Gateway to HP, JK, it became district in 2011

In the Mahabharata, Pathankot is named as a part of the Audumbara kingdom. The town served as the initial capital of Nurpur state. The Pathania clan of Rajputs ruled the region. In the medieval period, Pathans from Afghanistan had settled in the region and it is believed that the city’s name originated from these Pathan settlements. It was a part of the Kangra region after the British invasion and in 1853, it was merged with Gurdaspur district.

Advertisement

During partition, there was a proposal to include Pathankot in Pakistan but ultimately it was given to India along with the rest of Gurdaspur district. On July 27, 2011, it was formed into a separate district after being carved out from Gurdaspur district. It is an important business hub due to its location. It is also called the gateway to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.