Kangra district

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Kangra district
Nagarkot, Trigarta
Shiva Temple of Baijnath ,Himachal Pradesh ,India 10.jpg
McLeod Ganj from the Dalai Lama Temple (6466149411).jpg
Beautiful evening at Triund (16285399662).jpg
Ranjit Singh Gate, Kangra Fort 06.JPG
Full view of Masroor temple.jpg
Clockwise from top-left: Baijnath Shiva temple, McLeod Ganj from Dalai Lama temple, Ranjit Singh Gate, Kangra Fort, Masrur Temples, View of Dhauladhar Range from Triund
Kangra in Himachal Pradesh (India).svg
Location in Himachal Pradesh
Coordinates: 32°13′0″N76°19′0″E / 32.21667°N 76.31667°E / 32.21667; 76.31667
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Flag placeholder.svg Himachal Pradesh
Division, Part ofKangra
Tehsils
Headquarters Dharamshala
Government
   Lok Sabha Constituency, part of
   Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha Rajeev Bhardwaj [1]
   Deputy Commissioner Nipun jindal, IAS [2]
   Superintendent of Police Vimukt Ranjan, IPS [3]
Area
  Total
5,739 km2 (2,216 sq mi)
Highest elevation5,930 m (19,460 ft)
Lowest elevation
500 m (1,600 ft)
Population
 (2011)
  Total
1,510,075
  Density263/km2 (680/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registration HP- 68(RTO),
01/ 02D(Taxi)
Largest city Dharamshala
Gender ratio1012 females/1000 males
Literacy rate85.67%
Vidhan Sabha Constituencies15
Climate ETh (Köppen)
Avg. summer temperature32 °C (90 °F)
Avg. winter temperature20 °C (68 °F)
Website hpkangra.nic.in

Kangra district is the most populous [5] district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Dharamshala is the administrative headquarters of the district.

Contents

History

Kangra is known for having one of the oldest serving Royal Dynasty in the world, the Katoch of the Kangra State. [6] In 1758, Raja Ghamand Chand was appointed nazim or governor of Jullundur Doab under the Afghans. Ghamand Chand was a brave and strong ruler who restored the prestige of Kangra. As he was unable to capture Kangra Fort, he built another fort at Tira Sujanpur on the left bank of the Beas, almost opposite to Alampur on a hill overlooking the town. He died in 1774 and was succeeded by his son, Tegh Chand, who died too soon in 1775. [7] Ghamand Chand's grandson, Raja Sansar Chand (r. 1775–1823) established the supremacy of Kangra over all the surrounding hill states. During his reign, Kangra became a major centre for the arts and several palaces were built. [8]

In 1805, the neighbouring hill states rebelled, with the aid of the Gurkha army. Raja Sansar Chand was forced to seek the help of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire . The Gurkha army was expelled but Ranjit Singh also annexed the most fertile part of the Kangra valley, reducing the Katochs of Kangra as well as the neighbouring rajas to the status of vassals. [8] Kangra was annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Sikh Empire in 1810.

Kangra became a district of British India in 1846, when it was ceded to British India at the conclusion of the First Anglo-Sikh War. [9] The British district included the present-day districts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Kullu, and Lahul and Spiti. Kangra District was part of the British province of Punjab. The administrative headquarters of the district were initially at Kangra, but were moved to Dharamshala in 1855. [10] [11]

In Jainism

Kangra was once an important center of Jainism. [12] According to a local legend, King Suśarmācandra, after hearing the importance of Mount Shatrunjaya, took a vow to not eat or drink anything until he pays homage to Rishabhanatha at Palitana temples. Pleased by his devotion and to save him from starvation, demigoddess Ambika created a temple of Rishabhanatha at the king's fort. After paying homage to the idol, the king broke his fast. [13]

Within the premises of Kangra Fort lies an idol of Rishabhanatha. The inscription on the pedestal of the idol is in Śāradā script. It mentions that the idol was consecrated by Śvetāmbara monk Amalacandra, a disciple of Ācārya Abhaycandra of the Rājakula Gachha in 854 CE. [12] The granite idol of Rishabhanatha is seated in Padmāsana posture. An icon of bull carved on its pedestal indicates that the idol is of Rishabhanatha. However, another important trait of this idol is that it does not feature a waistband and a waistcloth, as most commonly found in Śvetāmbara icons of Tirthankaras after Bappabhattisuri's era. [14] [15] Locks of hair carved on both sides of the head of the idol as well as an inscription from 854 CE, however, make it clear that the idol and the temple is of the Śvetāmbara sect of Jainism as noted by archaeologist Sir John Marshall. [12] [16] Once a thriving Jaina center, it soon went unnoticed after migration of Jainas out of the town. The idol of Rishabhanatha was found in the Indreśvara Temple. Later on, efforts to reinstall the idol were made by Śvetāmbara Jaina nun Mrugavati, a disciple of Ācārya Vijayavallabhsuri . In 1978, the idol was installed in an independent shrine within Kangra Fort. Currently, the idol is under the care of the Archeological Survey of India, but Jainas are given the right to worship the idol. [13] [17]

Idol of Rishabhanatha decorated with flowers and ornaments as per Svetambara rituals Svetambara Idol of Rishabhanatha at Kangra Fort.jpg
Idol of Rishabhanatha decorated with flowers and ornaments as per Śvetāmbara rituals

Dr. K. N. Sitaram, on his tour to Kangra Valley in 1930, discovered numerous remains of Jaina idols and temples. He also noted that several Jaina idols and temples were appropriated by the Hindus under different names of Hindu deities. [17]

In 1916, Muni Jinavijaya published Vijnaptitriveni, which is a detailed report about the author's pilgrimage to Nagarkot and Kangra. It explains the journey of pilgrims from Faridpur to Nagarkot. It also highlights that the pilgrims return from Nagarkot to Faridpur through another route. It also describes a war between Yasoratha, a Khokhar chief and Sikandara, a Muslim ruler. [18]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901478,364    
1911469,046−0.20%
1921469,251+0.00%
1931494,658+0.53%
1941563,163+1.31%
1951570,643+0.13%
1961657,232+1.42%
1971800,863+2.00%
1981990,758+2.15%
19911,174,072+1.71%
20011,339,030+1.32%
20111,510,075+1.21%
source: [19]

According to the 2011 census, Kangra district had a population of 1,510,075. The district has a population density of 263 inhabitants per square kilometre (680/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 12.77%. 5.71% of the population lives in urban areas. Kangra district has a sex ratio of 1012 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 85.67%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 21.15% and 5.60% of the population respectively. [20] :18

District highlights of 2011 Census [20]

The native people are the Kangri people and the native language is Kangri, which is very similar to Dogri. The majority of the people are Hindu, although many Tibetans and others who follow Buddhism have also settled here recently. There are also other minorities such as Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians.

Jhamakda is a folk dance of Kangra. It is exclusively performed by women. It features percussion instruments and songs. [21]

Religion

Religions in Kangra district (2011) [22]
ReligionPercent
Hinduism
96.76%
Islam
1.31%
Buddhism
0.96%
Sikhism
0.59%
Other or not stated
0.42%
Distribution of religions
Religion in Kangra District
Religious
group
2011 [22]
Pop. %
Hinduism Om.svg 1,461,140
Islam Star and Crescent.svg 19,797
Buddhism Dharma Wheel (2).svg 14,511
Sikhism Khanda.svg 8,929
Christianity Christian cross.svg 3,023
Jainism Jain Prateek Chihna.svg 194
Others2,481
Total Population1,510,075
Religious groups in Kangra District (British Punjab province era)
Religious
group
1881 [23] [24] [25] 1891 [26] 1901 [27] 1911 [28] [29] 1921 [30] 1931 [31] 1941 [32]
Pop. %Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
Hinduism Om.svg [a] 687,635715,607722,554725,156722,277752,098846,531
Islam Star and Crescent.svg 39,14839,70939,67238,85938,26340,48343,249
Buddhism Dharma Wheel (2).svg 2,8605,7684,1763,9923,0195,6638
Sikhism Khanda.svg 7381,4611,2201,9102,0832,3964,809
Christianity Christian cross.svg 327343385386363576788
Jainism Jain Prateek Chihna.svg 133140113815694101
Zoroastrianism Faravahar.svg 4242423,890
Judaism Star of David.svg 000000
Others0000001
Total population730,845763,030768,124770,386766,065801,312899,377
Note: British Punjab province era district borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to district borders — which since created new districts — throughout the historic Punjab Province region during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.
Religion in the Tehsils of Kangra District (1921) [30]
Tehsil Hinduism Om.svg Islam Star and Crescent.svg Sikhism Khanda.svg Christianity Christian cross.svg Jainism Jain Prateek Chihna.svg Others [b] Total
Pop. %Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
Kangra Tehsil110,8047,27019210404118,374
Dehra Tehsil119,1974,787647700124,638
Nurpur Tehsil78,50416,54041970095,470
Harimpur Tehsil162,6085,5043390530168,504
Palampur Tehsil133,4563,0774417800137,052
Kulu Tehsil117,7081,0854516733,019122,027
Note: British Punjab province era tehsil borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to tehsil borders — which since created new tehsils — throughout the historic Punjab Province region during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.
Religion in the Tehsils of Kangra District (1941) [32]
Tehsil Hinduism Om.svg [a] Islam Star and Crescent.svg Sikhism Khanda.svg Christianity Christian cross.svg Jainism Jain Prateek Chihna.svg Others [c] Total
Pop. %Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
Kangra Tehsil129,0898,5748332140130138,840
Dehra Tehsil141,0095,3701,0352802147,444
Nurpur Tehsil83,56518,6592,0671201104,304
Harimpur Tehsil194,8016,0673621973201,331
Palampur Tehsil166,3973,207398231023170,256
Kulu Tehsil131,6701,37211410443,938137,202
Note1: British Punjab province era tehsil borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to tehsil borders — which since created new tehsils — throughout the historic Punjab Province region during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.

Note2: Tehsil religious breakdown figures for Christianity only includes local Christians, labelled as "Indian Christians" on census. Does not include Anglo-Indian Christians or British Christians, who were classified under "Other" category.

Language

Languages of Kangra district (2011) [33]
  1. Kangri (70.88%)
  2. Pahari (14.92%)
  3. Hindi (5.55%)
  4. Gaddi (2.64%)
  5. Punjabi (2.06%)
  6. Others (3.95%)

Politics

ConstituencyPartyMLARemark
No.Name
6 Nurpur BJP Ranveer Singh
7 Indora (SC) INC Malender Rajan
8 Fatehpur INC Bhawani Singh Pathania
9 Jawali INC Chander Kumar Cabinet Minister
10 Dehra IND Hoshyar Singh
11 Jaswan-Pragpur BJP Bikram Thakur
12 Jawalamukhi INC Sanjay Rattan
13 Jaisinghpur (SC) INC Yadvinder Goma
14 Sullah BJP Vipin Singh Parmar
15 Nagrota INC Raghubir Singh Bali
16 Kangra BJP Pawan Kumar Kajal
17 Shahpur INC Kewal Singh Pathania
18 Dharamshala BJP Sudhir Sharma
19 Palampur INC Ashish Butail
20 Baijnath (SC) INC Kishori Lal

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary

Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is located at an altitude of 1600 m going up to 4400 m, Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1994 by the Wildlife Department of Himachal Pradesh Government. It is situated in Kangra district. The wildlife sanctuary is covered by snow-clad mountains from three sides. The flora of Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary includes deodar, rhododendron, oak, spruce, pine, and mixed conifers. This wildlife sanctuary is home to animals such as red fox, black bear, leopard sambar, Asiatic lion, angora rabbit, and deer. It covers an area of 982.86 sq.km. [34]

Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary covers an areas of 207.95 sq. km. in Kangra district. It is spread through the submerged area between Pong Dam Terrace (Talwara) to the bridge on Beas River at Dehra. It was created in1975, by building the highest earthfill dam in India on the Beas River in the wetland zone of the Siwalik Hills.[ citation needed ]

Education

Schools

Notable people

See also

* Chambi, Himachal Pradesh

Notes and references

  1. "Members : Lok Sabha".
  2. "Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Himachal Pradesh | District Kangra, Government of Himachal Pradesh | India". Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. "Who's Who | District Kangra, Government of Himachal Pradesh | India". Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. "Hanuman Tibba Climbing Expedition (19450 Ft.)". Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  5. "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  6. "Gazetteer of the Kangra district (1883-1884)" (PDF). p. 48.
  7. "Kangra from the Pages of History" (PDF). himachalpradeshtravel.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  8. 1 2 Parry, Jonathan P. (2013). Caste and Kinship in Kangra. Routledge. p. 11. ISBN   978-1-136-54585-6.
  9. Banerjee, Abhijit; Iyer, Lakshmi (January 2003). "Appendix Table 1: Districts of British India, With Dates and Mode of Acquisition by the British". History, Institutions and Economic Performance: The Legacy of Colonial Land Tenure Systems in India (BREAD Working Paper No. 003) (PDF). Bureau for Research in Economic Analysis of Development. p. 39.
  10. Kangra District Archived 10 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine The Imperial Gazetteer of India , v. 14, p. 380.
  11. Dharamshala Archived 14 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine The Imperial Gazetteer of India , v. 11, p. 301.
  12. 1 2 3 Lalwani, Ganesh. "Jainism in India".
  13. 1 2 "Iconographic distinctiveness and sacred veneration: Exploring some of the ancient pratimās of Jina Śrī Ṛṣabhadeva". 14 December 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  14. Dhaky, M.A. "Vadikavi Bappabhatta Suri".
  15. Ranka, Rishabhdas. "Mahavira and his Teaching". jainqq.org. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  16. "Understanding the Iconography of Digambar and Shwetambar Idols". 26 June 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  17. 1 2 Publication, Jain Bhawan. "Jain Journal 1969 04".
  18. Publication, Jain Bhawan. "Jain Journal 1969 04".
  19. "Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901". Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  20. 1 2 "District Census Handbook: Kangra" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 November 2022.
  21. "himachalpradeshtravel.com" (PDF). Kangra’s from the Pages of History. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  22. 1 2 "Table C-01 Population by Religion: Himachal Pradesh". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  23. "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. I." 1881. JSTOR   saoa.crl.25057656 . Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  24. "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. II". 1881. p. 14. JSTOR   saoa.crl.25057657 . Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  25. "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. III". 1881. p. 14. JSTOR   saoa.crl.25057658 . Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  26. Edward Maclagan, Sir (1891). "The Punjab and its feudatories, part II--Imperial Tables and Supplementary Returns for the British Territory". p. 14. JSTOR   saoa.crl.25318669 . Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  27. "Census of India 1901. [Vol. 17A]. Imperial tables, I-VIII, X-XV, XVII and XVIII for the Punjab, with the native states under the political control of the Punjab Government, and for the North-west Frontier Province". 1901. p. 34. JSTOR   saoa.crl.25363739. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  28. "Census of India 1911. Vol. 14, Punjab. Pt. 2, Tables". 1911. p. 27. JSTOR   saoa.crl.25393788. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  29. Kaul, Harikishan (1911). "Census Of India 1911 Punjab Vol XIV Part II". p. 27. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  30. 1 2 "Census of India 1921. Vol. 15, Punjab and Delhi. Pt. 2, Tables". 1921. p. 29. JSTOR   saoa.crl.25430165. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  31. "Census of India 1931. Vol. 17, Punjab. Pt. 2, Tables". 1931. p. 277. JSTOR   saoa.crl.25793242. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  32. 1 2 India Census Commissioner (1941). "Census of India, 1941. Vol. 6, Punjab". p. 42. JSTOR   saoa.crl.28215541. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  33. 1 2 "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Himachal Pradesh". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Archived from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  34. "Dhauladhar as Wildlife Sanctuary" (PDF). Government of himachal Pradesh - Department of Forests. Retrieved 18 September 2023.[ permanent dead link ]
  35. "National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT], Kangra". collegedunia.com. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  1. 1 2 1931-1941: Including Ad-Dharmis
  2. Including Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Tribals, others, or not stated
  3. Including Anglo-Indian Christians, British Christians, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Tribals, others, or not stated

    Further reading