The Chiefs of Mandi State are said to be the descendants of common ancestors of the Chandervanshi line of rajputs of Sen dynasty of Bengal who claim to be the descendants of Pandavas of Mahabharata times . According to the earlier accounts , Bahu Sen established an independent territory and was recognized as a Rana or local Chief . The Raja Ajber Sen , the nineteenth descendent from Bahu Sen , was considered as an able and benevolent ruler . He founded the present Mandi city around the ‘ Bhootnath Temple ’ in the early 16th century ( 1500 AD-1534 AD ) and shifted his capital to this place from Purani Mandi . The temple of Trilokinath was also constructed during his reign . He was succeeded by Chhattar Sen who built a fort in Kalar by name Lakargarh . The successive rulers of Mandi were Shyam Sen , Gaur Sen , Sidh Sen , Shamsher Sen , Surma Sen , Ishwari Sen , Jalam Sen , Balbir Sen and Vijay Sen. Many public utility , services and facilities like schools , hospitals and post offices , etc. , were started by Raja Vijay Sen during his time . He also built large number of palaces and houses . A Mule road from Baijnath in District Kangra to Sultanpur in adjoining District of Kullu , via Mandi and the Victoria suspension Bridge on river Beas were constructed during his time in the year 1877 . Raja Vijay Sen was issue less and left no direct heir . So in 1897 , Bhawani Sen was recognized as his successor . During his period the city was considerably damaged in the earthquake of 1905 . He was succeeded by Joginder Sen in April 1914 who was , however , vested with full powers of ruling chief in February 1925 . During the period of his minority , Mandi remained under the management of a British Officer and a number of departments were overhauled and reorganised . Mandi being one of the oldest city is enjoying urban status since 1901 . The Mandi palace popularly known as " Raj Mahal " as it looked in the past . The area where the " Sunken Garden " exists today was once a pond . mandi is also known as MINI PARIS , due to wide market of clothes and fashionable people
earthquake of 1905
1905 Kangra earthquake
Mandi, Himachal Pradesh