Brief Geography of District Kangra | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Introduction

Kangra district is a significant region in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, known for its rich geography and history. Let’s break down the key aspects of this district, including its location, geographical features, and historical evolution.

Geographical Location

Boundaries and Neighboring Regions:

• To the North, Kangra is bordered by the districts of Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba.
• To the South, it is flanked by the Hamirpur district.
• On the East, Kangra shares its boundary with the districts of Kullu and Mandi.
• To the South-West, it is adjacent to Una district.
• To the North-West, Kangra borders Gurdaspur in the state of Punjab.

Area and Population

Total Area:

• Kangra district covers an area of 5739 square kilometers, which constitutes approximately 10.31% of the total area of Himachal Pradesh.
• It ranks as the fourth largest district in the state in terms of area.

Population:

• With a population of 1,507,223, Kangra is the most populous district in Himachal Pradesh, accounting for 21.98% of the state’s total population.

Climate and Rainfall

• Monsoon Impact: The Kangra Valley is positioned at the convergence of the Eastern and Western monsoons. This geographical setup leads to significant rainfall in areas such as Dharmshala and its surrounding regions.

Geographical Features

The Dhauladhar Range:

• Originates from the right bank of the Beas River in the Kullu district.
• It delineates the boundary of Kangra district with Kullu and stretches down to a point below Sari Pass.
• The range continues into the Bara Bhangal area and runs parallel to the Hathi Dhar, which separates Chamba from Kangra.

Paprola Range:

• This range separates the Bir-Bhangal region from the Kangra Valley.
• Upon crossing the Binwa River, it extends into the Mandi district where it is referred to as Sikandar Dhar.

The Beas River:

• The Beas River originates from the Pir Panjal range near Rohtang Pass (3978 meters above sea level).
• Binwa, a tributary of the Beas, rises near Baijnath and merges with the Beas above Sandhol.
• Neugal River joins the Beas River across from Tira Sujanpur.
• The Chakki River acts as a boundary between Kangra district and Pathankot in Punjab.

Historical Evolution

Past Boundaries:

• Until 1960, Lahaul-Spiti was part of Kangra district.
• Kullu was a Tehsil (a subdivision) of Kangra district until 1962.

Formation of the District:

• Kangra was officially designated as a district of Himachal Pradesh on November 1, 1966, following recommendations by the Shah Commission.
• The current configuration of Kangra district was established on September 1, 1972, when Una and Hamirpur were separated to form independent districts.