The state of Himachal Pradesh is located in north India. It is spread over 56,019 km, and is surrounded by Jammu and Kashmir on north, Punjab on west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on south, Uttarakhand on south-east and by Tibet on the east. The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is region of snowy mountains.
Demography
According to the 2001 census, the state has a population of 60 lakh people. The sex ratio of population was recorded as 970. Total literacy of the state stood at 77.13% as per the 2001 census. The tribal population of the state comprise of the Gaddis, Kinnars, Gujjars, Pangawals, Lahaulis and Spitians. Himachal Pradesh has the highest proportion of Hindu population in India. Other religion that consist a small percentage is Buddhism. The major spoken languages include Hindi, Punjabi, Mahasui, Kulluyi, Lahauli, Kinnauri, Chambyali, Sirmauri, Bilaspuri, Pahari, Dogri, Kangri.
Geography
Located in the western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous state with elevation ranging from about 350m to 6,000m above the sea level. Himachal Pradesh provides water to both the Indus and Ganges basins. The state’s main rivers are the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, the Sutlej and the Yamuna.
Himachal’s climatic conditions vary greatly because of extreme variation in elevation. The climate varies from hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern tracts to cold, alpine and glacial in the northern and eastern mountain ranges with more elevation. While areas like Dharamsala receive very heavy rainfall, others like Lahaul and Spiti are cold and almost rainless.
Himachal witnesses three seasons – hot weather season, cold weather season and rainy season. While summer lasts from mid April till the end of June, winter lasts from late November till mid March.
Himachal Pradesh is divided into 12 districts namely, Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Una, Chamba, Lahul and Spiti, Sirmaur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Solan and Shimla, which is the state capital.
History
The earliest known inhabitants of the region were tribals called Dasas. Later, Aryans came and they assimilated in the tribes. In the later centuries, the hill chieftains accepted suzerainty of the Mauryan empire, the Kaushans, the Guptas and Kanuaj rulers. During the Mughal period, the Rajas of the hill states made some mutually agreed arrangements which governed their relations. In the 19th century, Ranjit Singh annexed/subjugated many of the states.
When the British came, they defeated Gorkhas and entered into treaties with some Rajas and annexed the kingdoms of others. The situation more or less remained unchanged till 1947. After Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and Himachal Pradesh was formed on 15th April, 1948.
With the recognition of Punjab on November 1, 1966, certain areas belonging to it were also included in Himachal Pradesh. On January 25, 1971, Himachal Pradesh was made a full-fledged state.
Culture
Himachal Pradesh is popular for its handicrafts. Its carpets, leather works, shawls, paintings, metalware, woodwork and paintings are all well-known. In fact, Pashmina shawl is one of the products which are highly in demand not only in the state but across India. Himachali caps are also famous art work of the people.
The state’s cultural identity is reflected in local music and dance. Through their dance and music, Himachali people entreat their gods during local festivals and other special occasions.
Himachalis’ day to day food items are not much different from the rest of the north India. They too have lentil, broth, rice, vegetables and bread. Some of the specialities of Himachal include Pateer, Chouck, Bhagjery, Patrode, Sidku, Beduan and chutney.
Tourism
Himachal Pradesh stands apart from its neighbours in terms of its sheer topographic diversity and breathtaking pristine natural beauty. This makes it a popular tourist destination in North India. It is popular for vast tracts of high-altitude Trans-Himalayan desert to dense green deodar forests, for apple orchards to cultivated terraces, for snow capped high Himalayan mountain ranges to snow fed lakes and gushing rivers.
Among popular tourist destinations are Dalhousie, Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Solan, Spiti Valley, Kangra, and Dharamsala.
Economy
According to recent estimates, the state’s total GDP was pegged at Rs 25,435 crore.
Agriculture’s share in the state’s net domestic product is more than 45%. It is the main source of income and employment in Himachal. Over 93% of the state’s population depends directly upon agriculture which provides direct employment to 71% of its people. The main cereals grown are wheat, maize, rice and barley.
Further, Himachal has a rich heritage of handicrafts. These include woolen and pashmina shawls, carpets, silver and metal ware, embroidered chappals, grass shoes, Kangra and Gompa style paintings, wood work, horse-hair bangles, wooden and metal utensils and various other house hold items.
Also, Himachal is extremely rich in hydel resources. The state has about 25% of the national potential in this respect.
Government
Like all other Indian states, Himachal Pradesh is governed through a parliamentary system of representative democracy. The state Assembly is unicameral with 68 Members of the Legislative Assembly. The Assembly’s term of office is five years, unless it is dissolved prior to the completion of the term.
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 state sends four representatives to the Parliament, from Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur and Shimla (SC).
Compiled by: Deepak Nagpal
