Uttaranchal Historical And Cultural Perspectives

This book has been concieved to fulfil a long felt needs of a popular book on Garhwal Kumaon hills. Though in past few years, particularly after the creation of Uttaranchal state, many books have been added but these generally relate to the history of the region. This book tries to cover all important aspects of the history and culture of the people so as to produce a compelet picture of the region. The main objective of the bookn is to familiarize the new generation of Uttaranchalis (paharis), born and brought up outside the state, with the land of their forefathers. To this end, the book not only includes chapters on the history and geography of the region but also on the life of people, their religion and beliefs, art and literature, folk and songs and dances etc. It is hoped that the bok generates an urge for pilgrimage among the readers and inspires them to make a journy of the land of gods (Deva-bhumi). An epilogue had been added at the end of the book. It is authors vision of the land. It is hoped that readers would join him in the exploration of new vistas.

Dr. U.P. Thapliyal was born on 8" January 1938, in village Shrikot, Khatsyum, District Garhwal, Uttaranchal. After compeleting his school education from Government Intrer Collage, Lansdowne he joined Allahabad University and did his MA in Ancient India History. Subsequently, he did PhD from Delhi University in 1972. Dr. Thaplyal has authored many research works including 'Foreign Elements in Ancient Indian Society', 'The Dhvaja-Standards and Flags of India', -A Study, 'Bharatiya Sainik Dhvaja Patakayen, 'Prachina Bharatiya Yoddha Paddhati Prachina Bharatiya Vyuha Vijnana'.He is co-author of the prestigenous volume 'Historical Perspectives of Warfare in India, Some Morale and Material Dimensions' compiled under project History of Science, Philosophy and Culture. His research papers have been published in leading historical journals of India. As the director of the History Division, Ministry of Defence Dr. Thapliyal authored and edited many book including 'Operation Shanti' Military Costumes of India 'stories of Heroism. "Terrific Responsibility etc. He has also written books and accounts on military operations for the use of Indian Armed Forces. Earlier, as the Editor of Delhi Gazetteer he edited and published two volumes viz. 'Who is Who of Delhi Freedom Fighters' and 'Gazetteer of Rural Delhi, Presently, Dr. Thapliyal is serving the Ministry of Defence as a General Editor. In 1995 Dr. Thapliyal delivered a talk on Indian contribution m World War-11 at Nehru Centre, London, on the invitation of External Affairs Ministry. In 1998, he attended a seminar at Chxford University and delivered a talk on the role of Indian Army m Second World War. Dr. Thapliyal has earned many awards for his original writings from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs. His book Swatantrata Andolan Ka fahas was selected for a state Award by Delhi Government.

In 1995, while I was serving as a Director, in the Ministry of Defence, S. S. Negi, a colleague, came to me with an unusual request. The family of his brother, who had settled in Canada, were in Delhi on their way to Garhwal, now a part of Uttaranchal State. His nephews had made a request for a book on the history and culture of the region. Unfortunately, I could not recall a book that would answer their need. On that day I decided to write a general book, unladen with footnotes, on Uttaranchal and set to work on the project. During the past five years I have collected information from various sources and organised it in a book form. In this endeavour I have geatly benefitted from the books mentioned in the bibliography. I am specially indebted to pioneering works of E.T. Atkinson, S.P. Dabral, B.D. Pande, Bhakta Darshan, K.P. Nautiyal, M.P. Joshi and Shekhar Pathak. The book does not claim to be a research study. It is primarily based on my knowledge of the region and the studies conducted on various aspects of life there. The objective is to familiarise the people of India, the migrant hill people and the tourists with the region and to satisfy their interest in the history and culture of the land of gods (Deva-bhumi). As the scope of the book is very wide, it is likely that I may have missed some significant points in my write up. The informed readers may kindly bring these shortcomings to my notice and also send their suggestions, if any, for improvement in the book. The errors will be removed in the next edition. I have invited the displeasure of informed readers by avoiding the use of diaritical marks in this book. It has been done knowingly in the interest of the general reader who would find them confusing. In this book 'Sh' has been used for and and 'S' for,, and . Similarly, 'a' denotes & प् and,'' and and 'u' 3 and . In respect of names of places generally the current usage has been followed. It is hoped that this would not create insurmountable problem for the readers. In preparing this book I have benefitted from the comments of Shri L.M. Thaplyal, Lt. Gen. M.S. Gusain, Prof. K.P. Nautiyal, Dr. N.D. Paliwal, Dr. Govind Chatak, Shri Rajendra Dhasmana, Shri J.P. Mamgain, Shri Subhasha Bahukhandi, Shri Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna, Shri D.D. Nautiyal, Shri G.B. Singh, Shri Jasvinder Singh, Smt. Karuna Srivastava and Smt. Reva Dhanedar. I am deeply indebted to these savants. My brothers Shri S.P. Thapliyal 'Suman' and Shri B.P. Thapliyal, my wife Sarojini, and my brother-in-law Shri J.P. Ghildiyal have always been a source of inspiration to me. I am sorry that my brother Shri B.P. Thapliyal did not live to see this book in print. I also offer my homage to my brother late Dwarika Prasad Thapliyal, who gave me the vision to see the world of letters. I am greatly indebted to major General B.C. Khanduri(Retd), Minister, Road Transport and Highways for blessing this book with a foreword. My thanks are also due to Shri Mittal, the Publisher, who has always been very kind and considerate to me.

**Contents and Sample Pages**