| Kangra | |
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| Coordinates | 32°06′N 76°16′E / 32.1°N 76.27°E |
| Country |  India |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| District(s) | Kangra |
| Population | 9,154 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 733 m (2,405 ft) |
Kangra is a city and a municipal council in Kangra district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
Contents |
Demographics
As of 2009 India census[1], Kangra had a population of 9154. 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.
Area Profile of Kangra Town
As of 2001[update] India census,[1]
Number of Households - 1,924
Average Household Size(per Household) - 5.0
Population-Total - 9,156
Population-Urban - 9,156
Proportion of Urban Population (%) - 100
Population-Rural - 0
Sex Ratio - 997
Population(0-6Years) - 902
Sex Ratio(0-6 Year) - 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
History
Historically known as Nagarkot[2], the town of Kangra was founded by Katoch Kshatriya Rajputs of Chandervanshi Lineage , who were rulers in Trigarta Central Asia. The Katoch Rajas had a stronghold here, with a fort and rich temples. Mahmud of Ghazni took the fort in 1009 and from one of the temples carried off a vast treasure. In 1360 Kangra was again plundered, by Feroz Shah Tughluq. The temple of Devi Bajreshri 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 the 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 [2][3][4].
Kangra was also occupied by the Nepalese (previously known as Gurkhas) and make it a part of Greater Nepal. In 1809, Ranjit Singh the ruler of the Sikh state in the Punjab, had intervened and drove the Nepalese army east of the Satluj river. Later it was lost to the British in the mid-19th century. Kangra was merged in India in 1948 by the then titled Raja of Kangra-Lambagraon namely Raja Druv Dev Chand Katoch.
Geography
Kangra is located at 32°06′N 76°16′E / 32.1°N 76.27°E[5]. 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 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 pack sheep and goats. Rice, tea, potatoes, opium, spices, wool and honey are the chief exports.
Visitor's attractions
Many ancient temples like the Jawalaji Temple, Brijeshwari Devi temple, Chamunda Devi temple, Baba Baroh, Masroor Temple built by pandvaas and Baijnath temple are found here. Kangra Fort is also a popular tourist attraction, so is Mcleodganj near Dharamsala, headquarters of the district, and now home-in-exile to the Dalai Lama[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ a b Kangra Town The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 14, p. 397.
- ^ Kangra District The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 14, p. 380. .
- ^ Dharamsala The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 11, p. 301.
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kangra
- ^ An Informative,Travel and Community website of Dharamsala,McleodGanj and Kangra Valley
Mcllo.com - An Informative,Travel and Community website of Kangra Valley, Dharamsala,McleodGanj
External links
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