Impressed by the juxtaposition of opulence and security, numerous political dynasties such as the Greeks, Kings of Kashmir, Afghans, Tughlaqs, Timurid rulers, Mughals, Gorkhas, Sikhs, and the British, tried to bring the Kangra Fort under their control. Since King Susharma Chand (mentioned in the Mahabharata legend) chose to build the fort over the area covering Jalandhar’s ear ( karna in Sanskrit), it came to be known as Karna Garh, which subsequently became Kan Garh in Hindi, before evolving into Kangra.Ī popular Pahadi saying states, “ He, who holds the Kangra fort, holds the hills”.
In ancient times, Jalandhar covered a vast territory named after a demon called Jalandhar who is believed to have been slain by Lord Shiva and buried under the ground. Etymologically, it is believed that the term Kangra has been derived from the term Karna Garh which has an interesting history. The record talks about the Katoch King Parmanand Chand as the famous King Porus who vanquished Alexander the Great. Cunningham, a pioneer of Indian archaeology, the first recorded historical reference to Kangra, then known as Jalandhara, occurs in Plotemy's text. It is said that after being defeated in the battle of Mahabharata as an ally of the Kauravas, he retreated to the confluence of the two rivers.Īccording to Sir A. Local legends credit Rajanaka Susharma Chand for building the Kangra Fort. References to the Katoch dynasty are also found in the epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. As a reward, the Goddess bestowed upon Bhumi Chand the kingdom of Trigarta, denoting the land of the three rivers, the Ravi, the Beas, and the Sutlej.
It is believed that Bhumi Chand assisted the Goddess in defeating the demon. During the battle, while wiping her sweat, a drop fell on the earth, which is said to have created the first Katoch, Bhumi Chand. According to legend, Goddess Ambika fought the demon Raktbeej, who resurrected with every drop of his blood that fell on the earth during battle. The roots of this clan can be traced to the mythological event of Raktbeej Vadh, mentioned in the Markandeya Purana. The history of the fort and the Katoch dynasty is intrinsically linked to one another.
Several legends and myths attempt to explain the origins of the Kangra Fort.
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