56 Abode of Gods

expansionist designs were carried further by Kirti Chand (1488—
1503), Raja Kirti Chand shifted his capital from Champawatto
Almora. Nothing is known about the intermediate period which
passed between Rudra Chand (1566-69) and Kirti Chand (1488—
1503). It is related that Rudra Chand visited Lahore to meet
Akbarinl588. Farishte has mentioned that "of these princes
there are five principal reigns on the north and five others on
the south, each of whom has numerous tributary rajas dependent
on him. The Raja of Kumaon also possesses an extensive domi-
nion and a considerable quantity of gold is produced by washing
the earth mounds in the country. **1

It is not known who succeeded Rudra Chand except for the
well known fact that in 1638 Raja Baj Bahadur Chand ascended
the throne of Almora and continued to rule till 1678. He is
said to have lent considerable support to Shah Jehan's Commander
Khalilullah Khan in the latter's campaign in Doon Valley and
Garhwal foothills. He also advanced into western Tibet and
defeated Tibetans in 1671. He is also said to have defeated
Raja of Garhwal and wrested large chunks of his territory. Thus
by the close of his reign, he was almost master of entire Uttara-
khand. But unfortunately, after him deluge followed and
in 1743 Rohillas laid the country waste and committed arson,
loot and plunder. In fact, due to continued attacks of Rohillas,
Raja Kalyan Chand (1731—48) and Deep Chand (1748—74)
had to face serious problems during the reign of Raja Mohan
Chand (1977—79) and (1786—88) Harak Deo Joshi the trusted
minister and Commander in Chief of Kalyan Chand, was arres-
ted and held captive by the enemies. But Joshi was the last
person to sit idle and curse the cycle of time and fate. Soon he
engineered the help of Raja Lalit Shah of Garhwal (1778—80)
who sent Prince Pradyumna to control and capture Kumaon and
protect the throne of Champawat. In 1779 he became the
virtual master of the entire XJttarakhand but as luck would have it,
soon the fierce fighters from Nepal marched into Kumaon and
threatened Garhwal. Wars between Garhwal and Kumaon
proved ruinous for both the kingdoms.

1. Atkinson. Himalayan Gaztieer vol. 11, P. 452.