Baitadi, historically called Bairath, was once part of the Great Katyuri kingdom; after its fall around the 10th century, the Khasa king Ashok Challa of Sapadalaksh (Dullu, Dailekh) seized the region, and Baitadi became one of three major centres of the Khas kingdom alongside Kamadesh (Kali Kumaun) and Kedarbhumi (Garhwal). Folk-tales record that a Chand king fought the Khas king and founded a sovereign Chand dynasty state in Baitadi, with rulers listed from Thohar (Abhai) Chand (1261-1281 AD) through Deep Chand. The region remained part of the Kumaon Kingdom until the Gorkha invasion of Kumaon in 1791, after which Baitadi was merged into Doti District until 1885. Baitadi and Dadeldhura shared a single Bada-Hakim (district administrator) and were jointly called the Baitadi-Dadeldhura district until 1956, when it was renamed Mahakali District; Darchula (Chamba) separated as its own district in 1962.
Researched by the ChillNepal team from published sources. Spot something out of date? Tell us from the place's page.
