Humans have inhabited Himachal Pradesh since the dawn of civilization. Hence, its rich and varied history can be divided into several distinct eras. According to the history of Himachal Pradesh, the foothills were home to humans during prehistoric times. The resilience of these early inhabitants is evident in their settlements in the Banana Valley of Kangra, Sirsa Valley of Nalagarh, and Markanda Valley of Sirmour.
Himachal Pradesh is called ‘Deva Bhoomi ‘, or the Land of the Gods. The history also states that the Aryans defeated the local tribes and settled here permanently. During those times, Himachal comprised several small republics, namely ‘Janapadas’—each of which functioned as a provincial and cultural unit.
Ancient History of Himachal Pradesh
The history of Himachal Pradesh is a tapestry of diverse cultures. The first human race to have set foot in Himachal Pradesh is believed to be the Proto-Australoid, followed by the Mongoloid and the Aryan. As per the Rig Veda, the ancient races of Dasyus and Nishads also inhabited Himachal Pradesh, and their powerful King Shambra had as many as 99 forts. Himachal Pradesh has a fascinating history that also mentions that tribes like the Koilis, Halis, Dagis, Dhaugris, Dasa, Khasas, Kinnars, and Kirats added to the cultural richness of the land.
Himachal Pradesh enjoyed considerable independence until the Muslims invaded northern India. Mahmud of Ghazni conquered the region in 1009 AD. The History of Himachal Pradesh states that the Rajputs ruled this territory in about 1043 AD. The land was again conquered by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1804 AD, crushing the Rajput power. After that, the Gurkhas conquered the area and did much damage to the land.
The rich history of Himachal Pradesh is complemented by its breathtaking natural beauty. The British annexed Himachal after the Gurkha War of 1815-16 and were captivated by its charm. They established several hill stations in the region to get respite from the scorching heat and dust of the plains in summer. They made Shimla the summer capital of India, a testament to the region’s allure.
History of Himachal Pradesh After Independence
After India gained independence, Himachal Pradesh became a centrally administered territory in 1948. With the implementation of the Indian Constitution, Himachal became a Part C state on January 26, 1950. It gained the status of a Union Territory on November 1, 1956; on January 25, 1971, it became the eighteenth state of the Indian Union.
Discover the Himachal Pradesh Historical Importance with Indian Holiday
Our range of Himachal Pradesh tour packages offers glimpses of the state’s rich history and cultural heritage. With our tour packages of Himachal Pradesh, you can cover historical places in Himachal Pradesh seamlessly. Moreover, we can arrange a tour guide to get the best insight into the bygone era of this region. Our holiday packages are customizable, and you can design the itinerary according to your requirements. Contact our travel experts for more information and book a tour with us!
