98-538: 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 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
196-536: 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
294-644: A "much larger territory" in ancient India. Recent studies suggest that Munda languages spread as far as Eastern Uttar Pradesh but not beyond that, and impacted Eastern Indo-Aryan languages , as some groups such as Musahar have Munda genetic lineage. The claim of a Munda presence in the Upper Gangetic plain has no linguistic or genetic basis. In the late 1800s, during the British Raj , the Mundas were forced to pay rents and work as bonded labourers to
392-545: A 2016 research paper on subsistence strategies of Mundas in a village of Sunderbans in West Bengal, it was found that many people migrate out of their residences because of poor economic conditions and landlessness. This rural to urban migration has followed a greater trend within India. Men and women engage in forest product collection, cultivation, small business and agricultural as well as non-agricultural jobs. A person or
490-555: 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
588-595: 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)
686-470: 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
784-702: 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, BatwalsThe Koli forms
882-635: 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
980-665: 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,
1078-518: A number of exogamous clans. Clans among Mundas are known as Killi , which is similar to Sanskrit word Kula . Munda are patrilineal, and clan name descends father to son. According to tradition, people of the same clan are descendants of the same forefather. Clans among Mundas are of totemic origin. Some clans are: Munda-Manki governing system was prevalent in Kolhan region of Jharkhand. Munda govern their villages by Munda-Manki system. Head of village
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#17327648694891176-464: A sovereign democratic republic. The new republic was also declared to be a "Union of States". The constitution of 1950 distinguished between three main types of states: Andhra State was created on 1 October 1953 from the Telugu -speaking northern districts of Madras State . The French enclave of Chandernagore was transferred to West Bengal in 1954. In the same year Pondicherry , comprising
1274-440: 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
1372-470: 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 the " aanchal " of the Himalayas hence, sheltered by
1470-424: Is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories , for a total of 36 entities. The states and union territories are further subdivided into 806 districts and smaller administrative divisions . The states of India are self-governing administrative divisions, each having a state government . The governing powers of the states are shared between the state government and the union government . On
1568-577: 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
1666-437: 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
1764-602: Is a principal musical instrument. Munda refer to their dance and song as durang and susun respectively. Some folk dances of the Munda are Jadur , Karam Susun and Mage Susun . Mundari music is similar to the music of Sadan . Mundari Mage song (winter) rhythm is similar to the Nagpuri Fagua song (winter, spring) rhythm. The Munda people have elaborate rituals to celebrate birth, death, engagement and marriage. Munda practice clan exogamy and tribal endogamy. Monogamy
1862-526: 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
1960-520: 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, the region was mostly ruled by local kingdoms, some of which accepted the suzerainty of larger empires . Prior to India's independence from
2058-494: Is called Munda , informant of village is called Dakuwa , village priest is called Pahaan , assistant of Pahaan is called Pujhar , head of 15 to 20 villages is called Manki, assistant of Manki is called Tahshildar , which collected taxes. The priest "Deori" is also prevalent among Hos , Bhumij , Bhuyan , Sounti , Khonds tribe of Odisha and Chutia people of Assam. In Chotanagpur division, Munda have adopted Pahan as their village priest. Involved in agriculture,
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#17327648694892156-611: 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
2254-478: 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
2352-456: 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
2450-421: 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
2548-440: 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 was declared India's second open-defecation -free state in 2016. According to a survey of CMS-India Corruption Study in 2017, Himachal Pradesh
2646-648: 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
2744-907: 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
2842-409: Is the norm. Bride price is prevalent. Marriage ceremony starts with Sagai and ends with Bidai. Munda enjoy this occasion with feast, drinks and dance. According to Sarat Chandra Roy , Sindurdaan ceremony and turmeric use in marriage clearly reflect Hindu elements borrowed into Munda tradition. Munda people of Jharkhand also follow the age old tradition of Patthalgari , i.e., stone erection, in which
2940-539: 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 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
3038-531: 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,
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3136-578: 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
3234-973: 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
3332-599: 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 the neighbouring Punjab state were merged into Himachal and it was ultimately granted full statehood in 1971. Himachal Pradesh
3430-547: The British Raj and establish Munda Raj. He was caught by Company forces, along with his supporters, and died in jail. He is still revered in Jharkhand . Nomadic hunters in the India tribal belt , they became farmers and some were employed in basketwork. With the listing of the Munda people as Scheduled Tribes , many are employed in various governmental organisations (particularly Indian Railways ). Munda are divided into
3528-803: The Crown Colony of Burma . In 1947, the last Act of the Crown was passed. The act dissolved the Indian Empire, the Imperial Legislative Council and the Chamber of Princes and the Union of India was consequently established from 9 former Indian provinces ( East Punjab , United Provinces , Central Provinces , Madras , Bombay , Bihar , Orissa , West Bengal and Assam ) and 562 former Indian states. Between 1947 and 1950,
3626-797: 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
3724-780: 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
3822-632: The Khunti , Ranchi , Simdega , Paschim Singhbhum , Gumla , Purbi Singhbhum , and Ramghar districts of Jharkhand; the Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts of Odisha; and the Jalpaiguri , Paschim Medinipur , and North 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal. They are also sporadically distributed in the neighboring states of Chhattisgarh and Bihar . Additionally, they live in the northeastern states of Assam , Tripura , and Mizoram , largely in
3920-564: 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
4018-430: 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
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4116-465: The zamindars . During the Kol uprising in 1823–1833, some Manki Munda revolted due to their disposition and attacked Thikedars, other Mankis, plundered and destroyed villages. This insurgency was suppressed by Thomas Wilkinson. During the 19th century, Munda freedom fighter Birsa Munda began the protest marches calling for non-payment of rents and remission of forest dues. He led guerrilla warfare to uproot
4214-617: 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
4312-471: The Emperor's representative to the constituent states of the province. The first three of the lieutenant-governorships were territories annexed to India from other powers and temporarily governed by the erstwhile Bengal Presidency, before being made into their own separate provinces. Agra and Bengal were still considered de jure parts of the defunct Bengal Presidency for judicial and legal purposes. Agra
4410-609: 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
4508-474: The Government of India introduced legislation to merge the union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli into a single union territory to be known as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu , effective from 26 January 2020. Ladakh UT The Constitution of India distributes the sovereign executive and legislative powers exercisable with respect to the territory of any state between
4606-467: 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 was writing and composing it. Later after independence of India, Punjab province
4704-491: The Indian Union and the state's monarchy was abolished. In 1987, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram became states on 20 February, followed by Goa on 30 May, while erstwhile union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu 's northern exclaves Damão and Diu became a separate union territory as Daman and Diu . In November 2000, three new states were created, namely: Pondicherry was renamed Puducherry in 2007 and Orissa
4802-591: 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
4900-599: The Munda language occupied the eastern region of ancient India. Many Munda terms occur in Vedic texts that were written between 1500 BCE and 500 BCE. Their presence in texts compiled in the upper Gangetic basin late in that period suggests that Munda speakers were there at the time. According to Barbara A. West, the Mundas claim origin in Uttar Pradesh , and a steady flow eastward in history as other groups moved into their original homeland; she suggests that they inhabited
4998-417: The Munda people celebrate the seasonal festivals of Mage Parab , Phagu , Karam , Baha parab , Sarhul and Sohrai . Some seasonal festivals have coincided with religious festivals, but their original meaning remains. Their deity is Singbonga . They have many folk songs , dances, tales and traditional musical instruments . Both sexes participate in dances at social events and festivals. The naqareh
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#17327648694895096-743: 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
5194-816: 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
5292-668: The Union and that state. Munda people The Munda people are an Austroasiatic -speaking ethnic group of the Indian subcontinent . They speak Mundari as their native language, which belongs to the Munda subgroup of Austroasiatic languages . The Munda are found mainly concentrated in the south and East Chhotanagpur Plateau region of Jharkhand , Odisha and West Bengal . The Munda also reside in adjacent areas of Madhya Pradesh as well as in portions of Bangladesh , Nepal , and
5390-485: 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
5488-422: The direct rule of the Emperor of India (who was also the King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions ) and a few minor states, ruled by Indian princes under the suzerainty of the Emperor. A Governor or Lieutenant-Governor acted as the representative of the Emperor to that province and head of government of the directly ruled territories in the province. The governor or lieutenant-governor also served as
5586-430: 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
5684-513: 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
5782-440: 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'
5880-453: The first Mundari language grammar in 1903. With the help of Menas Orea, Hoffmann published the 15-volume Encyclopaedia Mundarica . The first edition was published posthumously in 1937, and a third edition was published in 1976. The Mundas and Their Country , by S. C. Roy, was published in 1912. Adidharam (Hindi:आदि धर्म) by Ram Dayal Munda and Ratan Singh Manki, in Mundari with a Hindi translation, describes Munda rituals and customs. In
5978-412: 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
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#17327648694896076-458: The former French enclaves of Pondichéry , Karikal , Yanaon and Mahé , was transferred to India. This became a union territory in 1962. Also in 1954, pro-India forces liberated the Portuguese-held enclaves of Dadrá and Nagar Aveli , declaring the short-lived de facto state of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli . In 1961, India annexed it as the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli . The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 reorganised
6174-754: 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
6272-520: 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
6370-435: 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
6468-460: 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
6566-548: 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
6664-472: The other hand, the union territories are directly governed by the union government. The Indian Empire was a very complex political entity consisting of various imperial divisions and states and territories of varying autonomy. At the time of its establishment in 1876, it was made up of 584 constituent states and the directly ruled territories of the Crown . The entire empire was divided into provinces and agencies. A province consisted of territory under
6762-710: 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
6860-466: 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
6958-472: The population), Nepali (1.3%), Chinali , Lahul Lohar , and others. In parts of the state there are speakers of Tibeto-Burman languages like Kinnauri (1.2%), Tibetan (0.3%), Lahuli–Spiti languages (0.16%), Pattani (0.12%), Bhoti Kinnauri , Chitkuli Kinnauri , Bunan (or Gahri), Jangshung , Kanashi , Shumcho , Spiti Bhoti , Sunam , Tinani , and Tukpa . Religion in Himachal Pradesh (2011) States and union territories of India India
7056-466: The provinces with only territories under direct Crown rule. The latter years of the Indian Empire saw the enactment of the last Government of India Act by the Crown. This act granted full autonomy to Indian provinces. Provincial laws no longer needed the assent of the governor-general. This act created the office of a Premier in each province, who functioned as the new head of government and
7154-639: The provinces. However a good number of states were organised into imperial structures called agencies, or residencies. An Agent to the Governor-General (AGG) functioned as the Emperor's representative to all the states in the agency. In 1919, the fourth Government of India was enacted by the Crown. This saw many major changes. The legislatures of the provinces were made elected ones rather than nominated ones. Some provinces were given bicameral legislatures . All provinces were elevated to governorships and all lieutenant governors were made governors. Burma
7252-580: The representative of the Emperor . In addition to these, there were certain territories ruled directly by the Government of India through nominated chief commissioners. These were former independent states annexed to India and since ruled directly by the Supreme Government. A vast majority of the Indian states in the late nineteenth century were, in terms of imperial divisions, organised within
7350-482: 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 the First Plan to 32% in
7448-460: 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
7546-582: 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,
7644-581: 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
7742-423: 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
7840-725: 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
7938-618: The state of Tripura . They are one of India's largest scheduled tribes . Munda people in Tripura are also known as Mura . In the Kolhan region of Jharkhand the Munda people are often called Tamadia by other communities. Munda means headman of a village in the Munda-Manki system to govern villages in South-east Chotanagpur . They call themselves horoko or ho ko, which means men . Robert Parkin notes that
8036-487: 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
8134-495: The states based on linguistic lines resulting in the creation of the new states. As a result of this act: Bombay State was split into the linguistic states of Gujarat and Maharashtra on 1 May 1960 by the Bombay Reorganisation Act. The former Union Territory of Nagaland achieved statehood on 1 December 1963. The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 resulted in the creation of Haryana on 1 November and
8232-649: The tea valleys of Assam, where they migrated to work as tea garden workers during colonial India. Apart from India, they also reside in neighboring countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal . According to linguist Paul Sidwell , Munda languages arrived on the coast of Odisha from Southeast Asia approximately 4,000 to 3,500 years ago ( c. 2000 – c. 1500 BCE). The Munda people initially spread from Southeast Asia, but mixed extensively with local Indian populations. They are genetically closely related to Mah Meri and Temuan people of Malaysia . According to historian R. S. Sharma , tribals who spoke
8330-531: The term "Munda" did not belong to the Austroasiatic lexis and is of Sanskrit origin. According to R. R. Prasad, the name "Munde" is a Ho word that means "headman". It is an honorific name given by Hindus, and hence became a tribal name. According to Standing (1976), it was under British rule that the term Munda started to be used for the tribal group. The Munda primarily inhabit the eastern states of Jharkhand , West Bengal , and Odisha , specifically in
8428-552: The territories of the princely states were politically integrated into the new Indian Union . Most were merged into existing provinces. Others were organised into new provinces and states , such as Rajasthan , Himachal Pradesh , Malwa Union , Baghelkhand and Bundelkhand States Union , and Patiala and East Punjab States Union , made up of multiple princely states. A few, including Mysore , Hyderabad , Bhopal , and Bilaspur , became separate states. The new Constitution of India , which came into force on 26 January 1950, made India
8526-419: 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
8624-581: 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
8722-415: The transfer of the northern districts of Punjab to Himachal Pradesh . The act designated Chandigarh as a union territory and the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. Madras State was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969. The north-eastern states of Manipur , Meghalaya and Tripura were formed on 21 January 1972. Mysore State was renamed Karnataka in 1973. On 16 May 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd state of
8820-400: The tribal community residing in the village buries a large inverted U-shaped dressed headstone on the head side of a grave or at the entrance to the village, in which is inscribed the family tree of the dead persons. There are some other types of patthalgari also:- Jesuit priest John-Baptist Hoffmann (1857–1928) studied the language, customs, religion and life of the Munda people, publishing
8918-493: 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 ,
9016-547: 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
9114-482: 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
9212-506: Was given a special status and made an autonomous province. The Chamber of Princes was established by Emperor George V in 1920. One of the major consequences of this was the creation of many more agencies from the states of the provinces, thus granting them direct relations with the Emperor instead of with the Governors. This saw the separation of all the states from the provinces and addition to before-mentioned agencies. This left all
9310-411: 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
9408-537: Was renamed Odisha in 2011. Telangana was created on 2 June 2014 from ten former districts of north-western Andhra Pradesh . In August 2019, the Parliament of India passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 , which contains provisions to reorganise the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories; Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh , effective from 31 October 2019. Later that year in November,
9506-399: Was responsible to the provincial legislature. Bengal, Madras and Bombay which had been till now styled Presidencies, were now officially styled as provinces. The provinces of Orissa and Sind were created from Bihar and Bombay respectively. The Province of Burma which had previously functioned as an autonomous province of India was now separated from the Indian Empire, and established as
9604-501: Was separated in 1878 and merged with Oudh . The Bengal Presidency was re-established in 1912 as a governorship. All these provinces had their own legislatures established by the Indian Councils Acts, and high courts established by Indian High Courts Acts. Laws passed by these legislatures needed the dual assent of the governor or lieutenant-governor of the province and the governor-general of India , who functioned as
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