Early history of Himachal Pradesh

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According to the Mahabharta, the present day Himachal Pradesh consisted of a number of small republics also known as the Janpadas..^[1]

1. Audumbras – They were one of the most ancient tribes of Himachal who resided in the lower hills of Pathankot and Jwalamukhi. They formed a separate province in 2 B.C.
2. Trigarta – The state was laid in the foothills drained by 3 rivers, namely- Ravi, Beas and Satluj. It is believed that the state was an independent republic.
3. Kuluta – The kingdom of Kuluta was located in the upper Beas valley which is also known as the Kullu valley. The state capital was Naggar.
4. Kulindas – The kingdom covered the area between the Beas, Satluj and Yamuna rivers. The administration resembled a republic with the members of central assembly sharing the powers of the head.
5. Guptas – Chandragupta captured the republics of the Himachal by the use of his force though he usually did not rule them directly. Ashoka, his grandson extended his boundaries to the Himalaya n region. He introduced Buddhism to the state. He built various stupas here.
6. Harsha – After the collapse of Guptas and before the rise of Harsha, the area was again ruled by chiefs also known as Thakurs and Ranas. With the rise of Harsha in the 7th century, most of these small provinces acknowledged its allround supremacy though many local powers remained with the chiefs.^[1]
7. Rajput Period – After Harsha's death (647 A.D.) Rajput states ascended in Rajasthan and Indus plains. They moved to the hills with their followers, where they established small provinces or principalities. Some of these were Kangra, Nurpur, Suket, Mandi, Kutlehar, Baghal, Bilaspur, Nalagarh, Keonthal, Dhami, Kunihar, Bushahar, Sirmour.

8.Mughal Empire - During the 16th century, the influence of the Mughal Empire extended into the Himalayan region, including parts of Himachal Pradesh. Although the Mughals did not establish direct control over all areas, many local rulers became vassals or allies of the Mughal emperors. The Mughal period brought increased trade, architectural development, and cultural exchange, evident in the region's forts and palaces.

9. Sikh Empire - In the early 19th century, the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh expanded its territory to include parts of Himachal Pradesh, particularly the areas around Kangra. The Sikhs' rule was relatively short-lived but left a lasting impact on the region's political landscape.

9. British Colonial Rule - By the mid-19th century, the British East India Company had established control over much of India, including Himachal Pradesh. The British formalized their rule after the Anglo-Sikh wars, and various local princely states became part of the British colonial administration. This period saw significant infrastructural developments, including roads, railways, and administrative reforms. Simla (now Shimla) became the summer capital of British India, turning into a major administrative and cultural hub.

10. Princely States - During British rule, Himachal Pradesh consisted of several princely states such as Chamba, Mandi, Bilaspur, and Sirmour. These states were semi-autonomous but under the suzerainty of the British crown. They played a crucial role in the region's governance and development, balancing traditional rule with modern administrative practices introduced by the British.

11. Post-Independence - After India gained independence in 1947, the princely states of Himachal Pradesh acceded to the Indian Union. In 1950, Himachal Pradesh was established as a union territory, and in 1971, it achieved full statehood. The integration of these princely states into the Indian Republic marked a new era of development and modernization for Himachal Pradesh.

References

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