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98-626: Hashtnagar is known for an early Buddhist statue. The name Hashtnagar is derived from the Sanskrit Aṣṭanagaram , aṣṭa meaning "eight" and nagaram meaning "town". In 1812 the Asiatick Society (Calcutta, India) described the Gujars of Afghanistan as brave, mainly pastoral, and numerous in Hashtnagar district. The Muhammadzai (Charsadda) and Kheshgi were also mentioned as powerful tribes in

196-534: A caste , a tribe and a group in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, locally referred to as jati , zaat , qaum or biradari . It has been suggested by several historians that Gurjara was initially the name of a tribe or clan which later evolved into a geographical and ethnic identity following the establishment of a janapada (tribal kingdom) called 'Gurjara'. This understanding has introduced an element of ambiguity regarding ancient royal designations containing

294-634: A mahapanchayat ("the great panchayat "), the Gujjar community decided that those who sought dowry would be excommunicated from the society. The Rajasthani Gurjars worship Surya , Devnarayan (an avatar of Vishnu ), Shiva and Bhavani . In Rajasthan, some members of the Gurjar community resorted to violent protests over the issue of reservation in 2006 and 2007. They demanded a change in their status from Other Backward Class (OBC) to Scheduled Tribe (ST). They felt marginalized and faced livelihood crises. During

392-531: A union territory on 1 November 1956. Some areas of the Punjab State, namely, Simla, Kangra, Kullu and Lahul and Spiti Districts, Lohara, Amb and Una Kanungo circles, some areas of Santokhgarh Kanungo circle and some other specified area of Una Tehsil of Hoshiarpur District , as well as Kandaghat and Nalagarh Tehsils of erstwhile PEPSU State , besides some parts of Dhar Kalan Kanungo circle of Pathankot District—were merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1 November 1966 on

490-550: A Scheduled Tribe under the Indian government's reservation program of positive discrimination . Hindu Gurjars were assimilated into several varnas. Gurjars form an important component of Delhi. They have combined their traditional occupation of pastoralism and marginal cultivation over a large area in and around Delhi. The Gurjar community in Haryana has set elaborate guidelines for solemnizing marriages and holding other functions. In

588-550: A UNESCO World Heritage Site , and another is the Kangra Valley Railway . The total length of these two tracks is 259 kilometres (161 mi). The Kalka-Shimla Railway passes through many tunnels and bridges, while the Pathankot–Jogindernagar one meanders through a maze of hills and valleys. The total route length of the operational railway network in the state is 296.26 kilometres (184.09 mi). Roads are

686-599: A cold desert, supports unique plants of medicinal value including Ferula jaeschkeana , Hyoscyamus niger , Lancea tibetica , and Saussurea bracteata . Himachal is also said to be the fruit bowl of the country, with widespread orchards. Meadows and pastures are also seen clinging to steep slopes. After the winter season, the hillsides and orchards bloom with wild flowers, white gladiolas, carnations , marigolds , roses , chrysanthemums , tulips and lilies are carefully cultivated. Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd. (HPMC)

784-468: A fleet of over 3,100, operates bus services connecting important cities and towns with villages within the state and also on various interstate routes. In addition, around 5,000 private buses ply in the state. Himachal Pradesh has a total population of 6,864,602 including 3,481,873 males and 3,382,729 females according to the Census of India 2011. It has only 0.57 per cent of India's total population, recording

882-701: A growth of 12.81 per cent. The child sex ratio increased from 896 in 2001 to 909 in 2011. The total fertility rate (TFR) per woman in 2015 stood at 1.7, one of the lowest in India. The scheduled castes and scheduled tribes account for 25.19 per cent and 5.71 per cent of the population, respectively. The sex ratio stood at 972 females per 1,000 males, recording a marginal increase from 968 in 2001. The main caste groups in Himachal Pradesh are Brahmins , Rajputs , Kanets , Kulindas, Girths, Raos, Rathis, Kolis , Hollis, Chamars , Drains, Rehars, Chanals, Lohars, Baris, Julahas, Dhakhis, Turis, Batwals The Koli forms

980-629: A known one being Bijli Mahadev . The temple is seen as a 20-meter structure built in stone which, according to locals, is known to attract lighting. They say that this is a way the Gods show their blessings. The Great Himalayan National Park is found in the Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh. It has an area of 620 km and ranging from an altitude of 1500 meters to 4500 meters and was created in 1984. There are various forest types found here such as Deodar , Himalayan Fir , Spruce , Oak and Alpine pastures. In

1078-661: A large degree of independence and were invaded by Delhi Sultanate several times. Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered Kangra at the beginning of the 11th century. Timur and Sikander Lodi also marched through the lower hills of the state, captured several forts, and fought many battles. Several hill states acknowledged Mughal suzerainty and paid regular tribute to the Mughals. The Kingdom of Gorkha conquered many kingdoms and came to power in Nepal in 1768. They consolidated their military power and began to expand their territory. Gradually,

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1176-444: A thriving ₹40,000 crore drug manufacturing industry. Hydropower is one of the major sources of income generation for the state. The state has an abundance of hydropower resources because of the presence of various perennial rivers. Many high-capacity hydropower plants have been constructed which produce surplus electricity that is sold to other states, such as Delhi , Punjab and West Bengal . The income generated from exporting

1274-589: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Gurjar The Gurjar (or Gujjar , Gujar , Gurjara ) are an agricultural ethnic community, residing mainly in India , Pakistan , and Afghanistan , divided internally into various clan groups. They were traditionally involved in agriculture, pastoral and nomadic activities and formed a large heterogeneous group. The historical role of Gurjars has been quite diverse in society: at one end they have been founders of several kingdoms and dynasties and, at

1372-560: Is a mountainous state. The Zanskar range runs in the northeastern part of the state and the great Himalayan range run through the eastern and northern parts, while the Dhauladhar and the Pir Panjal ranges of the lesser Himalayas, and their valleys, form much of the core regions. The outer Himalayas, or the Shiwalik range , form southern and western Himachal Pradesh. At 6,816 m, Reo Purgyil

1470-438: Is a post-independence creation. It came into being as a centrally administered territory on 15 April 1948 from the integration of thirty erstwhile princely states. Himachal Pradesh is governed through a parliamentary system of representative democracy , a feature the state shares with other Indian states. Universal suffrage is granted to residents. The legislature consists of elected members and special office bearers such as

1568-520: Is a state body that markets fresh and processed fruits. Himachal Pradesh has around 463 birds, and Tragopan melanocephalus is the state bird of Himanchal Pradesh 77 mammalian, 44 reptile and 80 fish species. Himachal Pradesh has currently five National Parks . Great Himalayan National Park , oldest and largest National park in the state, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Pin Valley National Park , Inderkilla , Khirganga and Simbalbara are

1666-557: Is ascribed to a Gurjar king Nain Singh Nagar . Morena, Samthar, Dholpur, Saharanpur and Roorkee were also some of the places ruled by Gurjar kings. Bhati Clan of Gurjars had significance influence in Bulandshahr joint magistracy. Rao Roshan Singh of Bhati clan was a landlord of wide area till 1812, other chiefs of this clan were, Shambu Singh, Ajit singh and Dargahi Singh Bhati.The Bhati Gurjars in this area had somewhat similar position as

1764-599: Is encouraging its wider study and use. Most of the population, however, speaks natively one or another of the Western Pahari languages (locally also known as Himachali or just Pahari ), a subgroup of the Indo-Aryan languages that includes Bhattiyali , Bilaspuri , Chambeali , Churahi , Gaddi , Hinduri , Kangri , Kullu , Mahasu Pahari , Mandeali , Pahari Kinnauri , Pangwali , and Sirmauri . Additional Indo-Aryan languages spoken include Punjabi (native to 4.4% of

1862-476: Is grown in the Kangra valley. Tea plantation began in 1849, and production peaked in the late 19th century with the tea becoming popular across the globe. Production dipped sharply after the 1905 Kangra earthquake and continues to decline. The tea received geographical indication status in 2005. Himachal Pradesh is renowned as Asia's pharmaceutical hub, housing a total of 652 pharmaceutical units . The state hosts

1960-454: Is known for its apple orchards. It is located between the river valleys of Giri and Sutlej . Himachal has three domestic airports in Kangra, Kullu and Shimla districts, respectively. The air routes connect the state with New Delhi and Chandigarh . The only broad-gauge railway line in the whole state connects Amb Andaura – Una Himachal railway station to Nangal Dam in Punjab and runs all

2058-426: Is one of the most literate states of India with a literacy rate of 83.78% as of 2011. Languages of Himachal Pradesh (2011) Hindi is the de jure official language of Himachal Pradesh and is spoken by the majority of the population as a lingua franca . Sanskrit is the additional official language of the state. Although mostly encountered in academic and symbolic contexts, the government of Himachal Pradesh

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2156-622: Is the head of state appointed by the President of India . The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Legislative Assembly is appointed as the Chief Minister by the governor, and the Council of Ministers are appointed by the governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Council of Ministers reports to the Legislative Assembly. The Assembly is unicameral with 68 Members of

2254-879: Is the highest mountain peak in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The drainage system of Himachal is composed both of rivers and glaciers . Himalayan rivers criss-cross the entire mountain chain. Himachal Pradesh provides water to both the Indus and Ganges basins . The drainage systems of the region are the Chandra Bhaga or the Chenab , the Ravi , the Beas , the Sutlej , and the Yamuna . These rivers are perennial and are fed by snow and rainfall. They are protected by an extensive cover of natural vegetation. Four of

2352-535: Is the principal cash crop of the state grown principally in the districts of Shimla, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba and some parts of Sirmaur and Lahaul-Spiti with an average annual production of five lakh tonnes and per hectare production of 8 to 10 tonnes. The apple cultivation constitute 49 per cent of the total area under fruit crops and 85% of total fruit production in the state with an estimated economy of ₹ 3500 crore . Apples from Himachal are exported to other Indian states and even other countries. In 2011–12,

2450-574: The BJP won only 25 of the 68 seats. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was sworn in as Himachal Pradesh's 15th Chief Minister in Shimla on 11 December 2022. Mukesh Agnihotri was sworn in as his deputy the same day. The state of Himachal Pradesh is divided into 12 districts which are grouped into three divisions, Shimla, Kangra and Mandi. The districts are further divided into 73 subdivisions, 78 blocks and 172 Tehsils. Planning in Himachal Pradesh started in 1951 along with

2548-944: The Bharmour region of Chamba district is the venue of an annual Hindu pilgrimage trek held in the month of August which attracts lakhs of devotees. The state is also referred to as "Dev Bhoomi" (literally meaning Abode of Gods ) due to its mention as such in ancient Hindu texts and occurrence of a large number of historical temples in the state. Himachal is also known for its adventure tourism activities like ice skating in Shimla, paragliding in Bir Billing and Solang Valley, rafting in Kullu, skiing in Manali, boating in Bilaspur, fishing in Tirthan Valley, trekking and horse riding in different parts of

2646-783: The Great Himalayan National Park , there are a variety of animals found such as Snow leopard , Yak , Himalayan black bear , Western tragopan , Monal and Musk deer . This National Park is a trail to many hikers and trekkers too. Moreover, there are sanctuaries which are tourist spots such as Naina Devi and Gobind Sagar Sanctuary in the Una and Bilaspur districts with an area of 220 km . There are animals such as Indian porcupine and giant flying squirrel found here. The Gobind Sagar Lake has fish species such as Mrigal , Silver carp , Katla, Mahaseer and Rohu are found here. Narkanda located in at an altitude of around 8850 feet

2744-753: The Kangra Valleys , with tributary Parvati forming the Parvati Valley . The Chenab river, formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga, forms much of the northern regions of Lahaul and Pangi , and the Ravi river flows principally through Chamba. The Pabbar and Giri rivers in the southeast are part of the Yamuna basin. Due to extreme variation in elevation, great variation occurs in the climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The climate varies from hot and humid subtropical in

2842-551: The Kingdom of Nepal annexed Sirmour and Shimla . Under the leadership of Amar Singh Thapa , the Nepali army laid siege to Kangra . They managed to defeat Sansar Chand Katoch , the ruler of Kangra, in 1806 with the help of many provincial chiefs. However, the Nepali army could not capture Kangra fort which came under Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1809. After the defeat, they expanded towards

2940-680: The Kot Charwal and Teli Katha massacres . The Van Gujjars ("forest Gurjars") are found in the Shivalik Hills area of Uttarakhand. The Van Gujjars follow Islam, and they have their own clans, similar to the Hindu gotras . They are a pastoral semi-nomadic community, practising transhumance . In the winter season, the Van Gujjars migrate with herds of semi-wild water buffalo to the Shivalik Hills at

3038-464: The Western Himalayas , it is one of the thirteen mountain states and is characterised by an extreme landscape featuring several peaks and extensive river systems . Himachal Pradesh is the northernmost state of India and shares borders with the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to the north, and the states of Punjab to the west, Haryana to the southwest, Uttarakhand to

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3136-430: The alpine zone which experiences a mild summer) with the average temperature ranging from 28 to 32 °C (82 to 90 °F). Winter lasts from late November until mid-March. Snowfall is common in alpine tracts. Pollution is affecting the climate of almost all the states of India. Due to steps taken by governments to prevent pollution, Himachal Pradesh has become the first smoke-free state in India which means cooking in

3234-676: The ethnonym has sometimes been interpreted as "destroyer of the enemy": gur meaning "enemy" and ujjar meaning "destroyer"). Babur, in the context of revolt, wrote that Jats and Gujjars poured down from hills in vast numbers in order to carry off oxen and buffaloes and that they were guilty of the severest oppression in the country. Many Gurjars were converted to Islam at various times, dating back to Mahmud of Ghazni's raid in Gujarat in 1026. Gurjars of Awadh and Meerut date their conversion to Tamerlane , when he sacked Delhi and forcibly converted them. By 1525, when Babur invaded India, he saw that

3332-491: The " aanchal " of the Himalayas hence, sheltered by the Himalayas or by the snow. It means "the land in the lap of snowy Himalayas". Pradesh means "state". Himachal was referenced by Diwakar Datt Sharma, a Sanskrit scholar, after independence, when "Jan Gan Man" was revealed publicly by Pt. Nehru from Gurudev Tagore 's diary. The word was added in the national anthem of India "Jan Gan Man" by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore when he

3430-669: The 2003 election to the Rajasthan assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promised them Scheduled Tribe status. However, the party failed to keep its promise after coming to the power, resulting in protests by the Gurjars in September 2006. In May 2007, during violent protests over the reservation issue, members of the Gurjar community clashed with the police. Subsequently, the Gurjar protested violently, under various groups including

3528-422: The 7th century CE, and mention several Gurjara kingdoms and dynasties. However, according to Tanuja Kothiyal, the historical image of Gurjars is that of "ignorant" herders, though historical claims of Gurjar past also associate them with Gurjara-Pratiharas . She cites a myth that any Rajput claim Gurjars may have comes through a Rajput marrying a Brahmin woman, and not through an older Kshatriya clan. She says that

3626-657: The Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh was organised on 15 April 1948 as a result of the integration of 30 petty princely states (including feudal princes and zaildars ) in the promontories of the western Himalayas . These were known as the Simla Hills States and four Punjab southern hill states under the Himachal Pradesh (Administration) Order, 1948 under Sections 3 and 4 of the Extra-Provincial Jurisdiction Act, 1947 (later renamed as

3724-883: The First Plan to 32% in the Third Plan, showing a progressive decline afterwards from 24% in the Fourth Plan to less than 10% in the Tenth Plan. Expenditure on energy sector was 24.2% of the total in the Tenth Plan. The total GDP for 2005–06 was estimated at ₹ 254 billion as against ₹ 230 billion in the year 2004–05, showing an increase of 10.5%. The GDP for fiscal 2015–16 was estimated at ₹ 1.110 trillion, which increased to ₹ 1.247 trillion in 2016–17, recording growth of 6.8%. The per capita income increased from ₹ 130,067 in 2015–16 to ₹ 147,277 in 2016–17. The state government's advance estimates for fiscal 2017–18 stated

3822-585: The Foreign Jurisdiction Act, 1947 vide A.O. of 1950). The State of Bilaspur was merged into Himachal Pradesh on 1 July 1954 by the Himachal Pradesh and Bilaspur (New State) Act, 1954. Himachal became a Part 'C' state on 26 January 1950 when the Constitution of India came into effect and the Lieutenant Governor was appointed. The Legislative Assembly was elected in 1952. Himachal Pradesh became

3920-691: The Gurjar Rajas of Saharanpur area. In Delhi , the Metcalfe House was sacked by Gurjar villagers from whom the land had been taken to erect the building. In September 1857, the British were able to enlist the support of many Gurjars at Meerut . The Gurjar people are a tribal group who have lived in Afghanistan for centuries. According to the Afghanistan news agency Pajwok Afghan News , there are currently an estimated 1.5 million Gurjar people residing in

4018-538: The Gurjar Sangarsh Samiti, Gurjar Mahasabha and the Gurjar Action Committee. Presently, the Gurjars in Rajasthan are classified as Other Backward Classes. On 5 June 2007, Gurjars rioted over their desire to be added to the central list of tribes who are given favoured treatment under the reservation system However, other tribes on the list oppose this request, as it would make it harder to obtain

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4116-500: The Gurjars and the Bakarwals in Jammu and Kashmir were classified as Scheduled Tribes constitute 12% of the total population of Jammu and Kashmir. However, they claim that they constitute more than 20% of the population, and allege undercounting because of their nomadic lifestyle, saying that when the censuses were held in 2001 and 2011, half of their population had been in the upper reaches of

4214-581: The Gurjars during the medieval period. These Gurjars migrated from the Abu mountain region and as early as in the 6th century CE, they set up one or more principalities in Rajasthan and Gujarat . The whole or a larger part of Rajasthan and Gujarat had been long known as Gurjaratra (country ruled or protected by the Gurjars) or Gurjarabhumi (land of the Gurjars) for centuries prior to the Mughal period. In Sanskrit texts,

4312-510: The Gurjars in parts of Himachal Pradesh were classified as a Scheduled Tribe. The Gurjars and Bakerwals tribes of Jammu and Kashmir were declared a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in 1991. At the 2001 census, they were found principally in Rajouri , Poonch , Reasi , Kishtwar district , with presences elsewhere. It is believed that Gurjars migrated to Jammu and Kashmir from Gujarat (via Rajasthan) and Hazara district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa . As of 2011 ,

4410-523: The Gurjars of northern Punjab were already Muslims. Until the 1700s, conversions continued under Aurangzeb , who converted the Gurjars of Himachal Pradesh by force. Pathans and Balochis drove Gurjar converts out of their land, forcing them into vagrancy. In the 18th century, several Gurjar chieftains and small kings were in power. A fort in Parikshitgarh in Meerut district , also known as Qila Parikishatgarh,

4508-808: The Gurjars, who ruled the area during the 700s and 800s. They are listed among the Other Backward Classes of Gujarat. A few scholars believe that the Leva Kunbis (or Kambis) of Gujarat, a section of the Patidars , are possibly of Gurjar origin. However, several others state that the Patidars are Kurmis or Kunbis (Kanbis); Gurjars are included in the OBC list in Gujarat but Patidars are not. Gurjars of North Gujarat , along with those of Western Rajasthan and Punjab , worship Sitala and Bhavani . As of 2001 ,

4606-484: The Himalaya. According to the 2011 Census of India , Gurjars are the most populous scheduled tribe in Jammu and Kashmir, having a population of nearly 1.5 million. Nearly all of them follow Islam. The Gurjars of Jammu and Kashmir in 2007 demanded that this tribal community be treated as a linguistic minority in the erstwhile state and provided with constitutional safeguards for their language Gojri . They also pressured

4704-506: The Hindu fold in the North-Western regions (modern Rajasthan and Gujarat). Aydogdy Kurbanov states that some Gurjars, along with people from northwestern India, merged with the Hephthalites to become the Rajput clan. Previously, it was believed that the Gurjars had migrated earlier on from Central Asia as well, however, this view is generally considered to be speculative. According to B. D. Chattopadhyaya, historical references speak of Gurjara warriors and commoners in North India in

4802-404: The Legislative Assembly (MLA). Terms of office run for five years, unless the Assembly is dissolved prior to the completion of the term. Auxiliary authorities known as panchayats , for which local body elections are regularly held, govern local affairs. In the assembly elections held in November 2022, the Indian National Congress secured an absolute majority, winning 40 of the 68 seats while

4900-426: The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker who are elected by the members. Assembly meetings are presided over by the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker in the Speaker's absence. The judiciary is composed of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and a system of lower courts. Executive authority is vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister , although the titular head of government is the Governor . The governor

4998-415: The Taliban in 2008, who then desecrated his dead body by hanging it publicly. In Azad Kashmir , they are one of the region's largest communities. Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh ( / h ɪ ˌ m ɑː tʃ əl p r ə ˈ d ɛ ʃ / ; Hindi: [ɦɪˈmäːtʃəl pɾəˈd̪eːʃ] ; lit. "Snow-laden Mountain Province" ) is a state in the northern part of India . Situated in

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5096-447: The area. A documentary, exploring the political and cultural life of Hashtnagar, has been made by Ammar Aziz which is the first ever film on the subject . It features the local artists and political activists and romanticizes the communist movement of the area. 34°12′59.24″N 71°42′53.26″E  /  34.2164556°N 71.7147944°E  / 34.2164556; 71.7147944 This Charsadda District location article

5194-455: The arrival of the British. The Gujrat and Gujranwala districts of Pakistani Punjab have also been associated with Gurjars from as early as the 8th century CE, when there existed a Gurjara kingdom in the same area. The Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh was also known as Gurjargadh previously, due to the presence of many Gurjar zamindars in the area. Gurjars are linguistically and religiously diverse. Although they are able to speak

5292-486: The country on human development indicators after Kerala . One of the Indian government's key initiatives to tackle unemployment is the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). The participation of women in the NREGA has been observed to vary across different regions of the nation. As of the year 2009–2010, Himachal Pradesh joined the category of high female participation, recording a 46% share of NREGS (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) workdays for women. This

5390-553: The country. The Gurjar people are predominantly found in the northeastern regions of Afghanistan, including Kapisa , Baghlan , Balkh , Kunduz , Takhar , Badakhshan , Nuristan , Laghman , Nangarhar , and Khost . They have a distinct culture and way of life. The old Afghanistan constitution recognised 14 ethnic groups officially with the Gurjar ethnic group being one of them. Many Gurjar tribal people in Afghanistan are deprived of their rights and their living conditions are poor. They have sometimes been internally displaced in

5488-433: The electricity to other states is being provided as subsidy to the consumers in the state. The rich hydropower resources of Himachal have resulted in the state becoming almost universally electrified with around 94.8% houses receiving electricity as of 2001, as compared to the national average of 55.9%. Himachal's hydro-electric power production is, however, yet to be fully utilised. The identified hydroelectric potential for

5586-516: The enactment by Parliament of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 . On 18 December 1970, the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament, and the new state came into being on 25 January 1971. Himachal became the 18th state of the Indian Union with Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar as its first chief minister. Himachal is in the western Himalayas situated between 30°22′N and 33°12′N latitude and 75°47′E and 79°04′E longitude. Covering an area of 55,673 square kilometres (21,495 sq mi), it

5684-441: The entire state is free of traditional chulhas . Himachal Pradesh is one of the states that lies in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), one of the richest reservoirs of biological diversity in the world. As of 2002, the IHR is undergoing large scale irrational extraction of wild, medicinal herbs, thus endangering many of its high-value gene stock. To address this, a workshop on 'Endangered Medicinal Plant Species in Himachal Pradesh'

5782-430: The few positions already set aside. In December 2007, the Akhil Bhartiya Gurjar Mahasabha ("All-India Gurjar Council") stated that the community would boycott the BJP, which was in power in Rajasthan. But in 2009 the Gurjar community was supporting BJP so that they could be politically benefitted. Kirori Singh Bainsla fought and lost on the BJP ticket. In the early 2000s, the Gurjar community in Dang region of Rajasthan

5880-412: The five Punjab rivers flow through Himachal Pradesh, three of them originating in the state. These rivers run through a maze of valleys separated by the mountain ranges of the state. The Satluj Valley is formed by the Satluj river entering the state near Shipki La , while the Spiti and Baspa Valleys are formed by the river's two major tributaries in the state. The Beas river flows though the Kullu and

5978-488: The foot of the Himalayas, and in summer, they migrate to alpine pastures higher up the Himalayas. The Gurjars sell milk to local peoples as their primary source of income. They treat their animals with great care and do not eat them nor sell them for meat. The Van Gujjars have had conflicts with forest authorities, who prohibited human and livestock populations inside reserved parks. However, India's Forest Rights Act of 2006 granted rights to "traditional forest dwellers" to

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6076-442: The forefront of history after the 10th century CE. Thereafter, history records several Gurjar chieftains and upstart warriors, who were rather petty rulers in contrast to their predecessors. Gujar or Gujjar were quite common during the Mughal era, and documents dating from the period mention Gujars as a 'turbulent' people. The Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan were known as Gurjaradesa and Gurjaratra for centuries prior to

6174-416: The historical process suggests the opposite: that Rajputs emerged from other communities, such as Gurjars, Jats , Raikas etc. The oldest known reference to the word Gurjara is found in the book called Harshacharita (Harsha's Deeds), a biography of king Harshavardhana written around 630 CE. Banabhatta , the author of Harshacharita , mentions that Harsha's father Prabhakravardhana (560-580 CE)

6272-428: The lands they have relied on for generations. The conflict between local forest officials, who claim rights over the newly created parks, and the thousand year nomadic traditions of the Van Gujjars has been ongoing. It has been estimated that Gujjars comprise 20% of Pakistan's total population. In 1999, British anthropologist Stephen Lyon estimated their total population in Pakistan to number 30 million and theorized

6370-662: The language of the region and country where they live, Gurjars have their own language, known as Gujari . They variously follow Hinduism , Islam , and Sikhism . The Hindu Gurjars are mostly found in Indian states of Rajasthan , Gujarat , Haryana , Madhya Pradesh , Punjab Plains and Maharashtra . Muslim Gurjars are mostly found in Pakistani province of Punjab , mainly concentrated in Lahore and northern cities of Gujranwala , Gujrat , Gujar Khan and Jhelum ; Indian Himalayan regions such as Jammu & Kashmir , Himachal Pradesh , and Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand ; and Afghanistan . The word Gujjar represents

6468-757: The largest caste-cluster, comprising 30% of the total population of Himachal Pradesh. In the census, the state is placed 21st on the population chart, followed by Tripura at 22nd place. Kangra District was top-ranked with a population strength of 1,507,223 (21.98%), Mandi District 999,518 (14.58%), Shimla District 813,384 (11.86%), Solan District 576,670 (8.41%), Sirmaur District 530,164 (7.73%), Una District 521,057 (7.60%), Chamba District 518,844 (7.57%), Hamirpur district 454,293 (6.63%), Kullu District 437,474 (6.38%), Bilaspur district 382,056 (5.57%), Kinnaur District 84,298 (1.23%) and Lahaul Spiti 31,528 (0.46%). The life expectancy at birth in Himachal Pradesh increased significantly from 52.6 years in

6566-523: The major mode of transport in Himachal Pradesh due to its hilly terrain. The state has road network of 28,208 kilometres (17,528 mi), including eight National Highways (NH) that constitute 1,234 kilometres (767 mi) and 19 State Highways with a total length of 1,625 kilometres (1,010 mi). Hamirpur district has the highest road density in the country. Some roads are closed during winter and monsoon seasons due to snow and landslides . The state-owned Himachal Road Transport Corporation with

6664-533: The meat of the Andak animal as haram (forbidden) but many Gurjar people in the area said they had no choice. Gurjar tribal leaders met with Hamid Karzai when he was President of Afghanistan . They demanded schools and hospitals be built in their areas and the Afghan government give scholarships to Gurjar students to study abroad. Today, the Gurjars are classified under the Other Backward Class category in some states in India. However, in Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Himachal Pradesh, they are designated as

6762-427: The neighbouring Punjab state were merged into Himachal and it was ultimately granted full statehood in 1971. Himachal Pradesh is spread across valleys with many perennial rivers flowing through them. Agriculture , horticulture, hydropower, and tourism are important constituents of the state's economy. The hilly state is almost universally electrified, with 99.5% of households having electricity as of 2016. The state

6860-533: The notion of "Gujarism", the fact that Gujjars in Pakistan are conscious of their identity and often base their social activities, such as local political participation, on this basis, what he calls kin-network activism. Gujjars are mostly found in the country's Punjab province , where they gave their name to cities and towns such as Gujranwala , Gujar Khan and Gujrat , but for economics reasons recently they have emigrated to cities such as Karachi . Gujjars are also present in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , where they're

6958-436: The original inhabitants to the hills of present-day Himachal Pradesh, followed by the Bhotas and Kiratas . During the Vedic period , several small republics known as Janapada existed which were later conquered by the Gupta Empire . After a brief period of supremacy by King Harshavardhana , the region was divided into several local powers headed by chieftains, including some Rajput principalities. These kingdoms enjoyed

7056-516: The other national Parks located in the state. The state also has 30 wildlife sanctuaries and 3 conservation reserves. The state bird of Himachal Pradesh is the Western tragopan , locally known as the jujurana . It is one of the rarest living pheasants in the world. The state animal is the snow leopard , which is even rarer to find than the jujurana . The Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh has no pre-constitution history. The State itself

7154-766: The other crops grown in the state. Centuries-old traditional Kuhl irrigation system is prevalent in the Kangra valley , though in recent years these Kuhls have come under threat from hydroprojects on small streams in the valley. Land husbandry initiatives such as the Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project , which includes the Himachal Pradesh Reforestation Project (HPRP), the world's largest clean development mechanism (CDM) undertaking, have improved agricultural yields and productivity, and raised rural household incomes. Apple

7252-576: The other end, some are still nomads with no land of their own. The pivotal point in the history of Gurjar identity is often traced back to the emergence of a Gurjara kingdom in present-day Rajasthan and Gujarat during the Middle Ages (around 570 CE). It is believed that the Gurjars migrated to different parts of the Indian Subcontinent from the Gurjaratra. The Gurjaras started fading from

7350-821: The paragliding world cup was Bir Billing, which is 70 km from the tourist town Macleod Ganj , located in the heart of Himachal in Kangra District. Bir Billing is the centre for aero sports in Himachal and considered as best for paragliding. Buddhist monasteries, trekking to tribal villages and mountain biking are other local possibilities. There are a variety of festivals celebrated by the locals of Himachal Pradesh who worship gods and goddesses. There are over 2000 villages in Himachal Pradesh which celebrate festivals such as Kullu Dussehra , Chamba's Minjar, Renuka ji Fair, Lohri , Halda , Phagli, Losar and Mandi Shivratri . There approximately 6000 temples in Himachal Pradesh with

7448-498: The past by illegal militias ; for example, during 2018 around 200 Gurjar families were displaced from their homes in Farkhar district in Takhar province. During the corona virus pandemic , the Gurjar people in the northeastern province of Badakhshan used Andak meat to treat the corona virus, due to lack of clinics and other health facilities in their areas. The Gurjar Tribe Council deemed

7546-468: The period from 1970 to 1975 (above the national average of 49.7 years) to 72.0 years for the period 2011–15 (above the national average of 68.3 years). The infant mortality rate stood at 40 in 2010, and the crude birth rate has declined from 37.3 in 1971 to 16.9 in 2010, below the national average of 26.5 in 1998. The crude death rate was 6.9 in 2010. Himachal Pradesh's literacy rate has almost doubled between 1981 and 2011 (see table to right). The state

7644-532: The region was mostly ruled by local kingdoms, some of which accepted the suzerainty of larger empires . Prior to India's independence from the British , Himachal comprised the hilly regions of the Punjab Province of British India . After independence, many of the hilly territories were organised as the Chief Commissioner's province of Himachal Pradesh, which later became a Union Territory. In 1966, hilly areas of

7742-400: The rest of India with the implementation of the first five-year plan . The First Plan allocated ₹ 52.7 million to Himachal Pradesh. More than 50% of this expenditure was incurred on transport and communication; while the power sector got a share of just 4.6%, though it had steadily increased to 7% by the Third Plan. Expenditure on agriculture and allied activities increased from 14.4% in

7840-408: The revolt of 1857, or first Indian war of independence , arising from several grievances against the British, the people of the hill states were not as politically active as were those in other parts of the country. They and their rulers, except Bushahr, remained more or less inactive. Some, including the rulers of Chamba , Bilaspur , Bhagal and Dhami, rendered help to the British government during

7938-577: The revolt. The British territories came under the British Crown after Queen Victoria 's proclamation of 1858. The states of Chamba , Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule. During World War I, virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort, both in the form of men and materials. Among these were the states of Kangra , Jaswan, Datarpur, Guler, Rajgarh , Nurpur , Chamba, Suket, Mandi, and Bilaspur. After independence,

8036-567: The south of the state. However, Raja Ram Singh, Raja of Siba State , captured the fort of Siba from the remnants of Lahore Darbar in Samvat 1846, during the First Anglo-Sikh War . They came into direct conflict with the British along the tarai belt, after which the British expelled them from the provinces of the Satluj . The British gradually emerged as the paramount power in the region. In

8134-682: The southeast and a very narrow border with Uttar Pradesh to the south. The state also shares an international border to the east with the Tibet Autonomous Region in China . Himachal Pradesh is also known as Dev Bhoomi , meaning 'Land of Gods' and Veer Bhoomi which means 'Land of the Brave'. The predominantly mountainous region comprising the present-day Himachal Pradesh has been inhabited since pre-historic times, having witnessed multiple waves of human migrations from other areas. Through its history,

8232-424: The southern tracts to, with more elevation, cold, alpine, and glacial in the northern and eastern mountain ranges. The state's winter capital, Dharamsala receives very heavy rainfall, while areas like Lahaul and Spiti are cold and almost rainless. Broadly, Himachal experiences three seasons: summer, winter, and rainy season. Summer lasts from mid-April until the end of June and most parts become very hot (except in

8330-421: The state government to urge the central government to include Gojri in the list of official languages of India . In 2002, some Gurjars and Bakarwals in Jammu and Kashmir demanded a separate state called Gujaristan for Gujjar and Bakarwal communities, under the banner of All India Gurjar Parishad. Gurjars and Bakarwals have at times been targeted by militants of the insurgency in the territory, such as during

8428-729: The state is 27,436 MW in five river basins while the hydroelectric capacity in 2016 was 10,351 MW. Tourism in Himachal Pradesh is a major contributor to the state's economy and growth. The Himalayas attracts tourists from all over the world. Hill stations like Shimla , Manali , Dharamshala , Dalhousie , Chamba , Khajjiar , Kullu and Kasauli are popular destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists. The state also has many important Hindu pilgrimage sites with prominent temples like Shri Chamunda Devi Mandir , Naina Devi Temple, Bajreshwari Mata Temple , Jwala Ji Temple, Chintpurni , Baijnath Temple , Bhimakali Temple , Bijli Mahadev and Jakhoo Temple. Manimahesh Lake situated in

8526-488: The state. Shimla , the state's capital, is home to Asia's only natural ice-skating rink. Spiti Valley in Lahaul and Spiti District situated at an altitude of over 3000 metres with its picturesque landscapes is popular destination for adventure seekers. The region also has some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the world. Himachal hosted the first Paragliding World Cup in India from 24 to 31 October in 2015. The venue for

8624-667: The third largest ethnic groups after the Pashtuns and the Awan , found in the Hazara region as well places like Dir , Swat , and Bajaur , often being conversant in Pashto , the provincial language. In Swat, Pir Samiullah was a Gujjar community leader who was the first to raise a private tribal army against the Pakistani Taliban , with around 10,000 men, but was eventually defeated and executed by

8722-421: The total GDP and per capita income as ₹ 1.359 trillion and ₹ 158,462, respectively. As of 2018, Himachal is the 22nd-largest state economy in India with ₹ 1.52 lakh crore (US$ 18 billion) in gross domestic product and has the 13th-highest per capita income ( ₹ 160,000 (US$ 1,900)) among the states and union territories of India . Himachal Pradesh also ranks as the second-best performing state in

8820-527: The total area under apple cultivation was 104,000 hectares, increased from 90,347 hectares in 2000–01. According to the provisional estimates of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare , the annual apple production in Himachal for fiscal 2015–16 stood at 753,000 tonnes, making it India's second-largest apple-producing state after Jammu and Kashmir . The state is also among the leading producers of other fruits such as apricots , cherries , peaches , pears , plums and strawberries in India. Kangra tea

8918-485: The way to Daulatpur, Himachal Pradesh . It is an electrified track since 1999. While a tiny portion of line adjacent to Kandrori(KNDI) station on either side on Pathankot-Jalandhar Section, under Ferozepur Division of Northern Railway also crosses into Himachal Pradesh, before venturing out to Punjab again. Future constructions: Himachal is known for its narrow-gauge railways . One is the Kalka-Shimla Railway ,

9016-401: The word 'gurjara' such as gurjaraeshvara or gurjararaja , as now it is debatable whether the kings bearing these epithets were tribal or ethnic Gurjaras. Historians and anthropologists differ on the issue of Gurjar origin. According to one view, circa 1 CE , the ancient ancestors of the Gurjars came in multiple waves of migration and were initially accorded status as high-caste warriors in

9114-547: Was "a constant threat to the sleep of Gurjara" — apparently a reference to the Gurjara king or kingdom. Inscriptions from a collateral branch of Gurjaras, known as Gurjaras of Lata , claim that their family was ruling Bharakucha ( Bharuch ) as early as 450 CE from their capital at Nandipuri. According to scholars such as Baij Nath Puri , the Mount Abu (ancient Arbuda Mountain) region of present-day Rajasthan had been an abode of

9212-552: Was a drastic increase from the 13% that was recorded in 2006–2007. Agriculture accounts for 9.4% of the net state domestic product. It is the main source of income and employment in Himachal. About 90% of the population in Himachal depends directly upon agriculture, which provides direct employment to 62% of total workers of state. The main cereals grown include wheat , maize , rice and barley with major cropping systems being maize-wheat, rice-wheat and maize-potato-wheat. Pulses , fruits , vegetables and oilseeds are among

9310-571: Was also in news its falling sex ratio , unavailability of brides, and the resultant polyandry . As of 2022 , the Gurjars in Madhya Pradesh are classified as Other Backward Classes. In Maharashtra, Gurjars are in very good numbers in Jalgaon District. Dode Gurjars and Dore Gurjars are listed as Other Backward Classes in Maharashtra. The State took its name from the Gurjara, the land of

9408-507: Was declared India's second open-defecation -free state in 2016. According to a survey of CMS-India Corruption Study in 2017, Himachal Pradesh is India's least corrupt state. Himachal Pradesh is divided into 12 districts. The name of the state is a reference to its setting: Himachal means "snowy slopes" (Sanskrit: hima , meaning "snow"; acala/achala meaning "slopes", or "land", or "abode"). Himachal Pradesh (ɦɪˈmaːtʃəl pɾəˈdeːʃ; literally "snow-laden province"). Himachal refers to being in

9506-414: Was held in 2002 and the conference was attended by forty experts from diverse disciplines. According to 2003 Forest Survey of India report, legally defined forest areas constitute 66.52% of the area of Himachal Pradesh. Vegetation in the state is dictated by elevation and precipitation . The state is endowed with a high diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants. Lahaul-Spiti region of the state, being

9604-563: Was writing and composing it. Later after independence of India, Punjab province was divided and the name was given officially to the mountain state as Himachal Pradesh . Tribes such as the Koli , Hali, Dagi, Dhaugri, Dasa , Khasa , Kanaura , and Kirata inhabited the region from the prehistoric era. The foothills of the modern state of Himachal Pradesh were inhabited by people from the Indus valley civilisation , which flourished between 2250 and 1750 BCE. The Kols and Mundas are believed to be

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