the shah constitute a small (about 0.03 per cent population) but important community of the kumaon and garhwal region. shah basically means king. tehri garhwal was ruled by shah dynasty from 14th - 18th century. balbhadra shah was the first king of garhwal who use the title "shah" and manavendra shah was the last king or ruler of garhwal.each section of the shah community has its own origin myth. for example, the gangola sah are said to have immigrated from badaun in western uttar pradesh, while thulgharia sah are said to have originated in jhunsi in allahabad.