Kumaon is arevenue and administrative division in the Indian state ofUttarakhand. Historically known as Manaskhand and Kurmanchal, the Kumaon region has been ruled by several dynasties over the course of its history, most notably theKatyuri and theChand. In 1790, theKingdom of Kumaon was invaded and annexed by theGorkhas, from whom it was conquered by the BritishEast India Company in 1815, following which it became part of theCeded and Conquered Provinces (which later became theUnited Provinces). After Indian independence in 1947, it remained part of the state ofUttar Pradesh until 2000, when the state of Uttarakhand was created as a result of theUttarakhand movement. The people of Kumaon are known asKumaonis and speak theKumaoni language. This picture shows a panoramic view of the KumaonHimalayas as seen from thehill station and town ofRanikhet, with mountains such asTrisul (7,120 m, 23,360 ft),Nanda Devi (7,817 m, 25,646 ft),Nanda Kot (6,861 m, 22,510 ft),Panchachuli (6,904 m, 22,651 ft), and other peaks prominently visible.Photograph credit:Harshit Rautela; edited byUnpetitproleX