Kangra, known as the "Land of Warriors" (Veer Bhumi), is the most significant district from an examination point of view in Himachal Pradesh. Whether it is the HPRCA JOA IT, Patwari, JBT, Panchayat Secretary or HPPSC HAS/Allied exams, a large chunk of General Knowledge questions comes from this district. Below is a curated list of the most repeated PYQs (Previous Year Questions) covering History, Geography, and Art & Culture.
Section 1: History of Kangra (Ancient to Modern) :-
Question 1. Who was the founder of the Katoch Dynasty and builder of the Kangra Fort?
Answer: Raja Susharma Chandra.
Description: He is believed to have been the 234th King of the Katoch dynasty. He is known for his role in the Mahabharata, he was an ally of the Kauravas and fought against the Pandavas. He established a kingdom named 'Trigarta' the land of three rivers 'the Beas', 'the Ravi', and 'the Sutlej' with its capital at Nagarkot (modern-day Kangra). The Kangra Fort is also known as 'Nagarkot' or 'Bhim Kot' or 'Susharmapura'.
Question 2. When did Mahmud Ghaznavi invade the Kangra (Nagarkot) Fort?
Answer: 1009 AD.
Description: At the time of the invasion, the Katoch ruler of Kangra was Raja Jagdish Chandra. Ghaznavi plundered the immense wealth of the Brajeshwari Devi Temple, located within the fort complex. Approximately 34 years later, in 1043 AD, the Hindu kings (led by the Tomar King of Delhi and local Katoch rulers) successfully recaptured the fort from the Ghaznavid troops.
Question 3. When did the devastating earthquake hit Kangra?
Answer: April 4, 1905.
Description: The devastating Kangra earthquake hit on the morning of April 4, 1905, at approximately 6:19 AM. measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, this earthquake killed over 20,000 people and severely damaged the historical Kangra Fort, Brajeshwari Devi Temple, Sidhh Nath Temple in Baijnath and several temples.
Question 4. When was the Treaty of Jwalamukhi signed and between whom?
Answer: July 20, 1809, between Raja Sansar Chand (Katoch Ruler of Kangra) and Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Sikh Ruler of Punjab)
Description: This treaty was signed with the objective of securing assistance against the Gorkha invasion. Raja Sansar Chand was under immense pressure from the Gorkha army (led by Amar Singh Thapa), which had kept the Kangra Fort under siege for four years (1806–1809). Desperate for aid, Sansar Chand approached Ranjit Singh for military assistance. Maharaja Ranjit Singh agreed to provide help but stipulated a major condition, he demanded that control over the Kangra Fort and 66 villages within the Kangra Valley be ceded to him. Consequently, as a result of this treaty, King Sansar Chand lost his independent control over the Kangra Fort, the fort remained under Sikh control until it was annexed by the British in 1846.
Question 5. When was Dharamshala declared the second capital of Himachal Pradesh?
Answer: January 19, 2017.
Description: This announcement was made by the then Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh. While Shimla continues to serve as the state's principal and summer capital, Dharamshala functions as the winter capital. Dharamshala possesses its own separate assembly building, situated at Tapovan & popularly known as 'Little Lhasa,' Dharamshala serves as the headquarters of the Kangra district in addition to being the state's winter capital, and it is situated on a sub-range of the Dhauladhar mountain range.
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Section 2: Geography & Natural Resources :-
Question 6. What is the ancient name of the 'Dhauladhar' mountain range?
Answer: Maukh Parvat.
Description: The literal meaning of the word "Dhauladhar" is "White Range" (Dhaula = White, Dhar = Peak/Range), as these mountains remain covered in snow for most of the year. It is also referred to as 'Mauk Parvat'. This mountain range forms part of the 'Lesser Himalayas' and stands like a wall above the Kangra Valley. Its highest peak is 'Hanuman Tibba' (approximately 5,982 meters).
Question 7. From which place does the Beas River enter the Kangra district?
Answer: Sandhol.
Description: The Beas enters Kangra at Sandhol from Mandi and leaves the district to enter Punjab at Mirthal. Its main tributaries in Kangra are Binwa, Neugal, Gaj, Baner, Banganga and Chakki. One of India’s highest earth-fill dams, the Pong Dam (Maharana Pratap Sagar), is built on the Beas River within the Kangra district.
Question 8. Which pass connects the Kangra district with Chamba?
Answer: Jalsu Pass (also Warru Pass).
Description: Jalsu Pass connects the Bada Bhangal area of Kangra with the Holi region of Chamba district, historically used by Gaddi shepherds.
Question 9. On which river is the 'Pong Dam' (Maharana Pratap Sagar) built?
Answer: Beas River.
Description: Built in 1975, it was declared a 'Wildlife Sanctuary' in 1983 and a 'Ramsar Site' in 2002. It is famous for migratory birds. Its primary purposes are irrigation (especially for Rajasthan and Punjab) and hydroelectric power generation (396 MW capacity).
Question 10. Which valley in Kangra is known as the "Valley of Heroes"?
Answer: Kangra Valley (Veer Bhumi).
Description: It received this name due to the large number of soldiers serving in the Indian Army in the Dogra Regiment. India’s first Param Vir Chakra recipient, Major Somnath Sharma, belonged to this region.
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Section 3: Art, Culture & Economy :-
Question 11. By what name is the 'Masroor Rock Cut Temple' popularly known?
Answer: Ellora of Himachal.
Description: The Masroor Rock-cut Temples are popularly known as the "Himalayan Pyramids" and are also referred to as the "Ellora of the North". They are situated in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh. This 8th-century complex comprises 15 monolithic rock-cut temples, constructed in the Indo-Aryan architectural style. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita.
Question 12. When did Kangra Tea receive the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?
Answer: 2005 (And PGI Tag from the EU in 2023).
Description: Kangra tea received its Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2005 & Protected GI tag from the European Union (EU) in 2023. The region produces both black and green varieties of tea, the black tea is renowned for its "brisk" flavor, whereas the green tea is prized for its light, woody aroma. Kangra tea won its first international gold medal at the 'Colonial and Indian Exhibition' held in London in 1886.
Question 13. Where is the 'Sobha Singh Art Gallery' located in Kangra?
Answer: Andretta (near Palampur).
Description: Famous as the "Artists' Village", Andretta houses the legendary paintings of Sobha Singh, including the famous 'Sohni-Mahiwal'.
Question 14. Why is 'Bir-Billing' famous worldwide?
Answer: Paragliding.
Description: Known as the "Paragliding Capital of India". The site gained immense international prestige when it hosted the first-ever Paragliding World Cup in India in 2015. Since then, it has emerged as a premier hub for international competitions and the Paragliding World Cup 2024 was also recently held here.
Question 15. Where is the 'State War Memorial' of Himachal Pradesh situated?
Answer: Dharamshala.
Description: It was built to honor those brave soldiers from Himachal who sacrificed their lives for the country after independence. This memorial features massive walls of black marble, inscribed with the names of the state's brave martyrs.
Download Most Repeated Kangra District GK Questions for HPRCA JOA IT, Patwari, and Clerk exams 2026. Complete HP history, geography, and culture PYQs.