Everything about Jammu And Kashmir totally explained
Jammu and Kashmir (
Urdu:
جموں و کشمیر) is the northernmost
state of
India. Situated mostly in the
Himalayan mountains, Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the
Indian states of
Himachal Pradesh and
Punjab to the south,
Pakistan-
administered Kashmir to the west and the
People's Republic of China to the north and east. The territory of Jammu and Kashmir is
disputed between India and Pakistan and it's referred to by Pakistan as Indian-occupied Kashmir. Conversely, India refers to Pakistan-administered Kashmir as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir consists of three divisions:
Jammu, the
Kashmir valley and
Ladakh.
Srinagar is the summer capital, and
Jammu its winter capital. While the Kashmir valley, often known as
paradise on Earth, is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, Jammu attracts tens of thousands of
Hindu and
Muslim pilgrims every year. Ladakh, also known as "Little
Tibet", is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and
Buddhist culture.
History
The Valley of Kashmir was once the great lake Satisar. According to
Hindu texts, the Hindu sage
Kashyapa drained a lake lying north of the
Pir Panjal range by cutting the mountain near
Varamulla. The sage then encouraged people from India to settle in the valley that was formed after the lake was drained. The locals named the valley Kashyap-Mar and Kashyap-Pura in honour of the sage. The name Kashmir is derived from
ka (the water) and
shimeera (to desiccate). In other words, the word Kashmir implies land desiccated from water. And also the lake was very holy to the people until drained
Kashmir was one of the major centres of Sanskrit scholars in ancient times. According to
Mahabharata evidence,
Kambojas had ruled over Kashmir during
epic times and it was a
Republican system of government under the
Kamboj. The capital city of Kashmir (Kamboj) during epic times was Rajapura for example Karna-Rajapuram-gatva-Kambojah-nirjitastava. Epic Rajapura is the same as
Ho-lo-she-pu-lo of
Yuan Chawang and has been identified with modern
Rajauri. Later, the
Panchalas are stated to have established their sway. The name
Peer Panjal, which is a part of modern Kashmir, is a witness to this fact. Panjal is simply a distorted form of the
Sanskritic tribal term Panchala. The
Muslims had prefixed the word " peer " to it in memory of one Siddha Faqir and the name thence-after is said to have changed into Peer Panjal.
The Kashmir valley was first incorporated into the
Maurya Empire and then into the
Kushan Empire. In the early 8th century, Kashmir became the center of Hindu warrior
Lalitaditya Muktapida's empire spanning much of
northern India and
Central Asia. Kashmir was invaded in mid 12th century by the Muslim Turkish army but it was completely occupied by Turkish Zulkadur Khan in 1322. Later in 1394, another Turkish occupation took place by Sikandar who made
Islam the state religion allegedly resulting in forced mass conversions. Udayan Dev was the last free Kashmiri ruler but after his death in 1338, Kashmir was completely occupied by the Muslims Turks. Turkish rule ended when the Mughal Emperor Akbar invaded Kashmir in 1586, led by Hindu King Bhagawant Das and his aide Ramchandra I. The Mughal army easily defeated Yusuf Khan of Kashmir. After the battle, Akbar appointed Ramchandra I as the governor of the Himalayan kingdom. Ramchandra I founded the city of Jammu (named after Hindu goddess
Jamwa Mata) south of the Pir Panjal range. Ramchandra was the ancestor of the last Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir
Hari Singh whose kingdom was invaded by Pakistan on
20 October 1947.
In 1780, after the death of Ranjit Deo, a descendant of Ramchandra I, Jammu and Kashmir was captured by the
Sikhs under
Ranjit Singh of
Lahore and afterwards, until 1846, became a tributary to the Sikh power. Ranjit Deo's grand-nephew,
Gulab Singh, subsequently sought service at the court of Ranjit Singh, distinguished himself in later wars, and was appointed as the Governor or Raja of Jammu in 1820. With the help of his able officer,
Zorawar Singh, Gulab Singh soon captured
Ladakh and
Baltistan, regions to the east and north-east of Kashmir. for assistance, and the
Governor-General agreed on the condition that the ruler accede to India." Once the papers of accession to India were signed, "Indian soldiers entered Kashmir but they got the order just to stop any further occupation but they were not allowed to drive out the invaders from the state. India took the matter to the United Nations. The UN resolution asked Pakistan to vacate the areas it has occupied and asked India to assist the U.N. Plebiscite Commission to organize a plebiscite to determine the will of the people. Pakistan has refused to vacate the occupied areas.
In course of time relations between India and Pakistan soured for many other reasons, "By 1956–57 they'd completed a military road through the
Aksai Chin area to provide better communication between
Xinjiang and western
Tibet. India's belated discovery of this road led to border clashes between the two countries that culminated in the Sino-Indian war of October 1962."
Jammu and Kashmir is the only Indian state that has its own flag. Designed by the Government of India, the state flag of Jammu and Kashmir is the native
plough on a red background which is a
symbol of
labour. The three stripes represent the three administrative divisions of the state, namely Jammu, Vale of Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Pakistan-controlled Kashmir valley is referred to (by Pakistan) as
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). While the area of Baltistan isn't a part of it. These areas of Baltistan and surroundings are called as
Northern Areas by Pakistan.
Azad Kashmir has its own Prime minister and a President. But instead of a parliament they've a Jammu and Kashmir council. It deals with all administrative and financial matters of the region, whereas security and Army are still under Pakistan control.
Northern Areas are referred to as FANA (Federally Administered Northern Areas) by Pakistan. These areas are not officially a part of Pakistan, but recently there have been increasing demand of making it part of Pakistan officially, a move that Pakistan is hesitant to take, since it'll affect its long standing position on Kashmir conflict.
Geography and climate
Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, Sind Valley and Lidder Valley. The main Kashmir valley is 100 km wide and 15,520.3 km² in area. The Himalayas divide the Kashmir valley from Ladakh while the Pir Panjal range, which encloses the Valley from the west and the south, separates it from the Great Plains of northern India. Along the northeastern flank of the Valley runs the main range of the Himalayas. This densely settled and beautiful valley has an average height of 1,850 meters above sea-level but the surrounding Pir Panjal range has an average elevation of 5,000 meters.
The
Jhelum River is the only major Himalayan river which flows through the Kashmir valley. The
Indus,
Tawi,
Ravi and
Chenab are the major rivers flowing through the state. Jammu and Kashmir is home to several Himalayan glaciers. With an average altitude of 5753 meters above sea-level, the
Siachen Glacier is 70 km long making it the longest Himalayan glacier.
The climate of Jammu and Kashmir varies greatly owing to its rugged topography. In the south around Jammu, the climate is typically monsoonal, though the region is sufficiently far west to average 40 to 50 mm (1.6 to 2 inches) of rain per months between January and March. In the hot season, Jammu city is very hot and can reach up to 40°C (104°F) whilst in July and August, very heavy though erratic rainfall occurs with monthly extremes of up to 650 millimetres (25.5 inches). In September, rainfall declines, and by October conditions are hot but extremely dry, with minimal rainfall and temperatures of around 29°C (84°F).
Across from the Pir Panjal range, the South Asian monsoon is no longer a factor and most precipitation falls in the spring from southwest cloudbands. Because of its closeness to the
Arabian Sea, Srinagar receives as much as 25 inches (635 millimetres) of rain from this source, with the wettest months being March to May with around 85 millimetres (3.3 inches) per month. Across from the main Himalaya Range, even the southwest cloudbands break up and the climate of Ladakh and Zanskar is extremely dry and cold. Annual precipitation is only around 100 mm (4 inches) per year and humidity is very low. This region, almost all above 3,000 metres (9,750 feet) above sea level and winters are extremely cold. In Zanskar, the average January temperature is -20°C (-4°F) with extremes as low as -40°C (-40°F). All the rivers freeze over and locals actually do river crossings during this period because their high levels from glacier melt in summer inhibits crossing. In summer in Ladakh and Zanskar, days are typically a warm 20°C (68°F) but with the low humidity and thin air nights can still be cold.
Economy
Jammu and Kashmir's economy is mostly dependent on farming, animal husbandry and tourism. The Kashmir valley is known for its
sericulture,
cold water fisheries as well as agricultural produce like apples, pears and many temperate fruits as well as nuts.
Wood from Kashmir is used to make high-quality
cricket bats, popularly known as
Kashmir Willow. Kashmiri
saffron is also very famous and brings the state a handsome amount of foreign exchange. Every year, thousands of Hindu
pilgrims visit holy shrines of
Vaishno Devi and
Amarnath which has had significant impact on the state's economy. Though small, the manufacturing and services sector is growing rapidly, especially in the Jammu division. In recent years, several
consumer goods companies have opened manufacturing units in the region. The union and state government have planned several industrial parks and
special economic zones in Jammu and Kashmir. However, industrial development in the state faces several major constraints including extreme mountainous landscape and power shortage. In an attempt to improve the infrastructure in the state, the Indian government has commenced work on the ambitious
Kashmir Railway project which is expected to cost more than
US$4 billion. The
Jammu & Kashmir Bank, which is listed as a
S&P CNX 500 conglomerate, is based in the state. It reported a gross income of
INR 18,394 million for 2005. Before insurgency intensified in 1989,
tourism formed an important part of the Kashmiri economy. The tourism economy in the Kashmir valley was worst hit. However, the holy shrines of Jammu and the Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh continue to remain popular pilgrimage and tourism destinations. Tourism in the Kashmir valley has rebounded somewhat in recent years, with
Gulmarg emerging as one of the most popular
ski resort destinations in India. Gulmarg is also home to the world's highest green
golf course.
| Year |
Gross State Domestic Product (in million INR) |
| 1980 |
11,860 |
| 1985 |
22,560 |
| 1990 |
36,140 |
| 1995 |
80,970 |
| 2000 |
147,500 |
| 2006 |
539,850 |
| Agricultural Exports | apples, barley, cherries, corn, millet, oranges, rice, peaches, pears, saffrom, sorghum, vegatables, and wheat.
|
| Manufactured Exports | handicrafts, rugs, and shawls.
|
Demographics
Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India that has a Muslim majority population. Though Islam is practiced by about 65% of the population of the state and by 95% of the population of the Kashmir valley,
In the 1901 Census of the British Indian Empire, the population of the princely state of Kashmir was 2,905,578. Of these 2,154,695 were Muslims, 689,073 Hindus, 25,828 Sikhs, and 35,047 Buddhists. The Hindus were found mainly in Jammu, where they constituted a little less than 50% of the population. In the Kashmir Valley, the Hindus represented "only 524 in every 10,000 of the population (
for example 5.24%), and in the frontier
wazarats of Ladhakh and Gilgit only 94 out of every 10,000 persons (0.94%)." In 2003, the percentage of Muslims in the Kashmir Valley was 95% and those of Hindus 4%; the same year, in Jammu, the percentage of Hindus was 67% and those of Muslims 27%. According to an estimate by the
Central Intelligence Agency, about 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits from the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir have been internally displaced due to the ongoing violence.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the principal spoken languages are
Kashmiri,
Urdu,
Dogri,
Pahari,
Balti,
Ladakhi,
Punjabi,
Gojri and
Dadri, Kishtwari. However, Kashmiri written in the
Sharada script is the official language of the state. Many speakers of these languages use
Hindi or
English as a second language.
Culture
Ladakh is famous for its unique
Indo-
Tibetan culture.
Chanting in
Sanskrit and
Tibetan language forms an integral part of Ladakh's Buddhist lifestyle. Annual masked dance festivals,
weaving and
archery are an important part of traditional life in Ladakh. Ladakhi food has much in common with
Tibetan food, the most prominent foods being
thukpa, noodle soup; and
tsampa, known in Ladakhi as
Ngampe, roasted barley flour. Typical garb includes gonchas of velvet, elaborately embroidered waistcoats and boots, and gonads or hats. People, adorned with gold and silver ornaments and turquoise headgears throng the streets during various Ladakhi festivals.
The
Dumhal is a famous dance in the Kashmir valley, performed by men of the Wattal region. The women perform the Rouff, another traditional folk dance. Kashmir has been noted for its fine arts for centuries, including poetry and handicrafts.
Shikaras, traditional small wooden boats, and
houseboats are a common feature in various lakes and rivers across the Valley. The
Indian Constitution doesn't allow people from regions other than Jammu and Kashmir to purchase land in the state. As a consequence, houseboats became popular among those who were unable to purchase land in the Valley and has now become an integral part of the Kashmiri lifestyle.
Kawa, traditional green tea with spices and almond, is consumed all through the day in the chilled winter climate of Kashmir. Most of the buildings in the Valley and Ladakh are made from softwood and is influenced by
Indian,
Tibetan, and
Islamic architecture.
Jammu's Dogra culture and tradition is much similar to that of neighbouring
Punjab and
Himachal Pradesh. Traditional Punjabi festivals such as
Lohri and
Vaisakhi are celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm throughout the region. After Dogras,
Gujjars form the second-largest ethnic group in Jammu. Known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle, Gujjars are also found in large numbers in the Kashmir valley. Similar to Gujjars,
Gaddis are primarily herdsmen who hail from the Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh. Gaddis are generally associated with emotive music played on the
flute. The
Bakkarwalas found both in Jammu and the Vale of Kashmir are wholly nomadic pastoral people who move along the Himalayan slopes in search for pastures for their huge flocks of goats and sheep.
Divisions
Jammu and Kashmir consists of three divisions: Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, and is further divided into 22 districts:
Jammu region
The
Siachen Glacier, although under Indian military control, doesn't lie under the administration of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Education
In 1970, the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir established its own education board and university. Education in the state is divided into primary, middle, high secondary, college and university level. Jammu and Kashmir follows 10+2 pattern for education of children. This is handled by
Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (abbreviated as JKBOSE). Various private and public schools are recognized by the board to impart education to students. Board examinations are conducted for students in class VIII, X and XII. In addition there are various
Kendriya Vidyalayas (run by the
Government of India) and
Indian Army schools that also impart secondary school education. These schools follow the
Central Board of Secondary Education pattern.
Notable higher education or research institutes in Jammu and Kashmir include
National Institute of Technology Srinagar, Govt. College of Engineering and Technology of Jammu, and the Government Medical College of Jammu. University-level education is provided by
University of Jammu,
University of Kashmir,
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu,
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir,
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University,
Islamic University of Science & Technology, and
Baba Ghulam Shah Badhshah University.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Jammu And Kashmir'.
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