Kumaon division, Administrative division in Uttarakhand, India
Kumaon is an administrative unit in eastern Uttarakhand that includes six districts and combines mountain ranges, river valleys, and high-altitude lakes across different elevations. The region stretches from Himalayan foothills to peaks above 7000 meters, with forests of oak and rhododendron in the middle altitudes.
British forces took control of the territory in 1815 after the Gurkha War and incorporated it as an administrative unit within their colonial rule. Before British arrival, local dynasties such as the Chand kings had ruled the region for centuries.
Residents speak Kumaoni, a language with its own script and oral tradition that appears in folk songs and local storytelling. Temples such as the Jageshwar complex draw pilgrims while serving as gathering points for village communities during religious celebrations.
Travelers reach the different districts through bus connections and mountain roads that link main towns from Nainital. The best travel period falls between April and June as well as September and November, when roads remain passable and visibility stays clear.
Along the river courses grow wild apricot and plum trees, whose fruits villagers harvest and turn into jams. In higher altitudes, alpine meadow flowers bloom in spring, painting the slopes in bright colors.
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