By Shahid Ali Upkar Prakashan, AGRA-2 © Author Publishers UPKAR PRAKASHAN 2/11A, Swadeshi Bima Nagar, AGRA–282 002 Phone : 4053333, 2530966, 2531101 Fax : (0562) 4053330 E-mail : [email protected], Website : www.upkar.in Branch Offices : 4845, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, Paras Bhawan 16-11-23/37, Moosarambagh, Teegan New Delhi—110 002 (First Floor), Guda, Opp. RTA Office Main Road, Phone : 011–23251844/66 Khazanchi Road, Beside–Andhra Bank Patna—800 004 Hyderabad—500 036 (T. S.) Phone : 0612–2673340 Phone : 040–24557283 H-3, Block-B, Municipal B-33, Blunt Square, Kanpur Taxi 8-310/1, A. K. House, Premises No. 15/2, Galiff Street, Stand Lane, Mawaiya, Heeranagar, Haldwani, P. S. Shyampukur, Lucknow—226 004 (U.P.) Distt.—Nainital—263 139 (Uttarakhand) Kolkata—700 003 (W.B.) Phone : 0522–4109080 Mob. : 7060421008 Mob. : 07439359515 1461, Juni Shukrawari, 63-64, Kailash Marg, Sakkardara Road, Ground Floor, Opp. Hanuman Mandir, Shreeji Avenue, Malharganj, Nagpur—440 009 Indore—452 002 (M.P.) Phone : 0712–6564222 Phone : 9203908088 ● The publishers have taken all possible precautions in publishing this book, yet if any mistake has crept in, the publishers shall not be responsible for the same. ● This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced in any form by Photographic, Mechanical, or any other method, for any use, without written permission from the Publishers. ● Only the courts at Agra shall have the jurisdiction for any legal dispute. Price : 140·00 (Rs. One Hundred Forty Only) Code No. 1934 Printed at : UPKAR PRAKASHAN (Printing Unit) Bye-pass, AGRA Contents 1. Himachal At a Glance ....................................................................................................... 3–5 2. Geography of Himachal Pradesh ...................................................................................... 6–27 — Physiographic Divisions ............................................................................................. 6 — Drainage System ......................................................................................................... 6 — Rivers in Himachal Pradesh ........................................................................................ 7 — Soils......................................................................................................................... .... 8 — Climate ........................................................................................................................ 9 — Vegetation and Forest ................................................................................................. 11 — Mineral Resources....................................................................................................... 14 — Highest Mountain Peaks ............................................................................................. 16 — Lakes ........................................................................................................................... 16 — Famous Valley of Himachal Pradesh.......................................................................... 17 — Famous Passes of Himachal Pradesh .......................................................................... 19 — Famous Hot Springs.................................................................................................... 19 — National Parks & Sanctuaries .................................................................................... 19 — Wild Life Sanctuaries.................................................................................................. 20 — Demography................................................................................................................ 22 3. History of Himachal Pradesh .......................................................................................... 28–48 — Pre History .............................................................................................................. 30 — Ancient Period......................................................................................................... 30 — Medieval Period ...................................................................................................... 35 — Modern Period......................................................................................................... 41 4. Polity and Administration ............................................................................................... 49–64 5. Economy of Himachal Pradesh....................................................................................... 65–78 — Agriculture .................................................................................................................. 65 — Pastures ....................................................................................................................... 70 — Industry and Tourism .................................................................................................. 71 — Irrigation.................................................................................................................... .. 74 — Power .......................................................................................................................... 74 — Transport ..................................................................................................................... 75 — Education .................................................................................................................... 76 ( iv ) — Health .......................................................................................................................... 76 — Welfare Schemes......................................................................................................... 77 6. Art and Culture.............................................................................................................. ..79–117 — Folk Music .............................................................................................................. 79 — Music Instruments....................................................................................................... 80 — Folk Dances................................................................................................................. 80 — Folk Theatres............................................................................................................... 81 — Painting ....................................................................................................................... 82 — Temple Architecture ................................................................................................... 83 — Houses ......................................................................................................................... 85 — Art and Crafts.............................................................................................................. 85 — Culture....................................................................................................................... .. 86 — Society....................................................................................................................... .. 86 — Social Stratification (Castes)....................................................................................... 86 — Socio-Economic Structure .......................................................................................... 87 — Tribes .......................................................................................................................... 87 — Customs and Traditions .............................................................................................. 89 — Common Customs....................................................................................................... 94 — Language ..................................................................................................................... 96 — Religion ....................................................................................................................... 96 — Pilgrimages.................................................................................................................. 97 — Hindu Pilgrimages....................................................................................................... 97 — Buddhist Pilgrimages .................................................................................................. 101 — Christian Pilgrimages .................................................................................................. 106 — Fairs and Festivals....................................................................................................... 107 — Heritage and Tourist Places ........................................................................................ 111 7. Who’s Who of Himachal Pradesh................................................................................ 118–120 8. Current Affairs—Himachal Special............................................................................. 121–148 — H P Budget 2017-18 Main Highlight .......................................................................... 121 — Himachal News ........................................................................................................... 124 ● Multiple Choice Questions........................................................................................... 149–156 Himachal Pradesh General Knowledge 1 Himachal At a Glance General Profile Himachal Pradesh is a hilly state in