History of Bandral Rajputs

BANDRAL (RAJPUT)

Short Description: Ramnagar formerly known as Bandralta was once ruled by Bandral Rajputs.

Detailed Info:

Description: Ramnagar the capital of the erstwhile state of Bandralta is situated about 105 km from Jammu and 38 km west to Udhampur by the side of Dhar Road. Ramnagar formerly known as Bandralta was once ruled by Bandral Rajputs. It was founded by the royal family of Chamba belonging to Chand dynasty. The first king of the state was Bahattar Dev brother of Raja Vichitar Verma of Chamba who ruled Chamba in 10th century AD. This dynasty ruled over Bandralta till 1822 when they were overthrown by Sikh forces. This Pahari state was then given to Raja Suchet Singh younger brother of Maharaja Gulab Singh as jagir in lieu of his services rendered to Punjab Darbar. Raja Suchet Singh was an honoured man in Punjab Darbar besides being a great general. He too like Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra and Kirpal Pal of Basohli was a great connoisseur of art and architecture. Bandralta (Ramnagar) School of paintings took shape in the reign of Bandral feudal lords and flourished in the reign of Raja Suchet Singh. He also gifted some rare monuments to Ramnagar among which Sheesh Mahal is superb in its execution of frescos. Raja Suchet Singh ruled Bandralta from 1822 to 1844 AD. After the death of Raja Suchet Singh, Ram Singh the son of Maharaja Ranbir Singh became the feudal lord of Bandralta and renamed it As Ramnagar. Both Raja Suchet Singh and Raja Ram Singh had no progeny with the result the jagir was merged in Jammu kingdom after the death of Raja Ram Singh. Present Ramnagar is a beautiful hilly region and a Tehsil in District Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir. Ramnagar is an amazing piece of land. On one side there are high Shivalik hills up to 5000 feet, having dense chir forests many small villages are scattered in the natural setting of the Shivaliks, watered by several streams which decorate its surroundings with greenery, a feast to the eyes if on one side there are colourful layers of land, on the other side there are standing large size rocks creating hurdles in your way. Thick forest, deep valleys, wonderful wild-life, the fragrance of flowers and living traditions of early society, natural and hardworking lifestyle is Ramnagar.