The history of Christianity in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, is primarily linked to the British colonial administration (after 1815), during which missionaries introduced Western education and healthcare, establishing schools, particularly in Pauri and other towns, which fostered modern development and later contributed to regional identity movements such as the Uttarakhand movement, although the earliest forms of Christianity in India date back to Saint Thomas.
Early Introduction
The presence of Christianity in India dates back to Saint Thomas (1st century), but there is insufficient documented information about distinct, widespread Christian communities in Garhwal before the British period.
British Era (After 1815)
Colonial Administration: Following the Anglo-Nepalese War (1816), Garhwal came under British rule, transforming areas like Pauri into hill stations and administrative centers.
Missionary Activities: British and American missionaries arrived and established a significant presence, particularly in the early 1900s.
Education and Modernization: Missionaries introduced Western education, evident in schools in Pauri, leading to a notable increase in literacy and laying the foundation for modern thought and infrastructure in the region.
Community Development: A Christian community developed during this era, although its association with colonial rule made it complex.
Post-Independence and Contemporary Era
Cultural Impact: The educational seeds sown by the missionaries contributed to Garhwal's high literacy rate and influenced regional identity.
Continued Presence: The presence of Christianity in Uttarakhand continues, with ongoing efforts for spiritual renewal among groups such as the Rajput Garhwalis.
Key Resources
For detailed information, "The Christian History of Uttarakhand, Volume I" presents the first systematic history of missionary work and its impact.
Research on "The Expansion and Impact of Christianity in Kumaon and Garhwal from 1815 to 1947" provides specific historical depth.
History
For centuries, the development of human civilization in the Garhwal Himalayas has paralleled that of the rest of the Indian subcontinent. The Katyuri dynasty was the first historical dynasty to rule over a unified Uttarakhand and left behind some significant records in the form of inscriptions and temples. In later times, after the decline of the Katyuris, the Garhwal region is believed to have been divided into more than sixty-four principalities ruled by chieftains. One of the prominent chieftainships was Chandpur Garh, ruled by the descendants of Kanakpal. In the mid-15th century CE, Chandpur Garh emerged as a powerful principality under the rule of Jagatpal (1455 to 1493 CE), a descendant of Kanakpal. At the end of the 15th century, Ajaypal ascended the throne of Chandpur Garh and succeeded in uniting and consolidating the various principalities of the region into a single kingdom, which came to be known as Garhwal. Subsequently, he shifted his capital from Chandpur to Devalgarh before 1506 and later to Srinagar between 1506 and 1519 CE.
King Ajaypal and his successors ruled Garhwal for nearly three hundred years, during which time they faced numerous attacks from Kumaon, the Mughals, the Sikhs, and the Rohillas. A significant event in the history of Garhwal was the Gorkha invasion. This was known for its extreme brutality, and the term 'Gorkhyani' became synonymous with the marauding and plundering armies. After subjugating Doti and Kumaon, the Gorkhas attacked Garhwal and reached Langurgarh despite fierce resistance from the Garhwali forces. However, news of a Chinese invasion arrived, forcing the Gorkhas to lift the siege. In 1803, however, they invaded again. After conquering Kumaon, they attacked Garhwal in three divisions. Five thousand Garhwali soldiers could not withstand the intensity of their attack, and King Pradyumna Shah fled to Dehradun to organize his defense. However, their armies could not withstand the might of the Gurkhas. The Garhwali forces suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Khurbura, and the king himself was killed. In 1804, the Gurkhas became the masters of the entire Garhwal region and ruled it for twelve years.
The Gurkha rule in the Garhwal region ended in 1815 when the British, despite fierce resistance, drove them west of the Kali River. Following the defeat of the Gurkha army, on April 21, 1815, the British decided to establish their rule over the eastern half of the Garhwal region, lying east of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, which later came to be known as 'British Garhwal' and the Doon of Dehradun. The remaining western part of Garhwal was returned to Raja Sudarshan Shah, who established his capital at Tehri. Initially, the administration was entrusted to the Commissioner of Kumaon and Garhwal, whose headquarters were in Nainital, but later, in 1840 AD, Garhwal was separated and made a distinct district, with an Assistant Commissioner headquartered at Pauri.
At the time of independence, the districts of Garhwal, Almora, and Nainital were administered through the Commissioner of the Kumaon Division. In the early 1960s, Chamoli district was carved out of Garhwal district. In 1969, the Garhwal Division was created, with its headquarters at Pauri. After the creation of Rudraprayag district in 1998, by carving out seventy-two villages from the Khirsu block of Pauri Garhwal district, the district assumed its present form.
