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Himachal Pradesh is a "mountain
state" and a delight for visitors, particularly during the
summer season when people flock to this tiny hill station to
escape the scorching heat of the plains. It came into being
in its present form with the partition of the Punjab into
Punjab and Haryana in 1966.
The winding roads and high
passes link its high mountains and valleys are the high
points of a visit to this state. While the picturesque
valleys of Kullu and Kangra are a blend of colours, in
marked contrast the stark and barren terrain of Lahaul and
Spiti have a stunning moonscape like beauty.
The earliest known inhabitants of the region were tribals
called Dasas. Later, Aryans came and they assimilated in the
tribes. In the later centuries, the hill chieftains accepted
suzerainty of the Mauryan Empire, the Kaushans, the Guptas
and the Kanauj rulers. During the Mughal period, the Rajas
of the hill states made some mutually agreed arrangements,
which governed their relations. In the 19th century,
Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed/subjugated many of the states.
When the British came, they defeated Gorkhas and entered
into treaties with some Rajas and annexed the kingdoms of
others. The situation more or less remained unchanged till
1947. After Independence, 30 princely states of the area
were united and Himachal Pradesh was formed on 15th April,
1948. With the recognition of Punjab on 1st November 1966,
certain areas belonging to it were also included in Himachal
Pradesh. On 25th January 1971, Himachal Pradesh was made a
full-fledged State.
Himachal Pradesh is developing Eco Tourism and Organic
Farming destinations, where quite a few villages are turning
as eco tourism destinations, and farms being converted to
Organic Farming.
The State is bordered by Jammu & Kashmir on North, Punjab on
West and South-West, Haryana on South, Uttar Pradesh on
South-East and China on the East.
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