An outpost of the rulers of Kangra, history of Hamirpur has a close connection with the Katoch dynasty of Kangra. Raja Hamir Chand, a Katoch ruler from 1700 to 1740 AD, built a fort at Hamirpur that laid the foundation for a modern town.

Another Katoch ruler, Raja Sansar Chand (1775 to 1823 AD) picked out scenic Sujanpur Tihra and made it the capital of his principality. Remnants of forts and palaces at Sujanpur Tihra and Nadaun testify to the glorious era of Hamirpur’s history. The area was later overrun by the Sikhs under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In 1846, after the Sikh armies lost in the first Ango-Sikh war, the territory was merged with the British empire.

After Independence, at the reorganization of Punjab in 1966, Kangra, of which Hamirpur was a part, was merged with Himachal Pradesh. To give the region a separate identity, Hamirpur was carved out as a separate district on 1st September, 1972.

A land of low lying hills with dense pine forests and fertile valleys, River Beas meanders its course through middle of the district. Growing some of the finest mangoes, Hamirpur is also identified as the land of the brave for the contribution and sacrifices soldiers from the region have made in service of the nation.

Hamirpur town is the headquarter of the district and can easily be reached from Kangra, Una, Bilaspur, Shimla or Chandigarh.

Language

English and Hindi are understood and spoken by people engaged with tourism. The native people mostly speak Hamirpuri, a dialect. Some sections also speak Punjabi.

Clothing Essentials

Spring and autumn temperatures are moderate in Hamirpur, the summers are hot and it does get cold for winters that require light to heavy woollens to ward of the chill. Cotton clothing is best suited for the warmer days.