In Mahabharata there is a mention of King Susharama Chandra, who sided with the Kaurvas. He is said to be the founder of this dynasty. At that time, Kangra was probably named as Bhim Kot. 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. The distance between Kangra and Dharamsala is 14 km. The road distance is 17.7 km. Kangra has its own railway station, which lies within the Kangra valley but it is a toy train station, hence not connected with the other cities of the country. The nearest railway station to Kangra is Pathankot railway station which lies 87 km away from Kangra.
20 Incredible Places To Visit In Kangra
Kangra Fort: A Landmark Monument Kareri Lake: A Popular Trekking Destination Indrahar Pass: Spot Amazing Views Chamunda Devi Temple: A Popular Site Palampur: A Plantation Center Kangra Art Museum: Delve Into Culture Bir & Billing: For A Buddhist Influence Pong Dam Wetlands: A Fishing Reservoir Dhauladhar Ranges: Visually Enthralling Masrur: Explore Lost Glory Haripur: Hear The Local Stories Tashi Jong Monastery: Attain Nirvana Mcleodganj: Understand The Culture Pragpur: An Offbeat Destination Baijnath Temple: Seek Blessings From Lord Shiva Bajreshwari Mata Temple: One Of The 51 Shaktipeeths Jwala Ji Temple: The Temple Of Eternal Flames Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple: Pay A Visit Baglamukhi Temple: Calm Your Senses Bathu Ki Ladi: Explore The Submerged Temples
Culture and history info
Historically known as Kiraj 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 lavish temples. Another ancient name of the city is Bhimagar and it was supposedly founded by Raja Bhim, younger brother of Kuru Emperor Yudhishthira of Indraprastha (now Delhi). 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 1995 Kangra earthquake on 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 Dharamshala, which was established in 1849.
Invasions on Nagarkot
It is said that Mahmud of Ghazni looted a fort in the region in 1009, but whether the fort of Kangra was taken or not is not yet historically verified. There were hundreds of well-defended forts that lay between Ghazni and Nagarkot fort, and so it highly unlikely that his looting expedition ever reached Kangra. Also, this claim is negated by historians who have cited various sources to say that the fort was impregnable and remained unconquered until the conquest by Emperor Jehangir in 1622.
The Katoch-Sikh battles and alliances against the Kingdom of Nepal
The fort was recaptured by the Katoch Kings after Jehangir's death. Multiple battles ensued between the Sikh king Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Katoch King Sansar Chand Katoch. But, while the war between the Sikhs and Katochs was taking place, the gates of Kangra fort were left open. The Gurkha army entered the opened gates of Nagarkot fort in 1806. This forced an alliance between the battling Sikhs and Katochs, and both the armies re-captured the fort after a battle in 1809. Kangra stayed with the Katoch Kings until 1828 when Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed it after Sansar Chand's death. Then after the Nepalese Gorkha Captured the Kangra until the British Came theirs. The fort and city were then captured by the British in 1846 and remained occupied until India's independence. The princely state of 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 the composite Punjab till November 1966 when it got transferred to Himachal Pradesh.
