This borderland region with Tibet and Himachal Pradesh of India is a canvas of surrealistic magnificence of nature, chiselled out of green valleys and orchards, snow covered mountains, gushing streams... and strewn in between are picturesque habitats of the descendents of 'Kinners'. The striking spectacle is nothing less than the Garden of Eden.
Kinner from which the region gets its name are the angel demi-gods of the Hindu pantheon. According to Hindu mythology the angels, because of the region's likeness to heaven, chose it for their blissful gaiety and frolic. Some of them supposedly stayed back and coalesced with the humans, which perhaps is the reason the natives call themselves 'Kinnauri' - descendants of Kinners.
Kinnaur heights remain almost out of bounds for nearly six months, being snow covered. However the remaining six months from May to October is a treat to the senses of the traveller. The NH 22 or the Hindustan-Tibet road from Shimla to Kinnaur 230 km away is a scenic stretch. As you reach to higher elevation after leaving Shimla, the first major tourist point at 64 km from Shimla is Narkanda, the popular ski and winter sports resort in the region. This is the gateway to Kinnaur. From here if the weather is clear, you get the first glimpse of the magnificence lying ahead. From the green valleys in the foreground to the striking expanse of snow covered Himalayan wall on the horizon, the breathtaking spectacle is the first indication of the splendour up ahead.
River Sutlej with its spectacular surroundings gives company along the route. The next stop would be Rampur Bushahr 140 km from Shimla, the former capital of Bushahr kingdom. Today the town has hardly any attraction however Sarahan, 35 km from Rampur at 7,500 feet is an idyllic location with all the goodies of a perfect eco spot. Further down at Powari 70 km from Rampur the road branches off to Recong Peo on one hand and Sangla Valley [also called the Baspa valley] on the other. It won't be off the mark to assume that Sangla was perhaps the place chosen by the Kinner angels to engage in their regular frolic on earth. The heavenly beauty here is ubiquitous.Kinnaur is a land of temples constructed in stones and woodwork. A few of the larger ones are magnificent work of art. The intricate woodwork here is bound to make the spectator salute the creator. One significant one that is in the vicinity of Sangla is the Kamru Fort, an impressive fortress-style temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. History of kinnour - In the absence of authentic historical record the early history of Kinnaur region is obscure and the reference of the Kinnaura or Kannaura and there land is by the large confined to legends and mythological accounts History of Kinnaur District states that the district was formerly a part of Mahasu District. It came into being as an independent district on 1st of May, 1960. Prior to the merger of the state on the eve of independence of the country, Kinnaur valley was a part of erstwhile Bushahr state which had its headquarters at Rampur. . Early history of Kinnaur District dates back to 6th century BC. India was divided in to sixteen mahajanapadas and several smaller ones. Among them, Gandhara, Kamboja, Kuru, Kosala, Malla, Vajji, Panchala, Sakya were either in the southern Himalayas ranges or had territories extended up to Himalayan ranges. Among the states that were flourishing in the six century BC. The kingdom of Magadh was the first to make a successful bid for supremacy under Bimbisara. History of Kinnaur region is obscure and the reference of the Kinnaura or Kannaura and there land is by the large confined to legends and mythological accounts. It would be worthwhile to look at the region of Kinnaur alongwith general conditions of northern India particularly the hilly regions of Himalayas during the period from 6th century B.C. India was divided in to sixteen geat janpadas and several smallers ones. Among them Gandhara, Kamboja, Kuru, Koshal, Mull, Vajji, Panchal, Sakya were either in the southern Himalayas ranges or had territories extended up to Himalayans ranges. Among the states that were flourishing in the six century B.C. The kingdom of Magdha was the first to make a successful bid for supermacy under Bimbisara.
The consolidation and addition of territories of the Bushahr state continued during the period also. The Thakoorais of Dulaitoo, Kurungoloo and Kuaitro were annexed about Samwat 1611. Raja Chatar Singh who brought the whole area of the erswhile Bushahr State under his control. He was considered most virtuous ruler during his reign. Nothing particular known about his successor Kalyan Singh. The successor of Kalyan Singh according to generalogy was Raja Kehri Singh. He is the hightest skilled warrior of the time. Kehri Singh's successor were not of the same mattle. Besides mention in genealogy of Bushahr State, nothing is known about Vijay Singh and Udai Singh. It is said that one Raja Ram Singh made Rampur his capital in place of Sarahan and Kamru. During his reign a series of contests began with the Raja of Kulu and Bushahr had lost the territory of Seraj. It seems that the territories which were annexed by Raja Kehri Singh became free during the weak rule of Raja Rudra Singh. But his successor Ugar Singh took them over by force of arms.
According to Punjab states Gazetteer-Shimla hill States from 1803 to 1815 the earstwhile states of Bushahr faced the menace of Gurkha invasions. Immediate after the death of Raja Kehri Singh, The Gurkhas made massive attack on Bushahr. The minor ruler and his mother who could not withstand the attack fled away to Namru leaving behind a rich treasury at Sarahan. The Gurkhas looted the treasury and completely destroyed the records of the state. Keeping Gurkhas of Nepal had extended their dominions greatly during the end of the eighteen century. Amar Singh Thapa, the Gurkha leader went up to kangra valley. He was drawn from the valley by the superior forces of Ranjit Singh and those of raja Sansar Chand of Kangra. The tract between theSatluj and Jamuna came under British protection by the treaty of 1809 between Ranjit Singh and the British Govt. Thus the British Government took positive step to expel the Gurkhas and after a long and desperate struggle, completely defeated Amar Singh Thapa on 15 th April, 1815. On the conclusion of the Gurkha war Raja Mahendra Singh was granted a sanad on 6th November,1815. It gave Khaneti and Delath thakurais to Bushahr and a part of Rawin, which was a Distt. of the state was transfered to Keonthal, Kumharsain was constituted a separate Thakurai.From the foregoing account it would appear that during the princely days Kinnaur valley acted as a bulwark to the Bushahr state. However with the lapse of paramountcy, the Kinnaur then known as Chini tehsil was merged to form a part of then Mahasu district. The pargana Atharahs Bish comprised of village Nichar, Sungra, Kangos, Ponda, Baro, Bari, Tranda, Chaura village with patwar circle at Ponda. The Paragana Bish consisted of the revenue estates of Nathpa, Kandhar, Barakamba, Chhotakamba, Garshu and Rupi with patwar circle at Rupi were in Rampur tehsil.
From the foregoing account it would appear that during the princely days Kinnaur valley acted as a bulwark to the Bushahr state. However with the lapse of paramountcy, the Kinnaur then known as Chini tehsil was merged to form a part of then Mahasu district. The pargana Atharahs Bish comprised of village Nichar, Sungra, Kangos, Ponda, Baro, Bari, Tranda, Chaura village with patwar circle at Ponda. The Paragana Bish consisted of the revenue estates of Nathpa, Kandhar, Barakamba, Chhotakamba, Garshu and Rupi with patwar circle at Rupi were in Rampur tehsil
