Kanauras of the trans Himalaya

The awe inspiring and hoary peaked Himalayas are varied not only in their physical characteristics but also in the realm of Human Geography. For want of proper communications the strategically located Himalayas enjoying sensitivity of the highest order remained unexplored for centuries. Still many aspects present a challenge to historians, geographers, economists, sociologists, anthro pologists, botanists, zoologists, geologists and other scientists. After Chinese aggression on the Indian soil in October November 1962, the Himalayan belt assumed a far more significance than it had ever enjoyed. The governments, universities, research institutes, scholars professing different disciplines and alike made a multi pronged attack on different aspects of the belt. Resultantly many of the unknown facts about the land, people and life in the Himalaya have now been projected to the people of the world.

Kinnaur is a partly trans Himalaya region and lies adjacent to the western Tibet. It has a rich cultural heritage but till recent times it had been relatively unknown outside the region. The Chinese aggression of 1962 and the earthquake occurrence of 1975 gave prominence to this region. The present title deals with the history. economy, habitat and culture of Kinnaur. Based upon the field work of the author the volume presents a first hand knowledge about the socio-culturo-economic aspects of a hitherto unknown tribe. Written in simple language and lucid style the book is of interest to scholars, decision makers, planners and executive officials. A thorough reading of the title is surely going to make the Kanaura tribe better known and understood.