It was the seat of the erstwhile Bhimgarh State, said to have been established by Raja Bhim Dev sometime in the 8th century.

It remained an independent principality till 1822, when Maharaja Gulab Singh the then Dogra Raja of Jammu hill region, under the Sikh Empire, consolidated the small states.

With the commissioning of Salal Hydroelectric Project at Dhyangarh near Reasi, the economic activity of the area has picked up considerably.

From Katra, the Railway line traverses to Reasi-Banihal area with stations at Reasi, Salal A–Salal B, Surukot, Barala, Sangaldan, Kohli and Laole.

[6] Reasi has a sex ratio of 890 females for every 1000 males[6] (which varies with religion), and a literacy rate of 59.42%.

As per local lore initially, the fort was made of clay which later on was reconstructed with stone masonry and was generally used by the royal family for taking shelter during emergencies.

Rishi Kumar Koushal, a prominent leader of the erstwhile Jan Sangh, now Bharatiya Janata Party, led the agitation to restore the district status in the late nineties.

Reasi was upgraded to district level in the year 2007 due to the constant efforts made by the people.

[10][11] Lithium is a key component in rechargeable batteries that power numerous gadgets like smartphones and laptops, as well as electric vehicles.

It is predominantly a hill district, which enjoys variable climatic conditions, ranging from sub-tropical to semi-temperate.