SHYAMA KALI-MANDI

Raja Shyam Sen ruled Mandi from 1664 to 1675 and he was a great devotee of the deity Kali. Raja Jit Sen of Suket, ruler of the adjoining State, insulted Shyam Sen and Shyam Sen invaded Suket. He prayed and invoked the blessings of Kali before he set out. On his victory he was said to have built the temple and installed the deity. She is popularly known as Tarna Devi.

The Sikh kingdom after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839 passed through bad times. During the rule of Maharaja Kharak Singh of the Sikhkingdom the army became almost uncontrollable. Kharak Singh had left all the powers in the hands of his son Naunihal Singh.

Naunihal Singh hit upon the strategy of invading Mandi and Kulu to give an opportunity to the army for fight and loot. Mandi and ' Kulu had given no cause for the invasion.However, General Ventura led a strong Sikh force to Mandi. General Ventura stopped within seven miles of the Mandi town and demanded somepayment, which was made. Raja Balbir Sen of Mandi was called upon to visit the General in his camp on the pretext of receiving a Khilat.

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