Katyuri kings

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There have been numerous different claims of origin. Badri Dutt Pandey is among those who believe the Katyurs were originally from Ayodhya, while others trace their origins back to the Kunindas, having found coins from the Kuninda period. Rahul Sankrityayan traces their ancestry to Kshasha and Shaka stock, who were in India before the first century BCE.[1]


The Katyuri dynasty was founded by Vashudev Katyuri, also called Vasu Dev or Basu Dev, according to traditions, but his name is not found in any inscriptions and an ancient Basdeo temple at Joshimath is attributed to Vasu Dev.[2] Vasu Dev was of Buddhist origin, but later followed Brahminical practices and the brahminical practices of Katyuri kings in general is sometimes attributed to a vigorous campaign of Adi Shankara (788-820 CE).[3] Originally from Joshimath, during their reign they dominated lands of varying extent from the 'Katyur' (modern day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon, between 7th and 11th centuries C.E., and established their capital at Baijnath in Bageshwar district; which was then known as Kartikeyapura and lies in the centre of 'Katyur' valley. Brahmadev mandi (a trading / business center in a flat area of the then Katyuri kingdom) in the Kanchanpur District of Nepal was established by Katyuris king Brahma Deo (Brahma Dev). Brahmadeo Mandi still exists by this name.


Later offshoots[edit]

The Rajbar dynasty of Askot in Pithoragarh, was set up in the 1279 AD, by a branch of the Katyuri Kings, headed by Abhay Pal Deo, who was the grandson of Katyuri king, Brahm Deo. The dynasty ruled the region until it became part of the British Raj through the treaty of Sighauli in 1816. The Doti Kingdom was another strong offshoot of Katyuri dynasty. They were known as Rainka Maharaj, presently Doti is a part of Nepal. Another branch was the Mahson-Mahuli kingdom in eastern U.P., founded by one of Abhay Pal Deo's sons, Alakh Deo.


The period of certain Katyuri rulers, is generally determined as below, although there is some ambiguity in respect to exact number of years ruled by each King. 1. Vasu dev( ) 2. Basantana Dev (850-870 CE) 3. Kharpar Dev (870-880 CE) 4. Abhiraj Dev (880-890 CE) 5. Tribhuvanraj Dev (890-900 CE) 6. Nimbarta Dev (900-915 CE) 7. Istanga (915-930 CE) 8. Lalitasura Dev (930-955 CE) 9. Bhu Dev (955-970 CE) 10. Salonaditya (970-985 CE) 11. Ichchhata Dev (985 -1000 CE) 12. Deshat Dev (1000 -1015 CE) 13. Padmata Dev (1015-1045 CE) 14. Subhiksharaja Dev (1045-1060 CE) 15. Dham Dev and 16. Bir Dev (Very short period)[6]

Builders of temples[edit]





  1. ^ O.C.Handa. pp.22-26
  2. ^ O.C.Handa. p 25.
  3. ^ O.C.Handa p.26
  4. ^ 9th-11th century
  6. ^ O.C.Handa. p.30-31