History of Himachal

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Himachal Pradesh, the land of eternal snow peaks, is a charming mountain state.  Blessed with charming crystal lakes, flowers, ancient shrines and beautiful people, Himachal Pradesh is one of the loveliest states in India. The earliest known inhabitants of this region were tribals called Dasas, who entered the hills from the Gangetic plains, between the third and second millennium BC they were joined by the Aryans around 2000 BC and a number of tribal republics, called the janapadas, began to emerge in geographically separate regions of this state.  The close of the 10^th century saw the entry of Muslim rulers in North India through the northwestern passes.  The Mughals were followed by the British, who were so taken up by its beauty that they made it the summer seat of the British Viceroy. After Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and Himachal Pradesh was formed on April 15, 1948. With the reorganization of Punjab on November 1, 1966, certain areas belonging to it were also included in Himachal Pradesh. It was declared a state of the Indian Union with Shimla as the capital, on January 25, 1971.

SOCIETY AND CULTURE: The population of Himachal Pradesh consists of various hill tribes, including the Gadis, Gujaris, Kinnauris, Lahulis, and Pangwalis. More than 95 per cent of the people are Hindus, although he caste system of social groupings is less rigid than elsewhere in India. Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian Minorities total about five percent of the population. Hindi (the official state language) and Pahari are the principal languages.