Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

Kangra is a city and a municipal council in Kangra district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Historically it was known as Nagarkot.[3]

Kangra
This article is about the municipality now in India. For its namesake district, see Kangra district.

Kangra City
City
Kangra City
Location in Himachal Pradesh, India
Kangra City
Kangra City (India)
Coordinates: 32.1°N 76.27°E / 32.1; 76.27
Country India
StateHimachal Pradesh
DistrictKangra
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
Area
 • Total15 km2 (6 sq mi)
Elevation
733 m (2,405 ft)
Population
 (2018)
 • Total9,528
 • Rank17 in HP
 • Density640/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialHindi[1]
 • Additional officialSanskrit[2]
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationHP-40, HP-68, HP-04

Meaning of Kangra

Kangra is a composite word made out of Kaann (meaning ear) + gaddha (create/mold).

British documentation of ancient and medieval plastic surgery

The British archaeologist and historian Alexander Cunningham documented and brought to light the tradition and science of Kangra plastic operations. Although, modern plastic surgery uses the same techniques as the ancient techniques developed in South India, for north Indians Kangra's own unique methods were more popular and accessible.[4]

History
See also: Kangra-Lambagraon and History of the Punjab

Historically known as Kiraj and Trigarta,[5][6] the town of Kangra was founded by Katoch Kshatriya Rajputs of Chandervanshi Lineage. The Katoch Rajas had a stronghold here, with a fort and lavish temples.

Another ancient name of the city is Bhimagar[7] and it was supposedly founded by Raja Bhim, younger brother of Kuru Emperor Yudhishthira of Indraprastha (now Delhi).

The temple of Devi Vajreshwari was one of the oldest and wealthiest in northern India. It was destroyed, together with the fort and the town, by 1905 Kangra earthquake on 4 April 1905, when 1339 lives were lost in this place alone, and about 20,000 elsewhere. In 1855 the headquarters of the district were removed to the cantonment of Dharmsala, which was established in 1849.[3][8][9]

Invasions on Nagarkot

It is said that Mahmud of Ghazni looted a fort in the region in 1009, but whether the fort of Kangra was taken or not is not yet historically verified. There were hundreds of well-defended forts that lay between Ghazni and Nagarkot fort, and so it highly unlikely that his looting expedition ever reached Kangra. Also, this claim is negated by historians who have cited various sources to say that the fort was impregnable and remained unconquered until the conquest by Emperor Jehangir in 1622.[10]

The Katoch-Sikh battles and alliances against the Kingdom of Nepal

The fort was recaptured by the Katoch Kings after Jehangir's death. Multiple battles ensued between the Sikh king Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Katoch King Sansar Chand Katoch. But, while the war between the Sikhs and Katochs was taking place, the gates of Kangra fort were left open. The Gurkha army entered the opened gates of Nagarkot fort in 1806. This forced an alliance between the battling Sikhs and Katochs, and both the armies re-captured the fort after a battle in 1809. Kangra stayed with the Katoch Kings until 1828 when Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed it after Sansar Chand's death. Then after the Nepalese Gorkha Captured the Kangra until the British Came theirs. The fort and city were then captured by the British in 1846 and remained occupied until India's independence. The princely state of Kangra was merged in India in 1948 by the then titled Raja of Kangra-Lambagraon namely Raja Druv Dev Chand Katoch. It was part of the composite Punjab till November 1966 when it got transferred to Himachal Pradesh.[11]

Geography
A map of the Punjab region.

Kangra is located at 32.1°N 76.27°E / 32.1; 76.27.[12] It has an average elevation of 733 metres (2404 ft). The district of Kangra extends from the Jalandhar Doab far into the southern ranges of the Himalaya. It is a town at the confluence of the Bener River and Majhi River, and Beas is an important river here.

Economy

Tea cultivation was introduced into Kangra valley about 1850. The Palampur fair, established by the government with a view to fostering commerce with central Asia, attracts a small concourse of Yarkandi merchants. The Lahulis carry on an enterprising trade with Ladakh and countries beyond the frontier, by means of the pack sheep and goats. Rice, tea, potatoes, spices, wool and honey are the chief exports.

Visitor's attractions
Ambika Mata temple, Kangra Fort

The Kangra Fort is also a popular tourist attraction. It is one of the oldest forts of India as well as the oldest in Himachal Pradesh. Audio Guides are available at Maharaja Sansar Chand Museum adjoining the Kangra Fort.

Rock Cut Temple, Masroor

It is the home of Masroor Rock Cut Temple built by Pandavas, also known as Himalayan Pyramids and wonder of the world for being likely contender for the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dhauladhar Mountain Range from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

Many ancient temples like the Jawalaji, Chamunda Devi temple, Chintapurni temple, Baba Baroh and Baijnath temple are located here.

Gopalpur Nature Park in Gopalpur village has tea gardens. Gopalpur nature park is closed on Mondays.

Mcleodganj near Dharamshala is the home-in-exile to the Dalai Lama.[13] "Bhagsunag temple" is there. The cricket ground of Dharamshala is also an attraction because of its location and quality pitch.

Demographics

The 2001 India census[14] states that Kangra had a population of 9,154. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Kangra has an average literacy rate of 83%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 81%. In Kangra, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[14]

  • Number of Households - 1,924
  • Average Household Size(per Household) - 5.0
  • Population-Total - 10,185
  • Population-Urban - 10,185
  • Proportion of Urban Population (%) - 100
  • Population-Rural - 0
  • Sex Ratio - 997
  • Population (0-6 Years) - 902
  • Sex Ratio (0-6 Years) - 797
  • SC Population - 660
  • Sex Ratio (SC) - 1050
  • Proportion of SC (%) - 7.0
  • ST Population - 10
  • Sex Ratio (ST) -150 0
  • Proportion of ST (%) - 0
  • Literates - 7,567
  • Illiterates - 1,589
  • Literacy Rate (%) - 92.0

Transport

Kangra Airport (IATA airport code DHM) is 10 km to the city's north. It is served by Kangra Valley Railway line from Pathankot 94 km away. It is connected by road with other cities in Himachal Pradesh and India. It is 450 km from Delhi, 36 km from Palampur and 15 km from Dharamshala, 220 km from Chandigarh.

See also

References
  1. "Report of the Commissioner for linguistic minorities: 52nd report (July 2014 to June 2015)" (PDF). Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. pp. 33–34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  2. Pratibha Chauhan (17 February 2019). "Bill to make Sanskrit second official language of HP passed". The Tribune. Shimla. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  3. Kangra Town The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 14, p. 397.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 January 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Official account of Plastic Surgery in Ancient India
  5. Blankinship, Khalid Y, "The End of Jihad State ", pp132
  6. Misra, Shyam, Manohar, "Yasoverman of Kanau "pp56
  7. Early Aryans to Swaraj By S.R. Bakshi, page 40
  8. Kangra District The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 14, p. 380. .
  9. Dharamsala The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 11, p. 301.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 November 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Official historical account of Kangra
  11. "Official website". Archived from the original on 9 January 2012.
  12. "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Kangra, India". www.fallingrain.com. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  13. "McLEODGANJ | DHARAMSALA | LITTLE LHASA| HIMALAYAS | DALAI LAMA | DHARAMSALA INFORMATIVE AND COMMUNITY WEBSITE| TRAVEL |DHARAMSHALA| kANGRA| HIMACHAL PRADESH | INDIA". www.mcllo.com. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  14. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.

Kangra Fort legend of Mahabharta times. Himachal Pradesh Kangra Fort

Further reading
  • Chakrabarti D.K. (1984). The Antiquities of Kangra. Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Private Limited.
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