrons of art and culture, and they built many temples and monasteries in their kingdom. They were also known for their military prowess, and they fought many battles against the neighboring kingdoms. The Katyuri dynasty came to an end in the 12th century, when they were overthrown by The Gahadavala dynasty.
Origin of the Katyuri kings
The Katyuri kings were originally from the Katyur region of present-day Himachal Pradesh. The Katyur region is located in the upper reaches of the Sutlej River, and it is a mountainous region with a cold Climate. The Katyuri kings were a branch of the Trigarta dynasty, which was a powerful dynasty that ruled over parts of northern India in the early centuries of the Common Era. The Trigarta dynasty was overthrown by the Hunas in the 5th century, and the Katyuri kings fled to the Katyur region.
Migration to Uttarakhand
The Katyuri kings migrated to Uttarakhand in the 8th century. The migration was caused by a number of factors, including the pressure from the Hunas, the desire to find new lands to rule, and the need to escape the cold climate of the Katyur region. The Katyuri kings settled in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, and they established their capital at the city of Almora.
Patronage of art and culture
The Katyuri kings were patrons of art and culture. They built many temples and monasteries in their kingdom, and they also supported the arts and sciences. The Katyuri kings were particularly interested in Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism, and they built many Buddhist temples and monasteries in their kingdom. The Katyuri kings also supported the development of Sanskrit literature, and they commissioned many Sanskrit works to be written.
Military prowess
The Katyuri kings were known for their military prowess. They fought many battles against the neighboring kingdoms, and they were able to expand their kingdom to include parts of what is now Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Nepal. The Katyuri kings were also able to defeat the Hunas, who were a powerful nomadic people from Central Asia.
Fall of the Katyuri dynasty
The Katyuri dynasty came to an end in the 12th century, when they were overthrown by the Gahadavala dynasty. The Gahadavala dynasty was a powerful dynasty that ruled over parts of northern India in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Gahadavala kings were able to defeat the Katyuri kings and conquer their kingdom. The Katyuri dynasty came to an end, but their legacy lives on in the art, culture, and architecture of Uttarakhand.
The Katyuri kings were a powerful and influential dynasty that ruled over parts of northern India for centuries. They were patrons of art and culture, and they built many temples and monasteries in their kingdom. They were also known for their military prowess, and they fought many battles against the neighboring kingdoms. The Katyuri dynasty came to an end in the 12th century, but their legacy lives on in the art, culture, and architecture of Uttarakhand.
Who were the Katyuri kings?
The Katyuri kings were a dynasty that ruled over the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand from the 8th to the 13th centuries. They were known for their military prowess and their patronage of the arts and literature.
What was the capital of the Katyuri kingdom?
The capital of the Katyuri kingdom was at Almora. Almora is a town in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is located at an altitude of 2,205 meters (7,234 feet) above sea level.
When did the Katyuri kingdom fall?
The Katyuri kingdom fell in the 13th century. The fall of the Katyuri kingdom was due to a number of factors, including the invasion of the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the rise of the Chandella dynasty, and the decline of the Katyuri economy.
What are some of the achievements of the Katyuri kings?
The Katyuri kings were known for their military prowess and their patronage of the arts and literature. They built a number of temples and forts, and they were patrons of the Sanskrit language and literature.
What are some of the sources of information about the Katyuri kings?
The main sources of information about the Katyuri kings are the inscriptions that they left behind, the writings of the Chinese traveler Xuanzang, and the chronicles of the Chandella dynasty.
What is the legacy of the Katyuri kings?
The Katyuri kings left a lasting legacy on the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. They built a number of temples and forts, and they were patrons of the Sanskrit language and literature. Their legacy can still be seen in the region today.
The Katyuri dynasty was a Hindu dynasty that ruled over parts of what is now Uttarakhand, India, from the 8th to the 12th centuries. The Katyuris were originally from the Katyur region of present-day Himachal Pradesh, and they migrated to Uttarakhand in the 8th century. The Katyuris were a powerful dynasty, and they ruled over a large territory that included the Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand. The Katyuris were patrons of art and culture, and they built many temples and monasteries in their kingdom. The Katyuri dynasty came to an end in the 12th century, when they were overthrown by the Chandella dynasty.
Here are some MCQs about the Katyuri dynasty:
The Katyuri dynasty was a Hindu dynasty that ruled over parts of what is now:
(A) Uttarakhand, India
(B) Himachal Pradesh, India
(C) Nepal
(D) BhutanThe Katyuris were originally from the:
(A) Katyur region of present-day Himachal Pradesh
(B) Garhwal region of present-day Uttarakhand
(C) Kumaon region of present-day Uttarakhand
(D) NepalThe Katyuris migrated to Uttarakhand in the:
(A) 8th century
(B) 9th century
(C) 10th century
(D) 11th centuryThe Katyuris were a powerful dynasty, and they ruled over a large territory that included the:
(A) Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand
(B) Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh
(C) Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Himachal Pradesh
(D) Kangra and Garhwal regions of UttarakhandThe Katyuris were patrons of art and culture, and they built many temples and monasteries in their kingdom. Some of the famous temples built by the Katyuris include:
(A) Jageshwar Temple
(B) Kedarnath Temple
(C) Badrinath Temple
(D) All of the aboveThe Katyuri dynasty came to an end in the 12th century, when they were overthrown by the:
(A) Chandella dynasty
(B) Pala Dynasty
(C) Pratihara dynasty
(D) Gurjara-Pratihara dynastyThe Katyuri dynasty was a significant dynasty in the history of Uttarakhand. They were a powerful dynasty that ruled over a large territory and were patrons of art and culture. The Katyuri dynasty came to an end in the 12th century, but their legacy continues to this day.