KIRPAL CHAND KATOCH

KIRPAL CHAND KATOCH (d. 1696) of Karigra, son of Raja Udai Ram Chand (1687-90) and the younger brother of Raja Bhim Chand (1690-97) of Kangra. Kirpal Chand was ambitious and adept in diplomacy. He is said to have incited Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur to pick up a quarrel with Guru Gobind Singh and expel him from his territory. On the other hand, he sent a messenger to the Guru requesting him to disregard the pretensions of the Raja of Kahlur.

However, he joined hands with the hill chiefs and fought against Guru Gobind Singh in the battle of Bharigam (AD 1688). In the battle of Nadaun (20 March 1691), he fought on the side of the Mughal commander, Alif Khan, and in the battle of Guler (20 February 1696) on the side of Husain Khan. Husain Khan was defeated and Kirpal Chand Katoch killed in action.

References :

1. Bachilm Natak.
2. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratdp Suraj Granth. Amritsai-, 1927-33
3. Macauliffe, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909
4. Hai bans Singh, Gum Gobind Singh. Chandigarh, 1966