Katyuri kingdom

Origins

The Katyuris emerged in the central Himalaya, modern Uttarakhand, around the 7th or 8th century, perhaps after the decline of the Kuninda Kingdom and other hill states. Tradition places their first seat at Joshimath; their capital Kartikeyapura is usually identified with Baijnath in the Katyur valley.

Rule and society

The dynasty is known from a handful of copper-plate inscriptions of kings such as Lalitashuradeva, written in Sanskrit, and from local tradition. The kings were Shaivas, and the temple groups at Jageshwar and Baijnath are associated with their rule. They controlled routes into Tibet and the pilgrimage centres of the upper Ganges.

Decline and legacy

From around the 11th century the kingdom fragmented into local principalities ruled by Katyuri branches. The Chand dynasty took over Kumaon, and the Parmar kings united Garhwal. Katyuri chiefs survived as local rulers, notably at Askot.

Few sources survive for this state; details are uncertain.