History of Himachal Pradesh

In earlier times, the area was variously divided among smaller kingdoms, such as those of Chamba, Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami.

Some evidences have been found that nearly 2 million years ago man lived in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh.

The Kiratas were skilled in archery and warfare while also being great traders who exported plenty of trade items between 'Tibet' and 'India'.

Descendants of the ancient Kiratas are still found today in Modern-Day Nepal and some parts of North-East India.

The foothills of the state were inhabited by people from Indus valley civilization which flourished between the time period of 2250 and 1750 BC.

The region also witnessed the invasion of Mahmud Ghazni in 1009 AD, who during that period he looted the wealth from the temples in the North India.

The small kingdom had enjoyed a large degree of independence till the eve of the Muslim invasions in northern India.

Timur and Sikander Lodi also marched through the lower hills of the state and captured a number of forts and fought many battles.

Himachal became a centrally administered territory in 1948 with the integration of 31 hill provinces and received additional regions in 1966.

[1] The revolt of 1857 or the first Indian war of independence resulted due to the building up of political, social, economic, religious and military grievances against the British government.

The states of Chamba, Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule.

Amongst these were the states of Kangra, Nurpur, Chamba, Suket, Mandi and Bilaspur After independence the Chief Commissioner's province of H.P.