Raja Hari Chand I originally ruled the ancient Kangra Kingdom as a member of the Katoch dynasty.
According to historical chronicles, while on a hunting expedition, the Raja accidentally fell into an abandoned, dry well.
His retinue conducted an extensive search but failed to locate him. Presuming him dead, his queens performed the rite of sati, and his younger brother, Karam Chand, ascended the throne of Kangra.
Hari Chand survived inside the well for over three weeks before being discovered and rescued by a passing merchant.
Upon learning that his brother had already been crowned and his family had carried out final rites, Hari Chand demonstrated remarkable statecraft and personal restraint.
To prevent a fratricidal war that would destabilise the region, he chose not to reclaim the Kangra throne.
Instead of contesting his brother’s rule, Hari Chand carved out a new principality at the strategic confluence of the Banganga and Beas rivers.
He established his capital at Haripur and constructed the Haripur Fort, naming the new state Guler.
As the senior branch of the Katoch line, the rulers of Guler held ceremonial precedence over Kangra.
Under his successors, Guler grew into a major political entity and eventually became the cradle of the celebrated Guler-Kangra style of Pahari miniature painting in the 18th century.
In September 1688, Raja Hari Chand joined an alliance of Shivalik hill chieftains led by Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur (Bilaspur) against the Tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The coalition confronted the Sikh forces at the Battle of Bhangani near Paonta Sahib.
Raja Hari Chand was celebrated as an extraordinarily skilled archer and warrior.
During the battle, he personally engaged Guru Gobind Singh Ji in a duel. One of Hari Chand’s arrows struck the Guru’s steed, another grazed the Guru’s ear, and a third pierced his waist-belt buckle.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji eventually mortally wounded Raja Hari Chand with an arrow, leading to the retreat of the hill chieftain’s forces.
Despite being adversaries, Guru Gobind Singh Ji paid tribute to Hari Chand’s bravery and martial expertise in his autobiographical text, the Bachitra Natak, describing him as a fierce warrior who stood his ground valiantly on the battlefield.