Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir

JAMMU & KASHMIR

AREA : 2, 22,236 SQ KM
POPULATION : 10,069,987
CAPITAL: SRINAGAR (SUMMER), JAMMU (WINTER)
PRINCIPAL LANGUAGES: URDU, DOGRI, KASHMIRI, PAHARI, PUNJABI, LADAKHI, BALTI, GOJRI AND DADRI

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
According to the most popular legend that is also recorded in Rajtarangani and Nilmat Purana, two most authoritative books, Kashmir was once a large lake and it was Kashyap Rishi who drained it off the water, making it a beautiful abode. But geologists have their own theory, which says that geographical changes made way for the outflow of water by subsidence of the mountain at Khadianayar, Baramulla and thus emerged the Valley of Kashmir, the paradise on earth. Ashoka introduced Buddhism to Kashmir in the 3rd century B.C., which was later strengthened by Kanishka. Huns got the control of the valley in the early 6th century. The Valley regained freedom in 530 AD but soon came under the rule of the Ujjain Empire. After the decline of the Vikramaditya dynasty, the valley had its own rulers. There was a synthesis of Hindu and Buddhist cultures. Lalitaditya (697-738 AD) extended his rule up to Bengal in the east, Konkan in the south, Turkistan in the northwest and Tibet in the northeast. Considered as the most famous Hindu ruler, Lalitaditya was known for constructing beautiful buildings. Islam came to Kashmir during 13th and 14th century AD. Zain-ul-Abedin (1420-70) was the most famous Muslim ruler, who came to Kashmir when the Hindu king Sinha Dev fled before the Tatar invasion. Later Chaks overran Haider Shah, son of Zain-ul-Abedin. They continued to rule till 1586 when Akbar conquered Kashmir. In 1752, Kashmir passed on from the feeble control of the Mughal emperor of the time to Ahmed Shah Abdali of Afghanistan. The Valley was ruled by the Pathans for 67 years.

The name of Jammu figures in the Mahabharata. Recent findings of Harappan remains and artifacts of Mauryan, Kushan and Gupta periods at Akhnoor have added new dimensions to its ancient character. The land of Jammu was divided into 22 hill principalities. Raja Maldev, one of the Dogra rulers, conquered many territories to consolidate his kingdom. Raja Ranjit Dev ruled over Jammu from 1733 to 1782. His successors were weak, and thus Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed the territory to Punjab. He later handed over Jammu to Raja Gulab Singh, a scion of the old Dogra ruling family, who had grown powerful among Ranjit Singh’s governors and had annexed almost the whole Jammu region. The State was governed by Dogra rulers till 1947, when the Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession in favour of the Indian Union on 26 October, 1947.

Jammu and Kashmir is situated between 32° -15′ and 37° -05′ north latitude and 72° -35′ and 83° -20′ longitude East. Geographically, the State can be divided into four zones. First, the mountainous and semi mountainous plain commonly known as Kandi belt, the second, hills including Shivalik ranges, the third mountains of Kashmir Valley and Pir Panchal range and the fourth is Tibetan tract of Ladakh and Kargil. Geographically and culturally, the state has three district regions – Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Kashmir is set like a jeweled crown on the map of India; Kashmir is a multi-faceted diamond, changing its hues with the seasons – always extravagantly beautiful. Two major Himalayan ranges, the Great Himalayan Range and the Pir Panjal, surround the landscape from the north and south respectively. They are the source of great rivers, which flow down into the valleys, forested with orchards and decorated by lily-laden lakes.

The Mughals aptly called Kashmir ‘Paradise on Earth’ where they journeyed across the hot plains of India, to the valley’s cool environs in summer. Here they laid, with great love and care, Srinagar’s many formal, waterfront gardens, now collectively known as the Mughal Gardens. Anecdotes of four and five centuries ago describe their love for these gardens, and the rivalries that centered on their ownership. They also patronized the development of art & craft among the people of Kashmir, leaving behind a heritage of exquisite artisanship among these people and making the handicrafts of the land prized gifts all over the world.

Jammu is nestled against the backdrop of the snow-capped Pir Panjal Mountains; the region of Jammu constitutes the southernmost unit of the state of Jammu & Kashmir.

It forms part of the transition between the Himalayan range in the north and the dusty plains of Punjab in the south. Between these two extremities lie a series of scrub-covered hills, forested mountain ranges and river valleys, encompassing several microclimatic regions that extend from Kishtawar in the north-east to Akhnoor in the south-west, and the historic town of Poonch in the north-west to the borders of Kangra (H P) in the south-east. The Shivalik hills cut across the area from the east to the west while the rivers Ravi, Tawi and Chenab cut their way through the region.

PLACES TO SEE

CHASHMASHAHI SPRINGS :Chashmashahi is the smallest of the three Mughal gardens of Kashmir. Meaning Royal Spring, this garden measures 108 m by 38 m and is above the Nehru Memorial Park. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan set up the Kashmir Chashma Shahi Mughal Gardens in 1632 AD. The garden is quite famous for spring of energizing digestive mineral water inside it. Chasma Shahi Garden of Kashmir, India, offers a striking view of the scenic Dal Lake and the neighboring mountains. The garden has a number of terraces, with several fountains built right through its center.

SHALIMAR BAGH: Emperor Jehangir got the Shalimar Garden built for his wife Nur Jahan in 1616. A second garden Faiz Baksh, (The Bountiful) was added to it later during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658). Covering an area of approximately 539 m by 182 m, the Shalimar garden offers an amazing view over the other gardens, lakes and shallow terraces. Also known as the “garden of love”, the Shalimar Mughal Gardens has four terraces, rising one above the other. The fourth terrace of the garden was, at one point of time, reserved for royal ladies. There is also a canal lined with polished stones running through the center of the Shalimar Bagh. The canal is responsible for supplying water to the garden from Harwan.

DAL LAKE: Dal lake of Kashmir is one of the most beautiful and picturesque lakes in India. It has been and continues to be a part of the poetry by some renowned poets. The second largest lake of Jammu and Kashmir state, Dal Lake is encircled by magnificent mountains on three sides. Adorning the banks of the Dal Lake is a number of blooming gardens and orchards. Five basins and a number of channels well linked with each other are some of the features of the lake. Dal Lake is approximately 6 km by 3 km in size and changes its moods and scenery after every few kilometers.

DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK: In the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir, this is among the most scenically beautiful areas of the sub-continent. A 10 km long road runs through the lower area but the only way to visit most of the park is on foot. The Dachigam is the last home of the rare Kashmir stag, which can be viewed best during its autumn rutting season when the lower slopes and forests echo with its melodious calls. Himalayan black bears come out of hibernation in March, the best time to see this impressive omnivore. Thick-coated grey langur’s brown bears and leopard cats. Birdlife is delightful and flowers carpeting the upper meadows are spectacular, especially the blue poppy.

GULMARG: Gulmarg’s legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country. Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favorite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country’s premier ski resort in the winter.

PAHALGAM: Pahalgam is situated at an altitude of 2,133 metres amidst lofty deodars, fir, pine, junipers and many other conifers. The place gets lively during the tourist months of the summer, as well as during the weeks before the Amarnath Yatra, as the base for a big annual pilgrimage to a cave of an ‘ice-lingam’.There is something about the pure and re-vitalizing air of Pahalgam. Perhaps dense pine and cedar forests make it oxygen rich. Limited accessibility combined with limited telecom connectivity makes it an ideal getaway from the grind of daily life and professional stress.

SONMARG: Sonmarg, also known as the “Golden Meadow”, is situated at a height of 2740 m. The drive to this beautiful meadow is also as spectacular as the place itself. Driving through the Sindhu valley, you get to see another aspect of Kashmir. Encircled by snow-covered mountains, Sonmarg is a place of enchanting beauty. Surrounded by dense forests, full of sycamore and alpine flowers, silver birch, fir and pine, the meadow presents a captivating sight. The charm of Sonmarg hill station is further enhanced with the snow capped mountains as the backdrop and the Sindh River meandering through it.

PATNITOP: Perched on a secluded plateau amidst picturesque surroundings, Patnitop is a hill station with ample opportunities for adventure sports, walks and picnics. Enveloped by thick wooded forests of pine and cedar, Patnitop is blanketed with sheets of snow in winters, making it among India’s best ski resorts. Excellent views are provided by the mountains forming the backdrop of the Chenab basin and three ice-cold fresh water springs. Situated at an altitude of 2,024 m, it is 112 Km from Jammu and is a getaway destination for trekkers, winter sports lovers or people who just wish to soak up the pristine natural beauty of the region.

VAISHNO DEVI: Perched on a secluded plateau amidst picturesque surroundings, Patnitop is a hill station with ample opportunities for adventure sports, walks and picnics. Enveloped by thick wooded forests of pine and cedar, Patnitop is blanketed with sheets of snow in winters, making it among India’s best ski resorts. Excellent views are provided by the mountains forming the backdrop of the Chenab basin and three ice-cold fresh water springs. Situated at an altitude of 2,024 m, it is 112 Km from Jammu and is a getaway destination for trekkers, winter sports lovers or people who just wish to soak up the pristine natural beauty of the region.

AMARNATH: This is one of the revered pilgrimage sites of India tucked away in the mighty Himalayas. Open only for a few months during the year, Amarnath enshrines a natural Shivalingam of ice, and is reached after an arduous trek through the mountains of Kashmir.Amarnath is an ancient pilgrimage center. Shiva is worshipped here in the form of a Shivalinga shaped ice block, made by drops of water oozing naturally in the cave. To the left of the Shivalingam is another ice block representing Ganesha, and to the right of the Shivalingam are blocks representing Parvati and Bharirava. The cave faces south. Legend has it that Shiva made the Gods immortal by providing them with the celestial nectar, and resided here upon their request. This boon of immortality lent the name Amarnath.

LADAKH: Ladakh is a land abounding in awesome physical features, set in an enormous and spectacular environment. Bounded by two of the world’s mightiest mountain ranges, the Karakoram in the north and the Great Himalaya in the south, it is traversed by two other parallel chains, the Ladakh Range and the Zanskar Range. For nearly 900 years, from the middle of the 10th century, Ladakh was an independent kingdom, its ruling dynasties descending from the kings of old Tibet. The kingdom attained its greatest geographical extent and glory in the early 17th century under the famous king Singge Namgyal, whose domain extended across Spiti and western Tibet right up to the Mayum-la, beyond the sacred sites of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. The famous pashmina (better known as cashmere) also came down from the high-altitude plateau of eastern Ladakh and western Tibet, through Leh, to Srinagar, where skilled artisans transformed it into shawls known the world over for their softness and warmth.