Katochs the warriors, Katochs the kings,
For whom the rajbhats used to sing,
The moon’s sons, the cool clan,
Who ruled the hills with shrewd plan.
From the sacred brow of goddess fair,
Bhumi Chand was born with royal air.
The first Katoch king, divine and bright,
He rose to rule the Himalayan height.
Susharma, bold in ancient fight,
For Kauravas stood with all his might.
In Mahabharata’s epic frame,
His name endures in valor’s flame.
From distant times on Jhelum’s shore,
Puru Chand fought a mighty war.
Against Alexander’s fierce command,
He bravely took a warrior’s stand.
A clan of warriors, fierce and wise,
They ruled the hills beneath clear skies.
With shrewd plans, their power grew,
Their legacy forged in mountains blue.
Sansar Chand, the Maharaja strong,
Brought glory back where it belonged.
The first great king to wear the crown,
He raised the clan’s renown in town.
Kangra’s forts and temples rose,
A cultural bloom in his repose.
Paintings bright and music’s song,
Under his reign grew rich and strong.
He conquered rajas far and near,
Expanding realms without a fear.
But foes conspired with cunning art,
And called Amar Singh to do his part.
At Mahalmorian, near Nadaun’s land,
The battle raged, fierce and grand.
Sansar Chand was forced to yield,
His mighty fort to Ranjit Singh sealed.
He pledged the fortress in solemn vow,
To Punjab’s king, who then bowed.
But politics played a ruthless game,
And sons of Sansar were called in name.
To Lahore summoned under pressure’s weight,
Forced marriages sealed their fate.
Daughters given in binding ties,
To Wazir Dhian Chand’s sons, despised.
Yet pride would not allow disgrace,
The princes fled to forest’s embrace.
To keep their daughters safe and free,
Away from chains imposed forcibly.
The British found them in wild retreat,
And gave them titles, though incomplete.
Rajas of Nadaun and Lambagaon named,
A kingdom lost but not ashamed.
Long ago, Raja Hari Chand one day,
Lost his way on a hunting way.
Fell in a well, trapped and alone,
For fifteen days, far from home.
A shepherd boy, Gawala, found his plight,
Called the village, brought aid in sight.
Rescued the king from watery tomb,
Saved him from an untimely gloom.
But home he came to find, dismayed,
His brother Karam Chand had stayed,
Declared the ruler, crown in hand,
So Hari Chand left his fatherland.
Into forests deep he made his mark,
Founded Haripur, away from the dark.
Renamed himself Hari Singh Gwaler proud,
Honoring the shepherd who saved him from cloud.
Thus Guleria clan began to rise,
From royal roots beneath the skies.
Two princes from this lineage true,
To Dadha and Shiba then withdrew.
Their descendants bear names held dear—
Dadhwals and Sibehia appear.
From Shiba’s line a state did grow,
Jaswan’s pride began to show.
Jaswals now trace their ancient line,
Offshoots of Katoch blood and sign.
Guleria, Dadwal, Supehia, Jaswal,
Branches of the great tree standing tall.
Through battles won and battles lost,
Through shifting powers and heavy cost,
The Katochs stood with honor high,
Their legacy etched across the sky.
The rajbhats sing in valleys deep,
Of kings who never ceased to keep,
Their people safe, their culture bright,
A shining beacon in Himalayan light.
O warriors born from goddess’ brow,
Your story lives in every plow,
In every stone and sacred shrine,
The Katochs’ spirit will forever shine.
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