Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 15:30, 26 May 2009
Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh
Nurpur | |
|---|---|
city | |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 9,045 |
Nurpur is a city and a municipal council in Kangra district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It was formerly a Kingdom ruled by the Pathania clan of Rajputs, since the 11th century A.D. The capital of the Kingdom was at Pathankot, now in Punjab.
Geography
Nurpur is located at 32°18′N 75°54′E / 32.3°N 75.9°E[1]. It has an average elevation of 643 metres (2109 feet).
Demographics
As of 2001[update], according to the India census[2], Nurpur had a population of 9045. Men constitute 52% of the population and women 48%. Nurpur has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 75%. In Nurpur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
History
Nurpur was known as Dhameri until a visit from Noorjehan, the Queen of Emperor Nuruddin Salim Jahangir (1569-1627) of the Mughal Dynasty. According to the local legend of Nurpur, the queen was so impressed by the natural beauty of the town, that she decided to stay there for the rest of her life. This posed a problem for the local administration - they did not want their peaceful town to become the hub of the Mughal domination and influenced by the politics. So, they advised the queen that a long stay in their town could spoil her beauty and that she might be afflicted with a fictitious local disease. Horrified, she left, but the name of the town was changed to Nurpur in 1622, in honor of a Queen who had instantly fallen in love with this place.
Before 1947, Nurpur was a princely state ruled by the Pathania clan of Rajputs. The Pathania Clan (or Tomar /Tanwar clan of Chandravanshi Rajputs) had ruled here for more than eight centuries.
Economy
Nurpur is known for its orchards, which grow crops of mango, oranges, leechi and amla. Nurpur is also noted for poultry farming. Nurpur is also famous for silk and pashmina shawls.
Places of interest
The Brij Raj Swami temple inside the Nurpur fort is a historical temple and home to a much revered deity of the local population. The Nagni Maata temple, about 10km from the town, is also very famous.
The Nurpur fort is the main attraction of this small town. Originally built before the 10th century, it was the main seat of the Pathania Kings. It was destroyed partially by the British and the great earthquake which hit this region in April 1905 A.D. Most of the fortress is in ruins, but it is still worth visiting. There is a 16th century idol of Lord Krishna in the fortress, which attracts tourists from all across.