Draft:Khataduva
 | This is a draft article. It is a work in progress open to editing by anyone. Please ensure core content policies are met before publishing it as a live Wikipedia article. Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL Last edited by Citation bot (talk | contribs) 2 seconds ago. (Update)
Finished drafting? or |
| Khataduva Conflict | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Kumaon–Garhwal Rivalry | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kingdom of Kumaon | Kingdom of Garhwal | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Gaida | Khatada Singh † | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Khatada Singh killed, others unknown | |||||||
The Khataduva Conflict was a decisive military encounter between the Kingdom of Kumaon and the Kingdom of Garhwal in the early 17th century, during the reign of King Laxmi Chand of Kumaon (1597–1621 CE). The conflict resulted in a major Kumaoni victory and is remembered as a significant event in the history of the central Himalayas )[1][2].
The Conflict
[edit]The confrontation occurred near Almora, where the Kumaoni army, commanded by the valiant military leader Gaida, engaged the Garhwali forces led by Khatada Singh. The battle concluded with Kumaon’s triumph, and historical records state that Khatada Singh was killed in the encounter, cementing Kumaoni supremacy in the region [1].[3][2]
The Khataduva Celebration
[edit]To commemorate this victory, the people of Almora and the Kumaon region established a unique tradition known as Khataduva[4][1]. On the auspicious day of Ashwin Sankranti[5], local youth prepare effigies made from dry grass, called Lata, and set them ablaze while dancing and singing traditional victory songs. This act symbolizes the triumph of their ancestors over enemies and evil forces[3][1][2].
A famous folk verse associated with this event, recorded by Pt. Rudradatt Pant, reads:
मैला जी मेल्या, मैल्या खडुवा।
मैला जी जीत, खडु की हार।
मैला घोड़ा खवाया, खडु घोड़ा खवाया।[1]
This celebration continues in Almora and neighboring regions, preserving a proud cultural heritage that honors the courage and valor of Kumaoni warriors.[3]
Legacy
[edit]The Khataduva Conflict strengthened the military and cultural prestige of the Kumaon Kingdom under King Laxmi Chand. The event survives in both historical records and the living folk traditions of Uttarakhand, serving as a symbol of regional pride and historical memory [1][2].
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f Pāṇḍe, Badarī Datta (1993). History of Kumaun: English Version of "Kumaun Ka Itihas". Shyam Prakashan. pp. 239–240. ISBN 978-81-85865-01-0.
- ^ a b c d Rawat, Ajay Singh (1993). Man and Forests: The Khatta and Gujjar Settlements of Sub-Himalayan Tarai. Indus Publishing. p. 61. ISBN 978-81-85182-97-1.
- ^ a b c Tree, Kafal (17 September 2020). "उत्तराखंड के लोकपर्व 'खतड़ुवा' पर एक महत्वपूर्ण लेख". Kafal Tree.
- ^ Vats, Aditya (25 February 2023). THE GARHWAL DIARIES. Blue Rose Publishers.
- ^ Ltd, Data and Expo India Pvt; Goyal, Ashutosh (1 May 2014). RBS Visitors Guide INDIA - Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand Travel Guide. Data and Expo India Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-93-80844-79-4.