The correct option is Raja Ghamand Chand.
Explanation
The decline of the Mughal Empire in the mid-18th century, accelerated by the invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali, created a power vacuum in Northern India. This allowed regional hill chieftains, particularly of the Katoch dynasty in Kangra, to reassert their independence and recover lost territories.Historical Analysis:
- Raja Ghamand Chand (1751-1774): He is credited with reviving the fortunes of the Katoch dynasty. Taking advantage of the chaotic political situation, he recovered most of the ancestral Kangra territories from the Mughals, although the strategic Kangra Fort remained under the control of the Mughal governor, Saif Ali Khan.
- Foundation of Tira Sujanpur: To secure his position, Ghamand Chand founded the town of Sujanpur on the banks of the river Beas and constructed the fortified palace of Tira on a hill overlooking the town. The settlement collectively became known as Tira Sujanpur.
- Political Recognition: His authority was recognized by Ahmad Shah Abdali, who appointed him the governor of the Jalandhar Doab in 1759.
Analysis of Incorrect Options:
- Raja Sansar Chand Raja Sansar Chand: He was the grandson of Ghamand Chand. While he is the most famous ruler of Kangra due to his patronage of the Kangra School of miniature painting and his capture of the Kangra Fort in 1786, he did not found Tira Sujanpur; he inherited it and used it as a base.
- Raja Govardhan Chand Raja Govardhan Chand: He was a ruler of Guler, a neighboring hill state. He is historically significant for his patronage of the Guler style of painting, a precursor to the Kangra style.
- Raja Aniruddha Chand Raja Aniruddha Chand: He was the son and successor of Raja Sansar Chand, ruling during the period of Sikh dominance under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Key Takeaway:
Raja Ghamand Chand was the ruler responsible for recovering Kangra territories from the Mughals and establishing the capital at Tira Sujanpur, laying the foundation for the dynasty's zenith under his grandson, Sansar Chand.