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{{short description|District in Himachal Pradesh, India}}
{{short description|District in Himachal Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{About|the district in India|its namesake municipality|Kangra, Himachal Pradesh}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name                           = Kangra
| name = Kangra district
| native_name                     =  
| native_name =  
| other_name                     = Nagarkot , Trigart
| other_name = Nagarkot, Trigarta
| settlement_type                 = [[List of districts of Himachal Pradesh|District]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]]
| settlement_type = [[List of districts of Himachal Pradesh|District]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]]
| image_skyline                   = Dhauladhars Eagles.JPG
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
| image_caption                   = View of the [[Dhauladhar|Dhauladhar Range]] near [[McLeod Ganj]]
|size = 250
| image_map                       = Kangra in Himachal Pradesh (India).svg
|photo1a = Shiva Temple of Baijnath ,Himachal Pradesh ,India 10.jpg
| map_alt                         = Located in the northwest part of the state
|photo1b = McLeod Ganj from the Dalai Lama Temple (6466149411).jpg
| map_caption                     = Location in Himachal Pradesh, India
|photo2a = Beautiful evening at Triund (16285399662).jpg
| pushpin_map                    =
|photo2b = Ranjit Singh Gate, Kangra Fort 06.JPG
| pushpin_map_caption            =
|photo3a = Full view of Masroor temple.jpg
| coordinates                     = {{coord|32|13|0|N|76|19|0|E|display=inline,title}}
}}
| subdivision_type               = Country
| image_caption = Clockwise from top-left: [[Baijnath Temple|Baijnath]] Shiva temple, [[McLeod Ganj]] from Dalai Lama temple, Ranjit Singh Gate, [[Kangra Fort]], [[Masrur Temples]], View of [[Dhauladhar|Dhauladhar Range]] from [[Triund]]
| subdivision_name               = {{flag|India}}
| image_map = Kangra in Himachal Pradesh (India).svg
| subdivision_type1               = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| image_map1 =
| subdivision_name1               = {{flagicon image|Himachal Pradesh Flag, India.png}} [[Himachal Pradesh]]
| map_alt =  
| subdivision_type2               = [[Administrative divisions of India|Division]], Part of
| map_caption = Location in Himachal Pradesh
| subdivision_name2               = Kangra
| coordinates = {{coord|32|13|0|N|76|19|0|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type3               = [[Tehsil|Tehsils]]
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name3               = {{collapsible list|title={{nbsp}}|[[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]]|[[Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh|Nurpur]]|[[Jawali, Himachal Pradesh|Jawali]]|[[Indora]]|[[Dehra]]|Shahpur|[[Baroh]]|[[Khundian]]|[[Jaswan]]|[[Rakkar]]|[[Fatehpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)]]|[[Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh|Baijnath]]|[[Jaisinghpur]]|[[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]]|[[Palampur]]}}
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| established_title               = <!-- Established -->
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| established_date               =  
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|}} [[Himachal Pradesh]]
| seat_type                       = Headquarters
| subdivision_type2 = [[Administrative divisions of India|Division]], Part of
| seat                           = [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]]
| subdivision_name2 = Kangra
| leader_title                   = [[Lok Sabha |Lok Sabha Constituency]] , part of
| subdivision_type3 = [[Tehsil]]s
| leader_name                     = {{Collapsible list
| subdivision_name3 = {{collapsible list|title={{nbsp}}|[[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]]|[[Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh|Nurpur]]|[[Jawali, Himachal Pradesh|Jawali]]|[[Indora]]|[[Dera Gopipur|Dehra]]|Shahpur|[[Baroh]]|Khundian|[[Jaswan]]|[[Rakkar]]|[[Fatehpur, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency|Fatehpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)]]|[[Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh|Baijnath]]|[[Jaisinghpur]]|[[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]]|[[Palampur]]}}
| established_title = <!-- Established -->
| established_date =  
| seat_type = Headquarters
| seat = [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]]
| leader_title = [[Lok Sabha |Lok Sabha Constituency]], part of
| leader_name = {{Collapsible list
   |framestyle=border:none; padding:0; <!--Hides borders and improves row spacing-->
   |framestyle=border:none; padding:0; <!--Hides borders and improves row spacing-->
   |title=[[Kangra (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kangra]]
   |title=[[Kangra (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kangra]]
|1= [[Nurpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Nurpur]]
|1= [[Nurpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Nurpur]]
|2= [[Indora (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Indora]]
|2= [[Indora (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Indora]]
|3= [[Fatehpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Fatehpur]]
|3= [[Fatehpur, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency|Fatehpur]]
|4= [[Jawali (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jawali]]
|4= [[Jawali (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jawali]]
|5= [[Jawalamukhi (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jawalamukhi]]
|5= [[Jawalamukhi (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jawalamukhi]]
|6= [[Jaisinghpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jaisinghpur]]
|6= [[Jaisinghpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jaisinghpur]]
|7= [[Sullah (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sullah]]
|7= [[Sullah (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sullah]]
|8= [[Nagrota (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Nagrota]]
|8= [[Nagrota, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency|Nagrota]]
|9= [[Kangra (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Kangra]]
|9= [[Kangra (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Kangra]]
|10= [[Shahpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Shahpur]]
|10= [[Shahpur, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency|Shahpur]]
|11= [[Dharamshala (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Dharamshala]]
|11= [[Dharamshala (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Dharamshala]]
|12= [[Palampur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Palampur]]
|12= [[Palampur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Palampur]]
|13= [[Baijnath (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Baijnath]]
|13= [[Baijnath (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Baijnath]]
}} <br> {{Collapsible list
}} <br /> {{Collapsible list
   |framestyle=border:none; padding:0; <!--Hides borders and improves row spacing-->
   |framestyle=border:none; padding:0; <!--Hides borders and improves row spacing-->
   |title=[[Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha constituency)|Hamirpur]]
   |title=[[Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha constituency|Hamirpur]]
|1= [[Dehra (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Dehra]]
|1= [[Dehra (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Dehra]]
|2= [[Jaswan-Pragpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jaswan-Pragpur]]  
|2= [[Jaswan-Pragpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jaswan-Pragpur]]  
}}<br><br>
| leader_title1                  = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| leader_name1                    = Kishan Kapoor<ref>http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=5112</ref> {{flagicon image|Bharatiya_Janata_Party_logo.svg}}<br><br>
| leader_title2                  = [[Deputy Commissioner]]
| leader_name2                    = Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, IAS<ref>https://hpkangra.nic.in/deputy-commissioner-kangra-himachal-pradesh/</ref><br><br>
| leader_title3                  = [[Superintendent of Police (India)|Superintendent of Police]]
| leader_name3                    = Vimukt Ranjan, IPS<ref>https://hpkangra.nic.in/about-district/whos-who/</ref><br>
| unit_pref                      = Metric
| area_total_km2                  = 5739
| elevation_footnotes            =
| elevation_min_m                = 500
| elevation_max_m                = 5930
| elevation_max_point            = [[Hanuman Tibba]]<ref>http://www.himalayadestination.com/expedition/hanuman-tibba-climbing-expedition</ref>
| population_total                = 1,510,075
| population_as_of                = 2011
| population_footnotes            =
| population_density_km2          = 263
| timezone1                      = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1                    = +5:30
| postal_code_type                = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code                    =
| area_code                      =
| area_code_type                  =
| registration_plate              = [[List of RTO districts in India#HP.E2.80.94Himachal Pradesh|HP]]- 68(RTO), <div style="text-align: center;">01/ 02D(Taxi)
| blank1_name_sec1                = Largest city
| blank1_info_sec1                = [[Dharamshala]]
| blank1_name_sec2                = [[Climate of India|Climate]]
| blank1_info_sec2                = [[Climatic regions of India|ETh]] {{small|([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]])}}
| website                        = {{URL|hpkangra.nic.in}}
| demographics1_info1            = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| blank2_name_sec1                = Gender ratio
| blank2_info_sec1                = 1012 females/1000 males
| blank3_name_sec1                = Literacy rate
| blank3_info_sec1                = 85.67%
| blank5_name_sec1                = Vidhan Sabha Constituencies
| blank5_info_sec1                = 15{{collapsible list|title={{nbsp}}|[[Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh|Nurpur]]|[[Indora]] (SC)|[[Fatehpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Fatehpur]]|[[Jawali, Himachal Pradesh|Jawali]]|[[Dehra]]|[[Jaswan]]-[[Pragpur]]|[[Jawalamukhi]]|[[Jaisinghpur]] (SC)|[[Sullah]]|[[Nagrota]]|[[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]]|Shahpur|[[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]]|[[Palampur]]|[[Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh|Baijnath]] (SC)}}
| blank2_name_sec2                = Avg. summer temperature
| blank2_info_sec2                = {{convert|32|°C|°F}}
| blank3_name_sec2                = Avg. winter temperature
| blank3_info_sec2                = {{convert|20|°C|°F}}
}}
}}
'''Kangra''' is the most populous<ref name="districtcensus">{{cite web | url = http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php | title = District Census 2011 | access-date = 30 September 2011 | year = 2011 | publisher = Census2011.co.in}}</ref> [[List of districts of Himachal Pradesh|district]] of the Indian state of [[Himachal Pradesh]]. [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]] is the administrative headquarters of the district.
| leader_title1 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| leader_name1 = [[Rajeev Bhardwaj]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=5112|title = Members : Lok Sabha}}</ref>
| leader_title2 = [[Deputy Commissioner]]
| leader_name2 = Nipun jindal, IAS<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hpkangra.nic.in/deputy-commissioner-kangra-himachal-pradesh/|title=Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Himachal Pradesh &#124; District Kangra, Government of Himachal Pradesh &#124; India|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214912/https://hpkangra.nic.in/deputy-commissioner-kangra-himachal-pradesh/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| leader_title3 = [[Superintendent of Police (India)|Superintendent of Police]]
| demographics1_title2 = Regional
| demographics1_info2 = [[Kangri language|Kangri]]<ref>{{cite web| website=Literary Herald |title=Language and dialect of Himachal Pradesh |url=https://tlhjournal.com/uploads/products/35.shradha-shandil-article.pdf?utm_}}</ref>
| leader_name3 = Vimukt Ranjan, IPS<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hpkangra.nic.in/about-district/whos-who/|title=Who's Who &#124; District Kangra, Government of Himachal Pradesh &#124; India|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215437/https://hpkangra.nic.in/about-district/whos-who/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_total_km2 = 5739
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_min_m = 500
| elevation_max_m = 5930
| elevation_max_point = [[Hanuman Tibba]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.himalayadestination.com/expedition/hanuman-tibba-climbing-expedition|title=Hanuman Tibba Climbing Expedition (19450 Ft.)|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214945/http://www.himalayadestination.com/expedition/hanuman-tibba-climbing-expedition|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_total = 1,510,075
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = 263
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code =
| area_code =
| area_code_type =
| registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India#HP.E2.80.94Himachal Pradesh|HP]]- 68(RTO), {{center|01/ 02D(Taxi)}}
| blank1_name_sec1 = Largest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Climate of India|Climate]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[Climatic regions of India|ETh]] {{small|([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]])}}
| website = {{URL|hpkangra.nic.in}}
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = Gender ratio
| blank2_info_sec1 = 1012 females/1000 males
| blank3_name_sec1 = Literacy rate
| blank3_info_sec1 = 85.67%
| blank5_name_sec1 = Vidhan Sabha Constituencies
| blank5_info_sec1 = 15{{collapsible list|title={{nbsp}}|[[Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh|Nurpur]]|[[Indora]] (SC)|[[Fatehpur, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency|Fatehpur]]|[[Jawali, Himachal Pradesh|Jawali]]|Dehra|[[Jaswan]]-[[Pragpur]]|[[Jawalamukhi]]|[[Jaisinghpur]] (SC)|[[Sullah (village)|Sullah]]|[[Nagrota]]|[[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]]|Shahpur|[[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]]|[[Palampur]]|[[Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh|Baijnath]] (SC)}}
| blank2_name_sec2 = Avg. summer temperature
| blank2_info_sec2 = {{convert|32|°C|°F}}
| blank3_name_sec2 = Avg. winter temperature
| blank3_info_sec2 = {{convert|20|°C|°F}}
}}
'''Kangra district''' is the most populous<ref name="districtcensus">{{cite web | url = http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php | title = District Census 2011 | access-date = 30 September 2011 | year = 2011 | publisher = Census2011.co.in | archive-date = 11 June 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110611224943/http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php | url-status = live }}</ref> [[List of districts of Himachal Pradesh|district]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]], India. [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]] is the administrative headquarters of the district.


==History==
==History==
{{see also|History of the Punjab|Kangra fort}}
{{see also|History of the Punjab|Kangra Fort}}
Kangra is known for having the oldest serving Royal Dynasty in the world, the [[Katoch]].<ref>https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s348aedb8880cab8c45637abc7493ecddd/uploads/2018/03/2018032983.pdf#page=48</ref> In 1758, Raja Ghamand Chand
Kangra is known for having one of the oldest serving Royal Dynasty in the world, the [[Katoch]] of the [[Kangra State]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s348aedb8880cab8c45637abc7493ecddd/uploads/2018/03/2018032983.pdf |title=Gazetteer of the Kangra district (1883-1884) |page=48}}</ref> In 1758, Raja Ghamand Chand was appointed ''nazim'' or governor of Jullundur Doab under the Afghans. Ghamand Chand was a brave and strong ruler who restored the prestige of Kangra. As he was unable to capture [[Kangra Fort]], he built another fort at Tira Sujanpur on the left bank of the [[Beas River|Beas]], almost opposite to Alampur on a hill overlooking the town. He died in 1774 and was succeeded by his son, Tegh Chand, who died too soon in 1775.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://himachalpradeshtravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/History-of-Kangra.pdf |title=Kangra from the Pages of History |website=himachalpradeshtravel.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701145502/http://himachalpradeshtravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/History-of-Kangra.pdf |archive-date=1 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Ghamand Chand's grandson, Raja [[Sansar Chand]] (r.&nbsp;1775–1823) established the supremacy of Kangra over all the surrounding hill states. During his reign, Kangra became a major centre for the arts and several palaces were built.<ref name=Parry>{{cite book |last=Parry |first=Jonathan P. |title=Caste and Kinship in Kangra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MabdAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA11 |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |page=11 |isbn=978-1-136-54585-6}}</ref>
was appointed ''nazim'' or governor of Jullundur Doab under the Afghans. Ghamand Chand was a brave and strong ruler who restored the prestige of Kangra. As he was unable to capture [[Kangra fort]], he built another fort at Tira Sujanpur on the left bank of the [[Beas River|Beas]], almost opposite to Alampur on a hill overlooking the town. He died in 1774 and was succeeded by his son, Tegh Chand, who died too soon in 1775.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20180701145502/http://himachalpradeshtravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/History-of-Kangra.pdf</ref> Kangra was annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Sikh Empire in 1810. Kangra became a district of [[British India]] in 1846, when it was ceded to British India at the conclusion of the [[First Anglo-Sikh War]]. The British district included the present-day districts of Kangra, [[Hamirpur District, Himachal Pradesh|Hamirpur]], [[Kullu District|Kullu]], and [[Lahul and Spiti]]. Kangra District was part of the British province of [[Punjab, British India|Punjab]]. The administrative headquarters of the district were initially at Kangra, but were moved to [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]] in 1855.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V14_386.gif Kangra District] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 14, p. 380.</ref><ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V11_307.gif Dharamshala] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 11, p. 301.</ref>
 
In  1805, the neighbouring hill states rebelled, with the aid of the [[Gurkha]] army. Raja Sansar Chand was forced to seek the help of Maharaja [[Ranjit Singh]] of the [[Sikh Empire]]. The Gurkha army was expelled but Ranjit Singh also annexed the most fertile part of the Kangra valley, reducing the Katochs of Kangra as well as the neighbouring rajas to the status of vassals.<ref name=Parry/> Kangra was annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Sikh Empire in 1810.
 
Kangra became a district of [[British India]] in 1846, when it was ceded to British India at the conclusion of the [[First Anglo-Sikh War]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Banerjee |first1=Abhijit |url=https://eml.berkeley.edu/~webfac/bardhan/e271_sp03/2_18.pdf |title=History, Institutions and Economic Performance: The Legacy of Colonial Land Tenure Systems in India (BREAD Working Paper No. 003) |last2=Iyer |first2=Lakshmi |date=January 2003 |publisher=Bureau for Research in Economic Analysis of Development |pages=39 |chapter=Appendix Table 1: Districts of British India, With Dates and Mode of Acquisition by the British}}</ref> The British district included the present-day districts of Kangra, [[Hamirpur District, Himachal Pradesh|Hamirpur]], [[Kullu District|Kullu]], and [[Lahul and Spiti]]. Kangra District was part of the British province of [[Punjab, British India|Punjab]]. The administrative headquarters of the district were initially at Kangra, but were moved to [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]] in 1855.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V14_386.gif Kangra District] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510040509/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V14_386.gif |date=10 May 2021 }} ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 14, p. 380.</ref><ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V11_307.gif Dharamshala] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414135425/https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V11_307.gif |date=14 April 2021 }} ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 11, p. 301.</ref>
 
=== In Jainism ===
Kangra was once an important center of [[Jainism]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lalwani |first=Ganesh |title=Jainism in India |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/001667/71}}</ref> According to a local legend, ''King Suśarmācandra'', after hearing the importance of [[Shatrunjaya|Mount Shatrunjaya]], took a vow to not eat or drink anything until he pays homage to [[Rishabhanatha]] at [[Palitana temples]]. Pleased by his devotion and to save him from starvation, demigoddess [[Ambika (Jainism)|Ambika]] created a temple of Rishabhanatha at the king's fort. After paying homage to the idol, the king broke his fast.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=14 December 2024 |title=Iconographic distinctiveness and sacred veneration: Exploring some of the ancient pratimās of Jina Śrī Ṛṣabhadeva |url=https://www.storiesbyarpit.com/2024/12/iconographic-distinctiveness-and-sacred.html |access-date=14 April 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
 
Within the premises of [[Kangra Fort]] lies an idol of [[Rishabhanatha]]. The inscription on the pedestal of the idol is in ''Śāradā'' script. It mentions that the idol was consecrated by [[Śvetāmbara]] monk ''Amalacandra'', a disciple of ''Ācārya Abhaycandra'' of the ''Rājakula Gachha'' in 854 CE.<ref name=":0" /> The granite idol of Rishabhanatha is seated in [[Padmāsana|Padmāsana posture]]. An icon of bull carved on its pedestal indicates that the idol is of Rishabhanatha. However, another important trait of this idol is that it does not feature a waistband and a waistcloth, as most commonly found in Śvetāmbara icons of [[Tirthankara]]s after [[Bappabhattisuri]]'s era.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Dhaky |first=M.A. |title=Vadikavi Bappabhatta Suri |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/249313/3}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Ranka |first=Rishabhdas |title=Mahavira and his Teaching |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/008019/290 |access-date=20 July 2024 |website=jainqq.org}}</ref> Locks of hair carved on both sides of the head of the idol as well as an inscription from 854 CE, however, make it clear that the idol and the temple is of the Śvetāmbara sect of [[Jainism]] as noted by archaeologist [[John Marshall (archaeologist)|Sir John Marshall]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=26 June 2024 |title=Understanding the Iconography of Digambar and Shwetambar Idols |url=https://www.storiesbyarpit.com/2024/06/understanding-iconography-of-digambar.html |access-date=20 July 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Once a thriving Jaina center, it soon went unnoticed after migration of Jainas out of the town. The idol of Rishabhanatha was found in the ''Indreśvara Temple''. Later on, efforts to reinstall the idol were made by Śvetāmbara Jaina nun ''Mrugavati'', a disciple of ''[[Vallabhsuri|Ācārya Vijayavallabhsuri]]''. In 1978, the idol was installed in an independent shrine within Kangra Fort. Currently, the idol is under the care of the [[Archaeological Survey of India|Archeological Survey of India]], but Jainas are given the right to worship the idol.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Publication |first=Jain Bhawan |title=Jain Journal 1969 04 |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/520014/89}}</ref>
[[File:Śvetāmbara_Idol_of_Rishabhanatha_at_Kangra_Fort.jpg|thumb|Idol of Rishabhanatha decorated with flowers and ornaments as per Śvetāmbara rituals]]
Dr. K. N. Sitaram, on his tour to Kangra Valley in 1930, discovered numerous remains of Jaina idols and temples. He also noted that several Jaina idols and temples were appropriated by the [[Hindus]] under different names of [[Hindu deities]].<ref name=":2" />
 
In 1916, ''Muni Jinavijaya'' published ''Vijnaptitriveni,'' which is a detailed report about the author's pilgrimage to Nagarkot and Kangra. It explains the journey of pilgrims from ''Faridpur'' to ''Nagarkot''. It also highlights that the pilgrims return from ''Nagarkot'' to ''Faridpur'' through another route. It also describes a war between ''Yasoratha'', a ''Khokhar'' chief and ''Sikandara'', a Muslim ruler.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Publication |first=Jain Bhawan |title=Jain Journal 1969 04 |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/520014/90}}</ref>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
{{bar box
{{historical populations|11=1901|12=4,78,364|13=1911|14=4,69,046|15=1921|16=4,69,251|17=1931|18=4,94,658|19=1941|20=5,63,163|21=1951|22=5,70,643|23=1961|24=6,57,232|25=1971|26=8,00,863|27=1981|28=9,90,758|29=1991|30=11,74,072|31=2001|32=13,39,030|33=2011|34=15,10,075|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html |title=Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901 |access-date=31 May 2020 |archive-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010234955/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html |url-status=live }}</ref>|align=left}}
|title=Religions in Kangra District
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hindus]]|orange|96.76}}
{{bar percent|[[Muslims]]|green|1.31}}
{{bar percent|[[Buddhist]]|red|0.96}}
{{bar percent|[[Sikhs]]|black|0.59}}
{{bar percent|[[Christians]]|Yellow|0.20}}
{{bar percent|Others|green|0.17}}
|}}
 
According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] Kangra district had population of {{sigfig|1510075|3}}.<ref name="2011CensusHandbook"/>{{rp|18}}


At the 2011 Census, 70.9% of the population in the district spoke [[Kangri language|Kangri]], 14.9% [[Western Pahari|Pahari]], 5.55% [[Hindi]], 2.64% [[Gaddi language|Gaddi]] and 2.06% [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] as their first language.<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Himachal Pradesh |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-0200.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=6 October 2019}}</ref>
According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], Kangra district had a population of 1,510,075. The district has a population density of {{convert|263|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 12.77%. 5.71% of the population lives in urban areas. Kangra district has a sex ratio of 1012 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 85.67%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 21.15% and 5.60% of the population respectively.<ref name="2011CensusHandbook"/>{{rp|18}}


'''District Highlights of 2011 Census'''<ref name="2011CensusHandbook">{{Cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0202_PART_B_DCHB_KANGRA.pdf|title=DISTRICT CENSUS HANDBOOK KANGRAVILLAGE AND TOWN WISEPRIMARY CENSUS ABSTRACT (PCA)|website=censusindia.gov.in/2011census|access-date=18 September 2018}}</ref>
'''District highlights of 2011 Census'''<ref name="2011CensusHandbook">{{cite web|year=2011|title=District Census Handbook: Kangra|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/472/download/1536/DH_2011_0202_PART_A_DCHB_KANGRA.pdf|access-date=|website=censusindia.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]|archive-date=25 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125190423/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/472/download/1536/DH_2011_0202_PART_A_DCHB_KANGRA.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Kangra district has the highest number of 3,869 villages among the 12 district of the state.
* Kangra district has the highest number of 3,869 villages among the 12 district of the state.
* Kangra district occupies the 1st rank among the districts in terms of population.
* Kangra district occupies the 2nd position in terms of sex ratio among the districts of the state with 1,012 females per 1,000 males as compared to 972 females per 1,000 males of state average.
* Kangra district stands 1st position in terms of its working force having total workers of 675,170 persons against 3,559,422 working persons of the state.
* Kangra district stands 1st position in terms of its working force having total workers of 675,170 persons against 3,559,422 working persons of the state.
* Kangra district stands at 5th positions in terms of decadal population growth (2001-2011) of 12.8 per cent persons in comparison to state decadal population growth of 12.9 per cent persons.
* In terms of density of population per km<sup>2</sup>., Kangra district with 263 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. stands at 5th rank in the state.
* Kangra district occupies 1st rank among the districts of the state in terms of literate population. It has a literate population of 1,152,640 persons.
* Kangra district occupies 1st rank among the districts of the state in terms of literate population. It has a literate population of 1,152,640 persons.
* Kangra district holds the 2nd rank in terms of scheduled tribe population in the state. It has reported 84,564 persons as scheduled tribe.
* The economy of Kangra district is mainly depends on agriculture. It has returned 303,007 persons as cultivators and holds the 2nd position among the districts of the state
* The economy of Kangra district is mainly depends on agriculture. It has returned 303,007 persons as cultivators and holds the 2nd position among the districts of the state
* All the inhabited villages of the district enjoy the facility of electricity and potable drinking water.
* All the inhabited villages of the district enjoy the facility of electricity and potable drinking water.
Line 134: Line 136:
The native people are the [[Kangri people]] and the native language is [[Kangri language|Kangri]], which is very similar to [[Dogri language|Dogri]].  The majority of the people are [[Hindu]], although many [[Tibetan people|Tibetans]] and others who follow [[Buddhism]] have also settled here recently. There are also other minorities such as Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians.
The native people are the [[Kangri people]] and the native language is [[Kangri language|Kangri]], which is very similar to [[Dogri language|Dogri]].  The majority of the people are [[Hindu]], although many [[Tibetan people|Tibetans]] and others who follow [[Buddhism]] have also settled here recently. There are also other minorities such as Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians.


Jhamakda is a folk dance of Kangra. It is exclusively performed by women. It features percussion instruments and songs.<ref>http://himachalpradeshtravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/History-of-Kangra.pdf</ref>{{historical populations|11=1901|12=4,78,364|13=1911|14=4,69,046|15=1921|16=4,69,251|17=1931|18=4,94,658|19=1941|20=5,63,163|21=1951|22=5,70,643|23=1961|24=6,57,232|25=1971|26=8,00,863|27=1981|28=9,90,758|29=1991|30=11,74,072|31=2001|32=13,39,030|33=2011|34=15,10,075|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]</ref>|align=middle}}
Jhamakda is a folk dance of Kangra. It is exclusively performed by women. It features percussion instruments and songs.<ref>{{cite web |title=himachalpradeshtravel.com |url=http://himachalpradeshtravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/History-of-Kangra.pdf |website=Kangra’s from the Pages of History |access-date=18 May 2022 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701145502/http://himachalpradeshtravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/History-of-Kangra.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
=== Religion ===
{{bar box
|title=Religions in Kangra district (2011)<ref name="religion"/>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|96.76}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|1.31}}
{{bar percent|[[Buddhism in Himachal Pradesh|Buddhism]]|yellow|0.96}}
{{bar percent|[[Sikhism]]|darkkhaki|0.59}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.42}}
|caption=Distribution of religions
}}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Religion in Kangra District
! rowspan="2" |[[Religion in India|Religious]]<br/>group
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="religion">{{Cite web|date=2011|title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: Himachal Pradesh|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11375/download/14488/DDW02C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=censusindia.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]|access-date=25 November 2022|archive-date=25 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125182946/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11375/download/14488/DDW02C-01%20MDDS.XLS|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]
| 1,461,140
| {{Percentage | 1461140 | 1510075 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
| 19,797
| {{Percentage | 19797 | 1510075 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Buddhism]] [[File:Dharma_Wheel_(2).svg|15px]]
| 14,511
| {{Percentage | 14511 | 1510075 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
| 8,929
| {{Percentage | 8929 | 1510075 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
| 3,023
| {{Percentage | 3023 | 1510075 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Jainism]] [[File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg|15px]]
| 194
| {{Percentage | 194 | 1510075 | 2 }}
|-
| Others
| 2,481
| {{Percentage | 2481 | 1510075 | 2 }}
|-
!Total Population
!1,510,075
!{{Percentage | 1510075 | 1510075 | 2 }}
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Religious groups in Kangra District ([[British Punjab province]] era)
! rowspan="2" |[[Religion in India|Religious]]<br/>group
! colspan="2" |1881<ref name="Census1881A">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057656 |jstor=saoa.crl.25057656 |access-date=26 December 2024 |title=Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. I. |year=1881 }}</ref><ref name="Census1881B">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057657 |jstor=saoa.crl.25057657 |access-date=26 December 2024 |title=Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. II. |year=1881 |pages=14 }}</ref><ref name="Census1881C">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057658 |jstor=saoa.crl.25057658 |access-date=26 December 2024 |title=Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. III. |year=1881 |pages=14 }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1891<ref name="Census1891">{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25318669 |jstor=saoa.crl.25318669 |access-date=26 December 2024 |title=The Punjab and its feudatories, part II--Imperial Tables and Supplementary Returns for the British Territory |year=1891 |pages=14 |last1=Edward Maclagan |first1=Sir |volume=2 }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1901<ref name="Census1901">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25363739 |jstor=saoa.crl.25363739 |access-date=23 March 2024 |title=Census of India 1901. [Vol. 17A]. Imperial tables, I-VIII, X-XV, XVII and XVIII for the Punjab, with the native states under the political control of the Punjab Government, and for the North-west Frontier Province. |year=1901 |pages=34 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128154853/https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25363739 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1911<ref name="Census1911">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25393788 |jstor=saoa.crl.25393788 |access-date=23 March 2024 |title=Census of India 1911. Vol. 14, Punjab. Pt. 2, Tables. |year=1911 |pages=27 |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109220619/https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25393788 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Census1911B">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.62718 |access-date=23 March 2024 |title=Census Of India 1911 Punjab Vol XIV Part II |year=1911 |pages=27 |author=Kaul, Harikishan}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1921<ref name="Census1921">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25430165 |jstor=saoa.crl.25430165 |access-date=23 March 2024 |title=Census of India 1921. Vol. 15, Punjab and Delhi. Pt. 2, Tables. |year=1921 |pages=29 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326083309/https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25430165 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1931<ref name="Census1931">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25793242 |jstor=saoa.crl.25793242 |access-date=23 March 2024 |title=Census of India 1931. Vol. 17, Punjab. Pt. 2, Tables. |year=1931 |pages=277 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031110212/https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25793242 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1941<ref name="Census1941">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.28215541 |jstor=saoa.crl.28215541 |access-date=23 March 2024 |title=Census of India, 1941. Vol. 6, Punjab |year=1941 |pages=42 |author1=India Census Commissioner |volume=6 |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002225000/https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.28215541 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
! [[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]{{efn|name=ad-dharmi|1931-1941: Including [[Ad-Dharmi]]s}}
| 687,635
| {{Percentage | 687635 | 730845 | 2 }}
| 715,607
| {{Percentage | 715607 | 763030 | 2 }}
| 722,554
| {{Percentage | 722554 | 768124 | 2 }}
| 725,156
| {{Percentage | 725156 | 770386 | 2 }}
| 722,277
| {{Percentage | 722277 | 766065 | 2 }}
| 752,098
| {{Percentage | 752098 | 801312 | 2 }}
| 846,531
| {{Percentage | 846531 | 899377 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
| 39,148
| {{Percentage | 39148 | 730845 | 2 }}
| 39,709
| {{Percentage | 39709 | 763030 | 2 }}
| 39,672
| {{Percentage | 39672 | 768124 | 2 }}
| 38,859
| {{Percentage | 38859 | 770386 | 2 }}
| 38,263
| {{Percentage | 38263 | 766065 | 2 }}
| 40,483
| {{Percentage | 40483 | 801312 | 2 }}
| 43,249
| {{Percentage | 43249 | 899377 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Buddhism]] [[File:Dharma_Wheel_(2).svg|15px]]
| 2,860
| {{Percentage | 2860 | 730845 | 2 }}
| 5,768
| {{Percentage | 5768 | 763030 | 2 }}
| 4,176
| {{Percentage | 4176 | 768124 | 2 }}
| 3,992
| {{Percentage | 3992 | 770386 | 2 }}
| 3,019
| {{Percentage | 3019 | 766065 | 2 }}
| 5,663
| {{Percentage | 5663 | 801312 | 2 }}
| 8
| {{Percentage | 8 | 899377 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
| 738
| {{Percentage | 738 | 730845 | 2 }}
| 1,461
| {{Percentage | 1461 | 763030 | 2 }}
| 1,220
| {{Percentage | 1220 | 768124 | 2 }}
| 1,910
| {{Percentage | 1910 | 770386 | 2 }}
| 2,083
| {{Percentage | 2083 | 766065 | 2 }}
| 2,396
| {{Percentage | 2396 | 801312 | 2 }}
| 4,809
| {{Percentage | 4809 | 899377 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
| 327
| {{Percentage | 327 | 730845 | 2 }}
| 343
| {{Percentage | 343 | 763030 | 2 }}
| 385
| {{Percentage | 385 | 768124 | 2 }}
| 386
| {{Percentage | 386 | 770386 | 2 }}
| 363
| {{Percentage | 363 | 766065 | 2 }}
| 576
| {{Percentage | 576 | 801312 | 2 }}
| 788
| {{Percentage | 788 | 899377 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Jainism]] [[File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg|15px]]
| 133
| {{Percentage | 133 | 730845 | 2 }}
| 140
| {{Percentage | 140 | 763030 | 2 }}
| 113
| {{Percentage | 113 | 768124 | 2 }}
| 81
| {{Percentage | 81 | 770386 | 2 }}
| 56
| {{Percentage | 56 | 766065 | 2 }}
| 94
| {{Percentage | 94 | 801312 | 2 }}
| 101
| {{Percentage | 101 | 899377 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Zoroastrianism]] [[File:Faravahar.svg|15px]]
| 4
| {{Percentage | 4 | 730845 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 763030 | 2 }}
| 4
| {{Percentage | 4 | 768124 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 770386 | 2 }}
| 4
| {{Percentage | 4 | 766065 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 801312 | 2 }}
| 3,890
| {{Percentage | 3890 | 899377 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Judaism]] [[File:Star_of_David.svg|15px]]
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 763030 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 768124 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 770386 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 766065 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 801312 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 899377 | 2 }}
|-
! Others
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 730845 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 763030 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 768124 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 770386 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 766065 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 801312 | 2 }}
| 1
| {{Percentage | 1 | 899377 | 2 }}
|-
! Total population
! 730,845
! {{Percentage | 730845 | 730845 | 2 }}
! 763,030
! {{Percentage | 763030 | 763030 | 2 }}
! 768,124
! {{Percentage | 768124 | 768124 | 2 }}
! 770,386
! {{Percentage | 770386 | 770386 | 2 }}
! 766,065
! {{Percentage | 766065 | 766065 | 2 }}
! 801,312
! {{Percentage | 801312 | 801312 | 2 }}
! 899,377
! {{Percentage | 899377 | 899377 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="15" | {{small|Note: [[British Punjab province]] era district borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to district borders — which since created new districts — throughout the historic [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province region]] during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.}}
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Religion in the [[Tehsil]]s of Kangra District (1921)<ref name="Census1921"/>
! rowspan="2" |[[Tehsil]]
! colspan="2" |[[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Jainism]] [[File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |Others{{efn|name=othersC|Including [[Buddhism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Judaism]], [[Tribal religions in India|Tribals]], others, or not stated}}
! colspan="2" |Total
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
! Kangra Tehsil
| 110,804
| {{Percentage | 110804 | 118374 | 2 }}
| 7,270
| {{Percentage | 7270 | 118374 | 2 }}
| 192
| {{Percentage | 192 | 118374 | 2 }}
| 104
| {{Percentage | 104 | 118374 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 118374 | 2 }}
| 4
| {{Percentage | 4 | 118374 | 2 }}
! 118,374
! {{Percentage | 118374 | 118374 | 2 }}
|-
! Dehra Tehsil
| 119,197
| {{Percentage | 119197 | 124638 | 2 }}
| 4,787
| {{Percentage | 4787 | 124638 | 2 }}
| 647
| {{Percentage | 647 | 124638 | 2 }}
| 7
| {{Percentage | 7 | 124638 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 124638 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 124638 | 2 }}
! 124,638
! {{Percentage | 124638 | 124638 | 2 }}
|-
! Nurpur Tehsil
| 78,504
| {{Percentage | 78504 | 95470 | 2 }}
| 16,540
| {{Percentage | 16540 | 95470 | 2 }}
| 419
| {{Percentage | 419 | 95470 | 2 }}
| 7
| {{Percentage | 7 | 95470 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 95470 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 95470 | 2 }}
! 95,470
! {{Percentage | 95470 | 95470 | 2 }}
|-
! Harimpur Tehsil
| 162,608
| {{Percentage | 162608 | 168504 | 2 }}
| 5,504
| {{Percentage | 5504 | 168504 | 2 }}
| 339
| {{Percentage | 339 | 168504 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 168504 | 2 }}
| 53
| {{Percentage | 53 | 168504 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 168504 | 2 }}
! 168,504
! {{Percentage | 168504 | 168504 | 2 }}
|-
! Palampur Tehsil
| 133,456
| {{Percentage | 133456 | 137052 | 2 }}
| 3,077
| {{Percentage | 3077 | 137052 | 2 }}
| 441
| {{Percentage | 441 | 137052 | 2 }}
| 78
| {{Percentage | 78 | 137052 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 137052 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 137052 | 2 }}
! 137,052
! {{Percentage | 137052 | 137052 | 2 }}
|-
! Kulu Tehsil
| 117,708
| {{Percentage | 117708 | 122027 | 2 }}
| 1,085
| {{Percentage | 1085 | 122027 | 2 }}
| 45
| {{Percentage | 45 | 122027 | 2 }}
| 167
| {{Percentage | 167 | 122027 | 2 }}
| 3
| {{Percentage | 3 | 122027 | 2 }}
| 3,019
| {{Percentage | 3019 | 122027 | 2 }}
! 122,027
! {{Percentage | 122027 | 122027 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="15" | {{small|Note: [[British Punjab province]] era tehsil borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to tehsil borders — which since created new tehsils — throughout the historic [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province region]] during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.}}
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Religion in the [[Tehsil]]s of Kangra District (1941)<ref name="Census1941"/>
! rowspan="2" |[[Tehsil]]
! colspan="2" |[[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]{{efn|name=ad-dharmi}}
! colspan="2" |[[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |[[Jainism]] [[File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg|15px]]
! colspan="2" |Others{{efn|name=othersB|Including [[Anglo-Indian people|Anglo-Indian Christians]], [[British Christianity|British Christians]], [[Buddhism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Judaism]], [[Tribal religions in India|Tribals]], others, or not stated}}
! colspan="2" |Total
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
! Kangra Tehsil
| 129,089
| {{Percentage | 129089 | 138840 | 2 }}
| 8,574
| {{Percentage | 8574 | 138840 | 2 }}
| 833
| {{Percentage | 833 | 138840 | 2 }}
| 214
| {{Percentage | 214 | 138840 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 138840 | 2 }}
| 130
| {{Percentage | 130 | 138840 | 2 }}
! 138,840
! {{Percentage | 138840 | 138840 | 2 }}
|-
! Dehra Tehsil
| 141,009
| {{Percentage | 141009 | 147444 | 2 }}
| 5,370
| {{Percentage | 5370 | 147444 | 2 }}
| 1,035
| {{Percentage | 1035 | 147444 | 2 }}
| 28
| {{Percentage | 28 | 147444 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 147444 | 2 }}
| 2
| {{Percentage | 2 | 147444 | 2 }}
! 147,444
! {{Percentage | 147444 | 147444 | 2 }}
|-
! Nurpur Tehsil
| 83,565
| {{Percentage | 83565 | 104304 | 2 }}
| 18,659
| {{Percentage | 18659 | 104304 | 2 }}
| 2,067
| {{Percentage | 2067 | 104304 | 2 }}
| 12
| {{Percentage | 12 | 104304 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 104304 | 2 }}
| 1
| {{Percentage | 1 | 104304 | 2 }}
! 104,304
! {{Percentage | 104304 | 104304 | 2 }}
|-
! Harimpur Tehsil
| 194,801
| {{Percentage | 194801 | 201331 | 2 }}
| 6,067
| {{Percentage | 6067 | 201331 | 2 }}
| 362
| {{Percentage | 362 | 201331 | 2 }}
| 1
| {{Percentage | 1 | 201331 | 2 }}
| 97
| {{Percentage | 97 | 201331 | 2 }}
| 3
| {{Percentage | 3 | 201331 | 2 }}
! 201,331
! {{Percentage | 201331 | 201331 | 2 }}
|-
! Palampur Tehsil
| 166,397
| {{Percentage | 166397 | 170256 | 2 }}
| 3,207
| {{Percentage | 3207 | 170256 | 2 }}
| 398
| {{Percentage | 398 | 170256 | 2 }}
| 231
| {{Percentage | 231 | 170256 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 170256 | 2 }}
| 23
| {{Percentage | 23 | 170256 | 2 }}
! 170,256
! {{Percentage | 170256 | 170256 | 2 }}
|-
! Kulu Tehsil
| 131,670
| {{Percentage | 131670 | 137202 | 2 }}
| 1,372
| {{Percentage | 1372 | 137202 | 2 }}
| 114
| {{Percentage | 114 | 137202 | 2 }}
| 104
| {{Percentage | 104 | 137202 | 2 }}
| 4
| {{Percentage | 4 | 137202 | 2 }}
| 3,938
| {{Percentage | 3938 | 137202 | 2 }}
! 137,202
! {{Percentage | 137202 | 137202 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="15" | {{small|Note1: [[British Punjab province]] era tehsil borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to tehsil borders — which since created new tehsils — throughout the historic [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province region]] during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.<br/><br/>Note2: [[Tehsil]] religious breakdown figures for Christianity only includes local Christians, labelled as "Indian Christians" on [[Census in British India|census]]. Does not include [[Anglo-Indian people|Anglo-Indian Christians]] or [[British Christianity|British Christians]], who were classified under "Other" category.}}
|}
 
=== Language ===
{{Pie chart
|caption = Languages of Kangra district (2011)<ref name="languages"/>
|label1 = [[Kangri language|Kangri]] |value1 = 70.88
|color1 = slategray
|label2 = [[Western Pahari|Pahari]] |value2 = 14.92
|color2 = coral
|label3 = [[Hindi]] |
value3 = 5.55 |color3 = orange
|label4 = [[Gaddi language|Gaddi]] |value4 = 2.64 |color4 = tan
|label5 = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] |value5 = 2.06
|color5 = pink
|label6 = Others
|value6 = 3.95
|color6 = grey
}}
 
At the 2011 Census, 70.88% of the population in the district spoke [[Kangri language|Kangri]], 14.92% [[Western Pahari|Pahari]], 5.55% [[Hindi]], 2.64% [[Gaddi language|Gaddi]] and 2.06% [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] as their first language.<ref name="languages">{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Himachal Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10205/download/13317/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-0200.XLSX |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=25 November 2022 |archive-date=27 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027033558/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-0200.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
==Politics==
{{main|14th Himachal Pradesh Assembly}}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" |Constituency
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Party
! rowspan="2" |MLA
! rowspan="2" |Remark
|-
!No.
!Name
|-
|-
|6
|[[Nurpur Assembly constituency|Nurpur]]
| {{party color cell|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
|BJP
|[[Ranbir Singh Nikka|Ranveer Singh]]
|
|-
|7
|[[Indora Assembly constituency|Indora]] (SC)
| {{Party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|Malender Rajan
|
|-
|8
|[[Fatehpur, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency|Fatehpur]]
| {{Party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|[[Bhawani Singh Pathania]]
|
|-
|9
|[[Jawali Assembly constituency|Jawali]]
| {{Party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|[[Chander Kumar]]
|'''Cabinet Minister'''
|-
|10
|[[Dehra Assembly constituency|Dehra]]
| {{party color cell|Independent politician}}
|[[Independent politician|IND]]
|[[Hoshyar Singh]]
|
|-
|11
|[[Jaswan-Pragpur Assembly constituency|Jaswan-Pragpur]]
| {{party color cell|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]
|[[Bikram Singh (politician)|Bikram Thakur]]
|
|-
|12
|[[Jawalamukhi Assembly constituency|Jawalamukhi]]
| {{Party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|[[Sanjay Rattan]]
|
|-
|13
|[[Jaisinghpur Assembly constituency|Jaisinghpur]] (SC)
| {{Party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|[[Yadvinder Goma]]
|
|-
|14
|[[Sullah Assembly constituency|Sullah]]
| {{party color cell|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]
|[[Vipin Singh Parmar]]
|
|-
|15
|[[Nagrota, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency|Nagrota]]
| {{Party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|[[Raghubir Singh Bali]]
|
|-
|16
|[[Kangra Assembly constituency|Kangra]]
| {{party color cell|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]
|[[Pawan Kumar Kajal]]
|
|-
|17
|[[Shahpur, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constituency|Shahpur]]
| {{Party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|Kewal Singh Pathania
|
|-
|18
|[[Dharamshala Assembly constituency|Dharamshala]]
| {{Party color cell|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]
|[[Sudhir Sharma]]
|
|-
|19
|[[Palampur Assembly constituency|Palampur]]
| {{Party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|[[Ashish Butail]]
|
|-
|20
|[[Baijnath Assembly constituency|Baijnath]] (SC)
| {{Party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|[[Kishori Lal (Baijnath politician)|Kishori Lal]]
|
|}
 
==Wildlife Sanctuaries==
===Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary===
Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is located at an altitude of 1600 m going up to 4400 m, Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1994 by the Wildlife Department of Himachal Pradesh Government. It is situated in Kangra district. The wildlife sanctuary is covered by snow-clad mountains from three sides. The flora of Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary includes deodar, rhododendron, oak, spruce, pine, and mixed conifers. This wildlife sanctuary is home to animals such as red fox, black bear, leopard sambar, Asiatic lion, angora rabbit, and deer. It covers an area of 982.86 sq.km.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dhauladhar as Wildlife Sanctuary |url=http://hpforest.gov.in/public/frontend/pdf/DhauladharWildLifeSanctuary_A1b.pdf |website=Government of himachal Pradesh - Department of Forests |access-date=18 September 2023 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 
===Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary===
[[Maharana Pratap Sagar|Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary]] covers an areas of 207.95 sq. km. in Kangra district. It is spread through the submerged area between Pong Dam Terrace (Talwara) to the bridge on Beas River at Dehra. It was created in1975, by building the highest [[earthfill dam]] in India on the [[Beas River]] in the wetland zone of the [[Siwalik Hills]].{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}


==Education==
==Education==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add an institute to this list if they already have its OWN article on the English Bharatpedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
* [[Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya]]
* [[Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya]]
*
* [[Central University of Himachal Pradesh]]  
*[[Central University of Himachal Pradesh]]  
* [[College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah]]
* [[College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarah]]
* [[Government College of Teacher Education Dharamsala|Government College of Teacher Education Dharamshala]]
* [[Government College of Teacher Education Dharamsala|Government College of Teacher Education Dharamshala]]
*[[Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology]] , [[Palampur, Himachal Pradesh|Palampur]]
* [[Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education]]
* [[Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology]], [[Palampur, Himachal Pradesh|Palampur]]
* [[National Institute of Fashion Technology]], Kangra<ref>{{cite web |title=National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT], Kangra |url=https://collegedunia.com/college/6913-national-institute-of-fashion-technology-nift-kangra |website=collegedunia.com |access-date=25 February 2022}}</ref>


===Schools===
===Schools===
* [[Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kangra]]
* [[Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kangra]]
* [[Sacred Heart Sr. Sec. School (Sidhpur)]]
* [[Sherab Gatsel Lobling School]]
* [[Sherab Gatsel Lobling School]]


==Notable people==
==Notable people==
 
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their OWN article on the English Bharatpedia ♦♦♦--->
* [[Somnath Sharma|Major Somnath Sharma]] - Indian Army officer
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by the LAST NAME per MOS:LISTOTG ♦♦♦--->
* [[Dalai Lama|His Holiness, the Dalai Lama]]- Religious Figure
* [[G. S. Bali]] - Indian politician
* [[Shanta Kumar]] - Indian Politician
* Captain [[Vikram Batra]], PVC - Indian army officer, recipient of [[Param Vir Chakra]]
* [[Kishan Kapoor]] - Indian Politician
* [[Didi Contractor]] - architect
* [[G. S. Bali]] - Indian Politician
* [[Chandrarekha Dhadwal]] - writer
* [[Sudhir Sharma]] - Indian Politician
* Captain [[Saurabh Kalia]] - Indian Army
* [[Chander Kumar]] - Indian Politician
* The [[14th Dalai Lama]] - spiritual and religious leader of Tibetan people
* [[Karnail Rana]] - Himachali Folk Singer
* [[Kishan Kapoor]] - Indian politician
* [[Anuj Sharma]] - singer, second Indian ''Idol'' runner-up
* Major General [[Siri Kanth Korla]], PVSM, DSO, MC - Indian Army officer
* [[Shriya Sharma]] - film actress
* [[Chander Kumar]] - Indian politician
* [[Shivya Pathania]] - television actress
* [[Shanta Kumar]] - Indian politician
* [[Vikram Batra]] - Indian army officer
* Major [[Somnath Sharma]], PVC - Indian Army officer, recipient of Param Vir Chakra
* [[Saurabh Kalia|Saurabh kalia]] - Indian Army officer
* [[Anuj Sharma (singer)|Anuj Sharma]] - Singer, second Indian ''Idol'' runner-up
 
* [[Shriya Sharma]] - Film actress
==Climate==
* [[Sobha Singh (painter)|Sobha Singh]] - painter
It is situated in Western Himalayas between latitude 31°2΄-32°5΄ N,longitude 75°-75°45΄ E. The elevation above the sea level of Kangra district is in the range of 427 to 6,401 meters. The district is spread over 5,739&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> having about 216643 hectare of land, out of which 195738 hectare is under cultivation. In this district, river Beas flows through distance of 94.00&nbsp;km. The soil characteristic is both sandy & loamy. The climate of district is pleasant around the year except in plains like Nurpur, Indora, Fatehpur areas where temperature may raise up to 40&nbsp;°C in the month of May/June. Monsoon sets in the first week of July and continues till mid September.<ref>http://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2016/vol4issue4/PartI/4-4-3-508.pdf</ref>
* Jemadar [[Lala (VC)|Lala, VC]] - British Indian Army soldier, Victoria Cross awardee
* [[Tenzin Palmo]] - Buddhist nun
* [[Shivya Pathania]] - Television actress
* [[Dr. Saligram|Dr. Salig Ram]] - Rajya Sabha MP and two-term minister in the Himachal Pradesh government
* [[Norah Richards|Nora Richards]] - Irish playwright
* [[Sudhir Sharma]] - Indian politician
* General [[Vishwa Nath Sharma]], PVSM, AVSM, ADC - 14th Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army
* Brigadier [[Sher Jung Thapa]], MVC - Indian Army officer, recipient of [[Maha Vir Chakra]], known as "Hero of Skardu"
* [[Gautam Chand Sharma 'Vyathit']] - writer and folklorist


==See also==
==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}* [[Chambi, Himachal Pradesh]]
* [[Agahar]]
* [[Dhanotu, Kangra district|Dhanotu]]
* [[Chambi, Himachal Pradesh]]
* [[Harchakian]]
* [[Dhanotu]]
* [[Nagrota Surian]]
* [[Kangra Valley]]
* [[Kangra Valley]]
* [[Kangra Valley Railway]]
* [[Kangra Valley Railway]]
* [[Kangra Fort]]
* [[Kangra Fort]]
* [[Kangra painting]]
* [[Kangra painting]]
* [[List of India cave temples]]
* [[Rait, Himachal Pradesh]]
* [[List of caves#India|List of Caves in India]]
* [[List of rock-cut temples in India]]
* [[Indian rock-cut architecture]]
* [[List of colossal sculpture in situ]]
* [[Pit cave]]
* [[Raitt, Kangra]]
* [[Shamirpur]]
* [[Shamirpur]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
Line 189: Line 834:
== Notes and references ==
== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist|35em}}
{{Reflist|35em}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
{{notelist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
Line 206: Line 853:
| Northeast = [[Lahaul and Spiti district]]
| Northeast = [[Lahaul and Spiti district]]
| East      = [[Kullu district]]
| East      = [[Kullu district]]
| Southeast = [[Mandi district]] <br> [[Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh|Hamirpur district]]
| Southeast = [[Mandi district]] <br /> [[Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh|Hamirpur district]]
| South    = [[Una district]]
| South    = [[Una district]]
| Southwest = [[Hoshiarpur district]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]
| Southwest = [[Hoshiarpur district]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]
Line 213: Line 860:
}}
}}


{{Kangra district}}
{{Districts of Himachal Pradesh}}
{{Districts of Himachal Pradesh}}
{{Geo HP}}
{{Geo HP}}

Latest revision as of 19:35, 16 March 2026


This article is about the district in India. For its namesake municipality, see Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.
Kangra district
Nagarkot, Trigarta
District of Himachal Pradesh
Clockwise from top-left: Baijnath Shiva temple, McLeod Ganj from Dalai Lama temple, Ranjit Singh Gate, Kangra Fort, Masrur Temples, View of Dhauladhar Range from Triund
Location in Himachal Pradesh
Location in Himachal Pradesh
Coordinates: 32°13′0″N 76°19′0″E / 32.21667°N 76.31667°E / 32.21667; 76.31667
Country India
State Himachal Pradesh
Division, Part ofKangra
Tehsils
HeadquartersDharamshala
Government
 • Lok Sabha Constituency, part of
 • Member of Parliament, Lok SabhaRajeev Bhardwaj[1]
 • Deputy CommissionerNipun jindal, IAS[2]
 • Superintendent of PoliceVimukt Ranjan, IPS[3]
Area
 • Total5,739 km2 (2,216 sq mi)
Highest elevation
(Hanuman Tibba[4])
5,930 m (19,460 ft)
Lowest elevation
500 m (1,600 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total1,510,075
 • Density263/km2 (680/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialHindi
 • RegionalKangri[5]
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationHP- 68(RTO),
01/ 02D(Taxi)
Largest cityDharamshala
Gender ratio1012 females/1000 males
Literacy rate85.67%
Vidhan Sabha Constituencies15
ClimateETh (Köppen)
Avg. summer temperature32 °C (90 °F)
Avg. winter temperature20 °C (68 °F)
Websitehpkangra.nic.in

Kangra district is the most populous[6] district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Dharamshala is the administrative headquarters of the district.

History[edit | edit source]

See also: History of the Punjab and Kangra Fort

Kangra is known for having one of the oldest serving Royal Dynasty in the world, the Katoch of the Kangra State.[7] In 1758, Raja Ghamand Chand was appointed nazim or governor of Jullundur Doab under the Afghans. Ghamand Chand was a brave and strong ruler who restored the prestige of Kangra. As he was unable to capture Kangra Fort, he built another fort at Tira Sujanpur on the left bank of the Beas, almost opposite to Alampur on a hill overlooking the town. He died in 1774 and was succeeded by his son, Tegh Chand, who died too soon in 1775.[8] Ghamand Chand's grandson, Raja Sansar Chand (r. 1775–1823) established the supremacy of Kangra over all the surrounding hill states. During his reign, Kangra became a major centre for the arts and several palaces were built.[9]

In 1805, the neighbouring hill states rebelled, with the aid of the Gurkha army. Raja Sansar Chand was forced to seek the help of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire. The Gurkha army was expelled but Ranjit Singh also annexed the most fertile part of the Kangra valley, reducing the Katochs of Kangra as well as the neighbouring rajas to the status of vassals.[9] Kangra was annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Sikh Empire in 1810.

Kangra became a district of British India in 1846, when it was ceded to British India at the conclusion of the First Anglo-Sikh War.[10] The British district included the present-day districts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Kullu, and Lahul and Spiti. Kangra District was part of the British province of Punjab. The administrative headquarters of the district were initially at Kangra, but were moved to Dharamshala in 1855.[11][12]

In Jainism[edit | edit source]

Kangra was once an important center of Jainism.[13] According to a local legend, King Suśarmācandra, after hearing the importance of Mount Shatrunjaya, took a vow to not eat or drink anything until he pays homage to Rishabhanatha at Palitana temples. Pleased by his devotion and to save him from starvation, demigoddess Ambika created a temple of Rishabhanatha at the king's fort. After paying homage to the idol, the king broke his fast.[14]

Within the premises of Kangra Fort lies an idol of Rishabhanatha. The inscription on the pedestal of the idol is in Śāradā script. It mentions that the idol was consecrated by Śvetāmbara monk Amalacandra, a disciple of Ācārya Abhaycandra of the Rājakula Gachha in 854 CE.[13] The granite idol of Rishabhanatha is seated in Padmāsana posture. An icon of bull carved on its pedestal indicates that the idol is of Rishabhanatha. However, another important trait of this idol is that it does not feature a waistband and a waistcloth, as most commonly found in Śvetāmbara icons of Tirthankaras after Bappabhattisuri's era.[15][16] Locks of hair carved on both sides of the head of the idol as well as an inscription from 854 CE, however, make it clear that the idol and the temple is of the Śvetāmbara sect of Jainism as noted by archaeologist Sir John Marshall.[13][17] Once a thriving Jaina center, it soon went unnoticed after migration of Jainas out of the town. The idol of Rishabhanatha was found in the Indreśvara Temple. Later on, efforts to reinstall the idol were made by Śvetāmbara Jaina nun Mrugavati, a disciple of Ācārya Vijayavallabhsuri. In 1978, the idol was installed in an independent shrine within Kangra Fort. Currently, the idol is under the care of the Archeological Survey of India, but Jainas are given the right to worship the idol.[14][18]

Idol of Rishabhanatha decorated with flowers and ornaments as per Śvetāmbara rituals

Dr. K. N. Sitaram, on his tour to Kangra Valley in 1930, discovered numerous remains of Jaina idols and temples. He also noted that several Jaina idols and temples were appropriated by the Hindus under different names of Hindu deities.[18]

In 1916, Muni Jinavijaya published Vijnaptitriveni, which is a detailed report about the author's pilgrimage to Nagarkot and Kangra. It explains the journey of pilgrims from Faridpur to Nagarkot. It also highlights that the pilgrims return from Nagarkot to Faridpur through another route. It also describes a war between Yasoratha, a Khokhar chief and Sikandara, a Muslim ruler.[19]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901478,364—    
1911469,046−0.20%
1921469,251+0.00%
1931494,658+0.53%
1941563,163+1.31%
1951570,643+0.13%
1961657,232+1.42%
1971800,863+2.00%
1981990,758+2.15%
19911,174,072+1.71%
20011,339,030+1.32%
20111,510,075+1.21%
source:[20]

According to the 2011 census, Kangra district had a population of 1,510,075. The district has a population density of 263 inhabitants per square kilometre (680/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 12.77%. 5.71% of the population lives in urban areas. Kangra district has a sex ratio of 1012 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 85.67%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 21.15% and 5.60% of the population respectively.[21]:18

District highlights of 2011 Census[21]

  • Kangra district has the highest number of 3,869 villages among the 12 district of the state.
  • Kangra district stands 1st position in terms of its working force having total workers of 675,170 persons against 3,559,422 working persons of the state.
  • Kangra district occupies 1st rank among the districts of the state in terms of literate population. It has a literate population of 1,152,640 persons.
  • The economy of Kangra district is mainly depends on agriculture. It has returned 303,007 persons as cultivators and holds the 2nd position among the districts of the state
  • All the inhabited villages of the district enjoy the facility of electricity and potable drinking water.
  • Kangra district is also known for its attractive tourist destinations. Dharamsala, Kangra, Palampur, Baijnath, Jawalamukhi and Masroor are the famous places of tourist interest in the district. McLeodganj in Dharamsala is a seat of the Dalai Lama has become a place of international fame since 1966.
  • Central University of Himachal Pradesh at Dharamsala in Kangra district was established on 20 March 2009 under the Central University Act 2009(No.25 of 2009) of Indian Parliament.

The native people are the Kangri people and the native language is Kangri, which is very similar to Dogri. The majority of the people are Hindu, although many Tibetans and others who follow Buddhism have also settled here recently. There are also other minorities such as Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians.

Jhamakda is a folk dance of Kangra. It is exclusively performed by women. It features percussion instruments and songs.[22]

Religion[edit | edit source]

Religions in Kangra district (2011)[23]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 96.76%
Islam
 
 1.31%
Buddhism
 
 0.96%
Sikhism
 
 0.59%
Other or not stated
 
 0.42%
Distribution of religions
Religion in Kangra District
Religious
group 		2011[23]
Pop. %
Hinduism 1,461,140 96.76%
Islam 19,797 1.31%
Buddhism 14,511 0.96%
Sikhism 8,929 0.59%
Christianity 3,023 0.2%
Jainism 194 0.01%
Others 2,481 0.16%
Total Population 1,510,075 100%
Religious groups in Kangra District (British Punjab province era)
Religious
group 		1881[24][25][26] 1891[27] 1901[28] 1911[29][30] 1921[31] 1931[32] 1941[33]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Hinduism [lower-alpha 1] 687,635 94.09% 715,607 93.78% 722,554 94.07% 725,156 94.13% 722,277 94.28% 752,098 93.86% 846,531 94.12%
Islam 39,148 5.36% 39,709 5.2% 39,672 5.16% 38,859 5.04% 38,263 4.99% 40,483 5.05% 43,249 4.81%
Buddhism 2,860 0.39% 5,768 0.76% 4,176 0.54% 3,992 0.52% 3,019 0.39% 5,663 0.71% 8 0%
Sikhism 738 0.1% 1,461 0.19% 1,220 0.16% 1,910 0.25% 2,083 0.27% 2,396 0.3% 4,809 0.53%
Christianity 327 0.04% 343 0.04% 385 0.05% 386 0.05% 363 0.05% 576 0.07% 788 0.09%
Jainism 133 0.02% 140 0.02% 113 0.01% 81 0.01% 56 0.01% 94 0.01% 101 0.01%
Zoroastrianism 4 0% 2 0% 4 0% 2 0% 4 0% 2 0% 3,890 0.43%
Judaism N/A N/A 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Others 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 1 0%
Total population 730,845 100% 763,030 100% 768,124 100% 770,386 100% 766,065 100% 801,312 100% 899,377 100%
Note: British Punjab province era district borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to district borders — which since created new districts — throughout the historic Punjab Province region during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.
Religion in the Tehsils of Kangra District (1921)[31]
Tehsil Hinduism Islam Sikhism Christianity Jainism Others[lower-alpha 2] Total
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Kangra Tehsil 110,804 93.61% 7,270 6.14% 192 0.16% 104 0.09% 0 0% 4 0% 118,374 100%
Dehra Tehsil 119,197 95.63% 4,787 3.84% 647 0.52% 7 0.01% 0 0% 0 0% 124,638 100%
Nurpur Tehsil 78,504 82.23% 16,540 17.32% 419 0.44% 7 0.01% 0 0% 0 0% 95,470 100%
Harimpur Tehsil 162,608 96.5% 5,504 3.27% 339 0.2% 0 0% 53 0.03% 0 0% 168,504 100%
Palampur Tehsil 133,456 97.38% 3,077 2.25% 441 0.32% 78 0.06% 0 0% 0 0% 137,052 100%
Kulu Tehsil 117,708 96.46% 1,085 0.89% 45 0.04% 167 0.14% 3 0% 3,019 2.47% 122,027 100%
Note: British Punjab province era tehsil borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to tehsil borders — which since created new tehsils — throughout the historic Punjab Province region during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.
Religion in the Tehsils of Kangra District (1941)[33]
Tehsil Hinduism [lower-alpha 1] Islam Sikhism Christianity Jainism Others[lower-alpha 3] Total
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Kangra Tehsil 129,089 92.98% 8,574 6.18% 833 0.6% 214 0.15% 0 0% 130 0.09% 138,840 100%
Dehra Tehsil 141,009 95.64% 5,370 3.64% 1,035 0.7% 28 0.02% 0 0% 2 0% 147,444 100%
Nurpur Tehsil 83,565 80.12% 18,659 17.89% 2,067 1.98% 12 0.01% 0 0% 1 0% 104,304 100%
Harimpur Tehsil 194,801 96.76% 6,067 3.01% 362 0.18% 1 0% 97 0.05% 3 0% 201,331 100%
Palampur Tehsil 166,397 97.73% 3,207 1.88% 398 0.23% 231 0.14% 0 0% 23 0.01% 170,256 100%
Kulu Tehsil 131,670 95.97% 1,372 1% 114 0.08% 104 0.08% 4 0% 3,938 2.87% 137,202 100%
Note1: British Punjab province era tehsil borders are not an exact match in the present-day due to various bifurcations to tehsil borders — which since created new tehsils — throughout the historic Punjab Province region during the post-independence era that have taken into account population increases.

Note2: Tehsil religious breakdown figures for Christianity only includes local Christians, labelled as "Indian Christians" on census. Does not include Anglo-Indian Christians or British Christians, who were classified under "Other" category.

Language[edit | edit source]

Languages of Kangra district (2011)[34]

  Kangri (70.88%)
  Pahari (14.92%)
  Hindi (5.55%)
  Gaddi (2.64%)
  Punjabi (2.06%)
  Others (3.95%)

At the 2011 Census, 70.88% of the population in the district spoke Kangri, 14.92% Pahari, 5.55% Hindi, 2.64% Gaddi and 2.06% Punjabi as their first language.[34]

Politics[edit | edit source]

Main article: 14th Himachal Pradesh Assembly
Constituency Party MLA Remark
No. Name
6 Nurpur BJP Ranveer Singh
7 Indora (SC) INC Malender Rajan
8 Fatehpur INC Bhawani Singh Pathania
9 Jawali INC Chander Kumar Cabinet Minister
10 Dehra IND Hoshyar Singh
11 Jaswan-Pragpur BJP Bikram Thakur
12 Jawalamukhi INC Sanjay Rattan
13 Jaisinghpur (SC) INC Yadvinder Goma
14 Sullah BJP Vipin Singh Parmar
15 Nagrota INC Raghubir Singh Bali
16 Kangra BJP Pawan Kumar Kajal
17 Shahpur INC Kewal Singh Pathania
18 Dharamshala BJP Sudhir Sharma
19 Palampur INC Ashish Butail
20 Baijnath (SC) INC Kishori Lal

Wildlife Sanctuaries[edit | edit source]

Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary[edit | edit source]

Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is located at an altitude of 1600 m going up to 4400 m, Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1994 by the Wildlife Department of Himachal Pradesh Government. It is situated in Kangra district. The wildlife sanctuary is covered by snow-clad mountains from three sides. The flora of Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary includes deodar, rhododendron, oak, spruce, pine, and mixed conifers. This wildlife sanctuary is home to animals such as red fox, black bear, leopard sambar, Asiatic lion, angora rabbit, and deer. It covers an area of 982.86 sq.km.[35]

Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary[edit | edit source]

Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary covers an areas of 207.95 sq. km. in Kangra district. It is spread through the submerged area between Pong Dam Terrace (Talwara) to the bridge on Beas River at Dehra. It was created in1975, by building the highest earthfill dam in India on the Beas River in the wetland zone of the Siwalik Hills.[citation needed]

Education[edit | edit source]

Schools[edit | edit source]

Notable people[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

* Chambi, Himachal Pradesh

Notes and references[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Members : Lok Sabha".
  2. ↑ "Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Himachal Pradesh | District Kangra, Government of Himachal Pradesh | India". Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. ↑ "Who's Who | District Kangra, Government of Himachal Pradesh | India". Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. ↑ "Hanuman Tibba Climbing Expedition (19450 Ft.)". Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  5. ↑ "Language and dialect of Himachal Pradesh" (PDF). Literary Herald.
  6. ↑ "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  7. ↑ "Gazetteer of the Kangra district (1883-1884)" (PDF). p. 48.
  8. ↑ "Kangra from the Pages of History" (PDF). himachalpradeshtravel.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Parry, Jonathan P. (2013). Caste and Kinship in Kangra. Routledge. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-136-54585-6.
  10. ↑ Banerjee, Abhijit; Iyer, Lakshmi (January 2003). "Appendix Table 1: Districts of British India, With Dates and Mode of Acquisition by the British". History, Institutions and Economic Performance: The Legacy of Colonial Land Tenure Systems in India (BREAD Working Paper No. 003) (PDF). Bureau for Research in Economic Analysis of Development. p. 39.
  11. ↑ Kangra District Archived 10 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 14, p. 380.
  12. ↑ Dharamshala Archived 14 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine The Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 11, p. 301.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Lalwani, Ganesh. "Jainism in India".
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Iconographic distinctiveness and sacred veneration: Exploring some of the ancient pratimās of Jina Śrī Ṛṣabhadeva". 14 December 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  15. ↑ Dhaky, M.A. "Vadikavi Bappabhatta Suri".
  16. ↑ Ranka, Rishabhdas. "Mahavira and his Teaching". jainqq.org. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  17. ↑ "Understanding the Iconography of Digambar and Shwetambar Idols". 26 June 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Publication, Jain Bhawan. "Jain Journal 1969 04".
  19. ↑ Publication, Jain Bhawan. "Jain Journal 1969 04".
  20. ↑ "Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901". Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "District Census Handbook: Kangra" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 November 2022.
  22. ↑ "himachalpradeshtravel.com" (PDF). Kangra’s from the Pages of History. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Table C-01 Population by Religion: Himachal Pradesh". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  24. ↑ "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. I." 1881. JSTOR saoa.crl.25057656. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  25. ↑ "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. II". 1881. p. 14. JSTOR saoa.crl.25057657. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  26. ↑ "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. III". 1881. p. 14. JSTOR saoa.crl.25057658. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  27. ↑ Edward Maclagan, Sir (1891). "The Punjab and its feudatories, part II--Imperial Tables and Supplementary Returns for the British Territory". p. 14. JSTOR saoa.crl.25318669. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  28. ↑ "Census of India 1901. [Vol. 17A]. Imperial tables, I-VIII, X-XV, XVII and XVIII for the Punjab, with the native states under the political control of the Punjab Government, and for the North-west Frontier Province". 1901. p. 34. JSTOR saoa.crl.25363739. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  29. ↑ "Census of India 1911. Vol. 14, Punjab. Pt. 2, Tables". 1911. p. 27. JSTOR saoa.crl.25393788. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  30. ↑ Kaul, Harikishan (1911). "Census Of India 1911 Punjab Vol XIV Part II". p. 27. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Census of India 1921. Vol. 15, Punjab and Delhi. Pt. 2, Tables". 1921. p. 29. JSTOR saoa.crl.25430165. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  32. ↑ "Census of India 1931. Vol. 17, Punjab. Pt. 2, Tables". 1931. p. 277. JSTOR saoa.crl.25793242. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 India Census Commissioner (1941). "Census of India, 1941. Vol. 6, Punjab". p. 42. JSTOR saoa.crl.28215541. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Himachal Pradesh". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Archived from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "Dhauladhar as Wildlife Sanctuary" (PDF). Government of himachal Pradesh - Department of Forests. Retrieved 18 September 2023.[permanent dead link]
  36. ↑ "National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT], Kangra". collegedunia.com. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1931-1941: Including Ad-Dharmis
  2. ↑ Including Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Tribals, others, or not stated
  3. ↑ Including Anglo-Indian Christians, British Christians, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Tribals, others, or not stated

Further reading[edit | edit source]

  • Hutchinson, J. & J. PH Vogel (1933). History of the Panjab Hill States, Vol. I. 1st edition: Govt. Printing, Punjab, Lahore, 1933. Reprint 2000. Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh. Chapter V Kangra State, pp. 99–198.

External links[edit | edit source]

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