Baz Bahadur Chand
Baz Bahadur Chand ',' born Baz Gusain , was the 50th Maharaja of the Chand Dynasty of Kumaon. He ascended to the throne in 1638 after the death of his adoptive father, the previous Maharaja Trimal Chand. Under his reign the Kingdom of Kumaon grew considerably in influence, territory, power and wealth. His rule lasted 40 years until he abdicated due to his age and declining physical and mental health. He died at the age of 82 in 1680.
Maharaja Baz Bahadur Chand is considered to be one of the greatest kings of Kumaon. During his reign Kumaon reestablished authority over Terai, subjugated Doti, invaded Tibetan territory, successfully repelled Mughal aggression and undermined the Kingdom of Garhwal. He introduced new court customs inspired by Muslim durbars and further institutionalized the government. He also wiped out the remaining descendants of the Katyuri Dyansty for siding with Garhwal. The reign of Baz Bahadur Chand is seen as the Golden Age of Kumaon.
Early life
Baz Bahadur Chand was born to Prince Nila Gusain in Almora. At that time Kumaon was ruled by Maharaja Vijay Chand, who was a puppet ruler under the trio of nobles Shakram Karki, Piru Gusain and Vinayak Bhatt. When Prince Nila Gusain raised objected to the Kings confinement within his harem and his powerlessness, his eyes were pulled out, and he later died. All the other Gusains and Rautelas were killed by the trio to eliminate competition. Only two sons of former Maharaja Laxmi Chand survived - Prince Trimal Chand and Prince Narayan Chand. Out of them the former fled to Garhwal and the second to Doti.A royal maid servant wrapping in a piece of cloth blind Nila Gusain's son, nicknamed 'Baja Baja', entrusted him to the wife of her family priest Dharmakar Tewari of Chausar. She kept him concealed with her. There he was brought up as a non - royal.
Crown Prince
After Vijay Chand was killed by the trio of nobles, the Mahar faction made Trimal Chand the Maharaja after bringing him back from Garhwal. Once enthroned, Maharaja Trimal Chand took swift action and punished the three nobles.During his reign, Trimal Chand faced a succession crisis as he had no son. Many members of the Chand dynasty had either perished in the violent conflicts during Vijay Chand's time or had fled. Determined to find a suitable heir, Trimal Chand began searching for a successor.
He was informed that Baz Gusain, the son of Nila Gusain, had been raised by the wife of Sri Dharmakar Tewari. When men were sent to retrieve the boy, Tewari's wife, suspicious of the Maharaja's intentions, denied that he was in her home.
Trimal Chand then personally visited her. She demanded that he swear an oath ensuring the boy's safety and confirming his appointment as prince before she would hand him over. The Maharaja agreed to her conditions, after which she entrusted Baz Gusain to him. Trimal Chand took the boy to the palace and formally declared him the prince.
The appointment of Baz Gusain as prince was celebrated with great pomp. In the royal court, Trimal Chand publicly addressed him as his successor, seated him beside his throne, and said to him, "My son, you will be the king after me." From that moment, Baz Gusain became known as Prince Baj Chand and began attending court to learn the administration of the kingdom.
Reign
Enthronement
Prince Baj Chand became the Maharaja of Kumaon in 1638 after the death of Maharaja Trimal Chand.Recapturing Terai
The area of Terai Bhavar was highly prosperous. But since the time of Maharaja Laxmi Chand, the Chands were engaged in domestic quarrels, so they could not pay attention to Terai. There the Hindu chiefs of Kather had grabbed major part of their kingdom.Meeting with [Shah Jahan]
Baz Chand went to the court of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan to lodge a complaint against this. He took with him a large number of presents. He presented those gifts to the emperor. The Emperor told him that the Maharaja should support him in his war against Garhwal, and when they will win the region of Terai would be given to him. In 1654-55 A.D. the army was sent to Garhwal. He also was sent there. In the battle of Garhwal he showed his valiance for which the title of Bahadur was granted to him. A Robe of honour studded with jewels was also given to him.Restablishment of Authority
He got a firman in which he was called the zamindar of Terai. Subedar Nawab Rustam Khan helped Maharaja Baz Bahadur Chand and again the Terai came under the authority of Kumaon. Nawab Khalilullah Khan also helped him. Rustam Khan came to the region of Kathed and read out the order of the emperor to the Kathedias. He disbanded their army and thus full authority of king Baz Bahadur Chand was re-established in Terai.Maharaja Baz Bahadur Chand appointed Karindas in Terai and also founded a town named Bazpur.
Conflict against [Aurangzeb]
When Aurangzeb decided to ascend the throne after killing his brothers, prince Sulaiman Sikoh, son of Dara Shikoh, fled to Kumaon and begged for shelter from Baz Bahadur Chand. The Maharaja first warmly entertained him but later on finding him against the Emperor gave him many presents and wealth and sent him to Garhwal. Aurangzeb at once sent his army and threatened the Maharaja of Kumaon that if he did not surrender prince Sulaiman to him, the whole of Terai would be seized and Kumaon desolated.While Baz Bahadur Chand was in the Terai region, he commanded his night guard, Hedi, to stealthily enter the sleeping chamber of the Muslim commander and steal his shawl, dagger, and turban. These items were then sent to the Mughal Emperor along with a letter in which the Maharaja stated that, had he wished, he could have killed the imperial commander but refrained from doing so since the prince was not present with him.
Around this time, Prince Sulaiman was captured, prompting the Mughal army to retreat from Terai. The Mughal Sardar informed Emperor Aurangzeb that the Maharaja of Kumaon was truthful and had not provided shelter to the prince. Pleased with this assurance, Baz Bahadur Chand later dispatched Prince Pahad Singh Gusain and Pandit Vishvarup Pandey Rajguru as his ambassadors to the Mughal court in Delhi. In response, Aurangzeb granted a firman confirming the Maharaja's authority over Terai and honored him with a robe of honour.
Second conflict against [Aurangzeb]
In 1665 the Mughal army was sent to Kumaon against Maharaja Baz Bahadur Chand. The army of emperor Aurangzeb captured Terai and the emperor's rule was established there, but it was not an easy job to have control over mountains. In May 1666 one lakh rupees and 200 stone cutters were sent to help the army. The Raja of Garhwal backed the Mughals against Kumaon but his nephew who had matrimonial relation in the royal family of Kumaon, backed the Maharaja of Kumaon.In a letter addressed to the Vazīr-e Azam of the Mughal Empire during that time, Baz Bahadur Chand accused the Raja of Garhwal for lodging a false complaint against him in the court of emperor Aurangzeb, falsely stating that he possessed huge wealth, so much gold that would not be available even on conducting searches all over the mountains. Baz Bahadur Chand then said that Raja of Garhwal should prove the authenticity of his statement. He then continued, saying that in regard to invading Srinagar without permission from the Mughal court, he is ready to pay a fine for it.
In October. 1673 the Maharaja was granted pardon and he sent his prince to the imperial court.
Management of [Terai]
The Maharaja greatly loved Terai Bhavar. He always toured that region. He appointed officers there. They were ordered to live at Bazpur and Rudrapur in winter. In summers the officers shifted to Kota and Badakheda. Each and every bigha of land was then under cultivation. Kota was the main capital of Terai Bhavar. The Kumaoni Governor of Terai Bhavar lived there. Some Muslim sardars and the army also was posted there and their commission was fixed. Among the Muslims some who belonged to Hedi and Mewat were allotted the duties of watchmen of Bhavar.Introducing new court customs
Upon his return to Almora, Baz Bahadur Chand introduced several customs inspired by the traditions he had observed in Muslim courts and the courts of other rulers. He established naubat and nakkarchikhanas. Additionally, he appointed bearers of asa and ballam, along with chopdars.The Maharaja also brought with him a group of mace-bearers, drummers, mirasis, clowns, and mimes from the plains to enhance the grandeur of his court. Furthermore, a Brahmin confectioner was employed to prepare sweets for the royal palace.
Views on [Jizya]
Baz Bahadur Chand was against Jizya tax being implemented on Mughal associated states like Kumaon. According to Raja Anand Singh, a descendant of the Chand dynasty and Indian freedom fighter, an application from Kumaon was sent that this tax should not be levied.Installation of [Nanda Devi]
Baz Bahadur Chand invaded Garhwall and from there brought Nandadevi along with all her attendants and installed her in Malla Mahal, Almora. Royal maid servants were placed there for the service.Later on George William Traill, second commissioner of Kumaon, shifted and installed her at the present place.