Jammu & Kashmir History

The state of Jammu & Kashmir is a region of widely varying people and geography. In the south, Jammu is a transition zone from the Indian plains to the Himalaya . Nature has lavishly endowed Kashmir with certain distinctive favors which hardly find a parallel in any alpine land of the world. It is the land of snow clad mountains that shares a common boundary with Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of the Indian Union. Known for its extravagant natural beauty this land formed a major caravan route in the ancient times.

Trade relations through these routes between China and Central Asia made it a land in-habited by various religious and cultural groups. It was during the reign of Kashyapa that the various wandering groups led a settled life Buddhism influenced Kashmir during the rule of Ashoka and the present town of Srinagar was founded by him. This place was earlier called 'Srinagari' or Purandhisthan. The Brahmins who inhabited these areas admired and adorned Buddhism too. From the regions of Kashmir Buddhism spread of Ladakh, Tibet, Central Asia and China. Various traditions co-existed till the advent of the Muslims.




The Mughal had a deep influence on this land and introduced various reforms in the revenue industry and other areas that added to the progress of Kashmir. In 1820 Maharaj Gulab Singh got the Jagir of Jammu from Maharaj Ranjit Sigh. He is said to have laid the foundation of the Dogra dynasty. In 1846 Kashmir was sold to Maharaj Gulab Singh. Thus the two areas of Kashmir and Jammu were integrated into a single political unit. A few chieftains who formed part of the administration were of the Hunza, Kishtwar, Gilgit Ladakh. During the Dogra dynasty trade improved, along with the preservation and promotion of forestry.

Art and crafts also developed through encouragement. After, independence of India in 1947 this region formed a part of the Indian territory and is an integral region that contributed its part to preserve the unity and integrity of India.

Full Name   Jammu and Kashmir Capital   Summer (May-October) - Srinagar  / Winters(Novemenber-April)- Jammu Languages   Urdu (Official Language), Kashmiri, Hindi, Dogri, Pahari, Ladakhi Population   approx. 7,720,000 Location   Strategically located Jammu and Kashmir State constitutes the northern most extremity of India. North Latitude : 32.17 degree - 36.58 degree East Longitude : .26 degree - 80.30 degree Area   2,22,236 sq. km. Number Of District   14 Climate   Tropical in Jammu plains to semi-arctic cold in Ladakh with Kashmir and Jammu mountainous tracts having temperate climatic conditions. Summer Max.39.9, Min.23.4; Winter Max.20.2, Min.4.5. The annual rainfall also varies from region to region with 92.6 mm in Leh, 650.5 mm in Srinagar and 1115.9 mm in Jammu.   Roads   9375 km with 3 National Highways. Railways   Total railway track length is 72km spanning 7 stations Rivers   Indus, Chenab, Jehlum and Raavi. Domestic Airports   Jammu, Srinagar, Leh Crops   Barley, Forest-produce, Fruit, Millets, Rice, Saffron, Wheat. Minerals   Bauxite, Coal, Lignite, Sapphires. Semi-precious stones. Industries   Carpet & Shawl, Handicrafts, Sericulture, Watches, wood-based industries. Famous for Apples and Tourism. Best Season   Jammu - October To February Kashmir - May To October & November To February Ladakh - Mid June To September Excursions   Akhnoor - 32 kms, Batote-113 kms, Kud-106 kms, Mansar Lake- 80 kms, Purmandal (Chhota Kashi)- 39 kms, Patnitop- 112 kms, Ramban-148 kms, Ramnagar- 102 kms, Sanasar-129 kms, Sudhmahadev- 120 kms, Surinsar Lake- 42 kms, Kishtwar High Altitude National Park- 248 kms.