The two units of the district which are Lahaul & Spiti have separate historical backgrounds. In the distant past Lahul had been changing hands between the rulers of Ladakh and Kullu. In the second half of the seventeenth century with the disintegration of Ladakh kingdom, Lahul passed into the hands of the Kullu chief. In 1840, Maharaja Ranjit Singh took over Lahul along with Kullu and ruled over it till 1846 when the area came under the sway of the British. From 1846 to 1940, Lahul formed part of the Kullu sub-division of Kangra district and was administered through the local Jagirdars/Thakurs. In 1941, a separate sub-Tehsil comprising Lahul & Spiti was formed and a naib-tehsildar was posted at Keylong thereby divesting the Thakurs of their powers. The system remained in vogue till June, 1960 when Lahul & Spiti district came into being. Simultaneously, Lahul was constituted into a separate Tehsil, and, later on it was formed into a sub-division.
In a way, the valley of Lahul starts with the population from Koksar — Gramphug and moves to three different corners of Tindi, Miyar and Darcha. The direction heading back towards Spiti has no population except few temporary and seasonal settlements established to cater tourists during summers at Chatru and Batal. The straight road heading to Tindi through Udaipur and middle of the Pattan Valley takes one to Pangi Valley of Chamba and a right turn
from the confluence of sacred River Chanderbhaga heads towards Leh through Baralacha Pass and Zanskar through Shingo La Pass whereas a diversion from Udaipur leads the route to Miyar valley. All these valleys offer multiple trekking routes and high peaks to neighbouring districts and states, however in ancient times the trade route to Tibet also continued from the same mountains and valleys. Lahul is a unique land of harmony between Hindu and Buddhist religions which can be rarely seen elsewhere. There are several villages and households that practice both the religions under one roof with equal belief and interest and the temples of Trilokinath and Mrikula also have both Hindu and Buddhist names as well as religious significance. Like Mount Kailash, the mighty river Chanderbhaga also has Hindu and Buddhist names.
There are various monasteries in Lahul valley like Tupchiling, Ghantar, Kardang, Shashur, Gwazang, Tayul and Jispa along with temples of Hadimba, Mahadev and other local deities in several villages. The entire area is fertile, people are educated and hardworking and the festivities are prominently held during winters when they remain landlocked because of heavy snow fall.
