THE BANGLES OF CHAMPA ( END)

This was the time when the thought of shifting capital from Champawat to Almora was being conceived. Raja Balo Kalyan Chand  was advised by his Raj Jyotoishi that certain omens were not auguring well for retaining the capital at Champawat. The C in C, Council of Ministers & senior Consultants too agreed to the advice of the Kul Guru.  Considering the fact that fresh territories had been won ,it was decided  to assert the  Kumaon Kingdom beyond Kali Kumaon, & therefore,  a consensus was arrived at - to  shift the capital  to a place of  strategic significance –in this case Almora. Almora was derived from the names- 'Bhilmora, 'Chalmora, 'Kilmora' - varieties of grass, that were used for cleaning the metal 'patra' & utensils of Katarmal Devta. There was also a move to name it 'Alamnagar'. Finally, the name Almora stuck in the minds of people. 

The King now gave elaborate directions to shift to the newly acquired kingdom.King Balo Kalyan  Chand now gave final orders to transfer his capital from Champawat to Almora.

(The Chands occupied Almora till the 19th century .)

 X                X                               X                             X                     

The C in C presented the Craftsmen Families to Queen Champa.

With folded hands,the craftsmen families said ,‘Your Highness, we are blessed to be here .Both the King & Queen are so very kind. We pray for the  long lives of the King & the Queen & prosperity to the Kingdom. Please accept a small token of our love & regard for you’.

The Queen asked the C in C to permit the 'sewadars' to bring the items in. Out of the two huge bundles, the craftsmen took out & neatly arranged 365 Pairs of exquisitely crafted glass bangles in all hues & colours & requested the Queen to kindly accept them.' 

'These have been specially prepared for you to last for one full year. Now that we are  here, it shall be an honour to comply with the desire,directions & choices of the Queen' - the senior craftsman submitted with folded hands.

Champa was simply enamoured to see such wonderfully crafted bangles. She thanked them profusely, & in turn, made separate presents to the men & women. She presented a couple of sets of Ghagra & Pichaura, Gulubands, Karnphools, Hasuli, Kamarband,Shawls,etc to the women.

The Queen said, “ Welcome to the sacred land of Kali Kumaon. From now onwards, it shall be our responsibility to look after you in each & every respect. I thank The Shahanshah for this magnanimous gesture. Even after the capital is shifted to Almora, you all shall  continue to stay  put here & concentrate on your good work.'

“It may be noted that Akbar had made a special place in the hearts & minds of Hindus. There are numerous references to him ;and his eulogies are sung in songs and religious hymns as well. Akbar practiced several Hindu customs. He celebrated Diwali. He allowed Brahman priests to tie jeweled strings round his wrists by way of blessing and, following his lead, many of the nobles took to wearing rakhi (protection charms). He had renounced beef, and forbade the sale of all meats on certain days. Also, his royal queen-consort was a Hindu princess, Harkha Bai.”

(THE END)