Amazing Himachal: Sujanpur Tira: the Historic Town

Sujanpue Tira town, view from Sujanpur Tira Fort

The historic town of Sujanpur Tira is known for its fort-palace, now in ruins, built by Raja Sansar Chand. The Fort of Sujanpur Tira was originally built by Raja Abhay Chandra, in 1750, as a military Fort. In the reign of Raja Sansar Chandra (1765–1823) (the golden age of Kangra Kingdom) this fort gained renown through India, and was considered as one of the most beautiful palaces in the Himalayas. In 1905 this palace-fort was damaged by an earthquake.

Main Gate for Sujanpur Tira Fort

Market of Sujanpur Tira

Raja Sanar Chand Katoch- "Pahadi Badshah" the emperor of the hills

In mid-18th century, as the Mugal Empire began to crumble, the 16-year-old Sansar Chand, decided to take advantage of the weak central rule. Raja Sansar Chand had successfully established himself as a powerful ruler and was able to set a deal with Jai Singh (King of Jaisinghpur in Kangra Valley) and re-captured the Kangra fort in 1774. He had to give some plain territories to Jai Singh in return.
Sansar Chand quickly focused on the expanding his kingdom and conquered almost all neighboring regions, including Chamba, Mandi, Suket, Nahan, Bilaspur (present day regions in Himachal pradesh) all the way up to the border of Jammu.

All the defeated hill kings then sought help from Amar Singh Thapa, the Gurkha commander, and came together against Sansar Chand. They invaded Kangra with Gurkha troops and won the Kangra fort.
Faced with a terrible and embarrassing defeat, Sansar Chand went to Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab for help, while also continuing to negotiate with Gorkhas. In return for help against the Gorkhas, Sansar Chand promised Maharaja Ranjit Singh the Kangra fort and the surrounding 76 villages, while he would keep the rest of the kingdom for himself. He promised the same deal to Gorkhas to get them off his back. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was quick to catch on to Sansar Chand's plan to keep the Sikhs and Gorkhas fighting each other, while he ruled Kangra. (In 1809 for nearly a month a discussion went on at Jwalamukhi Temple between Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab and Raja Sanar Chand of Kangra)

Finally, the Sikhs cut off the supplies of the Gorkhas and defeat them. Ranjit Singh then demanded that Sansar Chand keep a part of his bargain. Caught by surprise at the turn of events, Sansar Chand tried to wriggle out of his promise. However, Maharaja Ranjit Singh took A nirudh Chand, Sansar Chand's son prisoner and marched into Kangra fort.

Finally, Sansar Chand lost almost all that he had. All he got from the Sikhs was a small personal estate in lieu of which he had to pay an annual tribute of Rs 2,00,000 to the Ranjit Singh.

The last days of Sansar Chand were spent in his estate in Sujanpur Tira in the Hamirpur district where he gave up his territorial ambitions and insted enjoyed the pleasures of a lavish court. Here he patronized poets and artists. The spectacular wall painting and temples of Sujanpur Tira are reminders of his life in exile.

ruin of fort

Sujanpur Tira town is also famous for the temples of Gauri Shankar, Murli Mabohar and Narbadeshwar. Narbadeshwar Temple is situated in Sujanpur town and was built by Rani(Queen) Prasanni Devi, the wife of Raja Sansar Chand. The temple is famed for its rich wall paintings that enhance the beauty of its walls. It is built in the Bhitti style of architecture.

Narbadeshwar Temple

Gauri Shankar temple

Wall painting on Gauri Shankar Temple

Sujanpur Tira is located on the bank of River Beas, at an average elevation of 562 metres (1,844 feet). In the middle of this beautiful town there is one square kilometer green ground popularly called in Pahari language 'Chaugan'. The largest ground of Himachal Pradesh which is made use of as a meeting place and also for sports activities. This town falls in district Hamirpur.

Sainik School Sujanpur Tira

In 1961, the idea of starting a chain of Sainik Schools as feeder institutions to NDA was envisaged by the then Defence Minister Mr V K Menon. The foundation of the school was laid by the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi in 1974 and finally Sainik School Sujanpur Tira (HP) was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, the then President of India on 02 Nov 1978.