SIRMAUR

About Sirmaur

Sirmaur is the most south-eastern district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is largely mountainous and rural, with 90% of its population living in villages. It includes the towns of Nahan (its capital), as well as the Shivalik Fossil Park at Suketi, where fossils over 85 million years old have been found.Geography[edit] There are six tehsils in this district, namely Nahan, Renuka, Shillai, Rajgarh, Pachhad and Paonta Sahib. The Giri River divides the district into two almost equal parts: Giripar and Giriwar. The major towns are Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Rajgarh and Shillai. Culture[edit] The people worship Hindu deities (devtas), and various customs and rituals are observed by the people. The local language is Himachali Pahari. Bishu is a popular fair that is held at several places, and features the Thoda dance. Nati, Gee, Rasa and Budhechu are the popular forms of folk dance of Sirmaur, that are enjoyed at occasions such as marriages and Diwali. History[edit] Main article: Sirmoor State Sirmaur was an independent kingdom in India, founded in about 1090 by Raja Rasaloo of Jaisalmer, one of whose ancestors was named Sirmaur. It became an 11 Gun Salute princely state in British India,The premier ruler of the Punjab Hills, located in the region that is now the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The state was also known as Nahan, after its main city, Nahan. Sirmaur was ruled .