The legend goes that during the earliest history of Sirmour State when Raja Madan Singh used to rule, a woman knowing necromancy presented before the Raja and talked about her acrobatic skill. Raja being susceptible about it, promised her half of his kingdom if she displayed her skill by crossing over the river Giri by means of acrobatic rope. To his surprise, she succeeded in crossing and when she was returning on the rope one of the courtiers of the Raja feeling apprehensive, cut the rope and consequently the woman was drowned in the river. This treachery on the part of Raja resulted in a flood, which swept the town, and the entire princely family perished leaving the state without a ruler.

One version goes that on this state of affairs, the subjects of the Sirmour State approached the Raja of Jaisalmer to give one of his sons as the ruler of the State, which was conceded and sent one of his sons who as crowned as Raja of Sirmour. According to another version, in about 1097 AD, Raja of Jaisalmer, Ugar Sen who happened to visit Hardwar on pilgrimage and on hearing the throne vacant in the near by state sent his son Soba Rawal who conquered and established his kingdom with the capital at Rajban taking the title of Subans Parkash. He ruled the state uptil 1099 AD and thus after 4 years of rule he expired. Ever since, the name “Parkash” in the princely family of Sirmour continued till to-day and up till the date of lapse of paramountcy the same dynasty continued to rule Sirmour State. Malhi Parkash ruled the state from 1108 AD to 1117 AD. He was a man of deep religious and charitable disposition. He fought battle with the Raja of Sirinagar of Garhwal and wrested from him the fort of Malda. His descendant Udit Parkash ruled from 1121 to 1127 AD who changed his capital from Rajban to Kalsi in Dehra Dun otherwise his period was not much eventful. Down the decent in the line, comes the name of Somar Parkash who ruled the state from 1149 AD to 1158 AD, who conquered the fort of Ratesh in Kenothal state and made it his capital. But, Suraj Parkash who ruled from 1158 AD to 1169 AD, returned his capital to Kalsi whereupon his subjects revolted against him and his daughter was killed in the process of defending the fort. Hearing this news, Suraj Parkash returned from Kalsi and subdued the rebels and also overcome the Thakurs of Jubbal, Balsan, Kumharsain, Ghond, Sahri, Theog, Rewain and Kotgarh and forced them to pay tribute. Next century in the history of Sirmour state perhaps passed on uneventfully. However, the period of Jagat Parkash from 1342 to 1356 was known for its mal-administration with the result the aforesaid Thakurs again revolted against the suzerainty. His son Bir Parkash who took over the reign of state in 1356 Ad and ruled till 1366 AD was an energetic ruler and crushed the revolt of the misery junction of Rawin and Jubbal States.

During the time of subsequent rulers the capital of the state shuttled between Neri, Kot and Gargah in Ratesh Pargana. But, during the time of Budh Parkash it was shifted to Kalsi again. The present capital at Nahan was founded in 1621 AD by Karam Parkash who ruled the state from 1616 to 1630 AD. He became a spiritual disciple of Baba Banwari Dass whose descendant still hold the temple of Jagan-Nath at Nahan. It is believed that Shah Jahan, the Mugal Emperor of India had requested Karam Parkash for 2,000 horses to conquer Srinagar in Garhwal. The request was accepted by raja. But his commander Nijabat Khan after initial successes in capturing the forts of Shergarh, Kalsi, Bairat etc., met a disaster in his adventure. Whereupon he lost his position and he was replaced by Mirza Khan as Fauzdar who with the help of Raja Subhag Parkash of Sirmour and other jagirdars of hills, conquered Srinagar in Garhwal. Raja Subhag Parkash in recognition of his services received a firman on behalf of the Mughal Emperor and area of Kotaha was annexed to Sirmour State.

Raja Subhag Parkash was a good administrator and took keen interest in the development of the state, particularly in the field of agriculture. This led to the confinement of area of Kalakhar (area near Dehradun) by the Mugal Princes. Again, during the reign of Budh Parkash during 1664 to 1684 AD, the Mughal Prince passed on the fort of Bairat and Kalsi from Raja of Srinagar who had occupied the fort which originally belonged to Sirmour state. It is believed that Raja of Sirmour had closed correspondence with the Begum Jahan Area whom he sent musk, wild pomegranates and wild fowls etc. Budh Parkash’s son Jog Raj succeeded his father under the title of Mat Parkash, who ruled between 1684 and 1704 AD, and was recognized by the Mughal Emperor. One of the interesting features of his reign was the visit of Guru Gobind Singh to Paonta, who resided there for 3 years when he was expelled from Anandpur by the Raja of Bilaspur for failing to confirm to his directions. Later the Raja of Bilaspur and Srinagar fought a battle with the Guru at Paonta where the former were killed and the guru emerged victorious and the present Gurdwara of Paonta Sahib marks the spot where the Guru had won the battle.

How to Reach
    By Road it is 90 Km from Chandigarh
    90 Km form Dehradun
    135 Km form Shimla and
    65 Km form Ambala

Where to Stay
    Circuit House
    PWD Rest House
    Zila Parishad Bhwan

Near By

Sirmaur by Air

The closest airheads are Dehra Dun and Chandigarh, which are available from Nahan and Renuka by street. Dehra Dun and Chandigarh are provided from Delhi by Native indian Airways. Within the condition, the investment Shimla, is linked by air, from which the area is available by street. The closest airport terminal in Himachal is Jubbarhatti 102 km. ( from Sarhan via – Solan – Shimla – Jubbarhatti ) and 140 km. from Nahan.

Sirmaur by Railways
For Nahan, the closest railhead is Ambala, 100-km away, Dehra Dun also works as a railhead, 65-km from Paonta Sahib. Regular practice solutions from Delhi link both train devices. However in Himachal, closest filter guage range is Barog ( near Kalka ) 42 km.

Sirmaur by Road
Delhi to Sirmaur : this accessibility route brings via Sonipat – Karnal- Kurukshetra – Ambala – Chandigarh – Hoshiarpur – Pathankot – Nurpur – Kangra – Hamirpur – Bilaspur – Solan – Sirmaur.

Cultural Information

The southernmost district of Himachal Pradesh, Sirmaur is as fascinatingly varied as its religious and cultural traditions. Towering over the land at 3647 meters altitude is Churdhar, the highest mountain in all of Shivalik hills. A crumble of many ridges of this dramatic landmass, on a moonlit night, from a distance appear to be like a set of bangles on a brides arm.

Sirmaur is spread over a Himalayan zone. River Giri cuts through the district before it merges with River Yamuna near Paonta Sahib. At a fossil park near Nahan, remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals dating back to over 85 million years old have been found.
Cultural and religious beliefs are centered around local deities with Lord Shiva as Shirgul Devta at Churdhar and Parshuram, an avatar of Lord Vishnu at Renuka being the prominent ones. Renuka fair, held with much fanfare around the scenic lake in November, is the largest festive gathering of Sirmaur. Bishu, a spring festival, brings together the community to hold Nati folk dances and compete at Thoda, an unique archery game.
Himachal has an abundance of trekking routes but the climb to Churdhar is one of the best treks, simply because of the panoramic views that are up on display on this route. Thick pine forests hold a varied wildlife where the Leopard, Jackal, Sambar, Chital, Hog Deer, Barking Deer and other animals can be sighted.
Language spoken: Hindi and English is spoken and understood by the people associated with tourism trade. Locals mostly speak Sirmauri, a dialect. Punjabi is spoken in some parts of the region.
Clothing essentials: Cotton clothes are best suited for the summer, when the temperatures can do rise up to 38 degree Celsius in some parts of the district. In winters the temperatures range between 8 to 15 degree Celsius and light to heavy woollen clothing are needed.