Which of the following chronological list of Garhwal rulers is correct?

I. Ajaypal

II. Balabhadrapal

III. Sahajpal

IV. Shyam Shah

The correct answer is I, III, II, IV.

Key Points

• The correct chronological order of Garhwal rulers is Ajaypal, Sahajpal, Balabhadrapal, and Shyam Shah.
• Ajaypal is considered a significant ruler as he unified various small principalities to form the Garhwal kingdom in the early 16th century.
• Sahajpal succeeded Ajaypal and continued to consolidate the kingdom's administration and territories.
• Balabhadrapal was another ruler in the lineage, contributing to the kingdom's governance and stability.
• Shyam Shah, a later ruler, is known for his contributions toward the cultural and political development of Garhwal.

Additional Information

• Garhwal Kingdom:
  • Garhwal is a historically significant region in the Indian Himalayas, now part of Uttarakhand state.
  • The kingdom was formed in the early 16th century by Ajaypal, who unified 52 small forts (garh) in the region.
• Ajaypal:
  • He is regarded as the founder of the Garhwal kingdom.
  • Ajaypal established Srinagar (in present-day Uttarakhand) as the capital of the Garhwal kingdom.
• Garhwal and the British:
  • The Garhwal kingdom faced invasions from the Gorkhas in the early 19th century.
  • Following the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816) and the Treaty of Sugauli, the British restored a part of the Garhwal kingdom to its rulers.
• Garhwal's Cultural Legacy:
  • The rulers of Garhwal contributed significantly to the region's art, culture, and architecture.
  • Temples and other historical structures from the Garhwal kingdom are prominent in Uttarakhand today.