The city of Kotli dates back to the twelfth century, when it was settled by a branch of the Royal
Mangral Rajput family of Kashmir, descendants of
Raja Mangar Pal. Originally known as Kohtali, literally meaning "under the mountain" due to the surrounding mountainous landscape. Kotli remained as a semi-autonomous state until it was finally subdued by
Ranjit Singh in 1819 and incorporated into the
Sikh Empire. After the
independence of Pakistan and
India from the
British rule, "bands of deserters from the State Army, some serving soldiers of the Pakistan Army on leave, ex-servicemen, and other volunteers who had risen spontaneously" reached Kotli in November 1947. They expelled the Dogra garrison at the town after a night of fighting. India then sent its armed forces to Kashmir where they attacked Kotli in an attempt to recapture it. The
Pakistan Army counter-attacked with the aid of the native tribesmen, winning a decisive victory in the
Battle of Kotli. It has been under
Pakistani control ever since. == Education ==