Himachal Pradesh has been inhabited by human beings since the dawn of civilization. It has a rich and varied history which can be divided into several distinct eras.

Prehistory and Protohistory

About 2 million years ago, man lived in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh, viz in the Bangana valley of Kangra, Sirsa valley of Nalagarh and Markanda valley of Sirmaur. The foothills of the state were inhabited by people from Indus valley civilization which flourished between 2250 and 1750 B.C. People of Indus valley civilization pushed the original inhabitants of Ganga plains, who were known as Kolorian people, towards north. They moved to the hills of Himachal Pradesh where they could live peacefully and preserve their way of life. Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश), formally the Punjab Hill States, is a mostly mountainous state in northwest India. ... Kangra is a town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India, and lends its name to the district of the same name. ... Nawalgarh (also known as Hindur or Nalagarh) is a town of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, India. ... Sirmaur is one of the districts of Himachal Pradesh. ... The Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1500 BCE) was an ancient civilization thriving along the Indus River and the Ghaggar-Hakra River in what is now Pakistan and Northern India. ... The Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1500 BCE) was an ancient civilization thriving along the Indus River and the Ghaggar-Hakra River in what is now Pakistan and Northern India. ... Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश), formally the Punjab Hill States, is a mostly mountainous state in northwest India. ...

In the Vedas, they have been referred to as Dasas, Dasyus and Nishadas while in later works they have been called Kinnars, Nagas and Yakshas. The Kols or Mundas are believed to be the original migrants to the hills of present day Himachal. The word Naga can refer to several different things. ... Greek scroll supported by Indian Yaksha, Amaravati, 3rd century CE, Tokyo National Museum. ... kol or KoL may be: The Kol are a tribal people of eastern India A popular abbreviation for the humor-based online game, Kingdom of Loathing. ... For the Hindu monster, see Munda (Hinduism), for Caesars battle see battle of Munda, and for the language family see Munda languages. ...

The second phase of migrants came in the form of Mongoloid people known as Bhotas and Kiratas. Later on came the third and most important wave of migrants in the form of the Aryans who left their Central Asian home. These laid the base of history and culture of Himachal Pradesh. Typical Mongoloid Skull A portrait of the Mongol ruler Genghis Khan; the Mongolians, for which the term Mongoloid was named after, are an example of the prototype Northern Mongoloid. ... This article is about the term Aryan. For Arian, a follower of the ancient Christian sect, See Arianism. ... Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश), formally the Punjab Hill States, is a mostly mountainous state in northwest India. ...

Ancient Mythology

Much information about Himachal’s ancient history is given in epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana and other scriptures like the Vedas and the Puranas. The Mahabharata mentions the janapadas (some sort of a kingdom) of Kuluta (Kullu), Trigarta (Kangra), Kulind (Shimla hills and Sirmaur), Yugandhar (Bilaspur and Nalagarh), Gobdika (Chamba) and Audumbar (Pathankot). The Mahabharata (Devanagari: महाभारत, phonetically Mahābhārata - see note), is one of the three major ancient Sanskrit epics of India, the others being the Ramayana and the Bhagavatam. ... The Rāmāyaņa (Sanskrit: रामायण (a sandhi form of rāma-ayana = march or journey (Ä€yana) of Rāma) is part of the Hindu smriti, written by Valmiki. ... The Vedas (Sanskrit वेद) are a corpus of ancient Indo-Aryan religious literature associated with the Vedic civilisation and are considered by adherents of Hinduism to be revealed knowledge. ... The Puranas (Sanskrit पुराण, purāṇá ancient, since they focus on ancient history of the universe) are part of Hindu Smriti; these religious scriptures discuss varied topics like devotion to God in his various aspects, traditional sciences like Ayurveda, Jyotish, cosmology, concepts like dharma, karma, reincarnation and many others. ... The Janapadas are the major realms or kingdoms of Vedic (Iron Age) India, by the 6th century BC evolving into the sixteen classical Mahajanapadas . ... hello ... Kangra is a town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India, and lends its name to the district of the same name. ... Shimla (Hindi: शिमला, Urdu: شملہ), the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj in India, is nestled in the middle Himalyas in northern India. ... Sirmaur is one of the districts of Himachal Pradesh. ... Bilaspur, a district of Himachal Pradesh, India is famous for the manmade Govind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej River, acts as the reservoir for the Bhakra and Nangal Dam project. ... Nawalgarh (also known as Hindur or Nalagarh) is a town of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, India. ... Chamba, the northwestern district of Himachal Pradesh, has a common border with Jammu. ... Pathankot is a travel hub in Northern India. ...

The Rig Veda mentions the rivers which flow through Himachal. The text also talks about Shambar, the powerful king of these hills before the advent of the Aryans, and his 99 strong forts in the region between the Beas and the Yamuna rivers. The Rig Veda ऋग्वेद (Sanskrit ṛc praise + veda knowledge) is the earliest of the four Hindu religious scriptures known as the Vedas. ... This article is about the term Aryan. For Arian, a follower of the ancient Christian sect, See Arianism. ...

His war with the Aryan chief, Divodas, lasted 12 long years, wherein the latter emerged victorious. The Puranas too, mention Himachal, calling it all sorts of nice names.

One significant happening during the time of the great war of Mahabharata (circa 1400BC) was the founding of the Katoch monarchy of Kangra by King Susharma Chandra. This Susharma Chandra is supposed to have sided with the Kaurava borthers in their war against the Pandavas. Kangra was probably named as Bhim Kot (fort of Bhim) after Bhima, one of the Pandavas. The Mahabharata (Devanagari: महाभारत, phonetically Mahābhārata - see note), is one of the three major ancient Sanskrit epics of India, the others being the Ramayana and the Bhagavatam. ... Katoch is a chandravanshi rajput kula. ... Kangra is a town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India, and lends its name to the district of the same name. ... The term Kaurava is a Sanskrit term, that means the descendants of Kuru, a legendary king who is the ancestor of many of the characters of the Mahabharata. ... The Pandavas were the five sons of the king Pandu. ... The Pandavas were the five sons of the king Pandu. ...

Early History up to Harsha

According to the Mahabharat, the tract which forms the present day Himachal Pradesh was made up of number of small republics known as Janpadas each of which constituted both a state and cultural unit. The Mahabharata (Devanagari: महाभारत, phonetically Mahābhārata - see note), sometimes just called Bharata, is the great religious, philosophical and mythological epic of India. ... Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश), formally the Punjab Hill States, is a mostly mountainous state in northwest India. ...

Audumbras: They were the most prominent ancient tribes of Himachal who lived in the lower hills between Pathankot and Jwalamukhi. They formed a separate state in 2 B.C. Pathankot is a travel hub in Northern India. ...

Trigarta: The state lay in the foothills drained by three rivers, i.e. Ravi, Beas and Satluj and hence the name. It is believed to have been an independent republic. Ravi could refer to any of these : Ravi, a Hindu solar deity. ... Beas is a small town in the Punjab state of India, located between the cities of Amritsar and Jalandhar along the banks of the river Beas. ... The Sutlej, also known as Satluj, is the longest of the five rivers of Punjab (five waters) that flows through Northern India, with its source in Tibet near Mount Kailash. ...

Kuluta: The kingdom of Kilita was situated in the upper Beas valley which is also known as the Kully valley. Its capital was Naggar.

Kulindas: This kingdom covered the area lying between the Beas, Satluj and Yamuna rivers, i.e. the Shimla and Sirmour hills. Their administration resembled a republic with members of a central assembly sharing the powers of the king.

Gupta Empire: Chandragupta slowly subdued most of the republics of Himachal by show of strength or use of force though he usually did not rule them directly. Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta extended his boundaries to the Himalyan region. He introduced Buddhism to this tract. He built many stupas one of which is in the Kullu valley.

Harsha: After the collapse of Gupta empire and before the rise of Harsha, this area was again ruled by petty chiefs known as Thakurs and Ranas. With the rise of Harsha in the early 7th century, most of these small states acknowledged his overall supremacy though many local powers remained with the petty chiefs.

Rajput Period

A few decades after Harsha's death (647 A.D.), many Rajput states ascended in Rajasthan and Indus plains. They fought amongst themselves and the vanquished moved to the hills with their followers, where they set up small states or principalities. These states were Kangra, Nurpur, Suket, Mandi, Kutlehar, Baghal, Bilaspur, Nalagarh, Keonthal, Dhami, Kunihar, Bushahar, Sirmaur. Events The Cheomseongdae astronomical observatory is constructed in Silla around this time. ... Rajasthan (राजस्थान) is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. ... Kangra is a town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India, and lends its name to the district of the same name. ... Mandi is the central district of Himachal Pradesh. ... Baghal, covering an area of 312 sq km and currently a part of Himachal Pradesh state, was one of the Princely states of India during the period of the British Raj. ... Bilaspur, a district of Himachal Pradesh, India is famous for the manmade Govind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej River, acts as the reservoir for the Bhakra and Nangal Dam project. ... Nawalgarh (also known as Hindur or Nalagarh) is a town of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, India. ... Sirmaur is one of the districts of Himachal Pradesh. ...

Mughal Rule

The small hill kingdom enjoyed a large degree of independence till the eve of Muslim invasions in northern India. States of the foothills were devastated by Muslim invaders from time to time. Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered Kangra at the beginning of the 10th century. Timur and Sikander Lodi also marched through the lower hills and captured several forts and fought many battles. The Indo-Gangetic Plain is a rich, fertile and ancient land encompassing most of northern and eastern India, the most populous parts of Pakistan, and virtually all of Bangladesh. ... Mahmud of Ghazni (971-April 30, 1030), also know as Yamin ul-Dawlah Mahmud (in full: Yamin ul-Dawlah Abd ul-Qasim Mahmud Ibn Sebük Tigin) was the ruler of Ghazni from 997 until his death. ... Kangra is a town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India, and lends its name to the district of the same name. ... Sikandar Lodhi (born Nizam Khan, died November 21, 1517) was the second ruler of the Lodhi Dynasty. ...

Later on as the Mughal dynasty began to break up; the rulers of the hill states took full advantage. The Katoch rulers of Kangra availed of this opportunity and Kangra regained independence status under Maharaja Sansar Chand who ruled for nearly half a century. He was one of the ablest administrators of the region. After he took formal possession of Kangra fort, Sansar Chand began to expand his territory. The states of Chamba, Suket, Mandi, Bilaspur, Guler, Jaswan, Siwan and Datarpur came under the direct or indirect control of Sansar Chand. Chamba, the northwestern district of Himachal Pradesh, has a common border with Jammu. ... Mandi is the central district of Himachal Pradesh. ... Bilaspur, a district of Himachal Pradesh, India is famous for the manmade Govind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej River, acts as the reservoir for the Bhakra and Nangal Dam project. ... Sivan (סִיוָן, Standard Hebrew Sivan, Tiberian Hebrew Sîwān: from Akkadian simānu Season; time) is the ninth month of the ecclesiastical year and the third month of the civil year on the Hebrew calendar. ...

Anglo-Gorkha and Anglo-Sikh War

The Gorkhas, a martial tribe came to power in Nepal in the year 1768. They consolidated their military power and began to expand their territory. Gradually the Gorkhas annexed Sirmaur and Shimla hill states. Under the leadership of Amar Singh Thapa, Gorkhas laid siege to Kangra. They managed to defeat Sansar Chand, the ruler of Kangra, in 1806 with the help of many hill chiefs. However Gorkhas could not capture Kangra fort which came under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in 1809. After this defeat, the Gorkhas began to expand towards south. This resulted in the Anglo-Gorkha war. They came into direct conflict with the English along the tarai belt after which the English expelled them from the hill states east of the Satluj. Thus British slowly emerged as the paramount powers in this tract. Gurkha Soldiers (1896) Wives and children of Gurkha Soldiers (1896) Gurkha (or Gorkha) are a people from Nepal who take their name from the former city-state of Gorkha, which went on to found the Kingdom of Nepal later on. ... 1768 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Sirmaur is one of the districts of Himachal Pradesh. ... Shimla (Hindi: शिमला, Urdu: شملہ), the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj in India, is nestled in the middle Himalyas in northern India. ... Amar Singh Thapa was the General of the Nepalese forces of western front in the Anglo-Nepal War. ... Kangra is a town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India, and lends its name to the district of the same name. ... Kangra is a town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India, and lends its name to the district of the same name. ... 1809 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Sutlej, also known as Satluj, is the longest of the five rivers of Punjab (five waters) that flows through Northern India, with its source in Tibet near Mount Kailash. ...

After the Anglo-Gorkha war, the common border of the British domain and Punjab became very sensitive. Both the Sikh and English wanted to avoid a direct conflict, but after the death of Ranjit Singh, the Khalsa army fought a number of wars with the British. In 1845, when the Sikhs invaded the British territory by crossing the Satluj, the rulers of many hill states sided with the English as they were looking for an opportunity to settle scores with the former. Many of these rulers entered into secret communication with the English. After the first Anglo-Sikh war, the British did not restore the hill territory vacated by Sikhs to their original owners. A Sikh man wearing a turban A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism, a religious faith originating in the Punjab. ... Khalsa which means Pure is the name given by Guru Gobind Singh to all Sikhs who have been baptised or initiated by taking Amrit in ceremony called Amrit Sanchar. ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Sutlej, also known as Satluj, is the longest of the five rivers of Punjab (five waters) that flows through Northern India, with its source in Tibet near Mount Kailash. ...

Revolt of 1857

The revolt or first Indian war of independence resulted due to the building up of political, social, economic, religious and military grievances against the British. People of the hill states were not politically alive as the people in other parts of the country. They remained more or less aloof and so did their rulers with the exception of Bushahr. Some of them even rendered help to the Britishers during the revolt. Among them were the rulers of Chamba, Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami. The rulers of Bushahr acted in a manner hostile to the interests of British. However it is not clear whether they actually aided the rebels or not. Chamba, the northwestern district of Himachal Pradesh, has a common border with Jammu. ... Bilaspur, a district of Himachal Pradesh, India is famous for the manmade Govind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej River, acts as the reservoir for the Bhakra and Nangal Dam project. ...

British Rule 1858 to 1914

The British territories in the hill came under British Crown after Queen Victoria's proclamation of 1858. The states of Chamba, Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule. During the first World War, virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort both in thr form of men and materials. Amongst these were the states of Kangra, Siba, Nurpur, Chamba, Suket, Mandi and Bilaspur. Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819–22 January 1901) was a Queen of the United Kingdom, reigning from 20 June 1837 until her death. ... 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Chamba, the northwestern district of Himachal Pradesh, has a common border with Jammu. ... Mandi is the central district of Himachal Pradesh. ... Bilaspur, a district of Himachal Pradesh, India is famous for the manmade Govind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej River, acts as the reservoir for the Bhakra and Nangal Dam project. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... Kangra is a town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India, and lends its name to the district of the same name. ... The Society of Independent Brewers was founded in 1980 under the title The Small Independent Brewers Association (SIBA) to represent the interests of the growing numbers of independent brewing companies in the United Kingdom. ... Chamba, the northwestern district of Himachal Pradesh, has a common border with Jammu. ... Mandi is the central district of Himachal Pradesh. ... Bilaspur, a district of Himachal Pradesh, India is famous for the manmade Govind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej River, acts as the reservoir for the Bhakra and Nangal Dam project. ...

Freedom Struggle 1914 to 1947

The people of the hill also participated in the freedom struggle. The highlights of the freedom movement in this tract are listed below:

Praja Mandal launched agitations against the British yoke in areas under direct British Rule.

In other princely states agitations were launched for social and political reforms. However these were directed more against the princes than against the British and as such were mere extensions of freedom movement.

The Mandi conspiracy was carried out in 1914-15 under the influence of the Gadhr party. Meetings were held in Mandi and Suket states in December 1914 and January 1915 and it was decided to murder the Superintendent and Wazir of Mandi and Suket, to loot the treasury, blow to up the bridge over Beas river. However conspirators were caught and sentenced to long terms in prison. 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Mandi is the central district of Himachal Pradesh. ... 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Beas is a small town in the Punjab state of India, located between the cities of Amritsar and Jalandhar along the banks of the river Beas. ...

The Pajhota agitation in which the people of a part of Sirmaur state revolted is regarded as an extension of the Quit India Movement of 1942. Sirmaur is one of the districts of Himachal Pradesh. ... The Quit India Movement was a call for immediate independence for India issued by MK Gandhi on August 8, 1942. ... This article is about the year. ...

Important freedom fighters of this state during this period included Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Padam Dev, Shivanand Ramaul, Purnanand, Satya Dev, Sada Ram Chandel, Daulat Ram, Thakur Hazara Singh and Pahari Gandhi Baba Kanshi Ram.

The Congress party was also active in the freedom movement in the hill state particularly in Kangra. A congress is a gathering of people, especially a gathering for a political purpose. ... Kangra is a town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India, and lends its name to the district of the same name. ...

Post-Independence Period

The history of present day Himachal Pradesh in the post-independence era has been outlined below:

• The Chief Commissioner's province of H.P. came into being on 15th April, 1948.
• H.P. became a part C state on 26th January, 1950 with the implementation of the Constitution of India.
• Bilaspur was merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1st July, 1954.
• Himachal Pradesh became Union Territory on 1st November, 1956.
• Kangra and most of the other hill areas of Punjab were merged with H.P. on 1st November, 1966 though its status remained that of a Union Territory.
• On 18th December, 1970 the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25th January, 1971. Thus H.P. emerged as the eighteenth state of Indian Union.

Himachal Pradesh has come a long way since then. It has seen a number of full-fledged governments which have led the state towards economic self-reliance. 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Constitution of India was passed by the Constituent Assembly of India on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950. ... Bilaspur, a district of Himachal Pradesh, India is famous for the manmade Govind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej River, acts as the reservoir for the Bhakra and Nangal Dam project. ... Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश), formally the Punjab Hill States, is a mostly mountainous state in northwest India. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश), formally the Punjab Hill States, is a mostly mountainous state in northwest India. ... A Union Territory is an administrative division of India. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Kangra is a town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India, and lends its name to the district of the same name. ... Punjab (or Panjab) may refer to: Punjab region, an area of South Asia shared by India and Pakistan Punjab (Pakistan), the most populated province in Pakistan Khalistan, one of the parties contesting the non-Pakistani portion of the Punjab. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... A Union Territory is an administrative division of India. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश), formally the Punjab Hill States, is a mostly mountainous state in northwest India. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ...

External Links

• Official website
• Indiasite
• Another site
• [1]
• [2]
• http://www.123himachal.com/himachal/info.htm