Uttarakhand 55
his younger brother who was liked by the ruling Katyari king
Brahmadeva and married his daughter to him. He gave entire
area in and around Champawat to his son-in-law. Whatsoever
may be the cause of Som Chand's ascendency, it is known for
certain that he appeared in the history of Kumaon around 953
A. D. and not only consolidated his position very well but soon
launched annexationist campaigns in the neighbouring territories.
He was followed in quick succession by Atma Chand, Puna
Chand, Indra Chand, Sansar Chand, Sudha Chand, Hammira
and Bina Chand. Atkinson has assigned nearly eighty years
to these rulers and he is again of the opinion that the reign of
Bina Chand ended around 1100 A.D. when the Khasiyas rose
in revolt. In fact, after him we have a thick veil of oblivion
except for the meteoric rise and fall of Crachallaneva (1223 A.D.)
who like Ashokachalla of Garhwal advanced up to Katyar
Valley and is claimed to have annexed Kartipura (Baijnath). He
was a devout Buddhist.
Restoration of Chand rule
The reign of Chand rulers was marred and interrupted with
occasional rise and falls, after the royal diadem fell under spells
of historical causation. The first comeback to power was staged
by Bina Chand who wrested power and cleared his country of
petty chiefs. He was probably succeeded by Neera Chand who
engaged himself with the task of consolidating his gains. There is
no continuity during this period and moreover according to cer-
tain historians a new line of Chands was established by Tohar
Chand who came from Jhunsi (Allahabad). He was succeeded
by his illustrious nephew Garpur Gyan Chand after a brief
interlude. Raigaon pillar inscription of A.D. 1367 speaks of his
extensive exploits. He also tried to wrest Katehar (Rohilkhand)
and probably succeeded in getting hold of it with the consent of
Feroz Shah Tughluq. His reign was quite long as is evident
from his other inscriptions of 1390 A.D. and 1419 A.D. He
also constructed a temple at Champawat. Harihar Chand succee-
ded Garur Gyan Chand but his reign did not last long and soon
he was succeeded by Bharati Chand (1437—59) who overthrew
the yoke of Doti after prolonged conflict and his son Ratan
Chand (1459—88) extended his sway over Jumla (Nepal) and his