Indora Explained

Indora
Settlement Type:	Tehsil Headquarter
Pushpin Map:	India Himachal Pradesh
Pushpin Label Position:	right
Pushpin Map Caption:	Location in Himachal Pradesh, India
Coordinates:	32.134°N 75.689°W
Subdivision Type:	Country
Subdivision Name:	India
Subdivision Type1:	State
Subdivision Name1:	Himachal pradesh
Subdivision Type2:	District
Subdivision Name2:	Kangra
Unit Pref:	Metric
Area Total Km2:	298
Elevation M:	308
Population Total:	81226
Population As Of:	2011
Population Density Km2:	auto
Demographics Type1:	Languages
Demographics1 Title1:	Official
Demographics1 Info1:	Hindi
Timezone1:	IST
Utc Offset1:	+5:30
Postal Code Type:	PIN
Postal Code:	176402
Area Code Type:	Telephone code
Area Code:	01893
Registration Plate:	HP-97

Indora is a town that serves as a tehsil headquarter in the Kangra district at the borders of Himachal Pradesh, India along the dried Beas rivulet, to which Pathankot is a nearer city in plains of Punjab, while Nurpur, a town in Himachal, is farther in the hills. One can reach Indora by train up to Kandrori (KNDI) or Pathankot (PTX). Alternatively, the MDR 42 road passes through Indora connecting NH 44 with NH 503, nearest airport is Pathankot Airport .

History

Indora was the last stop of Alexander's conquests at Hyphasis River (Beas), since, exhausted by years of campaigning, his army mutinied and returned.^[1] Apollo temple, most likely Kathgarh Shiv Temple at this point, was raised as the easternmost extent of Alexander's conquests.^{[2] [3]} In 1806 Malha Chand settled at South East of Nurpur kingdom, later Chaudhari Gurbhaj named it Indpur and Indora after his grand father Raja Indu Chand, a Katoch prince. In 1854 British Raj awarded Jagir of Indora to Tek Chand which was succeeded by his son Sunder Singh, who however, died soon afterwards in 1875 leaving his son Rai Bahadur Mallah Singh as successive Jagirdar, in 1929 Raghunath Singh became Jagirdar, in 1952 after the post of Jagirdar was abolished Captain Vikram Katoch ^[4] in 1972 continued the legacy by becoming MLA.^[5] The heritage buildings of Govt. Senior Secondary School, Police Station, Primary Health Center, Veterinary at Indora belongs to the Jagirdari era.^[6]

Demographics

Indora is the tehsil headquarter for 116 villages with 81226 residents administrated under 30 panchayats by Sub Divisional Magistrate located in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh .^[7] Panchayats:-Beli Mahanta (1), Majra (16), Chhanni (17), Damtal (2), Reserve Jangal Damtal Serat (4) , Chochar (5), Mohtli (15), Sehtar (12), Surajpur Uperla (13), Surajpur Jhikla (14), Toki (18), Chak Naglian (25), Sheikhupura (26), Ban Attarian (28), Kandrori (27), Bari (24), Jindri (19), Malot (20), Chakban Malot (10), Balir Malot (11), Balir Lodhwan (7), Samun (8), Bhagnal (9), Balkhor (21), Kulara (22), Dah (23), Raja Khas (29), Jhagrara (30), Bhapoo (32)

Also, Indora town has 4534 residents in 1004 houses provided with water, sewerage and other civic amenities.

• Sex ratio is 909 females per 1000 males, lesser than state average of 970 female per 1000 males.
• Literacy rate of Indora city is 88.54% while state average is 82.80%.
• Average Sex Ratio is 950 while state average is 972.
• Child Sex Ratio is 727, while state average is 909.

Temples

• Kathgarh Shiv Mandir As per legends Bharat of Ramayan is reputed to have established octagonal shaped 8 feet Shiva ling and another 6 feet Mata Parvati shivling, a unique styled Shiv temple in Indora.

Establishments

• Arni University constructed in 120 acres and 25 Km from Pathankot, since 2009 offers 74 courses leading to diploma, graduation, post graduation and Ph.D by its School of Basic Science, Horticulture and Agriculture, School of Pharmacy & Paramedical Studies, School of Art & Humanities, School of Technology, School of Legal Studies through its Private University Certification.^[8]
• Government College Indora constructed in vernacular architecture (resembling Govt. College Shillai Sirmour) and 19 Km from Pathankot, since 1995 offers courses in Humanities, Science and Commerce through Himachal University, Govt. of H.P .^[9]

Notable personalities

• Rai Bahadur Mallah Singh Jagirdar (1855–1929), by his 1 lac trust bonds gave free education and scholarships at Govt. Model S.M. Senior Secondary School Indora, completing its centenary year in 2016. In 1988 the Chief Minister of state raised a full size statue of him in the middle of School, visible from gate in his honor.^[10]
• Rai Bahadur Babu Birabal Katoch in 19th century developed citrus plantation in this area. Today, Citrus fruits amount to (10.81%) of total fruits produced by Himachal Pradesh orchardists, in spite of insufficient irrigation, lack of transportation and non availability of suitable root stocks, citrus fruits Kinnow, Malta,Kagzi lime and Galgal ^[11] pushed up the per ca-pita income and hence living standard of people of low-hill areas.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Book: Kosmin, Paul J. The Land of the Elephant Kings:Space, Territory and Ideology in Seleucid Empire. Harvard University Press. 2014. 34. 978-0-674-72882-0.
2. Book: Tripathi, Rama Shankar. History of Ancient India. 129–301. 1999. Exotic India. 978-81-208-0018-2.
3. Web site: Shivling divided into two parts is worshiped here, know the secret behind it . Amar Ujala. 5 May 2017.
4. Web site: A principled politician, Katoch was Kangra’s voice. Tribune. 2 Nov 2019.
5. Book: Singh, Raghunath. Chronology of Royal House of Pathania. Language & Culture Department Himachal Pradesh. 1904.
6. Web site: History of Ch Malha Singh Indora. GSSS. 14 August 2022.
7. Web site: Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India . Census of India Website . 2021-05-03.
8. Web site: Arni University. 15 August 2022.
9. Web site: Govt. Degree College Indora (H.P.). 15 August 2022.
10. Web site: GSSS Indora. GSSS. 14 August 2022.
11. Web site: Galgal: Some zest and a punch. 8 June 2021.
12. Web site: Cost of production of Citrus Fruits in Himachal Pradesh. Agro-Economic Research Centre Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. 14 August 2022.