8 Amazing Historical Facts About Dehradun.

11 Amazing Historical Facts About Dehradun.

Photo of the Doon Valley in 1850s.

Dehradun is not only a favorite tourist destination being full of landscaping beauty but also houses a diverse history starting right for the age of Ramayana thousands of years ago.

So in this article I'll take you to the significant historical events that the valley of Doon has witnessed,  even since it was a no-man's-land. And how it finds it's place in Indian history from  mythological time to the modern era of history and ever since. Here's a quick paraphrased timeline of the magnificent history of Dehradun.

1. Link to Dwapara.

After defeating Ravana in the epic war of Ramayana, Lord Ram is believed to visit the valley with Laxmana. There have been many evidences to support the above fact such as ancient temples and idols in the areas surrounding Dehradun. The local culture and literature provides the link of the place to the events of Ramayana in Dwapara yuga. And some more than 2000 year old relics and the ruins found in the place supports the fact archaeologically as well.

2. Dehradun has given Drona to Mahabharata.

All these idols and ruins similarly provides enough evidences that connects Dehradun to Treta yuga of Mahbharata. the Royal Guru of Hastinapur Dronacharya who taught archery to Kauravas and Pandavas is believed to be an inhabitant of this place. And after the 18 days war of Mahabharata, Pandavas had influence on this place keeping the Descendants of Subahu, (the Rakshasa of Ramayana) as the region's subsidiary ruler.

3. Places around Dehradun has a history too.

Likewise, Rishikesh is mentioned in the pages of history when Lord Vishnu answered the prayers of the saints, slaughtered the demons and handed the land to the saints.The adjoining place called Chakrata has its historical impression during the time of Mahabharata.

4. "Sudhnagar", as Dehradun and places around it, was way back then called.

In the seventh century this area was known as Sudhnagar and was described by the Chinese traveller Huen Tsang. Sudhnagar later came to be recognised as the name of Kaalsi. Edicts of Ashoka have been found in the region along the banks of river Yamuna in Kaalsi indicating the wealth and importance of the region in ancient India.

5. Then "Gurudwara", then "Dehra" and then finally "Dehradun".

Before the name of Dehradun was used, the place is shown on old maps as Gurudwara (a map by Webb, 1808) or Gooroodwara (a map by Gerard, 1818). Gerard's map names the place as "Dehra or Gooroodwara". Surrounding this original Sikh temple were many small villages that are now the names of parts of the modern city.Dehradun itself derives its name from the historical fact that Shri Ram Rai, the eldest son of the Seventh Sikh Guru Har Rai Ji, set up his "dera" (camp) in "dun" (valley) in 1676. This 'Dera' 'Dun' later on became Dehradun.

7. Destructive Aurangzeb's constructive co-operation to build the hill city.

The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was highly impressed by the miraculous powers of charismatic Ram Rai. He asked the contemporary Raja of Garhwal, Fateh Shah to extend all possible help to Shri Ram Rai. Initially a Gurudwara (temple) was built in Dhamawala.

8. The proof of Mughal-Sikh nexus from building the first dwelling to set up a whole city.

The construction of the present building of Darbar Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji Maharaj was completed in 1707. There are portraits of gods, goddesses, saints, sages and religious stories on the walls. There are pictures of flowers and leaves, animals and birds, trees, similar faces with pointed noses and big eyes on the arches which are the symbol of the colour scheme of Kangra-Guler and Mughal art. High minarets and round pinnacles are the models of the Muslim architecture. The huge talab in the front measuring 230 x 80 feet had dried up for want of water over the years.