People and Personalities of Chamba District

The big stories often make the headlines of our historical narratives, but history is not only about the landmark events - it finds shape and character in the myriad events that led up to a flashpoint of change. An attempt to discover and document stories of people, events, and places linked to the freedom struggle of India at the micro level of the district has led to the creation of a Digital District Repository. Stories in this section can be broadly classified under - People & Personalities.

Brahma Nand

Brahma Nand was born in village Raipur, Tehsil Bhattiyat of District Chamba on August 20, 1922. He joined Indian Army and during World War II was detained by an army of Japan. He joined the Indian National Army of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and fought against the Britishers. Before joining Indian National Army, he was imprisoned in Japan in 1941 and during his imprisonment, he badly missed his country and wrote a letter to his relative in India in which he expressed his desire for Independence and his pain while living far away from his motherland. He has expressed his desire in a beautiful poem, which is still lying in the custody of their relatives.

Sardar Ajit Singh

He was uncle of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. He led peasant upsurge along with Lala Lajpat Rai in Punjab in 1907. He was deported to Burma and spent his whole life touring in America, Germany, Iran and Afghanistan organizing revolutionary activities for the freedom of India. He died on 15 August 1947 at Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh.

Leader of Prajamandal

Born in Karel village of Pangi Valley in Chamba District, Daulat Ram Gupta was the first person to lead Prajamandal Movement in Chamba State. He also participated in “Quit India Movement” in Chamba State and remained under ground for six months. Prajamandal was fighting for more right to citizen and its leader agitated against British supported rulers in Chamba State. Due to his anti-state activity, he shifted his base from Chamba to Dalhousie. He also worked against the participation of Indians in World War II and raised slogan “Na Bhai Do, Na Payi Do”.

Source :

• Nodal Officer DDR Chamba, Himachal Pradesh
• Book of Sarfaroshane Vatan edited by Shashi Bhushan, Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh
• Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav