An Erstwhile Village - A State Siket

This book unfolds the forgotten history of Suket (now Sunder Nagar), once a proud hill state of Himachal Pradesh. Drawing on A Gazetteer of the Suket State (1924) by B. R. Beotra and weaving in oral traditions, chronicles, and family records, Baldev Raj Sharma presents a vivid narrative of conquest, intrigue, dynastic feuds, and the shifting of capitals that shaped Suket from A.D. 770 to the dawn of modern India.
From Bir Sen’s legendary invasions and the rise of the Sena dynasty, through centuries of wars with neighbouring chiefs, to the reforms of the last Rajas under British rule, the book traces fifty rulers and their legacies. It captures the customs, beliefs, and socio-political struggles of the people while chronicling the resilience of a state that withstood Mughal, Sikh, and British overlordship before acceding to the Indian Union.
At once a tribute to Suket’s rulers such as Bhim Sen, Lakshman Sen, Lalit Sen, and Hari Sen, and a deep exploration of cultural heritage, this work is both historical record and homage. It is a call to remember the roots, sacrifices, and values that continue to inspire the present custodian, Raja Kamal Sen Bhadur, and the people of Sunder Nagar.