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     HIMACHAL PRADESH TRAVEL GUIDE

                    CHAIL        DHARAMSHALA           KULLU         MANALI         SHIMLA

Himachal Pradesh  is a state in the north-west of India. Himachal Pradesh is spread
over 55,780 square kilometres (21,537 sq mi) and is bordered by the Indian states
of Jammu and Kashmir on north, Punjab on west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar
Pradesh on south, Uttarakhand on south-east and by Tibet area of China on the east.

The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is Land of snowy mountains.
Himachal Pradesh was also known as Deva Bhoomi (the land of the gods). The
Aryan influence in the region dates back to the period before the Rigveda. After the
Anglo Gorkha war, the British colonial government came into power. It was initially in
Punjab, except Siba State of Punjab Hills,under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh till
1857 In 1950 Himachal was declared as the union territory but after State of
Himachal Pradesh Act 1971 Himchal emerged as the 18th state of Indian Union.

Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest per capita incomes of any state in India.
Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to
other states such as Delhi, Punjab & Rajasthan.

The history of Himachal Pradesh dates back to the time when the Indus valley
civilisation flourished i.e. between the time period of 2250 and 1750 B.C. From the
pre historic time it was inhabited by tribes like the Koilis, Halis, Dagis, Dhaugris,
Dasa, Khasas, Kinnars and Kirats.

The small kingdom enjoyed a large degree of independence till the eve of the
Muslim invasions in northern India. The states of the foothills were devastated by
Muslim invaders a number of times. Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered Kangra at the
beginning of the 10th century. Timur and Sikander Lodi also marched through the
lower hills of the state and captured a number of forts and fought many battles


GENERAL INFORMATION

Time zone         IST (UTC+5:30)
Area                   55,780 kmē (21,537 sq mi)
Capital               Shimla
Largest city       Shimla
District(s)          12
Population        6,077,248 (20th)
Density              109/kmē (282/sq mi)
Language(s)    Hindi, Pahari