Himachal Pradesh is often called Dev Bhumi, the land of the gods. Almost every valley has its own deity, and each deity has a fair, a temple and a story. The name Himachal itself means the snowy slope.
The state is young, but the land has a long history. This is a short guide to how it came to be.
Peoples of the hills
The mountains were home to many communities long before borders. Today you meet Gaddi shepherds in the west, Kinnauras in the Sutlej valley, Lahaulis and Spitians in the high Buddhist north and the Pahari people of Kullu and Mandi. Each has its own dialect, dress and festivals.
Hill kingdoms
For centuries the region was divided into small hill states ruled by local rajas, such as Kangra, Chamba, Kullu, Mandi and Bushahr. Their forts, palaces and wooden temples still stand. Naggar was once the capital of Kullu, and temples such as Hadimba and Markula Devi show the skill of hill craftsmen.
Gorkhas, Sikhs and the British
- Early 1800s. The Gorkha kingdom of Nepal expanded westward and pressed into the Shimla hills and Kangra, while the Sikh empire under Ranjit Singh grew from the plains.
- 1815 to 1816. The Anglo-Gorkha War ended with the Gorkhas expelled, and the British took control of large parts of the hills, including the Shimla area.
- Shimla. The British developed Shimla as a summer capital and hill station, and later much of the hill territory came under the Crown.
After independence
- 15 April 1948. Himachal Pradesh was formed as a Chief Commissioner's province by combining around 30 hill princely states.
- 1956. It became a Union Territory.
- 1966. More hill areas were added when Punjab was reorganised.
- 25 January 1971. It became the 18th state of India.
What to see now
- Kullu and Manali. Kath Kuni wood-and-stone houses, temples and the Kullu Dussehra festival.
- Kinnaur and Sangla. Apple orchards and festivals such as Fagli.
- Lahaul and Spiti. Buddhist monasteries, high passes and villages such as Langza.
- Shimla and Kangra. Colonial buildings, tea gardens and the Dhauladhar range.
Explore Himachal with Skypath
Treks, road trips and stays across Kullu, Spiti and beyond.