Himachal Day in India Date in the current year: April 15, 2024

Himachal Pradesh is a predominantly mountainous state in northern India, situated in the Western Himalayas. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times; various tribes inhabited is as early as nearly 2 million years ago. According to the Mahabharata, a number of small republics existed here during the Vedic period (c. 1500 – c. 1100 BC).

During the Middle Ages, the territory of what is now Himachal Pradesh was invaded by various powers, including the ruler of Kashmir, the Ghaznavid dynasty, and the Rajputs, who ruled over the region for over seven centuries.

In 1768, the martial tribe of Gurkhas conquered the neighboring Nepal and declared it their kingdom. Having consolidated their military power, the Gurkhas began to expand their territory and conquered Simla, Sirmaur and Kangra. However, they didn’t manage to completely take over the region due to coming into conflict with the British, who had begun their colonial expansion by then. In 1816, the Kingdom of Gorkha was defeated in the Anglo-Nepalese War and had to cede some of its territories to the East India Company.

After the war, the territory that is now known as Himachal Pradesh was controlled by the British, but local states were left pretty much to themselves. Their people were not particularly politically active during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and some of the local rulers even supported the British government. After the suppression of the revolt, the rule over India was transferred directly to the British Crown.

During World War I, rulers of the majority of the hill states (including, for example, Bilaspur, Chamba, Datarpur, Gulen, Jaswan, Kangra, Mandi, Nurpur, Rajgarh, and Suket) remained loyal to the British and contributed to the war effort by providing both materials and manpower. After the war, people of some hill states did participate in the independence struggle, but they mostly fought for internal transformation in their states and not so much for independence from Great Britain.

Following India’s independence from Britain in 1947, hill states were integrated to form the Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh. It was officially created on April 15, 1948, and the anniversary of this event is now celebrated in Himachal Pradesh as Himachal Day.

Himachal Day shouldn’t be confused with Statehood Day. The latter is another official holiday that commemorates the transformation of Himachal Pradesh into a state in 1971. It is celebrated annually on January 25.