Bageshwar (Kumaoni: Bāgshyār) is a town and a municipal board in Bageshwar district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is located at a distance of 470 km from the National Capital New Delhi and 332 km from the State Capital Dehradun. Bageshwar is known for its scenic environment, glaciers, rivers and temples. It is also the administrative headquarters of Bageshwar district.

Situated on the confluence of Saryu and Gomati rivers, Bageshwar is surrounded by the mountains of Bhileshwar and Nileshwar to its east and west, the Suraj Kund in the north, and Agni Kund in the south. Bageshwar was a major trade mart between Tibet and Kumaun, and was frequented by the Bhotia traders, who bartered Tibetan wares, wool, salt and Borax in exchange for carpets and other local produces in Bageshwar. The trade routes were, however, closed after the Indo-China War of 1962.

The city is of great religious, historic and political significance. Bageshwar is mentioned in various Puranas, where it has been associated with Shiva. The Uttrayani fair held annually in Bageshwar used to be visited by approx 15,000 people in the early twentieth century, and was the largest fair of Kumaon division. The fair became the epicenter of the Coolie Begar Movement in January 1921. The city of Bageshwar gets its name from the Bagnath Temple. Hindi and Sanskrit are the official Languages however Kumaoni is spoken by a large number of people.

Bageshwar's name is closely linked to its religious and mythological significance. The Bagnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, has been a revered site for centuries. According to the Manaskhand of the Shiva Purana, the temple and the surrounding town were established by Chandeesh, a servant of Lord Shiva.

Another popular legend involves Sage Markandeya, who is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva at this very spot. In one version of the legend, Lord Shiva blessed Sage Markandeya by appearing to him in the form of a tiger, which contributed to the region's strong religious and cultural identity.

Bageshwar's history in the medieval period is tied to the powerful dynasties that ruled the Kumaon region. During the 7th century, Bageshwar was part of the Katyuri Kingdom and was situated near Kartikeypura, the capital of the Katyuri Dynasty. The Katyuris ruled the region until the death of Birdeo, the last ruler of the united Katyuris, in the 13th century. His death led to the fragmentation of the Katyuri kingdom into eight smaller princely states, with Bageshwar falling under the control of the Baijnath Katyurs, descendants of the original Katyuri kings.

The 10th century saw the rise of the Chand dynasty, founded by Som Chand, who displaced the Katyuris and established the new kingdom of Kurmanchal, later known as Kumaon. Som Chand's successors later moved the capital of Kumaon from Champawat to Almora in the 16th century, marking the establishment of the Chand dynasty's influence over the region.

A major event in the history of Bageshwar occurred in 1791 when the Gorkhas, expanding their kingdom westward across the Kali River, invaded Kumaon, including Bageshwar. The Gorkhas swiftly took control of the region and its administrative centers, including Almora, which was then the seat of the Kumaon Kingdom. However, Gorkha rule was short-lived. After the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816), the British East India Company defeated the Gorkhas and forced them to cede Kumaon to the British under the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816.