Harshdeo Joshi
Harshdeo Joshi | |
|---|---|
| De facto ruler and chief diplomat of Kumaon Kingdom | |
| Preceded by | Mohan Chand (as king) |
| Succeeded by | Shiv Chand (nominal) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kumaon |
| Died | Unknown Possibly Bareilly or Tarai |
| Known for | Political leadership during Chand dynasty succession crises |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Kumaon Kingdom |
| Battles/wars | Conflicts with Garhwal, Pradyumn Chand, Mohan Chand, Lal Singh |
Harshdeo Joshi was an 18th-century Kumaoni statesman, diplomat, and strategist during the decline of the Chand dynasty in the Kumaon Kingdom. Known for political maneuvering, he became the de facto ruler of Kumaon.[1][2][3][4][5]
Career
[change | change source]Joshi first gained prominence as an advisor to King Mohan Chand.[1] He aligned with Jaikirti Shah of Garhwal but later repelled his attack; Jaikirti died during the conflict, after which Srinagar was sacked in an event known as Joshyanaan.[2][3][5]
After Mohan Chand’s deposition, Joshi installed puppet Chand rulers such as Shiv Chand while retaining real power.[4] He faced rivals including Lal Singh, Pradyumn Chand, and Parakram Shah, and at times sought refuge in Garhwal, Bareilly, and Awadh.[2] Later, he corresponded with Nepal and received a firman from Ranbahadur Singh offering support against Kumaon, though his attempts to regain authority failed.[1][3]
Death and legacy
[change | change source]Harshdeo Joshi likely died in exile, possibly in Bareilly or the Tarai. Despite being remembered for conspiracies and plunder, he is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Kumaoni politics.[1][2]
References
[change | change source]- 1 2 3 4 Hāṇḍā, Omacanda (2002). History of Uttaranchal. Indus Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7387-134-4.
- 1 2 3 4 Gurung, Gen Shakti (30 June 2025). Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Memoirs of the Indian Army's First Ethnic Gorkha Lieutenant General. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-6790-397-1.
- 1 2 3 Aggarwal, J. C.; Agrawal, S. P. (1995). Uttarakhand: Past, Present, and Future. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-7022-572-0.
- 1 2 Pradesh (India), Uttar (1979). Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Uttarkashi. Government of Uttar Pradesh.
- 1 2 Valdiya, Khadg Singh (1988). Kumaun, Land and People. Gyanodaya Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-85097-13-8.