Princely state
Kullu (Kuluta)
| Seat | kullu |
|---|---|
| Capital | Jagatsukh → Naggar → Sultanpur |
| Dynasty | Pal, later Singh |
| Group | Punjab Hill States |
| Founder | Bihangmani Pal |
| Founded | c. 1st–2nd century CE |
| Merged | Annexed by the British, 1846 |
Ancient Kuluta, called Kulanthapitha, 'the end of the habitable world'. Its independence is proved by its own coinage: a copper coin of about the 1st–2nd century CE reads 'Rajna Virayasasya Kulutasya' — of Virayasa, king of the Kulutas.
The defining episode is Raja Jagat Singh and the Durga Dutt affair. Having caused the death of a brahmin of Tipri who had been falsely accused of hoarding pearls, the raja was told to expiate the sin by installing an image of Raghunath brought from Ayodhya, and by ruling thereafter as the god's regent. From this comes Kullu Dussehra, which begins on Vijaya Dashami and lasts seven days.
- Man Singh's reign brought Lahaul, Spiti and Bara Bangahal under Kullu.
- Kullu fell to the Sikhs, then to the British in 1846, and was attached to Kangra district.
- In 1857 Pratap Singh and Vir Singh of Kullu were hanged at Dharamshala (3 August 1857).
- Raja Jagat Singh also built the temple of Raghunathji at Sultanpur.