About Jammu and Kashmir Day

Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) is the northern most state in India. It is surrounded on the north by Afghanistan and China, on the east by China, on the south by the state of Himachal Pradesh and the state of Punjab in India, and on the west by the North-West Frontier Province and the Punjab Province of Pakistan. J&K covers an area of 222,236 sq km (85,805 sq mi).

Jammu and Kashmir are really three regions: the foothill plains of Jammu; the lakes and blue valleys of Kashmir rising to alpine passes, the high altitude plains and starkly beautiful mountains of Ladakh which lies beyond those passes. The Indus River flows through Kashmir and the Jhelum River rises in the northeastern portion of the territory.

Kashmir possesses a more equable climate than that of southern and central India. The beautiful Vale of Kashmir is a noted resort region. Srinagar is Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital and Jammu is the winter capital.

History of Jammu and Kashmir 

The state of Jammu and Kashmir which had earlier been under Hindu rulers and Muslim Sultans became part of the Mughal Empire under Akbar. After a period of Afghan rule from 1756, it was annexed to the Sikh kingdom of Punjab in 1819. In 1846 Ranjit Singh handed over the territory of Jammu to Maharaja Gulab Singh. After the decisive battle of Sabroon in 1846, Kashmir also was handed over to Maharaja Gulab Singh under the Treaty of Amritsar. British supremacy was recognized until the Indian Independence Act 1947.

When all the states decided on accession to India or Pakistan, Kashmir asked for standstill agreements with both. In the meantime the state became the subject of an armed attack from Pakistan and Maharaja acceded to India on 26th October, 1947 by signing the instruments of accession. India approached the then UN in January 1949. Another round of war between the two countries in 1965 was followed by the Tashkent Declaration in January 1966. Following the liberation movement in the former eastern wing of Pakistan, Pakistan attacked India in December, 1971. It was followed by the Shimla Agreement in July, 1972. A new line of control was delineated bilaterally to replace the ceasefire line between the two countries in Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir has been in the centre of contention between India and Pakistan ever since. Separatist movements have torn the peaceful fabric of the state for over a decade.

Climate of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir has a varied climate which is mainly because of its rugged topography. The state has an altitude from 395 meters to 6910 meters. The Climate in summer is mild owing to the rainfall that takes place on the outer hills and plains. The temperature falls owing to the rainfall in the hills as moisture laden winds strike the high peaks. The valley being on a higher altitude has a milder climate than that of the outer plains. In winter, the Mediterranean winds cause snowfall in the valley. The elevation of the mountains and valleys in the middle zone is the influential factor of the climate in these regions. Summers are mild and of short duration while winters are cold and dry. The level of cold increases with rising altitude and eventually snowfalls occurs in the higher mountain ranges.

Economy and Infrastructure

The state has limited mineral and fossil-fuel resources, and much of these are concentrated in the Jammu region. Small reserves of natural gas are found near Jammu, and bauxite and gypsum deposits occur in the Udhampur district. Other minerals include limestone, coal, zinc, and copper. The pressure of population on land is everywhere apparent, and all available resources are utilized. The lakes and rivers provide fish, water chestnuts, hydroelectric power, and transport and are a tourist attraction. The mountains supply many kinds of timber and pasture for livestock. Gujar and Gaddi nomads practice transhumance in the mountains, keeping sheep, goats, yaks, and ponies.

The majority of the people are engaged in subsistence agriculture of diverse kinds on terraced slopes, each crop adapted to local conditions. Rice, the staple crop, is planted in May and harvested in late September. Corn (maize), millet, pulses (legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils), cotton, tobacco and rice are the main summer crops, while wheat and barley are the chief spring crops. Many temperate fruits and vegetables are grown in areas adjacent to urban markets or in well-watered areas with rich organic soils.



Society and Culture

The population of Jammu and Kashmir has the highest proportion of Muslims of any Indian state, about two-thirds of the total. Hindus constitute most of the remaining third, and there are small minorities of Sikhs and Buddhists. Urdu is the state's official language. Jammu and Kashmir has the distinction of having multifaceted, variegated and unique cultural blend, making it distinct from the rest of the country, not only from the different cultural forms and heritage, but from geographical, demographically, ethical, social entities. Its different cultural forms like art and architecture, fair and festivals, rites and rituals, seer and sagas, language and mountains, embedded in ageless period of history, speak volumes of unity and diversity with unparalleled cultural cohesion and cultural service. While Kashmir has been the highest learning centre of Sanskrit and Persian where early Indo-Aryanic civilization has originated and flourished, it has also been the embracing point of the advent of Islam in India.

Ladakh on the other hand, has been the highest and living centre of Tantrayan Buddhism. Jammu, the same way, has been the seat of Rajas and Maharajas which have cemented and enriched the cultural, historical and social bonds of all these diverse ethnic and linguistic divisions of the state. The ancient archeological monuments and remnants speak volume of the distinct cultural traditions of the state.

Language

The main languages spoken in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are Kashmiri, Urdu, Pahari, Dogri, Balti, Gojri, Ladakhi, Shina and Pashto. Nevertheless, Urdu written in the Persian script is the official language of Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from all these, the people in the state use Hindi or English as a second language.

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism

Kashmir valley is described as a paradise on earth. Chashma Shahi Springs, Shalimar Bagh, Dal Lake, etc in Srinagar; Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, etc in the valley; Vaishno Devi temple and Patnitop near Jammu, etc are important tourist centres in the state. Tourism played a vital part in the economy of Kashmiri before the insurgency in 1989. After this period tourism was hit severely. In the recent years, the decrease in state violence has rebounded and boosted the state tourism. In 2011, more than a million tourists were reported to visit Jammu and Kashmir. 

Hotels of Jammu and Kashmir 

The State is home to both star and non star category hotels catering to the needs of the tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir. Besides it has resorts, restaurants and cafes which cater to the needs of all segments of travelers. Hotels in Jammu and Kashmir offer the highest degree of comfort to guests and make it possible to meet their maximum satisfaction. Tourists on various budgets can easily book a room in any segments of hotels in J&K.

Administrative Divisions

Jammu and Kashmir is divided into three divisions - Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. These are further divided into 22 districts. They are Anantnag, Badgam, Bandipora, Baramulla, Doda, Ganderbal, Jammu, Kargil, Kathua, Kishtwar, Kupwara, Kulgam, Leh, Poonch, Pulwama, Rajauri, Ramban, Reasi, Samba, Shopian, Srinagar and Udhampur. The state has 2 Municipal Corporations, 9 Municipal Councils and 21 Municipal Boards.