Kullu's history is steeped in mythology and ancient texts. The region was originally known as *Kulanthapitha*, which translates to "the end of the habitable world," a nod to its location at the edge of the formidable Great Himalayan range. It finds mention in Indian epics such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Vishnu Purana.
According to historical records, the princely state of Kullu was founded in the 1st century CE by Behangamani Pal, a descendant of a royal family from Tripura. The Pal dynasty ruled the region for centuries, initially operating from their capital at Jagatsukh, which was later moved to Naggar. In 1660, Raja Jagat Singh moved the capital to Sultanpur, which forms part of present-day Kullu town, after obtaining an idol of Lord Raghunath from Ayodhya. This event marked the beginning of the famous Kullu Dussehra festival.
The region remained largely independent due to its geographic isolation until it fell under the control of the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century. Following the First Anglo-Sikh War in 1846, Kullu was annexed by the British East India Company and administered as part of the Kangra district in the Punjab Province. After India gained independence in 1947, Kullu continued as part of Punjab until the state's reorganization in 1966, when it was integrated into the newly formed state of Himachal Pradesh.