Keonthal


Keonthal State, covering an area of 482 km², was one of the Princely states of India during the period of the British Raj. Its capital was Junga. Keonthal acceded to India on 15 April 1948. Currently, it is part of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

History

According to tradition there was a predecessor state founded around 765 AD.
The state of Keonthal was founded before the 19th century. It was ruled by Rana Raghunath Sen until its occupation by Nepal under General Amar Singh Thapa from 1803 to 1814. After the occupation, Sansar Sen ruled as the Rana from 1814 till 24 July 1858 when he took the title of Raja.
After the Gurkha War in 1815, a portion of Keonthal, which had been occupied by the Gurkhas, was sold to the maharaja of Patiala, the remainder being restored to its hereditary chief.
Keonthal's first capital was Koti, 9 kilometres from the hill station of Chail after which the capital was shifted to Junga.

Rulers

The heads of the state bore the title 'Rana' until 1858.

Ranas