History of Kullu Valley
Mythological References
The Kullu Valley is steeped in mythology, with mentions in ancient texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata highlighting its historical significance. According to Hindu beliefs, the valley is considered the cradle of humanity. After the great flood, Manu, considered the progenitor of humankind, is believed to have anchored his ark on a hill and established his home in what is now known as Manali, a name thought to be derived from “Manu-Alaya,” meaning “the abode of Manu.” Parshuram, an incarnation of Vishnu, is also believed to have lived here, with the Parshuram temple in Nirmand serving as a testament to this connection.
Legends from the Ramayana era suggest that Shringi Rishi, who lived near Banjar, attended Raja Dashratha’s “Putreshti Yajna,” which resulted in Lord Ram’s birth. The Beas River, named after the saint Vashishtha, is associated with a tale where he threw himself into the river and was miraculously saved. The river was called “Vipasha,” meaning “the liberator of bonds.”
The valley is rich in legends about the Pandavas, who are said to have spent time in exile here. The Hidimba temple in Manali, Shangchool Mahadev temple in Sainj, and Dev Dhank in Nirmand are linked to them. One story recounts how Bhimsen killed a demon named Hadimb and married his sister, Hadimba, a local deity. Ghatotkachh, their son, displayed remarkable bravery during the Mahabharata. Arjuna is believed to have performed austerities in the cave of “Arjun Gupha” to obtain the powerful Pasupati Astra from Indra. Sage Vyas is also associated with the valley, having performed his penance at “Vyas Kund” near Rohtang Pass.
According to local lore, the deity Jamlu from Malana village once dispersed the Kullu Gods at Chandrakhani Pass, making Kullu known as the “Valley of Gods.”
Documented History
The Kullu district was established on November 1, 1966, but its history dates back approximately 2000 years. The name “Kullu” is believed to have originated from “Kuluta,” inscribed on a coin from the first century A.D. The earliest recorded king is Virayasa, as noted on that coin. Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang referred to Kullu as “Kiu-lu-to,” situated 117 miles northeast of Jalandhar. The region was also called “Kulantapitha,” meaning “the end of Kula” or “the end of the habitable world.”
Initially, Kullu was ruled by the Pal kings, who were succeeded by the Singh kings, who were thought to be their descendants. The kingdom was established in the first century A.D. by Behangamani Pal, who liberated the region from the oppressive Thakurs of Spiti. The Pal dynasty lasted until around A.D. 1450, with Raja Kelas Pal being the last of the line. This was followed by a 50-year interregnum during which power shifted to the Thakurs and Ranas.
Sidh Singh became the Raja of Kullu around 1500 and is regarded as the founder of the Singh dynasty. Local folklore recounts that Goddess Hidimba granted him the kingdom. Raja Jagat Singh (A.D. 1637-1672) expanded the kingdom, incorporating Lag and moving the capital from Jagatsukh to Nagar and Sultanpur. He brought the revered idol of Raghunath from Ayodhya, marking the establishment of Vaishnavism in a land previously dominated by Shaivism and Shaktism.
During Mughal rule, Kullu was under their suzerainty, paying tribute to the emperors. By A.D. 1672, the Sutlej River defined the southern boundary, and Outer Saraj became part of Kullu. Under Raja Man Singh, Kullu reached its territorial zenith, extending from Upper Lahaul to Shimla. Following the decline of the Mughal Empire around A.D. 1800, Kullu began paying tribute to the Gorkhas and Sansar Chand, the Katoch Raja of Kangra.
In 1839, the Sikhs captured Kullu from Raja Ajit Singh and ceded it to the British in 1846. Kullu Lahaul and Spiti became part of the Kangra district, governed by an Assistant Commissioner. The British later granted sovereign powers to Thakar Singh within Rupi, and his son Gyan Singh was titled “Rai” in 1852.
Until 1960, Lahaul and Spiti were part of the Kullu tehsil. Kullu was declared a district of Punjab in 1963 and became part of Himachal Pradesh on November 1, 1966. During British rule, many government buildings and facilities were established around Dhalpur grounds, which remains the district’s administrative centre today.
