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Synopsis From the historical viewpoint, Kumaon to this day remains a relatively unexplored area. The rugged topography and terrain, had made communication extremely difficult, resulting, to a certain extent, in an insular outlook and an indigenous administrative history. The present study is a pioneer endeavour to collect, collate and synthesize the administrative history of the Kumaon Himalayas mainly on the basis of primary sources. After this British acquisition, Kumaon was constituted as a ‘non-regulation’ area and thus was ruled by a separate set of uncodified laws. In the present work an in-depth study of the people of Kumaon against the background of its administrative history has been made. It also brings to light the true aims, policies and modes of operation of the British in Kumaon and the consequent political repurcussions.