Himachal Pradesh history is influenced from early day of civilization. The various era of history has slowly developed the present state of Himachal Pradesh.
Civilization of Himachal Pradesh starts 2 million years ago from the foot hill of Himachal Pradesh at Baghana Valley Kangra, Markanda valley of Sirmour. After Indus valley civilization these people are pushed to upper area of hill between 1750 to 2250 B.C.
It has been shown in Mahabharata that various small republics were there in Himachal Pradesh. These republics has formed present Himachal Pradesh. Audumbras ( Jawalamukhi and Panthakot region), Trigata ( foot hill of Staluj, Beas and Ravi), Kuluta ( Kullu and Naggar Valley) and Kulidas ( Shimla and Sirmour region) are the main republics of that time.
Gupta and Harsha Empire
Gupta empire is the period in which Chandergupt Mourya has controlled most of small republics of Himachal Pradesh. After decline of Gupta empire Harsha has ruled the state of Himachal. Thakur and Ranas are the chief of Hasha empire.
Rajput Period
After the end of Harsha in 647 AD. Rajput of Rajashtan has came forward and made many small states in Himachal Pradesh. These states are Busher, Kunihar, Sirmour, Dhami, Nalagarh, Keonthal, Bagal, Nalagarh, Bilaspur, Bagal, Mandi , Kutlehar, Nurpur, Kangra and Suket.
Mughal Period
In Mughal period these small kingdoms has started to come under control of Mughals in 10th centaury. Mahmud Gajnabi has taken control over Kangra fort. Timur and Sikandar lodhi has also won many kingdoms in Shiwalik hils. Soon after the decline of Mughals small rulers has taken advantage of this. They started expand their boundaries. The Katoch ruler Sansar Chand has made Mandi, Bilaspur, Guler, Jaswan, Siwan, Suket, Chamba and Datarpur under his control.
Gurkha War
Gurkha started emerging in 1768 in Nepal. They had very strong army and with the help of their army they started expanding their borders. They moved towards Shimla and Sirmour. They got in direct war with Sansar Chand ruler of Kangra. Sansar Chand got defeated with leadership of Amar Chand Thapa from the side of Gurkha. This defeat in 1806 has made Gurkha to expand further. They got into a war with Maharja Ranjit Singh in 1809 to capture Kangra fort. Gurkha got defeated in this war. It result them to move to southern states where they faced English. It resulted Anglo- English war.
British Rule
Small Kingdoms of HImachal Pradesh were very supportive to British in 1858. Mandi, Chamba and Bilaspur did a tremendous development in British era. Kangra, Chamba, Bilaspur, Nurpur, Siba ans Suket has also support British in world war I.
Post Independence
After Independence HP came under chief commissioner province in 1948. In 1950, after constitution of India came into implementation Himachal Pradesh became a part C state. Himachal Pradesh became a union territory in 1956. Before it Bilaspur got merged to Himachal Pradesh in 1954. Later in 1966 Kangra and many other hills were merged to Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh became a full state on 25th feb 1971 after Himachal Pradesh act was passed in 18th Dec 1970. Now Himachal Pradesh is leading state of India with high rate of literacy.
