About Government Degree College Mahanpur

Government Degree College Mahanpur was Established in the year 2011 vide Govt. Order No 264-Hr. Edu. of 2011 dated 29-06-2011 under centrally sponsored scheme in the Educationally Backward Districts. The Foundation stome was laid by Ch. Lal Singh (Ex Minister of Forest & Wildlife). Initially the college started functioning in the makeshift campus at the Government Higher Secondary School Mahanpur in 2012, with first batch of students having strength of 65. The College and Mahanpur area was under the Tehsil Basohli.

In 2014, Mahanpur got the Tehsil Status. The college shifted from Higher Secondary School Mahanpur to its present campus on October 17, 2017, when Ex Minister, Principal, Staff and students moved on foot toward the present campus.Presently the college falls in Panchayat B of Tehsil Mahanpur adjacent to Dhar Road near Forest Department.Presently the college falls in Panchayat B of Tehsil Mahanpur adjacent to Dhar Road near Forest Department.

Mahanpur is also known as town of birds (Pakhruein-Da-Pind) located in the lap of Shiwalik Hills all around. The area is also well known for its natural resources of water(Spring,Bowlis) mango groves, ravi River. The oldest temple like Jagdamba, Shiva and Bankhandi are the main attractions of the religious minds. For the last few years, its population has increased many folds due to the migration of people whose places of hearths have been submerged under the reservoir of Ranjit Sagar Dam. The area has produced a good number of top officers who have been holding the top positions in the corridor of power in Civil and Police administration. Apart from it, many a good academicians, doctors, engineers and businessmen have also earned name and fame from have. The area is covered predominantly by the coniferous flora and a lot many wild animal species thrive here under the protection of forest and wildlife authorities, Distance wise Mahanpur is 130 km from Jammu, 50 from Kathua, 40 from Lakhanpur and 32 from Basohli.

The history of Mahanpur cannot be studied in isolation. It has to be studied in relation to the history of Basohli: The city of Basohli dates back to the period of the Indus Valley Civilization - the largest Ancient Civilization in the World, during which time it was called Vishvasthali. Some temples in the city of Basohli date back to 10,000 years. The current layout of the city resembles the culture of the erstwhile Indus Valley Civilization wherein, the city centre constituted the King's Palace with Lord Shiva's temple at its entrance. To the left of the palace the Raj Purohits (the Royal Chief Priests) resided and to its right - the Vaids (the Doctors). A well-laid out Bazaar was in the heart of the city. Based on their castes and professions, the citizens of this place were allocated separate colonies. The Rajput community which formed the army of the King resided towards the riverside on the outskirts of Basohli near Plahi and Farnat. The houses were made of bricks and stones. The schedule class community was assigned an area called the Pargana outside of Basohli. The south side of the city had a cremation ground. The Palace architecture was based on "Vaasthu Shastra'. The city had an excellent underground drainage system running throughout. All colonies were well watered with several water-wells planted everywhere.

Greek historic records mention the existence of two powerful empires during Alexander's conquest of India - The Abhisara-present day Poonch, and The Kathaioi-present day the Strabo the Greek Historian had mentioned in his records that the people of these two empires had epitomized bravery and courage and offered very tough fight to Alexander's Army. Legend has it that the Pandavas visited Basohli during their exile period and that they lived in a cave where they erected a huge Sivalingam that they brought with them to Basohli.

In more recent times, Basohli the Princely State was founded and ruled by the Pal Dynasty for centuries since 750 A.D. The last King of the Pal Dynasty was Raja Kalyan lasted till 1836 AD post which the State of Basohli was transferred as “Jagir” to Raja Hira Singh.

Basohli is famous for being the birthplace of the renowned art of Pahari Miniatures known as Basohli Paintings. It is also renowned for housing 100 Hindu Temples Within the City.