Bilaspur District GK In English:- History,Geography,Economy ,Fairs & Temples

1. Formed as a District - 1st July, 1954, AD

2. Total Area-1,167 sq. Km (2.10%)

3. Total Population - (in 2011) -3,81,956 (5.56%)

4. District Headquarters - Bilaspur

5. Population Density- (in 2011) -327

6. Sex Ratio (in 2011)-981

7. Literacy Rate (in 2011) - 84.59%

8. (2001-2011) Population Growth Rate - 12.05%

9. Total Village-1061 (Populated village-965)

10. Gram Panchayats-151

11. Development Block-3

12. Assembly Constituency-4

13. Infant Sex Ratio (in 2011) - 900

14. Rural Population (in 2011) -3,56,930 (93.43%)

(i) Geography:-Bilaspur District GK In English:- History,Geography,Economy ,Fairs & Temples

Geographical location - Bilaspur district is situated to the south-west of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated between 31° 12' 30" to 31° 35' 45" Northern and 76° 23' 45" to 76° 55' 40" East. Mandi and Solan in the east of Bilaspur, Solan in the south, Punjab in the west, Hamirpur and Mandi in the north and Una district in the northwest. The Sutlej river divides Bilaspur into two parts.

The hills / Dhar-Bilaspur (Kahlur) have also been called Satdhar-Kahlur. Because there are seven hills here.

Nainadevi Hill - On this hill is the temple of Nainadevi Ji. Kot Kahlur Fort and Fatehpur Fort are situated on this hill.
Kot Pahari/Dhar-Bachhretu Fort is located in Kotdhar.
Jhanjhiar Dhar-Seer Khad divides it into 2 parts. There is a temple of Guga Gehravi and Goddess Bhadoli here.
Tiun Dhar-Tiun Fort, Peer Bhyanu Temple, Siun Fort and Naurangarh Fort are situated on this hill.
Bandala Dhar - This stream is 17 km long.
Ratanpur Hill/Dhar - On this hill lies the Ratanpur Fort in which David Ochterlony defeated Gorkha Commander Amar Singh Thapa.
Bahadurpur Hill/Dhar - Bahadurpur Fort is located here, which is the highest place in Bilaspur due to its height at 1980 m. Bahadurpur Fort was the summer residence of King Bijai Chand.

Bilaspur District GK One Liner In English

Bilaspur District Rivers

Sutlej-Sutlej river enters Bilaspur from Kasol (from Mandi) and from Naila village (Bhakra) enters Bilaspur and enters Punjab. Ali khad, Gambhar and Seer khad in the Bilaspur district are the major tributaries of the Sutlej.
Seer Khad-Seer Khad is the largest tributary of Sutlej (in Bilaspur). A 'Sukar Khad' is found near the Balghar' in the Seer Khad. Seer Khad enters Bilaspur from 'Hatwar' and joins the Sutlej near 'Seri'.
Gambhar Khad-Gambhar Khad leaves from Shimla (Tara Devi) district and enters Bilaspur from the village of (Neri). The Gambhar Khad is found in the Sutlej near 'Dangran'.
Ali Khad-Ali Khad leaves from Arki of Solan and enters Bilaspur from 'Kothi Harar. The Ali Khad joins the Sutlej near 'Beri Ghat'.

Bilaspur District Tank/Toba-Bilaspur district is famous for the tank which is locally called Toba.

Jagatkhana Tank - This tank was built by Raja Heerachand in 1874 AD.
Swarghat Tank - This tank was built by Raja Heerachand in 1874 AD.
Sangwana Tank - This tank was built by Raja Bijechand. Apart from this, Tank Kasol, Tank Jamthal, Tank Rewalsar and Tank Naina Devi are located in Bilaspur.

Bilaspur District Water heat/ Springs-Bassi and Dadrana.

Bilaspur District Lake-Bilaspur has Govind Sagar Lake, which is the largest man-made lake of Himachal Pradesh. This lake is formed from the waters of the Sutlej River. The Bhakra Dam is built on this river. The area of this lake is 168 sq km. The foundation stone of Bhakra Dam was laid by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955 AD. The height of this dam is 225 meters. This dam was completed in 1963. 256 villages of Bilaspur district were submerged by Govind Sagar Lake.

Bilaspur District Valleys- There are three major valleys of District Bilaspur.

Sutlej Valley
Chaunto Valley
Davin Valley (located between Bahadurpur and Bandla Valley)

Bilaspur District GK One Liner in Hindi

Bilaspur District History:-Bilaspur District GK In English:- History,Geography,Economy ,Fairs & Temples

The old name of Bilaspur was Kehlur. It is said that Bir Chand founder of state found an idol of Goddess Durga beneath a stone slab and after few days later at the same place à Gujjar named Kehlu saw that one of his goats attacked by a leopard when he tried to prey her. When Raja came to know about this he understood the secret of this miraculous slab and built a fort and named it Kot Kehlu, after the name of Kehlu. The Naina Devi temple was constructed for the idol.
The founder of state was Raja Bir Chand who belonged to Chandel Rajput family from Bundelkhand.
Raja Kahal Chand: He was sixth descendent of ruling family and is said that he bulit Kot Kahlur fort. but according to other account, it was built by Bir Chand.
Raja Ajit Chand: He founded the ruling dynasty of Hindur (Nalagarh) and handed over new Dynasty to his brother Suchet Chand.
Raja Megh Chand: He was tyrannical ruler and was forced by the people to leave the state and took asylum in Kullu and later he regained the lost kingdom with the help of Delhi's Sultan Shamshu-ud din Altutmish.
Raja Abhisand Chand: He was contemporary of Sikandar Lodhi. He fought victorious battle against Tatar Khan Amir. But later Raja and his son Sundar Chand were killed by Tatar's son treacherously.
Raja Sampurna Chand (1380 AD): He was killed by his brother Ratan Chand; this was rare case in Hindus to kill brother for throne. Ratan Chand had a long reign, had a good relation with Delhi.
Raja Gyan Chand or Ayam Chand (1570 AD): He was contemporary of Akbar. He adopted Islam. His tomb is still at Kiratpur in Punjab. He had three sons, Bik Chand elder son remained Hindu but younger sons Ram Chand and Bhima Chand also converted to Islam. Bik Chand married to daughter of Raja Trilok Chand of Kangra (1600-1612 AD).
Raja Bik Chand (1600 AD): When he succeeded throne and had two wives one from Kangra who gave birth to Sultan Chand and other was from Bhagal who gave birth to Kesaba Chand. Raja abdicated throne to Sultan Chand in 1620.
Raja Kalyan Chand (1630 AD): He was married to daughter of Raja of Suket Raja Shyam Saran Sen. He built fort on the border of Hindur which cause war between two states. In battle Raja of Hindur was killed. Suket Raja and Kalian Chand were mortally wounded and died at a place 'Kaliyan chand di dwari while returning to Bilaspur. The Sukti rani became Sati
Raja Tara Chand (1645 AD): who built Taragarh fort in Hindur.
Raja Deep Chand (1650-1656 AD): He shifted the residence of ruling family from Sunhani to new place Dholra on the left bank of river Satluj, traditionally called Vyasgufa. He founded the town Bilaspur. He changed the salute Jai Deva to Raja, poisoned at Jai to Miani and Ram-Ram to Ranas. He was Nadaun by Kangra Raja Chander Bhan Chand.
Anandpur Sahib was founded in June 1665 by the ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur. He got three villages from Rani of Jehlur. He previously lived in Kiratpur, but given the disputes with Ram Rai he moved to village in Makhoval. He named it Chakk Nanaki after his mother. In 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur was tortured and beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, a martyrdom that led Sikhs Gobind Das as his successor and famous as Guru Gobind Singh.
Raja Bhim Chand (1667 AD): He was minor when his father Deep Chand died. He fought battle with his wazir Manak Chand brother of Deep Chand who was dismissed by Raj Mata Jalal Devi from the post of Bazir. Bhim Chand was supported by Sidh Sen of Mandi. Raja Deep Chand had two Ranis, one from Mandi, named Jalal Devi and other from Kullu named Kumkum Devi. Some state officials by a notorious design spread a rumour tha Mandiyali Rani wanted to get the daughter of Kulluvi rani married to her brother, Raja of Mandi. Rani Kunkum never agreed to this proposal nor she had idea of the designed rumour, she along with her daughter committed self-immolation in the state palace itself. When royal family came to know of this tragedy, they felt shocked and pained. They built a temple in the memory of Rani and her daughter. He fought two battles with Guru Govind Singh in 1682- 1685 AD. Cause of two wars was white elephant of Guru that was demanded by Bhim Chand. He lost the battle and spent end of his life as Faquir.
Raja Ajmer Chand (1712-41 AD): He built a fort on the border of Hindur called "Ajmergarh"

Raja Devi Chand (1741-78 AD); During his reign revolt took place in his neighbouring state Nalagarh where Raja Man Chand and his son were killed. Gaje Ssingh was installed new king of Hindur (Nalagarh) by Raja Devi Chand. He was contemporary of Nadir Shah. He built the fort of Bhamaikot and gave Ramgarh fort to Hindur.
Mahan Chand (1878 AD): He was six year old when his father Devi Chand died. Administration remained under Ramu Wazir who died in 1785 AD. Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra invaded Kahlur in 1795 AD and occupied Chauki Hatwar. Raja Dharma Prakash of Sirmaur, who came to help kahlur on request of Rani, got killed. Sansar Chand built fort on Dhar Jhanjrar in Bilaspur territory and called it Chhatipur. During his reign Gurkhas emerged as greater power. Their headquarters was at Garhwal. Raja Mahan Singh invited Amar Singh Thapa to help him against Kangra ruler Sansar Chand. In 1805 AD Sansar Chand was defeated by Gurkhas forces under the command of Amar Singh Thapa at Mahal Morian (Hamirpur),
Raja Kharak Chand (1824-1839 AD): His reign was marked as darkest page in history of Bilaspur. A revolt took place which was led by his uncle Jagat Chand who later seized the throne of state.
Raja Jagat Chand (1839-1857 AD): One of the two Ranis of Kharak Chand was pregnant when her husband died and gave birth to a son at her parental house Sirmaur. Rani returned to Bilaspur with army in order to get back throne. Raja Jagat Chand fled to Hindur. Later he was restored as Raja with the help of political agent of Ambala and Raja Ram Saran Singh of Hindur. In 1850 AD Jagat Chand abdicated the throne in favour of his grandson and retired to Brindaban. He died in 1857 AD
Raja Hira Chand (1857-1882 AD): He extended support to the Britisher during 1857 AD revolt. His period is known as golden age. He brought tax reform and reduced taxes and started the reveneue demand payable partly in cash in certain area of the state. In 1882 AD he paid a visit to Shimla with his son Tikka Amar Chand. Raja developed serious illness on the way to state and he died at Mahal.
Amar Chand: In 1885 AD he transferred all literary sources of sate in Devenagri script.
Raja Bijai Chand (1889-1902 A.D): Became Raja in 1889 AD. He brought reform in judicial system introduced system of court fee and non-judicial stamps were introduced for the first time. He built two houses for his residence in Varanasi in 1896-1902 and a summer house at Bahadurpur and at place Foll called Haridwar near Bilaspur. He constructed Rang Mahal Palace at Bilaspur. In the first world war, he extended all possible help to the British for this he was decorated with the title of K.C.L.E as also the honourary rank of a major.
Raja Anand Chand (1928-1948 AD) : He succeeded the throne on February 1927 AD. He passed an Act to abolish Begar and Child marriage by the act in 1942 AD. He signed the instrument of accession to join Indian Dominion. Bilaspur was made part B state on 15 August 1948, and on 12 October 1948 AD he was appointed first chief commissioner of Part C state and continued up to 1st April 1949, Siri Chand Chhabra became second chief commissioner. On 1st July 1954 AD, Bilaspur was merged into Himachal as a new district. Raja Anand Chand remained Member of Constituent Assembly, Member of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and member of state legislative assembly. He wrote a book entitled, "Bilaspur Past, Present and Future". He died in October 1983 in London. His son Raja Kriti Chand became Raja in 1983, who died in 2013. Raja Shubhendra Chand succeeded his father in 2013 and won the Bilaspur Palace. "Shashi Vansh Vinod" book was written by Ganesh Singh Beid in 1982, he had written book "Chand Vansh Villas" these two books are major sources of Bilaspur (Kehlur) history.

Economy :-Bilaspur District GK In English:- History,Geography,Economy ,Fairs & Temples

Deoli- Asia's largest trout fishery (breeding) farm in Bilaspur was established in 1962 AD. A.C.C. Cement Factory is located in Barmana Bilaspur. Animal disease control room is located at Swarghat. The first bank 'Bank of Bilaspur was established in Bilaspur on 1944 AD. The first branch of the HP State Cooperative Bank was established in 1956 in Bilaspur. An animal breeding center is located at Kothipura (Bilaspur). There is a Biroja Factory in Raghunathpur. There is a Navodaya School in Barthi. The bridge is the tallest bridge in Asia at Kandrour in Bilaspur which was built between 1959 and 1964 AD on the Sutlej River. Its height is 80 meters. Bilaspur is located at Salapar Bridge (built in 1960-64), Gamrola Bridge, Ghagas Bridge (above Ali Khad on NH- 21),

Fairs and Temples: Bilaspur District GK In English:- History,Geography,Economy ,Fairs & Temples

The Baba Balaknath Temple is located at Shahtalai in Bilaspur. There is a Gugga temple in Gugga Bhater. The Gopal Mandir, Murali Manohar Temple and Ranganath Temple are located in Bilaspur. There is a Nahar Singh temple in Dholra. There is Lakhdata Temple in Pir Piano. Naina Devi Temple is located in Naina Devi. The Fair-Nalwari Fair was started in 1889 by W. Goldstein. This fair is a cattle fair which is held in the month of April. Nalwari fair was earlier held in Sadhu Maidan but after Bhakra Dam was built, it started in Luhnu Maidan. Gugga fair is held in Gehdvin. Baisakhi fair is held in Hatwar. Gugga Naumi fair is held in Nagron.

Demographic Statistics - Bilaspur District GK In English:- History,Geography,Economy ,Fairs & Temples

The population of Bilaspur district increased from 90,873 in 1901 AD to 1,26,099 in 1951 AD. The population of Bilaspur district increased from 1,94,786 in the year 1971 AD to 3,81,956 in 2011 AD. Bilaspur district recorded the lowest (+2.46%) increase in population between 1901 and 1911. The highest increase in population (26.99%) was recorded between 1971 and 1981 AD. The sex ratio of Bilaspur district was 840 in 1901 AD, 948 in 1951 and maximum 1002 in 1981 and 1991. The density of the Bilaspur district was recorded as 78 in 1901 AD, 107 in 1951 AD, 167 in 1971, and 327 in 2011. In Bilaspur district, the population of 25.40% Scheduled Castes and 2.70% Scheduled Tribes resided. In Bilaspur district in 2011, 3,56,930 (93,43) population was rural and 25,126 (6.57%) population was urban. There are 151 gram panchayats, 4 assembly constituencies, 3 development blocks, 965 populated villages in Bilaspur district. The infant sex ratio of Bilaspur district is 900 in 2011. In 2011, the sex ratio of Bilaspur district was recorded at 981.

Location area of the district Bilaspur is the second smallest district of Himachal Pradesh in terms of which has an area of 1,167 sq km (2.10%). Bilaspur district ranks 10th in population. Bilaspur ranks eighth in the decadal (2001-2011) population growth rate. Bilaspur district ranks 10th in length of roads with 1574 km. Bilaspur district ranks fourth in literacy (2011). Bilaspur district is 11th in the forest area and 10th in the forested area. Bilaspur district has the lowest number of sheep. Bilaspur district was second in the production of jackfruit and fourth in the production of mango and papaya in 2011-12. Bilaspur district ranks third in mass density (2011), fifth in populated village, fifth in sex ratio (2011) and ninth in infant sex ratio (2011).