FATEH SHAH

FATEH SHAH (d. 1716) was the ruler of the Himalayan state of Srinagar (Garhval) from 1684 to 1716. He had strained relations with Raja Medini Prakash of Sirmur. When Guru Gobind Singh made Paonta his headquarters in April 1685 at the invitation of the latter, he brought about reconciliation between Fateh Shah and the Sirmur chief. According to Sikh chroniclers, Guru Gobind Singh sent presents through his diwan, Nand Chand, to Raja Fateh Shah on the occasion of the marriage of his daughter to Ajmer Chand, son of Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur. Bhim Chand, who resented the cordiality which existed between Guru Gobind Singh and Fateh Shah, urged the Srinagar ruler not to accept the presents sent by the Guru.

He also urged him to join hands with him in waging war upon the Guru. Fateh Shah obliged him by joining the attacking host against the Guru in the battle of Bhangani fought on 18 September 1688, 10 km northeast of Paonta. For the Guru it was a mystery why he should have done so: in the Bachitra Natak he said that Raja Fateh Shah “raged and fought with me purposelessly.” Raja Fateh Shah`s later years were occupied in contest with the rulers of Kumaon. He died in 1716.

References :

1. Sukha Singh, Gurbilas Dasvin Patshahi. Lahore, 1912
2. Hutchinson, J. and J. Ph. Vogel, History of the Punjab Hill States. Lahore, 1933
3. Harbans Singh, Guru Gobind Singh. Chandigarh, 1986