History of Statehood :

Himachal Pradesh has a rich history that has laid a strong foundation for the state it is now. The beautiful mountain state of Himachal Pradesh was originally formed as a centrally administered territory on April 15, 1948 by the integration of 28 princely states . In 1951, it became a Part C State under a Lieutenant Governor.

Class 'C' State :

State came into existence on 15th April, 1948 as the Chief Commissioner's Province of H.P. by integration of 28 princely states with four Districts Chamba, Mandi, Sirmour and Mahasu. On 1951 state was declared as Class 'C' state. Himachal became a part C state on 26 January 1950 with the implementation of the Constitution of India and the Lt. Governor was appointed. Legislative Assembly was elected in 1952 and Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar was elected as the first Chief Minister of the state.

Union Territory Himachal :

Himachal Pradesh became the Union Territory on 1 November 1956. Later on Bilaspur which was the class 'G' state was merged as the fifth district on 1 July,1954. On 1 May, 1960 Kinnaur became the 6th District. Following area of Punjab State namely Simla, Kangra, Kulu and Lahul and Spiti Districts, Nalagarh tehsil of Ambala District, Lohara, Amb and Una kanungo circles, some area of Santokhgarh kanungo circle and some other specified area of Una tehsil of Hoshiarpur District besides some parts of Dhar Kalan Kanungo circle of Pathankot tehsil of Gurdaspur Districts were merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1 November 1966 and on same day Kullu, Lahaul & Spiti, Kangra and Shimla districts were created. 

Statehood :

On 18 December 1970, the state of Himachal Pradesh act was Passed by Parliament and Himachal Pradesh became the 18th state of Indian Union on 25 Jan, 1971. Hamirpur and Una Districts were carved from Kangra and Shimla and Solan districts were created from Mahasu. Himachal Pradesh is divided into 12 districts namely, Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Una, Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti, Sirmaur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Solan and Shimla. The state capital is Shimla which was formerly British India's summer capital under the name Simla.

Till October 1966, HP consisted of only six hill districts Mahasu, Mandi, Chamba, Sirmaur, Bilaspur and Kinnaur. In November 1966, it was reorganized and enlarged into ten districts with the inclusion of some of the hilly areas of Punjab Shimla, Kangra, Kullu, Lahaul, Spiti, Nalagarh tehsil of Ambala district and areas of Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts.

In 1972-73, the state was re-organized into 12 districts Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kulu, Lahaul & Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan and Una.

                                           Himachal Pradesh has come a long way since then. It has seen a number of full-fledged governments which have led the state towards economic self-reliance. Every village in the state now has electricity and drinking water. A large cross section of youth from Himachal serve the Indian armed forces mainly in the army and have played significant role in the National defense, Kargil war being the one example.

Himachal has now emerged as the power house of India when it comes to hydro-electricity. The state has many dams that harness the hilly rivers to generate electric power.

The art and crafts of the region as well as the famous music and dance practiced in the state are not free from foreign effects. The Rajputs who lived on the land, have gifted Himachal Pradesh with their colorful culture that is reflective in the various festivals that when celebrated in Himachal spreads floods of colors on the white landscape of Himalayas.