KUMAON or KUMAUN, an administrative division of British India, in the United Provinces, with headquarters at Naini Tal. It consists of a large Himalayan tract, together with two submontane strips called the Tarai and the Bhabhar ; area 13,722 sq.m. ; population (1931) 1,394,473. The submontane strips were up to 1850 an almost impenetrable forest, given up to wild animals ; but since then the numerous clearings have attracted a large population from the hills, who cultivate the rich soil during the hot and cold seasons, returning to the hills in the rains. The rest of Kumaon is a maze of mountains, some of which are among the loftiest known. In a tract not more than 140 m. in length and 4o m. in breadth there are over thirty peaks rising to eleva tions exceeding 18,00o feet. The rivers rise chiefly in the southern slope of the Tibetan watershed north of the loftiest peaks, amongst which they make their way down valleys of extraordinary depth. The principal are the Sarda (Kali), the Pindar and Kailganga, whose waters join the Alaknanda. There is valuable timber in the uncleared forest tracts. The chief trees are the cliir, or three leaved Himalayan pine, the cypress, fir, alder, sal or iron-wood, and saindan. There are mines of iron, copper, gypsum, lead and
asbestos. Except in the submontane strips and deep valleys the climate is mild. The rainfall of the outer Himalayan range, which is first struck by the monsoon, is double that of the central hills, in the average proportion of 8o in. to 4o. No winter passes with out snow on the higher ridges, and in some years it is universal throughout the mountain tract. Frosts, especially in the valleys, are often severe. Leprosy is prevalent in the east of the district while goitre and cretinism are found.
Kumaon proper constituted an old Rajput principality, which became extinct at the beginning of the 19th century. The country was annexed after the Gurkha war of 1815. In 1891 the division was composed of the three districts of Kumaon, Garhwal and the Tarai ; but the two districts of Kumaon and the Tarai were subsequently redistributed and renamed of ter their headquarters, Naini Tal and Almora. Rice and wheat are important crops and in those areas which escape severe frost much fruit is grown.