Kahlur

Bilaspur State or Kahlur was a princely state in the Punjab region during the era of British India. The state was initially known as Kahlur and was later renamed Bilaspur. It covered an area of 1173 km², and had a population of 100,994 according to the 1931 Census of India. The last ruler of Bilaspur State signed the accession to join the Indian Union on 12 October 1948.

Bilaspur State became Bilaspur Province in independent India until 1950 when the province was briefly renamed "Bilaspur State" before it was merged with Himachal Pradesh state as a district in 1954.

History

According to local myths compiled during the reign of Raja Hira Chand the predecessor state was founded around 697 by Bir Chand. After Kahal Chand had built Kahlur Fort the state was named after it. Initially the capital of the state was at a place named Jhandbari —now in Hoshiarpur district— and then it was transferred to Kahlur Fort, but was later moved permanently to Bilaspur by Dip Chand, the 32nd Raja of Kahlur (1653 - 1665). Since the 18th century the rulers of Bilaspur State patronized artists of the Kangra painting style.

Bilaspur State (1950–54)

Bilaspur State was a state within the Union of India from 1950 to 1956 with Bilaspur town as its capital. The state was established after the province of the same name created in 1948.

The 31st state of Bilaspur, which had been till then a separate entity under the control of the Chief Commissioner, was integrated with Himachal Pradesh on 1 July 1954 thereby adding one more district to the state.

History

Bilaspur State was formed out of the territory of former Princely State of Bilaspur, which became part of the Dominion of India on 12 October 1948 by the accession of its erstwhile Ruler, Raja Anand Chand of the Princely State of Kahlur a.k.a. Bilaspur.

Bilaspur was a Province, until it was established as a Class "C" State, named Bilaspur State on 26 January 1950 within the Republic of India. Class "C" States were under the direct rule of the Central Government.

Disestablishment

After 'The Himachal Pradesh and Bilaspur (New State) Act, 1954' was passed by an act of Parliament Bilaspur State was dissolved on 1 July 1954 and incorporated into the State of Himachal Pradesh as Bilaspur district, with an area of 106,848 hectares.