Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh, in the western Himalayas, has a history that weaves together ancient hill states, trade routes and modern state formation. In early times, the region was part of the Trigarta, Kuluta (Kullu), Guge and Bushahr realms, mentioned in texts like the Mahabharata. Over centuries, dozens of small Rajput principalities and tribal chiefdoms ruled different valleys, building forts and temples in places like Kangra, Chamba, Kullu and Sirmour. Many of these hill states paid tribute in turn to the Mughals, the Gurkhas and finally the British.

In the early 19th century, after the Anglo–Gurkha War (1814–16), much of present-day Himachal came under British control as the Punjab Hill States and hill districts of Punjab province. Shimla rose to prominence as the summer capital of British India, giving the area strategic political importance. After Independence, several princely states were merged to create the Chief Commissioner’s Province of Himachal Pradesh in 1948. It first became a Union Territory (1956), then was enlarged in 1966 when many hill areas of Punjab were added. Finally, on 25 January 1971, Himachal Pradesh became India’s 18th full-fledged state. Today’s Himachal is thus the result of centuries of small kingdoms, colonial administration and post-1947 reorganisation into a single Himalayan state.