History of Pithoragarh district reminds of the once flourishing Chand Dynasty. Many temples and ruined forts of Pithoragarh District are the reminiscent of the glorious reign of the Chand rulers. Pithoragarh district is situated in the state of Uttarakhand. This district is beautified with Himalaya Mountains, snow capped peaks, passes, valleys, alpine meadows, forests, waterfalls, perennial rivers, glaciers and springs.
It was in the wake of the Chinese aggression that on 24th of February, 1960, a sizeable section of Almora district was carved into Pithoragarh district with its headquarters at Pithoragarh town. On 15th of September, 1997, Champawat Tehsil, came under Pithoragarh and was carved into Champawat district. The origins of the name Pithoragarh are foggy and there are a number of stories on the same. While some say the name to the King Pithora Chand from the Chand Dynasty, stories on the city getting its name from Prithvi Raj Chauhan by the Chauhan Rajputs are also the part of folklore.
Pithoragarh was under the reign of three generation of Pals and the kingdom extended from Pithoragarh to Askot.
The Brahm Dynasty in Pithoragarh
As per a tamrapatra that dates back to 1420 A.D the Pal dynasty, based out of Askot, was uprooted by Chand Kings. Vijay Brahm of Brahm dynasty from Doti took over the empire as a king. It is believed that Bhartichand, an ancestor of Gyan Chand, had replaced Brahm.
The Chand Dynasty
In 16th century the Chand dynasty again took power over Pithoragarh town and in 1790 built a new fort on the hill where the present Girls Inter College is situated. This fort was ruined by Government of India in year 1962 after china attacked India. The Chand rule at its glory is seen as one of the most prominent empires in Kumaoun.
British Rule in Pithoragarh
British came to this region after 1815. Under the British Raj Pithoragarh remained a Tehsil under Almora District until 1960. After that it was elevated to a district. Under the British empire Christianity developed in this region. The British recruited a large number of local people to its army as well.
The subsequent Government was also not very active to take care of this part of India. Hence Pithoragarh is very much neglected even though there is base for army.
Pithoragarh district was initially a part of Almora district of Uttarakhand. Pithoragarh was created as a separate district in 1960. In 1997 a new district of Champawat was carved out by reorganizing its boundaries.
