Skip to main content

Why the Kangra earthquake of 1905 needs to be kept in public memory

By Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society
The Kangra earthquake of 1905 stands as one of the most devastating disasters in the history of India. Occurring in the Kangra Valley and the region of the Punjab Province (now part of Himachal Pradesh), this earthquake left a lasting impact on the region and its people. On April 4, 1905, a catastrophic earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck the Kangra Valley. It caused widespread destruction, particularly in the towns of Kangra and Dharamsala. The death toll exceeded 20,000, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes in Indian history. The quake was so powerful that it was felt throughout Northern India, reaching as far as Delhi. Numerous buildings and historical monuments were destroyed, leaving a scar on the region's cultural heritage.
As we remember the day it's important to keep alive memories of how people survived and built back. These memories will help future generations too in coping with any future .

Geological Insights

Despite its immense power, the earthquake did not result in any observable surface rupture at the time, a rare occurrence for earthquakes of this magnitude. Later studies, however, identified the Kangra Valley Fault (KVF) as the likely culprit for the 1905 earthquake. This fault is a right-lateral strike-slip fault, capable of producing earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7.2. Paleoseismic investigations along the KVF have revealed evidence of at least four significant seismic events in the region's history, with the 1905 quake likely being the most recent. These findings highlight the complex and active seismic nature of the Himalayan region.

Impact

The Kangra earthquake had a devastating impact, reaching a peak Rossi–Forel intensity of X in Kangra. Remarkably, areas as far as 150 km away, including Dehradun and Saharanpur in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, experienced unusually high intensities. Even towns like Kasauli, Bilaspur, Chamba, and Lahore felt the quake at an intensity of VII. The disaster led to the demolition of approximately 100,000 buildings and resulted in the tragic loss of over 20,000 lives. Additionally, around 53,000 domestic animals perished. The earthquake also wreaked havoc on the region's infrastructure, including the hillside aqueducts vital for water supply. Financially, the recovery from this calamity was immense, with costs estimated at 2.9 million rupees in 1905.

Resilience and Recovery

The aftermath of the earthquake saw a significant humanitarian response. Efforts were focused on providing immediate relief to the survivors, including medical care, food, and shelter. The rebuilding process was slow but steady, with a focus on constructing more earthquake-resistant buildings. The disaster also led to increased awareness and understanding of seismic risks in the region, prompting improvements in construction standards and disaster preparedness. This paved the way for the development and implementation of stricter building codes in earthquake-prone regions of India.The Kangra earthquake serves as a powerful reminder of the need for preparedness in earthquake-prone zones. Today, India has a well-established network of seismic monitoring stations and a robust disaster management system. Public awareness campaigns educate communities about earthquake safety measures and evacuation protocols.

Himachal Pradesh learnings from different disasters

Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) has a long history of working in Himachal Pradesh and has supported the State not only providing technical assistance but working with communities to empower them to rebuild and learn as they do so by retrofitting of community buildings and spaces. From the Hill Safety Campaign to initiating School Earthquake Safety Initiative, Shimla (SESIS) the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh to enhance sensitivity towards earthquake risks in the region with the support of the Government of Himachal Pradesh and other stakeholders. The project inculcated a culture of safety through 20 schools. Structural strengthening (retrofitting) of schools was carried out in 5 selected schools. Efforts were taken to build capacity of different stakeholders like masons, students and teachers, to reduce the risks and to be able to face disasters in future.
Very recently following the July and August 2023 heavy rainfall there were a series of landslides. Through rigorous ground assessments SEEDS identified 20 families for transitional shelters – on the basis of several prerequisite conditions. Many of these families had lost both their homes and their livelihoods.In consultation with the local Gram Pradhans and local communities a physical survey of the affected families was carried out and the most marginalised families from the villages were selected.
SEEDS has been actively involved in various initiatives in and around Shimla to enhance safety and community engagement. Besides their work on reducing earthquake risks in Shimla, they organized a Parvat Yatra, a journey through the mountains, to connect with local communities. In Solan, another area prone to seismic activities, SEEDS built a community center. This center serves as a hub for local people to gather, learn, and participate in safety and preparedness activities. Moreover, SEEDS played a significant role in the recovery efforts following a major incident in 2005, demonstrating their commitment to both immediate response and long-term risk reduction. All these efforts highlight SEEDS' dedication to building safer and more resilient communities in regions vulnerable to natural disasters.

Conclusion

The Kangra earthquake of 1905 serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive power of natural disasters and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The lessons learned from this tragedy have informed better building practices and preparedness strategies, making the region stronger and more resilient in the face of future seismic challenges. Involving communities in the building back is most important.

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING

Grueling summer ahead: Cuttack’s alarming health trends and what they mean for Odisha

By Sudhansu R Das  The preparation to face the summer should begin early in Odisha. People in the state endure long, grueling summer months starting from mid-February and extending until the end of October. This prolonged heat adversely affects productivity, causes deaths and diseases, and impacts agriculture, tourism and the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life of the state remains severely disrupted during the peak heat months.
Post a Comment
»

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman*  The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.
Post a Comment
»

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor*  This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.
Post a Comment
»

Concerns raised over move to rename MGNREGA, critics call it politically motivated

By A Representative   Concerns have been raised over the Union government’s reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with critics describing it as a politically motivated step rather than an administrative reform. They argue that the proposed change undermines the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and seeks to appropriate credit for a programme whose relevance has been repeatedly demonstrated, particularly during times of crisis.
Post a Comment
»

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.
59 comments
»

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra   There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.
Post a Comment
»

Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra   A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.
Post a Comment
»

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor*  Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.
Post a Comment
»

School job scam and the future of university degree holders in West Bengal

By Harasankar Adhikari  The school recruitment controversy in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most serious governance challenges in recent years, raising concerns about transparency, institutional accountability, and the broader impact on society. Allegations that school jobs were obtained through irregular means have led to prolonged legal scrutiny, involving both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India. In one instance, a panel for high school teacher recruitment was ultimately cancelled after several years of service, following extended judicial proceedings and debate.
Post a Comment
»