The Panwar Dynasty of Garhwal

The Panwar dynasty, also spelled Parmar, ruled the Garhwal kingdom in the central Himalaya of present-day Uttarakhand for many centuries. By tradition the line was founded around the ninth century under an ancestor named Kanakpal, and over time the kingdom unified the many small hill forts, or garhs, from which the region takes its name. The dynasty ruled from capitals that shifted over the centuries, from Chandpur Garhi to Devalgarh and then to Srinagar in the Garhwal hills. Like the martial houses described in our guide to the Rajputs, the Panwars prized lineage and valour. In the early nineteenth century the kingdom was overrun by the Gorkhas, and after the Anglo-Nepalese War the British created the princely state of Tehri Garhwal under the same ruling line, which merged with India in 1949. This account keeps to broadly established history where particular dates and details are uncertain.

Key Takeaways

• The Panwar, or Parmar, dynasty ruled the Garhwal kingdom in the central Himalaya of present-day Uttarakhand.
• By tradition the dynasty was founded around the ninth century under an ancestor named Kanakpal.
• The kingdom unified the many small hill forts, or garhs, from which the region takes its name.
• Its capitals shifted over time from Chandpur Garhi to Devalgarh and then to Srinagar in Garhwal.
• The Gorkhas overran the kingdom in the early nineteenth century.
• After the Anglo-Nepalese War the British created the princely state of Tehri Garhwal under the same line, which merged with India in 1949.

Read on for the history, culture, and legacy in detail.

Quick Facts

Who Were the Panwar Rulers of Garhwal?

The Panwar rulers of Garhwal were the royal house that governed the Garhwal kingdom in the central Himalaya of present-day Uttarakhand for many centuries. Known as the Panwars, and also by the spelling Parmar, the dynasty presided over a hill kingdom in the mountains between the plains and the high Himalaya. By tradition the line was founded around the ninth century, and over the generations it brought together the many small hill principalities and forts of the region under a single rule. Governing from capitals that shifted over time, the Panwars upheld the martial traditions and sense of lineage characteristic of the Himalayan ruling houses. As the ruling dynasty of Garhwal, they held a distinctive place among the kingdoms of the mountains. Their long rule gave the Garhwal kingdom its identity and shaped its culture, religion and heritage. The Panwar dynasty thus stands at the centre of the history of Garhwal.

Where Is Garhwal Located?

Garhwal is located in the central Himalaya, in the western part of present-day Uttarakhand, a country of high mountains, deep valleys, forests and sacred rivers. The region lies between the plains of northern India to the south and the great ranges of the Himalaya to the north, and it is revered as a land of pilgrimage, home to famous shrines and the sources of great rivers. This rugged terrain of hills and valleys gave Garhwal its character as a mountain kingdom distinct from the states of the plains. The land supported terraced cultivation, pastoral life and forests across its steep slopes. Its position in the central Himalaya made it a land of both strategic routes and deep religious significance. The location of Garhwal in the mountains of present-day Uttarakhand is central to understanding its history, its culture and its identity as the kingdom ruled by the Panwar dynasty.

Is the Dynasty Called Panwar or Parmar?

The dynasty of Garhwal is known both as the Panwar and as the Parmar, two forms of the same name used in historical accounts of the ruling house. The name connects the dynasty to the wider Parmar tradition found among the martial lineages of northern and western India, and in the context of Garhwal it is commonly written as Panwar. Both spellings refer to the same royal house that ruled the Garhwal kingdom in the central Himalaya. The use of the two forms reflects the way names have been recorded and transcribed across different sources and periods. Recognising the names Panwar and Parmar helps to identify the dynasty in the study of Garhwal history. The alternate spellings refer to one and the same ruling line. The dynasty is therefore properly described as the Panwar, or Parmar, royal house of the Garhwal kingdom.

When Did the Panwar Dynasty Begin?

The Panwar dynasty of Garhwal is traditionally held to have begun around the ninth century, with an ancestor named Kanakpal regarded by tradition as its founder. According to the accounts of the dynasty, Kanakpal established the line that would in time bring the many small hill principalities of the region under a single rule. The early history of the dynasty rests largely on tradition and genealogy and is treated by historians with appropriate caution, so that precise dates are uncertain. What is generally accepted is that the Panwar line was long established in the Garhwal hills and ruled there for many centuries. The founding of the dynasty by tradition under Kanakpal marks the beginning of the royal house of Garhwal. The dynasty grew from these early beginnings into the ruling power of the kingdom. The origin of the Panwars, placed by tradition around the ninth century, stands at the start of the long history of Garhwal.

Who Was Kanakpal?

Kanakpal is regarded by tradition as the founder of the Panwar dynasty of Garhwal, the ancestor from whom the ruling line traced its descent. According to the traditions of the dynasty, Kanakpal established himself in the Garhwal hills and founded the royal house that would in time unify the region and rule it for centuries. The accounts of his life belong largely to the tradition and genealogy of the dynasty and are treated with appropriate caution, so that precise details are uncertain. What is clear is that the Panwars honoured Kanakpal as the founder of their line. As the traditional ancestor of the dynasty, he holds an honoured place in the history and self-understanding of the Garhwal kingdom. The figure of Kanakpal stands at the beginning of the royal genealogy of Garhwal. Kanakpal is therefore remembered as the founder from whom the Panwar rulers of Garhwal traced their origin.

What Does the Name Garhwal Mean?

The name Garhwal is traditionally understood to mean the land of garhs, or forts, reflecting the many hill strongholds that once dotted the region before it was unified under a single rule. In the hill country of the central Himalaya, numerous small principalities and chiefs each held their own garh, or fortified stronghold, and the region took its name from this multitude of forts. The unification of these many garhs under the Panwar dynasty gave rise to the kingdom of Garhwal. The name thus preserves the memory of the fragmented, fortified landscape from which the kingdom was formed. This origin of the name reflects the political character of the region before its consolidation. Understanding the meaning of Garhwal as the land of forts helps to explain the history of the kingdom. The name Garhwal therefore recalls the many hill forts that the Panwar dynasty brought together into a single realm.

How Did the Panwars Unify the Garhs?

The Panwar dynasty unified the many small hill forts, or garhs, of the region over the course of generations, bringing the scattered principalities of the Garhwal Himalaya under a single rule. Before this consolidation, the hill country was divided among numerous chiefs and local rulers, each holding his own fortified stronghold. Through a long process recorded in the traditions of the dynasty, the Panwars extended their authority over these petty principalities and gathered them into one kingdom. This unification gave rise to the realm of Garhwal, named for the many forts that were brought together. The process reflected the gradual growth of a dominant ruling house in the mountains. The consolidation of the garhs was the great achievement that created the Garhwal kingdom. By uniting the scattered forts of the region, the Panwar dynasty transformed a fragmented hill country into a single Himalayan kingdom under its rule.

What Were the Capitals of the Garhwal Kingdom?

The capitals of the Garhwal kingdom shifted over the centuries, from Chandpur Garhi to Devalgarh and then to Srinagar in the Garhwal hills, reflecting the changing circumstances of the ruling house. Chandpur Garhi, a hill fort, is associated with the earlier history of the dynasty, when the Panwars were establishing and extending their rule. In time the seat of the kingdom moved to Devalgarh, and later the capital was established at Srinagar, set in the valley of the river in the Garhwal hills, which became the principal seat of the kingdom. These successive capitals reflected the growth and fortunes of the realm across its long history. Each left its mark on the heritage of Garhwal. The sequence of capitals, from Chandpur Garhi through Devalgarh to Srinagar, traces the development of the kingdom. The capitals of Garhwal thus record the long history of the Panwar dynasty in the central Himalaya.

What Was Srinagar in Garhwal Like?

Srinagar, set in the valley of the river in the Garhwal hills, served as the principal later capital of the Garhwal kingdom and the chief seat of the Panwar dynasty. Distinct from the famous city of the same name in the north-west, this Srinagar grew as the political, administrative and cultural centre of the kingdom, adorned with the palace, temples and residences of the ruling house. Its position in the valley made it a natural centre for the realm, more accessible than the high hill forts of earlier times. The town was a focus of court life, governance, trade and religion in the kingdom. Its heritage reflected the status and patronage of the Panwar rulers. As the capital, Srinagar was the heart of the Garhwal kingdom in its later history. The town of Srinagar in Garhwal remains an enduring centre associated with the heritage of the Panwar dynasty in the central Himalaya.

What Was the Religion and Culture of Garhwal?

The religion and culture of Garhwal were deeply rooted in the Hindu devotional traditions of the central Himalaya, a land revered for its sacred shrines, rivers and places of pilgrimage. The kingdom lay in a region celebrated as a holy land, home to famous temples and the sources of great rivers, which drew pilgrims from across the subcontinent. The Panwar rulers were patrons of temples and religious institutions, and the devotional life of the people was woven into the culture of the kingdom. The distinctive Garhwali language, folk traditions, music, art and customs flourished in the hills, giving the region a rich cultural identity. The sacred geography of the Himalaya shaped the religious life of Garhwal. This devotional and cultural heritage distinguished the kingdom. The religion and culture of Garhwal, centred on its Himalayan shrines and traditions, remain among the most distinctive aspects of the heritage of the kingdom.

What Was the Relationship Between Garhwal and Kumaon?

Garhwal and the neighbouring kingdom of Kumaon were long-standing rivals in the central Himalaya, two hill kingdoms whose histories were closely intertwined. While the Panwar dynasty ruled Garhwal, the Chand dynasty ruled Kumaon to the east, and the two powers contended over the centuries for influence and territory in the mountains. Their rivalry was a recurring theme in the history of the region, punctuated by conflict as well as by the ordinary dealings of neighbouring states. The two kingdoms shared the Himalayan setting of present-day Uttarakhand and a common devotional culture, yet they remained distinct rival powers. This relationship shaped the politics of the central Himalaya. The contest between Garhwal and Kumaon is one of the defining strands of the region’s history. The rivalry of the Panwars of Garhwal and the Chands of Kumaon illustrates the divided political landscape of the central Himalayan hills.

How Was the Garhwal Kingdom Governed?

The Garhwal kingdom was governed by its Panwar ruling house through a system in which royal authority was joined with the service of nobles, officials and local chiefs who managed the affairs of the hill realm. At the head stood the king, supported by ministers and functionaries responsible for revenue, justice and administration across the scattered valleys and settlements of the mountains. The kingdom, formed from the union of many hill forts, retained a structure in which local chiefs held responsibilities within the wider realm. Revenue came chiefly from the land and the produce of the hill country, in keeping with its agrarian and pastoral character. The temples and religious institutions held an important place in the life of the kingdom. This system allowed the Panwar dynasty to maintain its rule over the Garhwal hills for many generations. The governance of Garhwal reflected the character of a Himalayan hill kingdom in present-day Uttarakhand.

How Did the Gorkhas Overrun Garhwal?

The Garhwal kingdom was overrun by the Gorkhas in the early nineteenth century, when the expanding power of the Gorkha state in the Himalaya extended westward into the central hills. Advancing across the mountains, the Gorkha forces subdued the hill kingdoms of the region, and Garhwal came under Gorkha control during this period of conquest. The Gorkha expansion was a major upheaval in the history of the central Himalaya, affecting both Garhwal and the neighbouring kingdom of Kumaon. The rule of the Panwar dynasty over its kingdom was interrupted by this conquest. The period of Gorkha dominance belongs to the broadly recorded history of the region in the early nineteenth century. This conquest set the stage for the later involvement of the British in the affairs of the Himalayan hills. The overrunning of Garhwal by the Gorkhas was a decisive turning point in the history of the kingdom.

What Was the Anglo-Nepalese War's Effect on Garhwal?

The Anglo-Nepalese War of the early nineteenth century had a decisive effect on Garhwal, for it brought an end to Gorkha control of the central Himalaya and opened the way for a new settlement of the region. In this conflict between the British and the Gorkha state, the British prevailed and the Gorkha power was pushed back from the hill country it had conquered, including Garhwal and Kumaon. The war reshaped the political map of the central Himalaya and drew the British into the affairs of the region. In the settlement that followed, the territory of Garhwal was reorganised, with part placed under direct British administration and part restored to the former ruling line. The war thus marked the transition from Gorkha conquest to a new order in the hills. The effect of the Anglo-Nepalese War was to end Gorkha rule and to set the stage for the creation of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal.

How Was the Princely State of Tehri Garhwal Created?

The princely state of Tehri Garhwal was created after the Anglo-Nepalese War, when the British restored a portion of the former kingdom to the Panwar ruling line, which established its seat at Tehri. In the settlement that followed the defeat of the Gorkhas, the territory of the old kingdom was divided, with one part brought under direct British administration and another part given to the former royal house to rule as a princely state. The Panwar dynasty thus continued to reign over the princely state of Tehri Garhwal within the framework of British paramountcy. The new state preserved the ruling line and much of the heritage of the old kingdom. After the independence of India, the state of Tehri Garhwal merged with India in 1949 and was integrated into the structure of the modern nation. The creation of Tehri Garhwal thus carried the Panwar line into the modern era before its final integration.

The Panwar Legacy Today

The legacy of the Panwar dynasty endures today in the heritage, culture and sacred landscape of Garhwal, now part of the state of Uttarakhand in the central Himalaya. The former capitals of the kingdom, from the hill fort of Chandpur Garhi to Devalgarh and Srinagar, preserve the memory of the dynasty and its long rule. The temples, shrines and devotional traditions patronised by the Panwars remain central to the religious life of the region, which is celebrated as a land of pilgrimage. The Garhwali language, folk culture and customs continue to express the identity nurtured under the kingdom. For readers of Indian history, the Panwar dynasty offers a vivid example of a Himalayan hill kingdom that unified a land of forts. Its legacy endures in the heritage of Garhwal, in the memory of the kingdom and of Tehri Garhwal, and in the enduring culture of the Uttarakhand Himalaya.

Sources & Further Reading

• Archaeological Survey of India (asi.nic.in).
• Department of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand (uttarakhandtourism.gov.in).
• Ministry of Culture, Government of India (indiaculture.gov.in).

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Panwar dynasty of Garhwal?

The Panwar, or Parmar, dynasty was the royal house that ruled the Garhwal kingdom in the central Himalaya of present-day Uttarakhand for many centuries. By tradition founded around the ninth century under Kanakpal, it unified the many small hill forts, or garhs, of the region and ruled from capitals that shifted to Srinagar.

Why is the region called Garhwal?

The name Garhwal is traditionally understood to mean the land of garhs, or forts, reflecting the many hill strongholds that once dotted the region. The unification of these many forts under the Panwar dynasty gave rise to the kingdom of Garhwal in the central Himalaya.

Who founded the Panwar dynasty?

By tradition the Panwar dynasty was founded around the ninth century by an ancestor named Kanakpal, from whom the ruling line traced its descent. The early history rests largely on tradition and genealogy, so precise dates are uncertain, but the Panwars honoured Kanakpal as the founder of their line.

What were the capitals of the Garhwal kingdom?

The capitals of the Garhwal kingdom shifted over the centuries from Chandpur Garhi to Devalgarh and then to Srinagar in the Garhwal hills. Srinagar, set in the river valley, became the principal later capital and chief seat of the Panwar dynasty.

How did the Gorkhas affect Garhwal?

The Gorkhas overran the Garhwal kingdom in the early nineteenth century as their power expanded westward across the Himalaya. Gorkha control was later ended by the Anglo-Nepalese War, after which the British reorganised the region and created the princely state of Tehri Garhwal under the former ruling line.

What happened to the Garhwal ruling line after the Gorkha period?

After the Anglo-Nepalese War the British created the princely state of Tehri Garhwal under the Panwar ruling line, which established its seat at Tehri. This state continued under British paramountcy and later merged with India in 1949.