3. 1. HISTORY OF HIMACHAL
PRADESH
•
Himachal Pradesh, state of India, in the extreme
northern part of the Asian subcontinent. It is bounded by
the state of Jammu and Kashmir to the north, by
the TibetAutonomous Region of China to the east, and by
the states of Uttarakhand to the southeast, Haryana to the
south, and Punjab to the west. Himachal Pradesh occupies
a region of scenic splendour in the western Himalayas,
offering a multitextured display of lofty snow-clad
mountains, deep gorges, thickly forested valleys, large
lakes, terraced fields, and cascading streams. Indeed, the
name of the state is a reference to its setting; Himachal
means “snowy slopes” (Sanskrit: hima, “snow”; acal,
“slopes”), and Pradesh means “state.”
4. THEIR CIVILIZATION
Himachal Pradesh - Elements of Nature,
Culture, and Civilization
Towering hills, scented air, nature’s
glimpses, and rich-spicy cuisines - if one
wishes to get an all-inclusive package of
experience in an ideal tourist destination,
then Himachal Pradesh is a place to go. A
northern Indian state in the Himalayas,
Himachal Pradesh is one of the most
beautiful, enchanting and scenic locations
in India.
5. SOURCES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
At current prices, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of
Himachal Pradesh is estimated to reach Rs 1.82 trillion (US$
26.04 billion) in 2020-21. The state’s per capita GSDP in 2019-20
was Rs 225,839 (US$ 3,203.85). GSDP will increase at a Compound
Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.76 per cent between 2015-16
and 2020-21. The tertiary sector witnessed the fastest growth at
a CAGR of 12.02 per cent between 2011-12 and 2019-20.
Total merchandise export from Himachal Pradesh stood at
US$ 1.32 billion in FY19. Between April-December 2019,
merchandise export from the state reached US$ 1,02 billion.
As of March 2020, Himachal Pradesh had a total installed
power generation capacity of 4,007.17 megawatt (MW). Hydro
power accounted for 2,812.88 MW of total installed power
generation capacity, followed by renewable power (951.64
MW) and thermal power (213.70 MW). Under thermal power,
coal accounted for 151.69 MW and gas accounted for 62.01 MW
of total installed power.
6. THEIR TRADITION
Himachal Pradesh, the North Indian state, was one of the few
states that had remained largely untouched by external customs,
largely due to its difficult terrain. With the technological
advancements, the state has changed very rapidly. Himachal
Pradesh is a multireligional, multicultural as well as multilingual
state like other Indian states. Some of the most commonly
spoken languages are Hindi and the
various Pahari languages.[1] The Hinducommunities residing in
Himachal include
the Brahmins, Rajputs, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. There are
also tribal population in the state which mainly
comprise Gaddis, Kinnarms, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis.[2]
Himachal is well known for its handicrafts. The carpets, leather
works, shawls, paintings, metalware, woodwork and paintings
are worth appreciating. Pashmina shawl is one of the products
which is highly in demand not only in Himachal but all over the
7. TOURISM OF HIMACHAL
PRADESH
Himachal Pradesh is blessed with a lot of Heritage sites, natural as well as
cultural. In Himachal Pradesh there are 40 monuments, which are identified
as the monuments of national importance. These are as follows in Chamba
district (Ganesh temple, Taxana Devi temple, Mani Mahesh temple,
Narsingh Temple, Bansi Gopal temple, Chamunda temple, Harirai temple,
Narain Temple, Shailusbonit idols, Sita Ram temple, Champa Devi temple,
Shakti Devi temple and Brajeshwari temple,Chatraritemple; In Kangra
District (Kangra fort, Masroor temple, Kotia fort, paintings on khniyara
stone, Pathiyar stone writing, Nurpur fort, Katoch Mahal, Narbdeshwar
temple, Ashapur temple, Vaidyanath temple, Sidhnath temple, Vridh stup
of chhitru,; in Shimla (Viceregal lodge); In Mandi (Birsila Smarak,
Trilokinath, Panchvaktra temple, Ardhnarishwar temple; In Lahul
(Marikula temple, ki monastery, tabo monastery) in Kullu (Hidimba
temple, Visheshwar mahadev temple, Gauri Shanker temple) in addition
to this the stone age places in Bilaspur and Kangra districts. Shimla- The
summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj, the Indian National Trust had
identified 372 heritage buildings in Shimla and surrounding areas.
8. COSTUMES OF
HIMACHAL PRADESH
Himachal Pradesh, the North Indian state, was one of
the few states that had remained largely untouched
by external customs, largely due to its difficult
terrain. With the technological advancements, the
state has changed very rapidly. Himachal Pradesh is a
multireligional, multicultural as well as multilingual
state like other Indian states. Some of the most
commonly spoken languages are Hindi and the
various Pahari languages.[1] The Hinducommunities
residing in Himachal include
the Brahmins, Rajputs, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis.
There are also tribal population in the state which
mainly
comprise Gaddis, Kinnarms, Gujjars, Pangawals and La
haulis.
9. SONGS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
• Himachal Pradesh has a culture that is quite distinct
from the rest of the country. This mountainous area
thrives in folk songs and its inhabitants never seem to
loose an opportunity to revel in some melodious
traditional music! Most of the songs are sung with
musical instruments, though these songs not
necessarily need an accompaniment. There are
numerous kids of traditional folk songs of Himachal
and many of them are sung on special occasions. Be it
a child birth, marriage, anniversary, birthday, etc. the
people of Himachal Pradesh always grace the
occasion with their traditional music.
10. THEIR CULTIVATION
The entire population of the state more or less depends
directly upon the Agriculture in Himachal Pradesh. The major
portion of the revenue earning in the state’s economy is
carried out by the cash crops in theAgriculture in Himachal
Pradesh. The chief food crops cultivated in Agriculture in
Himachal Pradeshinclude wheat, maize, rice, barley, seed-
potato, ginger, vegetables, vegetable seeds, mushrooms,
chicory seeds, hops, olives, and fig. Himachal Pradesh is also
known as the ‘Apple State of India’ for its large-scale
production of fruits. Farmers have engaged themselves highly
in the fruit cultivation and it is also a great blessing to the
economy of the state. Some very important factors that has
led to the outstanding development in the Agriculture in
Himachal Pradeshare an efficient irrigation system,
accessibility of low-cost cargo, and marketing facilities
structured in an organized form
11. LIFE OF PEOPLE IN HIMACHAL-
PRADESH
Himachal Pradesh has a very distinct population that is composed of
ethnolinguistic groups of tribals and socials. Scores of ethnic groups have
their home in Himachal Pradesh. Most of the natives belong to the Aryan
origin while the people of Lahaul and Spiti district are essentially
descendants of Mongols. Among all the natives hat reside in the various
regions of Himachal Pradesh, you should see the people pf Kinnaur
region, who are supposed to be very beautiful and have an extraordinary
collection of ornaments.
Himachal Pradesh has a very distinct population that is composed of
ethnolinguistic groups of tribals and socials. Scores of ethnic groups have
their home in Himachal Pradesh. Most of the natives belong to the Aryan
origin while the people of Lahaul and Spiti district are essentially
descendants of Mongols. Among all the natives hat reside in the various
regions of Himachal Pradesh, you should see the people pf Kinnaur
region, who are supposed to be very beautiful and have an extraordinary
collection of ornaments.
12. NOTABLE PERSONALITIES FROM
HIMACHAL-PRADESH
Hailing from a small village called Ghuggar in the
Palampur region of Himachal, he is the brave
army officer of our country who showed his
valour in the Kargil war, 1999. He was awarded
the highest bravery award of the nation,
the Param Veer Chakra posthumously
1. Captain Vikram Batra
13. CELEBRATIES FROM HIMACHAL-
PRADESH
The dimpled beauty with a number of amazing
movies to her name too has her roots in
the pahariterrain. Born in a small town of Rohru in
the Shimla district she has done her schooling from
the very celebratedThe Convent of Jesus and Mary
school and an another very famous all girls college
in Shimla, St. Bedes.
Priety Zinta
14. SOME OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
Elevation ranges from 450 metres to over 6,826 (Reo Purgyil)
metres above sea level. The region extends from
the Shivalik range of mountains (barely mountainous
region). There is a noticeable increase in elevation
from west to east and from south to north. At 6816 m Reo
Purgyil is the highest mountain peak in the state of Himachal
Pradesh. (Unfortunately most of the books and old records
of himachal educational institutes, Employment Boards and
different Govt websites show Shiela or Shilla as highest
mountain (At 7,125 m or 7,025 m) in Himachal (forcing job
aspirants to mark this as the correct answer in competitive
exams, giving wrong information), which is not true and this
mountain is not even in top 10 highest of Himachal. Mt Shilla
is only 6,132 metres (20,118 ft) above sea level.)
Editor's Notes
Himachal Pradesh - Elements of Nature, Culture, and Civilization
Towering hills, scented air, nature’s glimpses, and rich-spicy cuisines - if one wishes to get an all-inclusive package of experience in an ideal tourist destination, then Himachal Pradesh is a place to go. A northern Indian state in the Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh is one of the most beautiful, enchanting and scenic locations in India. Known for its strong and distinctive adherence to Tibetan culture, this vastly expanded hilly state contains the aura and the majestic edge of the high mountains, tall, gigantic trees and the clear, blue, infinite sky enveloping the state. Literally defined as “snow-laden-region”, Himachal Pradesh is a land of various types of flora, fauna, spices, fabrics and invaluable antiques. It was named by Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma, one of the most eminent Sanskrit scholars hailing from Himachal Pradesh. With the speeding rate of civilization and an increase in cultural schemes, Himachal is gradually proceeding towards registering its name amongst one of the most successful tourist spots. You want to enjoy yourselves fully amongst the amazing valleys and deep, dark and adventurous forests; you can explore Himachal’s landscape. What’s even interesting is the wildlife of Himachal and its variety can drive you crazy! You really cannot count on your fingers the broad spectrum of flora and fauna that it hides within its mysterious folds! One can also take note of the fact that its National animal is Snow Leopard, the national bird being Jujurana. Reflected in its Buddhist temples and Monasteries is its devotional aspect. The locals of the state indulge highly on food-items heavy on noodles and dumplings. What’s most singular about Himachal Pradesh is its flamboyance and spirit of life that is reflected through its festivals, fairs, and most popular Tibetan New Year celebrations.