Kashipur was known as Govishan during the time of harsha (606-647 AD), when Yuan-Chwang (631-641 AD) visited this region. The ruins of the large settlement of those days are still to be seen near the city. Kashipur is named after Kashinath Adhikari, the founder of the township and one of the officers of the Chand rulers of Kumaon in the middle age.

Poet Gumani has written a poem on this town. Girital and Drona sagar are well known spots and are associated with the story of the Pandavas. The Chaiti mela is the best known fair of Kashipur. Today Kashipur is an important industrial township. In autumn (after mansoon) one can see the snowclad peaks of Trishul and its surroundings.
 
This place is known to have been an important centre for pilgrimage, learning and trade for centuries before it lost its shine. The centuries-old remnants of pottery, statues and other such material are still found on excavation. The Archaeological Survey of India excavated a few sites at Govishan and found the remains of a 6th century Panchaytan Temple.
 
According to Ain-e-Akbari, this region was under the Kumaon rulers after 1588 AD. At that time it was ruled by King Devi Chand of the Chand Dynasty of Kumaon. Pandit Kashinath, an office bearer under King Devi Chand, laid the foundation of present day Kashipur.
 
 
Mythology
The oldest town in the Tarai region, Kashipur is believed to have existed during the period of the great epic ‘Ramayana’ (the mythical period of Tretayuga) as Kashyap Ashram. 'Ujjaini Tanda’, a small settlement just outside the town is believed to be the site of 'Ujjainak Teerth’, spoken of highly in the Puranas. This was also the place of worship of Devi Arundhati and Maharishi Vashishtha.
It is also believed by some that when Shravan Kumar was carrying his parents on the pilgrimage that embalmed him in Indian legend as the embodiment of the dutiful son, he stayed here for some time. In the period of the Mahabharata, it was the ‘Tapobhumi’ of Guru Dronacharya. In the time of Harsha, it was a centre of Buddhist civilization and culture.
The Revered poet ‘ Sant Tulsidas ’ is believed to have spent Chaturmasa (4 months of rainy season) at this place during a pilgrimage.

 
British Rule Excerpts (from uttaranchal.org.uk) : On 11th Feb, 1815 Col. Gardner took command of the army and moved from Kashipur to conquer Kumaon.They moved ahead capturing the areas and reached Katarmal (Where there is a famous sun temple) on 28th.
Another contingent of 1500 Soldiers under Capt Harishy marched towards Tamli fort in Kali Kumaon. Later, a fierce battle was fought under the command of Col Nicoles at Vinayathal where Gorkha commander Hastidal and Jayrakha were killed. Thereafter, they launched attack on Almora. The war ended under an agreement with Gorkha supreme commander Bamshah and thus, British rule started in hills.
East IndiaCompany came to India in 1600 and how they spread the roots of British dynasty in India is known to all of us. Same East India company established a factory in Kashipur. Company officers visiting the hills gasped seeing the beauty of nature in this part of the earth. Mr Gatt in 1802, Mr Moorcraft and Capt Herishy and later Mr Gardner sent detailed report about the land, climate, scenic beauty, natural resources. Lord Moyara also sent a confidential report to company saying,”I see the natural beauty of Kumaon hills and Himalaya even in my dreams. I pray to almighty, let the day come sooner than later when this beautiful country will be ours”. Opposing Gorkha rule was only a pretext to capture this beautiful hilly terrain.

Users Contribution
 
Previously Kashipur had 12 lakes, but now only 3 lakes live Girital lake, Dronasagar lake and Khokhratal lake. before few year back(10-15 years) one more lake was dere Katoratal lake.
 
In Nagnath temple we have a stone which belongs to time of Lord RAM, when Hanuman, sugriv and his banar sena made the bridge from Rameshvaram to Shri Lanka they used stones and wrote RAM on it and then it could float on water. You can go to Nagnath Temple and see the stone which can float on water.
 
By Preet Kumar (currently Bangaluru)