Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh bordering Jammu and Kashmir to the north and northwest, Punjab to the southwest, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the south and Uttaranchal to the southeast is spread in the area of 55,673 sq km. Shimla is the state capital and other major towns are Dharamsala , Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Hamirpur, Dalhousie and Manali.

The state boasts of numerous picturesque tourist destinations, which are responsible for generating much of the revenue for the state. Agriculture, textile and burgeoning hydroelectric power export industry are the other sources of income for the state.

Himachal Pradesh was also known as Deva Bhoomi (the land of the gods). The Aryan influence in the region dates back to the period before the Rigveda. After the Anglo Gorkha war, the British colonial government came into power. It was initially in Punjab, except Siba State of Punjab Hills, under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh till 1857. In 1950 Himachal was declared as a union territory but after State of Himachal Pradesh Act 1971 Himachal emerged as the 18th state of Indian Union.

Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest per capita incomes of any state in India. Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to other states such as Delhi, Punjab & Rajasthan.[4] The economy of the state is highly dependent on three sources: hydroelectric power, tourism and agriculture.[5]

Hindus make up 95% of the state population. The major communities are of Brahmins, Rajputs, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. According to a 2005 Transparency International survey, Himachal Pradesh is ranked the second-least corrupt state in the country after Kerala.