Kangra district is a district of Himachal Pradesh state with its administrative headquarters located at Dharamsala town. The place of Kangra has one of the oldest Royal Dynasty in the world called, Katoch. In the year 1846 after the First Anglo-Sikh War, Kangra was ceded to British and became a district of the British India. At that time the British district included some today’s districts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Kullu, Lahul and Spiti. Kangra District was part of the British province of Punjab. At the very beginning, the administrative headquarters of the district were located at Kangra city, but later on these were transferred to the town of Dharamshala in 1855. In the year 1966 Kaangra was emerged as a separate district on the map of Himachal Pradesh state.

Geographically, the district lies at 32°10'N latitude, 76°27'E longitude and 733 m Altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 41.08% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 5,739 sq kms and it is bounded by Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh and Lahaul valley of the Lahaul and Spiti district on the north, Kullu district on the east, Mandi district on the south-east and the districts of Hamirpur and Una on the south. The climate of the district remains pleasant throughout the year. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1992.0 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 9 sub-divisions namely Kangra, Palampur, Dharamshala, Nurpur, Dehra Gopipur, Baijnath, Jwali and Jaisinghpur. Moreover, it comprises 21 sub-districts, 9 towns and 3,869 villages. The administrative language in the district is Hindi.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 15,10,075 out of which 7,50,591 are males and 7,59,484 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 1012 (females for every 1000 males). During the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 12.77% including 13.51% were males and 12.06% are females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 96.76% of the total population. As per 2011 census the principal language in the district is Hindi with 95.18%. The population density in the district is 263 (persons per sq. km.). In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 18,888 out of which 9,876 were males and 9,012 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 11,211 out of which 6,610 were males and 4,600 were females.

Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of the district. Most of the lands in the district are use for agricultural purposes. More than half of its population are engaged in agriculture in order to earn their livelihood. Tea cultivation plays a significant role in the economy of the district. Its "Kangra Tea" is world famous for its nice aroma, colour and taste. Furthermore, the district is renowned as the chief exporter of rice, tea, potatoes, opium, spices, wool and honey. Industrially, also the district is well developed. Some industries of water packaging, construction materials and potato chips contribute in its economy to a great extent. Tourism is also another important sector of the economy. The areas of the district mainly Palampur and Baijnath are full of lush, green tea estates, etc. In the year 2015-2016 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 15,63,747 lakh at current price in the year 2011-2012. In the year 2015-16 the net domestic product in the district was Rs. 13,62,110 lakh at current price in the year 2011-2012. In the year 2015-2016 the Per Capita Income was in Rs. 86,637 at Current Price in the year 2011-2012.

The district is well known as an abode of several reputed educational institutions. It provides a platform for higher education. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 85.67% including 91.49% are males and 80.02% are females. The district has a literates population of 11,52,640 out of which 6,06,443 are males and 5,46,197 are females.

Shanta Kumar, a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and a former minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in the Government of India was born on 12th September, 1934 at Garhjamula in the Kangra district. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kangra constituency in 1989, 1998 and 1999. Chander Kumar, a veteran Indian politician and a member of the 14th Lok Sabha from the Kangra Chamba constituency of Himachal Pradesh was born on 8th May, 1944 at Kangra city. He is a member of the Indian National Congress.

The district has several centres of attractions which allures many travellers from different parts of the country as well as world. The place of Kangra is surrounded by mesmerising natural sceneries and plentiful valleys of lower Himalayas protected by the Dhauladhar range. It is also fortunate enough to have the Masroor Rock Cut Temple which is popularly known as Himalayan Pyramids and recognised as wonder of the world by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some other notable ancient temples in the district are Jawalaji temple, Vajreshwari Devi temple, Chamunda Devi temple, Chintapurni temple Baba Baroh, Masroor Temple built by Pandvas and Baijnath temple. Gopalpur Nature Park, situated at Gopalpur village in the district offers mental relaxation to its visitors. The Kangra Fort is also a remarkable place of interest in the district. Mcleodganj, located near Dharamshala is the home to the Dalai Lama during his exile period. The cricket ground of Dharamshala is also a perfect tourist destination of this place.