Garhwal or Gadhwal, is a region and administrative division of Uttarakhand State, lying in the Himalayas laps. It is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by Kumaon region, on the south by Uttar Pradesh, and on the west by Himachal Pradesh. It includes the districts of Chamoli, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri (Pauri Garhwal), Rudraprayag, Tehri (Tehri Garhwal), and Uttarkashi.
About Garhwal
The administrative center for Garhwal division is the town of Pauri. The region consists almost entirely of rugged mountain ranges running in all directions, and separated by narrow valleys which in some cases become deep gorges or ravines. The only level portion of the district was a narrow strip of waterless forest between the southern slopes of the hills and the fertile plains of Rohilkhand.
The highest mountains are in the north, the principal peaks being Nanda Devi (25,661 feet), Kamet (25,413 feet), Trisul (23,382 feet), Badrinath (23,210 feet), Dunagiri (23,181 feet) and Kedarnath (22,853 feet). The Alaknanda River, one of the main sources of the Ganges, receives with its affluent the whole drainage of the district. At Devprayag, the Alaknanda joins the Bhagirathi, and then forward, the united streams bear the name of the Ganges. Cultivation is principally confined to the immediate vicinity of the rivers, which are employed for purposes of irrigation.
History of Garhwal Kingdoms
Garhwal originally consisted of 52 petty chieftainships, each chief with his own independent fortress (garh). Nearly 500 years ago, one of these chiefs, Ajai Pal, reduced all the minor principalities under his own sway, and founded the Garhwal kingdom. He and his ancestors ruled over Garhwal and the adjacent state of Tehri, in an uninterrupted line till 1803, when the Gurkhas invaded Kumaon and Garhwal, driving the Garhwal chief into the plains. For twelve years the Gurkhas ruled the country with a rod of iron, until a series of encroachments by them on British territory led to the war with Nepal in 1814.
At the termination of the campaign, Garhwal and Kumaon were converted into British districts, while the Tehri principality was restored to a son of the former chief. The British district of Garhwal was in the Kumaon division of the United Provinces, and had an area of 5629 sq. mi. Two battalions of the Indian army (the 39th Garhwal Rifles) were recruited in the district, which also contained the military cantonment of Lansdowne.
Grain and coarse cloth were exported, and salt, borax, livestock and wool were imported, and the trade with Tibet was considerable. The administrative headquarters was at the village of Pauri, but Srinagar is the largest place. It was an important mart, as was Kotdwar, the terminus of a branch of the Oudh and Rohilkhand railway from Najibabad.
52 Garh of Garhwal
Historically, Garhwal was home to 52 forts, which is why it was referred to as "Gadhdesh" — the land of small forts, or the country of fifty-two forts. It is believed that these forts thrived until the 14th century. Even today, the legacy of these forts is celebrated with great pride in Garhwal.
The people of the respective regions continue to feel a strong connection to these forts, often associating their identities with the history and heritage of the fortifications in their areas. These forts were not just military strongholds but symbols of local power, culture, and resilience, representing the rich history of the Garhwal region.
List of the 52 historic forts (Garhs) of Garhwal
1) Nagpur Garh: Located in the Jaunpur Pargana, this fort is known for its revered Nagdevta Temple. The last ruler of Nagpur Garh was King Bhajan Singh.
2) Kolli Garh: In this Garh, people of the Bachhwan Bisht caste lived.
3) Raavan Garh: Located on the Badrinath route, and there was a majority of Ravani caste here.
4) Phalyan Garh: It was in Faldkot, this fort was the stronghold of the Brahmins of the Falyan caste. It is believed that the fort originally belonged to a Rajput community. A person named Shamsher Singh, from that community, is said to have donated it to the Brahmins.
5) Vagar Garh: This fort was the stronghold of the Nagvanshi Rana caste. Looking at history, it is known that the Ghirwan Khasia caste once also held control over it.
6) Kuili Garh: This fort belonged to the Sajwan caste and is also known as Jaurasi Garh.
7) Bharpur Garh: This fort was also the stronghold of the Sajwan caste. The last Thokdar (head) of the fort was Govind Singh Sajwan.
8) Kujni Garh: This fort is also associated with the Sajwan caste. The last wholesaler (Thokdar) here was Sultan Singh.
9) Sil Garh: This fort was also the stronghold of the Sajwan caste, and its last king was Saval Singh.
10) Mungra Garh: This fort, located in Rawai, belonged to the Rawat caste.
11) Raika Garh: This was the stronghold of Ramola caste.
12) Molya Garh: This fort situated in Ramoli also belonged to Ramola caste.
13) Upu Garh: This fort belonged to the Chauhan caste.
14) Nala Garh/Nalapani/Nalagarhi: Located in Dehradun district, this fort was originally known as Nalapani, which later came to be referred to as Nalagarhi.
15) Sankari Garh:This fort located in Rawain belonged to the Rana caste.
16) Rami Garh: He belonged to Rawat caste. It was related to Shimla and was also the stronghold of Rawat caste.
17) Biralta Garh: The last wholesaler of this stronghold of Rawat caste was Bhup Singh. This was in Jaunpur.d
18) Chandpur Garh: This stronghold of Suryavanshi king Bhanupratap was in Taili Chandpur. This fort was first taken under his jurisdiction by King Kanakpal of Panwar dynasty.
19) Chaunda Garh: This stronghold of Chaundal caste was in Sheeli Chandpur.
20) Top Garh: This belonged to Topal caste. Tulsingh of this dynasty had made a cannon and hence it came to be called Top Garh. Topal caste also got its name for the same reason.
21) Rani Garh:I This stronghold of Khasi caste was in Ranigarh belt. it was founded by a queen and hence it came to be called Rani Garh.
22) Shriguru Garh: This fort situated in Salan belonged to the Padiyar caste. They are now called Parihar which is the main caste of Rajasthan. The last king here was Vinod Singh.
23) Bandhan Garh: People of Badhani caste lived here. This fort was situated above the Pindar River.
24) Lohbagh: While "Negi" is often associated with a single caste in the mountains, it actually represents various sub-castes. Similarly, the Lohbal Negi caste was connected to Lohbagh. Dilevar Singh and Pramod Singh, two prominent figures of this fort, were known for their bravery and courage.
25) Dasholi Garh: This fort was made famous by a king named Manwar.
26) Kandara Garh: This stronghold of the Kandari caste was in the then Nagpur Pargana. The last king of this fort was Narveer Singh. He was defeated by the Panwar king and drowned in the Mandakini river in grief of defeat.
27) Dhaun Garh: There was a stronghold of Dhaunyal caste in Idwalsu belt. Kunjani is above Brahmapuri.
28) Ratan Garh: People of Dhamada caste lived here.
29) Erasu Garh: This fort was above Srinagar.
30) Idia Garh: This stronghold of Idia caste was in Rawai Barkot. A chieftain named Roopchand had destroyed this fort.
31) Langur Garh: Its traces are still there in Langurpatti.
32) Bagh Garh: This was the stronghold of Baguni Negi caste which was situated in Ganga Salan. This Negi caste was also called Bagani.
33) Gharkot Garh: This fort, known as Bagadwal, belonged to Bisht caste.
34) Gartang Garh: This was the stronghold of Bhotiya caste.
35) Vangarh Garh: This fort was situated in Bangarh, south of Lakananda.
36) Bhardar Garh: This garh was situated close to Vanagadh.
37) Chaundkot Garh: One of the famous forts of Pauri district. The people here were known for their intelligence and cleverness. Its remains can still be seen on the hill above Chaubattakhal.
38) Nayal Garh: This fort situated in Katulsyun this was the stronghold of Nayal caste. whose last chieftain's name was Bhaggu.
39) Ajmir Garh: This garh belonged to Payal caste.
40) Kanda Garh: This was the stronghold of Rawat caste.
41) Savligarh: It was in a strong cot.
42) Badalpur Garh: This fort was located in Badalpur of Pauri district.
43) Sangela Garh: People of Bisht caste lived here. This fort was in Nail Chami.
44) Gujaru Garh: It was in Gujru Pargana.
45) Jaunta Garh: It was in Jaunpur Pargana.
46) Dewalgarh: It was in Devalgarh pargana. It was built by Devalraja.
47) Lodgarh: This belonged to Lodi caste.
48) Jaunpur Garh: Situated on the left bank of Yamuna, it is the confluence of Agalar-Yamuna near the fort.
49) Champa Garh: This fort was situated in the Devalgarh Pargana.
50) Dodrakanra Garh: Located in the Devalgarh Pargana, this fort was inhabited by the Rana caste.
51) Bhuvana Garh: This fort was situated in the Devalgarh Pargana.
52) Lodan Garh: This fort was located in the Devalgarh Pargana.