Kangra is a city and a municipal council in Kangra district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Historically it was known as Nagarkot. History
Historically known as Nagarkot[1] and "Trigarta".the town of Kangra was founded by Katoch Kshatriya Rajputs of Chandervanshi Lineage . The Katoch Rajas had a stronghold here, with a fort and rich temples. Another ancient name of the city is Bhimagar[3
] and it was supposedly founded by Raja Bhim, younger brother of Kuru Emperor Yudhisthira of Indraprastha (now Delhi). Invasions on Nagarkot
Mahmud of Ghazni took the fort in 1009 and from one of the temples carried off a vast treasure. In 1360 Kangra was again plundered, by Feroz Shah Tughluq. The temple of Devi Vajreshwari was one of the oldest and wealthiest in northern India. It was destroyed, together with the fort and the town, by 1905 Kangra earthquake on the 4 April 1905, when 1339 lives were lost in this place alone, and about 20,000 elsewhere. In 1855 the headquarters of the district were removed to the cantonment of Dharmsala, which was established in 1849.[1][4][5]
Kangra was also occupied by the Gurkhas and made it a part of Greater Nepal. Later it was lost to the British in the mid-19th century. Kangra was merged in India in 1948 by the then titled Raja of Kangra-Lambagraon namely Raja Druv Dev Chand Katoch. It was part of composite Punjab till November 1966 when it got transferred to Himachal Pradesh
Geography
Kangra is located at 32.1°N 76.27°E.[7] It has an average elevation of 733 metres (2404 ft). The district of Kangra extends from the Jalandhar Doab far into the southern ranges of the Himalaya. It is a town at the confluence of the Bener River and Majhi River, and Beas is an important river here. Economy
Tea cultivation was introduced into Kangra valley about 1850. The Palampur fair, established by government with a view to fostering commerce with central Asia, attracts a small concourse of Yarkandi merchants. The Lahulis carry on an enterprising trade with Ladakh and countries beyond the frontier, by means of pack sheep and goats. Rice, tea, potatoes, o***m, spices, wool and honey are the chief exports. Visitor's attractions
Many ancient temples like the Jawalaji Temple, Vajreshwari Devi temple, Chamunda Devi temple, chintapurni temple Baba Baroh, Masroor Temple built by pandvaas and Baijnath temple are found here. One can also pay a visit to Gopalpur Nature Park in Gopalpur village and can also see tea gardens there.Kangra Fort is also a popular tourist attraction, so is Mcleodganj near Dharamsala,"Bhagsunag temple" is there, and Dharamshala is also headquarters of the district, and now home-in-exile to the Dalai Lama.[8]Cricket ground of dharamshala is also a major attraction because of its location and good quality pitch for players. Maharaja Sansar Chandra Museum adjoins the Kangra Fort. Available at the Museum are Audio guides for the Kangra Fort and the Museum.
