The capital of
erstwhile state of bandralta was situated at the latitude of 32degree-48’ and
longitude of 75degree - 48’ from sea level and about 105 kms from Jammu and
38kms on west by Udhampur, towards to Dhar Road, to the south of Chanehni and
it was bounded on the east by Bhadrawah, on the south by Mankot or open space
on the left bank of the Ramnagar kad and junction with the Tawi. Between the
tawi and Ramnagar in particular, they dip usually out an angle of about 45
degree with a steep abutment on the north. The capital was originally called
nagar,as being the only town in the principality. And the ruling family took
their dynasty of Bandralta from the name of the tract. It was founded by the
royal family of Chamba belong to the chand dynasty about 1000-1020A.D. The
vansavali contains only twenty-one names down to the extinction of the state in
1822, giving an average of nearly forty years to each, which is very
improbably. We must, therefore, conclude that many names have been omitted in
copying. During the same period, there are thirty names in the Chamba roll of
Raja (King)s.
It is said a tradition of a
Tahuraian period in ancient times, and much the same reason is given for the
invasion of the tact as in the case of other states, viz, tyranny and
oppression of their subject by the ranas and Thakurs. As a result, some of the
Zamindars went to Chamba to ask help. Vichittar verma(980-1000A.D) was then in
power and unable to go himself he sent his younger brother, who vanquished the
ranas and made himself ruler. A tradition is current which throws light on the
methods employed to get rid of troublesome opponents. It is to the effect that
the Raja (King) and the local Rana both availed themselves of the services of
the some Baber who was bribed to cut the Rana’s the throat while shaving him.
In this way a powerful rival was removed. Seventy-two petty chiefs are said to
have been overcome by one means or another and the Raja (King) then assumed the
name Bahattar to mark the fact.
Origin of Ram Nagar
Origin of Ram
Nagar with the rise of the Sikh
power in the Punjab, Ram Nagar fell into the hands of the Sikh forces in 1822
A.D, thus, the Bandral dynasty was ended. The hill state was bestowed upon Raja
(King) Suchet Singh, brother of Gulab Singh by Ranjit Singh, the tract was made
over to him in jagir. The ancient line was then deposed but allowed to remain
for a time. This, however, was soon found to be awkward , as an attempt made to
recover the territory, and they were finally exiled from the State. They first
retired to Kangra, where they resided for some time under the protection of
Raja (King) Sansar Chand, but afterward went of tehri- Garwal and finally
settled at Shahzadpur in the Ambala district. The last Raja (King) to exercise
ruling power was Bhupendhar dev who died at Shahzadpur. He had been assigned a
pension of Rs.3000 by government , which is still paid to the family. Raja
(King) Suchet Singh took much interest in ramnagar, became the ruler of
Bandralta from 1822. A.D to 1844 A.D .i.e more than a score of years , who
renamed Bandralta as Ramnagar
Research Study of Chander Bhushan
Student of MBA - Tourism Central University of Jammu
