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Kumaon division in Uttarakhand was founded in the year 1816. It was established as a revenue collecting and administrative district in Uttarakhand by British rule when they had acquired this division from Gorkhas. After the British reclaimed Kumaon, they made it into the division categorised under provinces called the ”United Provinces”. After India gained its independence, Kumaon came under the state of Uttar Pradesh. Later, in 2000, a new state named Uttarakhand was created out of Uttar Pradesh, including Kumaon. Kumaon has its language, called the Kumaoni vocabulary. Kumaon is the name given to the natives of Kumaon. The Kumaon Regiment is a very famous and well-known army regiment located in this region.
Etymology
The name Kumaon is derived from the word Kurmanchal, which means Lord Vishnu incarnation in the form of a tortoise, a god important to Hindu mythology. When the British ruled this district in Uttarakhand between 1815 to 1857, this region was known as ‘Kemaon’.
People believe that Kumaon also got such a name from the Kassite Assyrians, who left their native land, ‘Kummah’.
Geography
The Kumaon Regiment is surrounded by a major Himalayan tract, including two strips known as the Bhabar and the Terai. These submontane regions were impenetrable forests until 1850, consisting of wild animals. After 1850, these forests were cleared, and people started inhabiting the strips and cultivating rich soils throughout all seasons in a year. The part of Kumaon, except the submontane strips, is covered with hills and mountains, of which some are the loftiest.
The Kumaon district in Uttarakhand has beautiful rivers like Dhauli, Gori, and Kali, in the southern valleys of the Tibet watershed. The principal river is called the Pindari, Sharda, and Kailganga, which joins its waters with Alaknanda. The international border between Nepal and India is formed by the river Kali Ganga.
The most popular trees of Kumaon are alder, chir pine, pindrow fir, sal, Himalayan cypress, and saindan. The main geological formations include limestone, sandstone, gneiss, etc.
History
Katyuri Raj followed, and they ruled the Kumaon district in Uttarakhand from 700 to 1200 AD. Then, after the downfall of the Katyuri Raj, Kurmanchal was split into 8 distinct categories, namely Dwarahat, Baijnath-Katyur, Sora, Doti, Askot, Baramandal, Sira, and Sui.
In 1581 AD, Kumaon was obtained together as a combined district in Uttarakhand.
Katyuri raj
Vashudev Katuri formed the Katyuri raj, and it was a constituent of the Kunindas origin. They formed their rule and named it the Kingdom of Kumanchal. They acquired lands from Katyur valley, present in Kumaon, from the seventh and eleventh centuries AD and designated their capital at the city of Baijnath in the Bageshwar district. The Bageshwar district was called Kartikeyapura and is in the centre of the Katyur valley.
During the peak of their reign, the Katyuri raj extended to Sikkim, Afghanistan, before segregating into different principalities in the twelfth century.
Chand raj
Som Chand established the Chand Raj in the tenth century. The district in Uttarakhand was still called Kurmanchal. Som chand made Champawat the capital in the Kali Kumaon. During the Chand raj, many temples were built that exist today, such as Nagnath and Baleshwar temples.
Baz Bahadur was one of the most popular and influential rulers of the Chand raj, from 1638 to 78 AD. He met Shah Jahan in Delhi & joined squads with him in 1655 to strike Garhwal.
British raj
British rule claimed Kumaon in 1815. During this time, it was joined with the eastern half of Garhwal, later named the Kumaon province.
Culture
Traditional clothing
Married Kumaoni women wear an attire called ‘Pichaura’ for religious occasions, marriages, and other rituals or festivities. The two principal colours available for Pichauri are red and saffron. This attire is made from vegetable dyes. A Kumaoni cap is worn by Kumaoni men, and it is black.
Folk art
The most famous folk art of the Kumaon district in Uttarakhand is called Aipan. The Shaukas and Rungs are other communities where Aipan is an important and famous folk art. Aipan has been very significant for years.
Folk dances
Kumaon is well known for its cultural versatility. The folk dances of Kumaon are very popular. Hukriya Baul, Jhora-Chanchari, and Chholiya are some of the most popular folk dances in the Kumaon regiment. Music is also a very significant part of the culture in Kumaon.
Kumaoni Ram Leela is the oldest, and UNESCO has declared it the oldest running opera. It is also listed on the world culture heritage list.
Conclusion
Religion is a very integral part of Kumaon. Every river, lake, or mountain is of some religious significance, as they are associated with a god or a goddess or a mythological figure. The cultural and traditional significance is well received and well known to the entire country. Haldwani is the financial capital of the Kumaon regiment. Nainital is the most popular tourist destination in the whole state and has been an important medium through which the culture and traditions extend to the whole country. The festival of Holi celebrated in Kumaon is infamous and holds historical significance. The tourism industry of Kumaon is one of the biggest tourist places in the whole country.
