British Administration in Kumaon Himalayas

From the historical viewpoint, Kumaon to this day remains a relatively unexplored area. The urged topography and terrain, had made communication extremely difficult, resulting, to a certain extent, in an insular outlook and an indigenous administrative history. The present study is a pioneer endeavour to collect, collect and cynthesize the administrative history of the Kumaon Himalayas mainly as the basis of primary Sources. After the British acquisition, Kumaon was constituted as a ‘non-regulation’ area and thus was ruled by a separate set of uncodified laws. In the present work an in-depth study of the people of Kumaon against the background of its administrative history has been made. It also brings to light the true aims, policies and modes of operations of the British in Kumaon and the consequent political repercussions.

Arun K. Mittal received his Ph.D. in history from Kumaun University, Nainital in 1977 for his work on Sir Henry Ramsay. He then made a comprehensive study of the Adminsistrative History of Kumaon during the British Rule for which he has recently been awarded the D.Litt. degree by the same university. He is the author of many text and reference books and has also published several articles and research papers in reputed Journals. He is currently working on the 'Socio-Economic History of Kumaon'. He teaches history in the Kumaon University, Nainital, India.