History of Dehradun
The area around Dehradun has references in several ancient Hindu texts. It is known as the land of Shiva, the region where the Hindu mythological heroes Rama and Lakshmana performed penance, and the Pandavas of Mahabharata rested on their way up to the mountains. Apart from mythological associations, Dehradun was once ruled by the great Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (3st century BC), whose rock edict was found near Kalsi, just off the town.
Over the centuries, this area passed from one ruler to the other including the Guptas, Mughal’s and Sikhs and Gorkhas. Finally the British established it as an army base and educational centre in 1815. In the post-independence era, Dehradun has witnessed dramatic transformations, from a quiet sub-Himalayan town to a bustling commercial centre. The spiralling local movement for a separate hill state was spearheaded from this town which has since the formation of new hill state served as its capital.
Places to See Near Dehradun
The capital city of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is famous for its scenic grandeur and beautiful surroundings. Dehradun and its surrounding places are adorned with the beauty of the Himalayas. There are several historical places, temples, natural springs, parks, picnic spots in the city’s vicinity, which are surely worth a visit. In fact, a trip to Dehradun can’t be successful without visiting the excursions around it. Apart from the natural beauty, there are several artificially built amusement parks around Dehradun that make an excursion trip interesting. Dehradun is also very close to famous hill stations like Mussoorie and chakrata.
