Chibhal

Chibhal was a princely state founded by a cadet of Katoch Rajputs of Kangra in 1400 A.D.

History

Its first ruler was Raja Partab chand Katoch, who was the youngest son of Raja Megh chand Katoch of Kangra. The state was also known to Timur's historians as found in Sharifuddin's history of Timur, under the form of Jibhal. The conversion of the family to Muhammadanism is probably of late date, as Ferishta mentions Howns Raja(Raja Hans Chand) of Bhimbar in A.H. 891, or A.D. I486. But so many of these hill chiefs retained their Hindu names after they became Mohammadans, that the Hindu name alone cannot be taken as a decisive proof of his being unconverted. But this is debate able because most of the historians believe Raja Shadeep Chand/Dharam Chand to be first muslim convert during Babar reign. The territories in Chibhal included upper and outer hill region between river jhelum and river Chenab which include present day districts of Bhimber, Mirpur, Mangla (Abhisaraprasthanagara) kotli, poonch, Rajouri, Jhelum Valley, greater part of the Valley of Kishanganga(Neelum Valley) up from where it joins the jhelum at Muzafarabad, Noushera seral and Tehsils of Sarai Alamgir and Kharian of Gujrat District. The inhabitants of the state were known as Chibhalis. Chibs who ruled this princely state are the direct descendent of Raja Chib Chand Katoch from whom the term chib, chibhan and chibhal is derived. During 1822 the state territories were reduced to not more than twenty five kilometers due to Sikh invasion and was referred to as state of Bhimber. At that time it included the towns of Bhimber, samhani and Mangal Devi. For history of Chib Rajputs refer to Chib.