Wazir Lakhpat Rai Padari of Padar, Kishtwar

Well it starts with the Raja of Kishtwar called, very interestingly, Raja Mohammed Teg Singh also known as Saifullah Khan. Though the Rajas of Kishtwar had converted to Islam they kept a mix of Muslim Hindu names and followed many Hindu costums and this Raja was no different. He was a vassal of the Afhna Governor of Kashmir who fell out with the Rulers in Kabul. A force was sent to Kashmir from Kabul but the Governor stood up to it and was assisted in the same by forces from Kishtwar. And by this time Raja Mohammed Tegh Singh had got into a service a new Minister called Wazir Lakhpat Rai Padari, who as the name suggests was from Padar.

Pangi to Zanskar

The Ancient Routes which connected Pangi Valley in Chamba with Zanskar in Ladakh : Excerpts from Guide to Dalhousie Chamba and the Inner Mountains Between Shimla and Kashmir (1923)

Himalayan GeographyPrashant MathawanJanuary 9, 2020pangi, zanskar, chamba, ladakh, ancient routes Comment

The Chamba Lahaul and the British Lahaul Story

Lahaul and Spiti have had a checkered fascinating history and lying on the Himalayan borderlines they have always been the bone of contention for various powers in the Region from the states of Kashmir, Chamba, Kullu, Bushahr, Ladakh, Guge, Tibet, the Chinese and even the Mongols, Baltis and Yarkandis. However little is known of the exact circumstances and the chain of events of History that followed as there are no written records. All the above powerful states / people left some mark or influence on these two adjoining Regions. This is an attempt to piece together their History though for most of the time the History followed its separate course in Lahaul and its own course in Spiti.

Himalayan HistoryPrashant MathawanJuly 25, 2019lahaul, spiti, chamba, british, kullu, bushahr, garza, garsa, Lah Yul Comment

The Enchanting Padri Gali

The enchanting Padri Pass or Padri Galli or Padri Top which connects Chamba in Himachal Pradesh with Bhaderwah in the Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir at around 10,400 feet amsl. It is located around 110 kms from Chamba Town and around 40 kms from Bhaderwah and is the highest point of the Chamba Bhaderwah Highway. This is one of the important Passes which connects J and K with Himachal. In older times Bhaderwah was a part of the powerful Chamba Kingdom which held Kishtwar as well and even Zanskar.

Himalayan GeographyPrashant MathawanApril 8, 2019padri, chamba, bhaderwah, doda, kishtwar, pir panjals, jammu, jammu and kashmir, zanskarComment

Kishtwar : At the Himalayan Crossroads

Kishtwar is a region in the Jammu division of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Due to its unique location just under the shadow of the Great Himalayas and at the place where the religions and cultures of the Himalayas meet. They give Kishtwar a unique flavor which remains largely unexplored.

Himalayan GeographyPrashant MathawanMay 25, 2018kishtwar, kashmir, chamba, zanskar, spiti, buddhism Comment

The Chamba Story

The state of Chamba as it used to be was once a powerful Hill Kingdom which held sway from Kishtwar to Zanskar and Lahaul and Spiti. Notes on this small Kingdom with a big heart.

Prashant MathawanApril 1, 2018chamba, dalhousie, british, ranjit singhComment