Ancient History: Hamirpur

The early history of hamirpur region covered by the present district of Hamirpur may be traced back to the Palaeolithic age as evidenced by the discovery of choppers, hand axes and pebble cores. 

According to the Pauranic tradition the earliest known Aryan people who settled in this region, lying between the Yamuna and the Vindhyas, were known as Chedis. The Chedi kingdom was known as one of the 16 most important kingdom of that period in Mahabharat. The Mahabharata describes the Chedis as being blessed with knowledge of the eternal law of righteousness. King Shishupal, ruled this kingdom and killed by Krishna. It is said that its chivalrous Kshatriya, acting on the advice of Krishna, humiliated their enemies by making them prisoners and gave joy to their friends.

After some period this region was ruled by Mauray’s and Shungas. The district came under the domination of Kanishka (78-120). 

After him the history of the district is shrouded in obscurity till about the middle of the third century. when Vindhyasakti (255-275) rose to power who was founder of the Vakataka dynasty. It seems that the district partly came under the Vakataka sway and partly under the Bhaarshivas , a branch of ancient Nagawanshi kshatriyas, whose sphere of influence extended at that time from Gwalior and Mathura in the West to probably Varanasi and Mirzapur in the east Gupta dynasty also ruled this region from the mid of 4th century and continued till the beginning of the 6th century.

The country ruled by the Chandels from the beginning of 9th century, was organised into a bhukti (province), called Jejakbhukti. Jejakbhukti coincides with modern Bundelkhand comprising this district. During the rule of Khangars Rajput (between 12th century and 14th century), the area including other parts of Bundelkhand came to be known as Jujhauti (or the land of warriors).

In the eleventh century the town of Hamirpur, which gave its name of the district, was founded by one Hamira Deva, a Kalachuri Rajput, who came there from Alwar and took shelter with one Bunda, an Ahir.
Bunda's name still survives in the neighbouring village of Budanpur, where remains of an ancient Khera are found. Having no male issue, Hamira Deva adopted his daughter's son Ram Singh, who married with the daughter of a Rajput of Amlar in Banda district. He was offered, in marriage, the eastern portion of pargana Maudaha as dowry. The remains of the fort built by Hamira Deva are still found in Hamirpur.

Categories: Hamirpur