The medieval ruling dynasty that unified major portions of Garhwal and Kumaon from its early capital at Joshimath and later at Kartikeyapura (Baijnath) before its eventual fragmentation was the:

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Katyuri dynasty was the premier ruling power in medieval Uttarakhand from the 7th to the 11th century CE, exercising suzerainty over vast hill tracts from their capitals at Joshimath and Kartikeyapura. Their patronage of art and architecture is exemplified by the group of temples at Baijnath. After their decline, the region splintered into smaller principalities paving the way for the rise of the Chand and Panwar dynasties. Numerous copper plate inscriptions issued by Katyuri kings provide crucial chronological data for medieval Himalayan history.