The largely mountainous area now known as Himachal Pradesh has been inhabited since ancient times, experiencing various waves of human migration from surrounding regions. Over the centuries, the region was primarily governed by local kingdoms, some of which came under the influence of larger empires. Before India gained independence from British rule, Himachal was part of the hilly areas within the Punjab Province of British India. Following independence, these regions were reorganized into the Chief Commissioner’s province of Himachal Pradesh, which later became a union territory. In 1966, hilly regions from the neighboring Punjab state were integrated into Himachal, and it achieved full statehood in 1971.