Rajput Period

The region of Himachal Pradesh witnessed a glorious rule during the Rajput period. The Rajputs originally ruled in the region around Rajasthan. The feuds between the different clans of the Rajput dynasty caused some of the Rajput rulers to shell themselves along with their followers in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. The region of Himachal Pradesh thus fell under the rule of the Rajputs.

The Rajput period started a few years after the death of the gallant king Harsha. The rule of Harsha in Himachal Pradesh resulted in the prosperous growth of the region. The region flourished in art and literature and became a prominent administrative unit in northern India. The illustrious rule of Harsha ended with his death in the year 647 A.D. Harsha had consolidated his kingdom by defeating the feudal lords who regained power with his death. The region of Himachal Pradesh was characterized by the feudal rule of the Thakurs and the Ranas. It was during this period that the Rajputs came into power in Rajasthan and its surrounding areas. However, the various kings engulfed into fights amongst themselves. Some of these rulers forfeited the region around the River Indus to set up their kingdoms in the region of Himachal Pradesh. The various principalities that developed in the region during the Rajput period are Kangra, Nurpur, Suket, Mandi, Kutlehar, Baghal, Bilaspur, Nalagarh, Keonthal, Dhami, Kunihar, Bushahar, Sirmour.

The different principalities of Himachal Pradesh flourished in the Rajput period. The independent states retained its popularity till the arrival of the Muslim rule in the region.