Arki, India

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?Arki Himachal Pradesh • India
Arki
Coordinates: 31°09′N 76°58′E / 31.15, 76.97
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 1,045 m (3,428 ft)
District(s)	Solan
Population	2,877 (2001)
Codes • Telephone	• +911796

Coordinates: 31°09′N 76°58′E / 31.15, 76.97 Arki is a town and a Nagar panchayat in Solan district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. The town is notable for its fort built in late 18th century when Arki was the capital of the erstwhile hill state of Baghal.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Sair Fair
4 Demographics
5 References

[edit] History

Arki was the capital of the princely hill state of Baghal, which was founded by Rana Ajai Dev, a Panwar Rajput. The state was founded around 1643 and Arki was declared as its capital by Rana Sabha Chand in 1650.The Arki Fort is a converted hotel and lovely to visit.

The Arki Fort was built between 2000 - 2005 by Rana Prithvi Singh, a descendent of Sabha Chand. The Fort was captured by the Gurkhas in 1806. Rana Jagat Singh, the ruler of Baghal had to take refuge in Nalagarh. During this period from 1806 - 1815, the Gurkha General Amar Singh Thapa used Arki as his stronghold to make further advances into Himachal Pradesh as far as Kangra.^[1]^[2]

The Gurkhas were however driven out by Rana Prithvi Singh assisted by Sir David Ochterlony and the British forces during the Gurkha War in 1815 - 1816. Thereafter Rana Prithvi Singh regained control of Arki.^[3]

Rana Kishan Singh, who ruled the state from 1840 - 1867, developed the town of Arki in a planned manner. The Rana was a far sighted ruler and built horse and mule tracks to connect Arki with Shimla and Bilaspur. Many artisans, scholars and businessman from other parts of India settled in Arki during his reign as he provided them with tax free land free of cost.

The Rana was a patron of arts and had muralled interiors installed in the Arki fort in 1850. The murals are a prime attraction among tourists today.^[2]

At the present ruler of Baghal is Shri Raja Rajander Singh he has two son late Shri Pramod Singh his two son's Tikka Harshvardhan Singh and Kure Ajai Dev Singh and his second son's name is Kure Nagander singh and his son is Rahul Dev Singh

During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Rana Kishan Singh assisted the British forces for which he was presented the title of Raja. Another revolt was suppressed in 1905 with the help of Superintendent of Shimla Hill States. This was as payback for the support he had received earlier to driving Gurkha out.

[edit] Geography

Arki is located at 31.15° N 76.97° E.^[4] It has an average elevation of 1045 metres (3428 feet).

Arki is located in the Siwalik range of Himalaya mountains. Due to its high altitude, Arki enjoys a pleasant weather in the summers with the temperatures hovering between 26°C - 32°C. The winters are chilly and the temperature ranges between 4°C - 8°C. The rainfall is moderate and occurs mainly during July and August.

Arki is known for its various caves and cave temples among which Lutru Mahadev andMutru Mahadevare very famous.^[5]

[edit] Sair Fair

The Sair Fair is an annual event generally held in Arki around July. The fair is famous for buffalo fights. Local people train their buffalos for the event. The chief guest for the fair in 2005 was Raja Virbhadra Singh, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh and in 2004 Raja Rajendra Singh was the chief guest. The fair is attended by thousands of people every year.^[6]

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[7] Arki had a population of 2877. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Arki has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 55% of the males and 45% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.