Princely state
Chamba
| Seat | chamba |
|---|---|
| Capital | Bharmour (c. 550–920), then Chamba |
| Dynasty | Varman / Chamiyal Rajputs |
| Group | Punjab Hill States |
| Founder | Maru Varman |
| Founded | c. 550 CE |
| Merged | 15 April 1948 |
The oldest continuously ruled state in the Himachal region and the one that best preserved its independence — Mughal and Sikh authority here was nominal, and the Gorkhas never held it. That continuity is why Chamba holds the state's richest collection of temples, copper-plate grants and stone inscriptions.
Founded at Bharmour (ancient Brahmpura) in about 550 CE by Maru Varman. Around 920 CE Sahil Varman shifted the capital down the Ravi to the site he named Chamba after his daughter Champavati, who by tradition gave her life so the water channel to the new town would flow — the Sui Mata fair commemorates her.
- Rajanaka Bhota Varman's and Meru Varman's inscriptions are the earliest firmly dated records in HP.
- Chamba issued the largest number of copper-plate grants of any hill state.
- Chamba rumal — the double-satin-stitch embroidery with a GI tag.
- Raj Singh died fighting Sansar Chand's expansion; Chamba survived by allying with the Sikhs.