Chakrata edit
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Chakrata edit
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| Chakrata | |
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| Time zone: IST (UTC+5:30) | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| District(s) | Dehradun |
| Population | 3,497 (2001[update]) |
| Area • Elevation (AMSL) |
• 2,118 m (6,949 ft) |
Coordinates: Chakrata or Chakrauta (चक्राता) is a cantonment town in Dehradun district in the state of Uttarakhand, India.
It is situated between the Tons and Yamuna rivers, at an elevation of 5,500-6,500 feet, 92 km from state capital, Dehradun, it was originally a cantonment of British Indian Army. Due west lies Himachal Pradesh, and due east are Mussoorie (73 km), Garhwal.
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The area was earlier known as Jaunsar bawar, a near by village 1, belonging to the Jaunsari tribe, which still has a marked presence in the surrounding villages.
A cantonment of British Indian Army, was established in 1866 by Colonel Hume of the 55th Regiment, British Indian Army 2, and the troops and officers first occupied the cantonment in April 1869 3.
In 1901, Chakrata Tahsil was part of the Dehradun district, of United Provinces, with a collective population of 51,101, which consisted of the towns of Chakrata (population 1250 and Kalsi, with a population of 760 1, which is most known for the rock edict of the Mauryan king Ashoka 2nd century BC, first discovered by John Forest, in 1860 4.
Chakrata is an access-restricted military cantonment, and foreigners face severe restrictions in visiting. Notably, it is the permanent garrison of the secretive and elite Special Frontier Force, also known as Establishment 22 ( called "Two-Two"), the only ethnic Tibetan unit of the Indian Army, which was raised after the Indo-China War of 1962. Various kinds of weapons and survival training is also imparted by R&AW and other intelligence services in Chakrata, in support of various Indian foreign policy goals, especially pertaining to other countries in the Indian Subcontinent.
The area has an abundance of conikrs, rhododendrons and oaks. A key attraction near Chakrata is the waterfall named Tiger Fall. A secluded -nearby, leafy hamlet of Deoban is offered a panoramic view of the Himalayas stretching from Kinnaur to Garhwal and Kumaon.
The region also has a host of temples including ones at Hanol a temple dedicated to Lord Mahasu; Radina, Thaina, Indroli, Lakhwar, and Lakhamandal, on the banks of river Yamuna, known for its ancient Shiva Temple, which traces its existence to the legends of Mahabharata, the village also has several natural caves 5 6.
The alpine meadows of Mundali (2776 mts.), offers skiing opportunities, November to April.
There are approx. 2-3 basic private hotels in Chakrata, and some dhabas. Petrol and diesel are hard to come by (for civilians), but can be obtained in small quantities from local traders.
As of 2001[update] India census,7 Chakrata had a population of 3497, belonging to the Jaunsari tribe 6. Males constitute 62% of the population and females 38%. Chakrata has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; w ith male literacy of 81% and female literacy of 65%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
