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{{Short description|Medieval Hindu kingdom of India and Nepal}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Disputed|date=March 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox former country
| conventional_long_name = Katyuri Dynasty
| common_name = Katyuri kingdom
| native_name = Kurmanchal
| status = [[Sovereign state]]
| status_text =
| government_type = [[Monarchy]]
| leader1 = [[Vasudev Katyuri|Vasu Dev]]
| leader2 = Basantana Dev (founder of [[Baijnath, Uttarakhand|Baijnath]])
| leader3 = Kharpar Dev
| leader4 = Bhu Dev
| leader5 = Bir Dev
| year_leader1 = 700–849 CE
| year_leader2 = 850–870 CE
| year_leader3 = 870–880 CE
| year_leader4 = 955–970 CE
| year_leader5 = brief period till 1065 CE
| title_leader = Raja (King)
| event_start =
| year_start = 700 CE
| event_end =
| date_end =
| year_end = 1065 CE
| event1 = Transfer of capital to Karttikeyapur, [[Baijnath, Uttarakhand|Baijnath]]
| date_event1 = 850 CE
| event2 =
| date_event2 =
| event3 =
| date_event3 =
| p1 =
| p2 = Kuninda kingdom
| s1 = Doti
| s2 = Chand kingdom
| s3 = Garhwal Kingdom
| flag_s1 =
| image_flag =
| image_coat =
| coat_alt =
| image_map =
| image_map_caption =
| capital = [[Joshimath]] later shifted to [[Baijnath, Uttarakhand]]<ref name="Handa 2002 24"/><ref name=":1" />
| national_anthem =
| common_languages = [[Sanskrit]]
| religion = [[Hinduism]],[[Buddhism]]
| demonym =
| legislature =
| today = [[India]]<br>[[Nepal]]
| area_km2 =
| area_rank =
| GDP_PPP =
| GDP_PPP_year =
| HDI =
| HDI_year =
}}
The '''Katyuri kingdom''', also known as the '''Katyuri dynasty''', was a medieval kingdom that ruled over the regions in [[Uttarakhand]] in India and western [[Nepal]] from either 500 to 1200 CE or 700 to 1200 CE. The founder of the dynasty, King [[Vasudev Katyuri]], was originally a Buddhist ruler, but he later started following Hindu practices, sometimes attributed to a vigorous campaign of Hindu philosopher [[Adi Shankara]] (788–820 CE).<ref name=":4"/>

King Bhu Dev was known for extensively eradicating Buddhist practices in his kingdom and the Bageshwar stone inscription of Bhu Dev{{sfn|Handa|2002|p=29-31}} writes himself as "Brahmana Parayana" and "Parama Shramana Rupu", meaning a follower of [[Brahmin|Brahmans]] and an arch rival of Buddhist Bhikshus.{{sfn|Handa|2002|p=31}} The Katyuri Kings were known for constructing several Hindu temples in present-day [[Uttarakhand]] as they later followed Brahminical practices.<ref name=":2"/>

After fragmentation and disestablishment of the Katyuri kingdoms, their offshoots rose as [[Askot]] Katyuri Pal Rajwar in [[Pithoragarh]], another Katyuri Pal [[Doti|Doti Rainka]] in modern [[Doti district]] of Nepal, King Brahm Deo's branch state in Sui, another Katyuri house at Baramandal, one of them maintained its sovereignty over [[Baijnath, Uttarakhand|Baijnath]] and finally one Katyuri house each in [[Dwarahat]] and Lakhanpur.{{sfn|Handa|2002|p=38-44}}

==History==
===Origin===
The Katyuris claimed to be of [[Khasas|Khasa]] descent.{{sfn|Handa|2002|p=22}} Historians believe Katyuris to be natives of [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]].<ref>{{Citation|last=Alter|first=Andrew|title=Echoes of Colonialism: Bagpipes in the Himalayas|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/9789384463069.003|work=Mountainous Sound Spaces|year=2014|pages=1–16|place=Delhi|publisher=Foundation Books|doi=10.1017/9789384463069.003|isbn=978-93-84463-06-9|access-date=2020-11-10|url-access=subscription}}</ref> For example [[Edwin Felix Thomas Atkinson|E. T. Atkinson]], in the first volume of his book ''Himalayan Gazetter'', proposes the Katyuris to be natives of Kumaon, and traces their roots in the ruined town of [[Baijnath, Uttarakhand|Karvirpur]] on the bank of the [[Gomati river]].<ref name="Handa 2002 24">{{Harvnb|Handa|2002|p=24}}</ref> However, historian [[Badri Datt Pandey]] proposed descent from the [[Shalivahana]] ruling house of [[Ayodhya]]<ref name=":0">{{Harvnb|Pande|1993|p=154}}</ref><ref name=":1"/>{{refn|group=note|Pandey states the [[Khasas]] to be the original inhabitants of these Himalayan areas, who settled here before the composition of the [[Vedas]], and the Katyuris may have conquered them, and established their Kingdom.<ref>{{Harvnb|Pande|1993|p=152}}</ref>}} while historian Price Powell claims their origin back to the [[Kunindas]], having found coins from the Kuninda period.{{sfn|Handa|2002|p=24-25}} The rule of Kunindas were limited only to the foothill tracts and not in the interiors of Uttarakhand and the coins could have reached in the interiors by travel of traders and pilgrims.{{sfn|Handa|2002|p=25}}

It is also worth noting that the [[Pala Empire|Pala emperors]] [[Dharmapala of Bengal|Dharmapala]] and [[Devapala of Bengal|Devapala]] mentioned [[Khasas|Khasa]] Desha (country), under their administration and even the administration and arts of the Katyuris were very similar to the administration and arts of Pala Empire and also the kings of [[Chand dynasty]] regarded Katyuris with low importance which indicates that they were descendants of Khasas. Khasas managed the village level theocratic republics like gram-rajya and [[Mandala (political model)|mandals]] under various local clans and identities.<ref>{{Harvnb|Handa|2002|pp=22–26}}</ref> Katyuri was one of the ruling houses of [[Joshimath]] that claimed the sovereignty over other gram-rajyas of the entire territory.{{sfn|Handa|2002|p=24}} The Katyuris ruled from Joshimath in the [[Alaknanda River|Alaknanda]] Valley and later they shifted their capital to [[Baijnath, Uttarakhand|Baijnath]].{{sfn|Handa|2002|pp=26-28}}

===Kingdom===
[[File:The Dancing Shiva....rare depictions of Ancient India.JPG|thumb|upright=1.5|7th-century Nataraja relief on Temple 1 of [[Jageshwar|Jageshwar Temples]]; Ganesha in upper right corner, Skanda-Kartikeya on his peacock in upper left, Parvati in lower left and a musician playing ''[[vadya]]'' in lower right.{{sfn|Nachiket Chanchani|2013|pp=139-141}}]]
The Katyuri dynasty was founded by Vashudev Katyuri (sometimes spelled Vasu Dev or Basu Dev);<ref name=":1">{{Harvnb|Handa|2002|p=25}}</ref> the ancient Basdeo temple in the city - the oldest stone temple in [[Uttarakhand]] - is attributed to him.<ref name=":4">{{Harvnb|Handa|2002|p=26}}</ref> His reign is most commonly believed to be from 850 to 870 CE.<ref name=":4"/> The Kingdom was then named ''Jyotiryana'', and had its capital at [[Joshimath]] in the [[Alaknanda River|Alaknanda]] Valley.<ref name="Handa 2002 24"/> Vasu Dev was of Buddhist origin, but later started following Hindu practices. The Hindu practices of Katyuri kings in general is sometimes attributed to a vigorous campaign of [[Adi Shankara]] (788-820 CE).<ref name=":4"/>

They later shifted their capital to [[Baijnath, Uttarakhand|Baijnath]] from [[Jyotirmath|Joshimath]].<ref name=":1"/><ref name=":0"/> During their reign they dominated lands of varying extent from the "Katyur" (modern-day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon between the 7th and 11th centuries, and established their capital at Baijnath in [[Bageshwar district]]; which was then known as ''Kartikeyapura'' and lies in the centre of "Katyur" valley. ''Brahmadev mandi'' (a trading and business center in a flat area of the then Katyuri kingdom) in the [[Kanchanpur District]] of Nepal was established by Katyuris king Brahma Deo (Brahma Dev). Brahmadeo Mandi still exists by this name.

At its peak, the Katyuri dynasty of Kumaon extended from [[Sikkim]] in the east to [[Kabul]], [[Afghanistan]]. They were known as Katoor around Chitral Gilgit Hindukush, in the west, before fragmenting into numerous principalities by the 12th century.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://uttarakhand.prayaga.org/history.html |title=9th-11th century |access-date=9 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420174110/http://uttarakhand.prayaga.org/history.html |archive-date=20 April 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> it is believed that from king Dham Deo and Vir Deo the downfall of this powerful dynasty began. Virdeo used to collect heavy taxes and forced his people to work as his slaves, King Virdeo teased his subjects by his tyranny to the extent that he forcibly married his own maternal aunt Tila (Tilottama Devi). It is said that the Kumaoni folk song "''Mami tile dharo bola''" became popular from that very day.<ref name=":2"/> After the death of king Virdeo a civil war among his sons started. Fierce fight took place among them. Whole of the kingdom was ruined. The people of this very family divided the whole kingdom among themselves, they declared themselves independent kings and established their own kingdoms in various parts of Kumaon,<ref name=":4"/><ref name=":0"/>

King Brahmdeo of this family (after whose name Brahmdeo Mandi was founded) established his kingdom in [[Champawat district|Sui]]. His first fort lay in Sui and the [[Rawat language|Rawat]] king of {{Interlanguage link|Dumkot|sv}} was under him. The second branch started ruling [[Doti District|Doti]]. The third established itself at [[Askot]]. Fourth settled down at Baramandal. The fifth maintained its sovereignty over [[Baijnath, Uttarakhand|Baijnath]] and . The sixth branch ruled in [[Dwarahat]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hāṇḍā|first=Omacanda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qSQnAQAAIAAJ&q=katyuri+disintegration|title=Panorama of Himalayan architecture|date=2008|publisher=Indus|isbn=978-81-7387-212-9|language=en}}</ref> later they were displaced by [[Chand kings]].{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

===Later offshoots===
The [[Rajwar (Title)|Rajwar]] dynasty of [[Askot]] in [[Pithoragarh]] was set up in the 1279 AD, by a branch of the Katyuri Kings,<ref name=":4"/> headed by Abhay Pal Deo, who was the grandson of Katyuri king, Brahm Deo. The dynasty ruled the region until it became part of the [[British Raj]] through the [[Treaty of Sugauli]] in 1816. [[Doti]], another branch of the Katyuri dynasty, came under [[Nepali language|Nepal]] through [[Gurkha]] expansion in 1790.<ref name=":2"/>

Later one more strong offshoot was Mahuli Mahson Raj, ([[Basti district|Basti]]), Uttar Pradesh. The feudal kingdom stretched (47 kilometers) 14 kose. After Brahm Deo's reign the empire disintegrated, with his grandson Abhay Pal Deo continuing his reign from the kingdom of Askote in Kumaon's Pithoragarh district. Abhay Pal, Deo's two younger sons, Alakh Deo and Tilak Deo set out from Askote in 1305 with a large army and after passing through the Terai region and the plains of U.P, came to Gonda/Gorakhpur. This region was covered in thick jungles and swamps and was inhabited by fierce Bhar tribals. The Ghagra river in the south and Rapti river in the east protected the region from heavy attacks.

== List of rulers==
The period of certain Katyuri rulers, is generally determined as below, although there is some ambiguity in respect to exact number of years ruled by each King:{{sfn|Handa|2002|p=28 to 32}}

;List–
* Vasu Dev (700–849 CE) (Possibly legendary)
* Basantana Dev (850–870 CE)
* Kharpar Dev (870–880 CE)
* Abhiraj Dev (880–890 CE)
* Tribhuvanraj Dev (890–900 CE)
* Nimbarta Dev (900–915 CE)
* Istanga (915–930 CE)
* Lalitasura Dev (930–955 CE)
* Bhu Dev (955–970 CE)
* Salonaditya (970–985 CE)
* Ichchhata Dev (985–1000 CE)
* Deshat Dev (1000–1015 CE)
* Padmata Dev (1015–1045 CE)
* Subhiksharaja Dev (1045–1060 CE)
* Dham Dev (1060–1064 CE)
* Bir Dev (Very short period till 1065 CE)
* Trilok pal dev

== Legacy ==
=== Architecture ===
The Katyuri Kings were known for constructing several temples in present-day [[Uttarakhand]] and they followed Brahminical practices.<ref name=":2"/> Most of the ancient temples in Uttarakhand are architectural contributions by the Katyuri dynasty.<ref name=open>{{cite web|title=Historical Background|url=http://uou.ac.in/book/uttg/historical-background|publisher=Uttarakhand Open University|access-date=29 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614084958/http://uou.ac.in/book/uttg/historical-background|archive-date=14 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Vasu Dev temple at [[Joshimath]], several shelters and small shrines along the route to [[Badrinath]], as well as the Lakulesha, Mahishasuramardhini, Navadurga and Nataraja temples at [[Jageshwar]] were constructed by Katyuri Kings.<ref name=":2"/> Bhuv Dev (955-970) was follower of Brahminical practices and built [[Baijnath Temple Complex|several temples]] at [[Baijnath, Uttarakhand|Baijnath]] and [[Bageshwar]], but the structures are lost and tradition continues.<ref name=":2">{{Harvnb|Handa|2002|pp=34–45}}</ref> A relatively rare [[Surya]] temple is located in [[Katarmal]], now a remote village near Kosi, which was built by Katarmalla, a lesser known Katyuri ruler. The complex has 44 carved temples around the main temple, but is in a state of neglect after the theft of an important idol.<ref name=tribune1>{{cite news|last=Sajwan|first=Venita|title=A lesser-known sun temple at Katarmal|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020817/windows/site.htm|access-date=8 July 2013|newspaper=The Tribune|date=17 August 2002}}</ref> The Katyuri Kings also build a temple known as Manila Devi near Sainamanur.
{{multiple image|perrow=3|total_width=900|caption_align=center
| align = centre
| image1 = Sun Temple, Katarmal.jpg|caption1= Sun Temple at [[Katarmal]]
| image2 = Jageshwar Mandir.jpg|caption2=[[Jageshwar|Jageshwar Temples Complex]]
| image3 = BAIJNATH TEMPLE.jpg|caption3=[[Baijnath Temple Complex]]
| footer = Several temples in Uttarakhand are attributed to the Katyuri Kings.
}}

==See also==
*[[Doti]]
*[[Bageshwar]]
*[[History of India]]
*[[Kumaon Kingdom]]
*[[Rajula and Malushahi]]
*[[Uttrakhand]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]]
*[[Khasdesha]]

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|group=note}}
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}
'''Bibliography'''
* ''Malushahi: The Ballad of Kumaon'' by [[Mohan Upreti]]. New Delhi, [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]], 1980.
*{{cite book |last1=Handa |first1=O. C. (Omacanda) |title=History of Uttaranchal |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=7_Ct9gzvkDQC |year=2002 |publisher= Indus Publishing |location=New Delhi |isbn=9788173871344}}
* {{cite book|last1=Pande|first1=Badri Datt|author-link=Badri Datt Pandey|title=History of Kumaun : English version of "Kumaun ka itihas"|date=1993|publisher=Shyam Prakashan|location=[[Almora]]|isbn=81-85865-01-9}}
* {{cite journal |title=The Jageshwar Valley, Where Death Is Conquered |author=Nachiket Chanchani |journal=Archives of Asian Art |volume=63 |number=2 |year=2013 |pages=133–154 |publisher=Duke University Press |doi=10.1353/aaa.2014.0004 |s2cid=191618006}}

{{Uttarakhand}}

[[Category:Bageshwar]]
[[Category:History of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:Dynasties of Nepal]]
[[Category:Former monarchies of India]]
[[Category:Former monarchies of Nepal]]
[[Category:8th-century establishments in India]]
[[Category:8th-century establishments in Nepal]]
[[Category:Hindu dynasties]]
[[Category:Buddhist dynasties of India]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1065]]

Katyuri dynasty - Revision history

Aakasham at 19:24, 25 November 2025