Garhpanchkot history

Purulia in West Bengal, India is largely avoided by the tourists because of its recent tryst with the Maoists. Beyond this recent image lies a beautiful land packed with remains of its rich cultural and religious past, often related to the thriving Jain culture of the region during 9th and 11th CE. Behind this cultural efflorescence lay the patronage of the Panchakot Raj. This royal family, which still survives and carries forward its royal lineage and public recognition from Kashipur Rajbari in Purulia, had established a mighty capital and fortress in the lap of Panchet Hills. The family ruled from this capital, known as Garh Panchakot, uninterrupted for 810 years, from 940-1750 C.E.
BRIEF HISTORY
What comes down to us as the history of the Panchakot Raj is actually a blend of legend and actual history. According to the legends, while Raja Jagat Deo was going for pilgrimage in Puri from his kingdom in Dhar in modern Madhya Pradesh, his wife gave birth to a son while camping at Jhalda, currently in Purulia district. The king’s entourage believed the child had been born dead, and left him there. Later the child was found by seven local tribal chiefs and was named Damodar Sekhar. It was Damodar Sekhar who established the Panchkot Royal dynasty in 80 CE. The capital was shifted to Garh Panchkot much later in 940 CE. Garh Panchkot was abandoned in the 1750s, because of Maratha-Bargi raids and internecine wars. At this point, what survived of the royal family moved to Kashipur on the banks of Dwarakeshwar river, 30 km south.
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