105-601: Srinagar (English: / ˈ s r iː n ə ɡ ər / ; Kashmiri pronunciation: [siriːnagar] ) is a city in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It is the largest city and summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an Indian-administered union territory . It lies in the Kashmir Valley along the banks of the Jhelum River , and
210-633: A colony of Srinagar built by him. The Muslim rulers that came after him established their capitals in areas of present-day old city Srinagar. During the rule of the Sultans, the city became synonymous with the Kashmir valley, and 'Srinagar' fell into disuse as a name for it. During the rule of Qutbuddin, Islamic preacher Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani visited the valley and established his seat of preaching in Srinagar. Sultan Sikandar Shahmiri (1389–1413 CE) built
315-597: A human population of just under 900,000. In a survey conducted by an NGO, it was found that some residents welcomed this program, saying the city was overrun by dogs, while critics contended that more humane methods should be used to deal with the animals. The situation has become alarming with local news reports coming up at frequent intervals highlighting people, especially children being mauled by street dogs. Religion in Srinagar City (2011) As of 2011 census Srinagar urban agglomeration had 1,273,312 population. Both
420-596: A metro system in the city. The feasibility report for the Srinagar Metro is planned to be carried out by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation . In December 2013, the 594m cable car allowing people to travel to the shrine of the Sufi saint Hamza Makhdoom on Hari Parbat was unveiled. The project is run by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC), and has been envisioned for 25 years. An investment of 300 million INR
525-575: A newly constructed 11 km long Banihal tunnel, and subsequently to the Indian railway network after a few years. It takes approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds for a train to cross the tunnel. It is the longest rail tunnel in India. This railway system, proposed in 2001, is not expected to connect the Indian railway network until 2017 at the earliest, with a cost overrun of 55 billion INR. The train also runs during heavy snow. There are proposals to develop
630-662: A part of "Indian-occupied Kashmir" (IOK) or "Indian-held Kashmir" (IHK), neutral sources use "Indian-administered Kashmir"/"Pakistan-administered Kashmir" and "Indian-controlled Kashmir"/"Pakistan-controlled Kashmir" to demarcate the areas. The state of Jammu and Kashmir was accorded special status by Article 370 of the Constitution of India . In contrast to other states of India , Jammu and Kashmir had its own constitution , flag , and administrative autonomy. Indian citizens from other states were not allowed to purchase land or property in Jammu and Kashmir under Article 35A of
735-580: A part of those laid by the Mughal emperors across the Indian subcontinent. Those of Srinagar and its close vicinity include Chashma Shahi (the royal fountains); Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring); Shalimar Bagh ; the Naseem Bagh. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in the city, set up in 1969. The Indian government has included these gardens under "Mughal Gardens of Jammu and Kashmir" in
840-404: A popular tourist destination among Europeans and Indian elites during this time, with several hotels and its iconic houseboats being built. In 1952, the city became the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir , a region administered by India as a state, with Jammu being its winter capital. It was the flashpoint of violence during the 1990s and early 2000s insurgency in the region. In 2019, it became
945-655: A separate state after bifurcation of the territory, on the basis of cultural, linguistic and religious differences from neighbouring Kashmiris (who are predominantly Muslim by faith). Languages in Jammu & Kashmir 2011 Census of India . Kashmiri is the most-spoken language, is mainly spoken in the Kashmir Valley and in the upper reaches of the Chenab Valley, with a sizeable number of speakers in Jammu City. Dogri , related to Punjabi and Pahari,
1050-406: A total population of 12,267,013. The sex ratio is 889 females per 1000 males. Around 924,485 (7.54%) of the population is scheduled caste and 1,275,106 (10.39%) belong to the scheduled tribes , mainly Gujjar , Bakerwal , and Gaddi . The SCs are mostly concentrated in the Jammu region. The region also has a minority Christian community. Religions in Jammu and Kashmir (2011) Muslims constitute
1155-834: Is 100 km (62 mi) wide and 15,520.3 km (5,992.4 sq mi) in area. The Himalayas divide the Kashmir valley from the Tibetan plateau while the Pir Panjal range, which encloses the valley from the west and the south, separates it from the Punjab Plain of the Indo-Gangetic Plain . Along the northeastern flank of the Valley runs the main range of the Himalayas. This valley has an average height of 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) above sea-level, but
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#17327654180571260-743: Is 14 km (8.7 mi) north of Srinagar, and is a world class wetland spread over 13.75 km (5.31 sq mi) including lake and marshy area . It is the most accessible and well-known of Kashmir's wetlands which include Hygam, Shalibug and Mirgund. A record number of migratory birds have visited Hokersar in recent years. Birds found in Hokersar are migratory ducks and geese which include brahminy duck , tufted duck , gadwall , garganey , greylag goose , mallard , common merganser , northern pintail , common pochard , ferruginous pochard , red-crested pochard , ruddy shelduck , northern shoveller , common teal , and Eurasian wigeon . Under
1365-653: Is Islam with 96% of the population being Muslim. Hindus constitute the second largest religious group representing 2.75% of the population. The remaining population constitutes Sikhs, Buddhist and Jains. Kashmiri Hindus constituted 21.9% of Srinagar's population as per 1891 census and 2.75% as per 2011 census. The city is served by many highways, including National Highway 1A and National Highway 1D . Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport has regular domestic flights to Leh , Jammu , Chandigarh , Delhi and Mumbai and occasional international flights. An expanded terminal capable of handling both domestic and international flights
1470-494: Is a region administered by India as a union territory and consists of the southern portion of the larger Kashmir region, which has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947 and between India and China since 1959. The Line of Control separates Jammu and Kashmir from the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in the west and north. It lies to
1575-493: Is a unicameral legislative assembly , whose tenure is five years. The legislative assembly may make laws for any of the matters in the State List of the Constitution of India except "public order" and "police", which will remain the preserve of the central Government of India . The Lieutenant Governor also has the power to promulgate ordinances which have the same force as the acts of the legislative assembly. Elections for
1680-405: Is a wetland situated near Srinagar. Thousands of migratory birds come to Hokersar from Siberia and other regions in the winter season. Migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia use wetlands in Kashmir as their transitory camps between September and October and again around spring. These wetlands play a vital role in sustaining a large population of wintering, staging and breeding birds. Hokersar
1785-497: Is also broadcast. The city is home to the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium , where international cricket matches have been played. The first international match was played in 1983 in which West Indies defeated India and the last international match was played in 1986 in which Australia defeated India by six wickets. Since then no international matches have been played in the stadium due to the security situation (although
1890-509: Is one of several places that have been called the " Venice of the East ". Lakes around the city include Dal Lake – noted for its houseboats – and Nigeen Lake . Apart from Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake, Wular Lake and Manasbal Lake both lie to the north of Srinagar. Wular Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. Srinagar has some Mughal gardens , forming
1995-522: Is one of the home venues for the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team . The Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, named after Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad , hosts football matches. Institutions such as the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports provides mountaineering, skiing and adventure courses. The Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar , located on the banks of Dal lake , is considered one of
2100-462: Is redeveloped for the particular sport in 2015. Srinagar is home to professional football club of I-League , Real Kashmir FC and Downtown Heroes FC of I-League 2 . There are certain other sports being played but those are away from the main city like in Pahalgam (Water rafting) and Gulmarg (skiing). Jammu and Kashmir (union territory) Jammu and Kashmir (abbreviated J&K )
2205-472: Is said to have halved the city's population. Consequently, due to the famine and forced labour in the villages, a considerable number of people migrated to Srinagar. The Darbar Move was introduced in 1872 by Ranbir Singh , whereby the capital moved to Jammu for six months during the winter albeit later phased down by Hari Singh who "fixed his headquarters permanently at Jammu". The Ministers and Heads of Departments continued to followed it, nevertheless, it
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#17327654180572310-578: Is spoken throughout the plains areas of Jammu division, as well as in parts of the hills. The hill people speak several languages. In the Pir Panjal Range, bordering Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the main language is Pahari-Pothwari , a western variety of Punjabi, as well as Gojri , the language of the Gujjar tribe. In the eastern hills of Jammu division are spoken various Western Pahari languages such as Siraji and Bhaderwahi , which merge with
2415-537: Is the next biggest source of income in the economy. The temperature of Jammu and Kashmir is also suited to floriculture and can support various species of flora. Over 500 mineral blocks are present in Jammu and Kashmir, 261 of which are in the Kashmir Division alone. Kishtwar is known as the 'land of sapphire and saffron'. Resources such as timber, herbs and medicinal shrubs, edibles such as mushroom, chilgoza , black zeera , and saffron are available in
2520-692: Is the second-largest metropolitan area in the Himalayas (after Kathmandu , the capital of Nepal). Founded in the 6th century during the rule of the Gonanda dynasty according to the Rajatarangini , the city took on the name of an earlier capital thought to have been founded by the Mauryas in its vicinity. The city remained the most important capital of the Kashmir Valley under the Hindu dynasties, and
2625-518: Is used to make high-quality cricket bats, popularly known as Kashmir Willow. Major agricultural exports from Jammu and Kashmir include apples, pears, cherries, plums, saffron and walnuts. The traditional Kashmiri handicrafts industry employs a large workforce of around 340 thousand artisans and has potential for producing export goods. Small-scale cottage industries include carpet weaving, silks, shawls, basketry, pottery, copper and silverware , papier-mâché and walnut wood . The horticulture sector
2730-540: Is −20.0 °C (−4.0 °F) recorded on 6 February 1895. Srinagar has been ranked 43rd best “National Clean Air City” (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India. In November 2011, the City Mayors Foundation – an advocacy think tank – announced that Srinagar was the 92nd fastest growing urban areas in the world in terms of economic growth, based on actual data from 2006 onwards and projections to 2020. Srinagar
2835-594: The Khanqah-e-Moula at this location, and also built the Jamia Mosque at Nowhatta in 1402. The oldest surviving example of forcible conversion of a Hindu place of worship into Muslim shrine in Kashmir also appears from Srinagar under Sikandar's rule. Sikandar's successor Zain-ul-Abidin undertook several constructions in and around Srinagar. He built the Zainakadal bridge connecting the two halves of
2940-466: The Rajatarangini . According to the Rajatarangini , Ashoka was the great-grandson of Shakuni and son of Shachinara's first cousin. The great grandson of Sakuni and a son of that king grand-uncle, named Ashoka, who was true to his engagement, then supported the earth He is said to have built a great city called Srinagara (near but not same as the modern-day Srinagar ). In his days,
3045-558: The Government Medical College in Srinagar and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Vijaypur, Jammu . The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is administered under the provisions of Article 239 of the Constitution of India . Article 239A, originally formulated for the union territory of Puduchery , is also applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. The President of India appoints a Lieutenant Governor for
3150-539: The India–Pakistan border . Radio Sharda, a worldwide community radio service for Kashmiri Pandits , was started by Ramesh Hangloo. FM Tadka 95.0, BIG FM 92.7 , Radio Mirchi and Red FM 93.5 are private FM radio stations. Internet shutdowns are frequent in Jammu and Kashmir. As of February 2021, the region had 300 internet shutdowns since 2012. In 2020 alone, this number was 115, the highest of any year. Sports tournaments in Jammu and Kashmir are organised by both
3255-660: The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (President: Altaf Bukhari ). Jammu and Kashmir sends five members (MPs) to the lower house of the Indian parliament (the Lok Sabha ) and four members to the upper house (the Rajya Sabha ). Jammu and Kashmir's economy is primarily services-based and agriculture-oriented. The gross domestic product of Jammu and Kashmir was estimated at ₹ 1.76 lakh crore (equivalent to ₹ 2.1 trillion or US$ 25 billion in 2023) in 2020–21. In
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3360-658: The Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (President: Mehbooba Mufti ) the Bharatiya Janata Party (State President: Ravinder Raina ), the Indian National Congress (State President: Vikar Rasool Wani ), and the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (President: Sajjad Gani Lone ). Other parties with a presence in the region include the Communist Party of India (Marxist) , the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party , and
3465-476: The Köppen climate classification , Srinagar has a four-season humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ) with hot summers and cool winters. The valley is surrounded by the Himalayas on all sides. Due to influence from Himalayan rain shadow and western disturbances , Srinagar has year-round precipitation; the spring season is the wettest while autumn is the driest. The region also has less rain in the summer due to lying in
3570-670: The Mughal Empire , many of whose emperors used it as their summer resort. Many Mughal gardens were built in the city and around Dal lake during this time, of which Shalimar and Nishat are the most well-known. After passing through the hands of the Afghan Durranis and the Sikhs in the late 18th and early 19th century, it eventually became the summer capital of the Dogra kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846. The city became
3675-524: The Mughal Gardens , Gulmarg , Pahalgam , Patnitop , Bhaderwah and Jammu . Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath which has had significant impact on the state's economy. The Kashmir valley is one of the top tourist destinations in India. Gulmarg , one of the most popular ski resort destinations in India, is also home to the world's highest green golf course . The decrease in violence in
3780-539: The Sikh Empire assumed control of Kashmir. Under them, Srinagar , the old name of the city, was restored. The situation in the city did not improve much under Sikh rule, and the city remained in a state of decay. They also imposed several restrictions on Muslim religious expression, and closed the gates of the Jamia Mosque, which remained closed until 1843. A Shia-Sunni riot happened in the city in 1837. With
3885-549: The Supreme Court of India unanimously upheld the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, while also directing the union government to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir and hold legislative assembly elections no later than September 2024. The first-ever assembly election for Jammu and Kashmir since its special status was revoked was held from September to October 2024, with the alliance of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference and Indian National Congress winning
3990-472: The Surya " (trans) "City of Sun ." The name was used for an older capital in the vicinity of the present-day city, before being used for it. Between the 14th and 19th centuries, and especially during Mughal rule, the city was also referred to simply as Kashmir or Shahr-i-Kashmir ( lit. ' City of Kashmir ' ). According to the Rajatarangini of Kalhana , a capital city by the name of Srinagari
4095-561: The Constitution of India . Jammu and Kashmir had three distinct areas: Hindu-majority Jammu region , Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley , and Buddhist-dominated Ladakh . Unrest and violence persisted in the Kashmiri Valley and, following a disputed state election in 1987 , an insurgency persisted in protest over autonomy and rights. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the 2014 Indian general election and five years later included in their 2019 election manifesto
4200-839: The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). In the year 2020–2021, the apple production in Kashmir was reported to be 1,695,000.00 metric tonnes, while in the Jammu Division, it stood at 24,415.69 metric tonnes. The combined apple production for the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir amounted to 1,719,415.69 metric tonnes. Notably, the Kashmir Valley is the primary contributor to these numbers, accounting for 75 per cent of India's total apple production and exporting around 1.8 million metric tonnes of apples annually. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regulates all major aspects pertaining to media and telecommunications in Jammu and Kashmir. In addition,
4305-570: The Indian army and police, as well as mainstream political parties and the All Parties Hurriyat Conference . Sportspersons who represent India in tournaments face stigmatisation from separatists. Jammu and Kashmir has 18 stadiums, 23 training centres, three indoor sports complexes and 42 government-maintained playing fields. Srinagar is home to the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium , a stadium where international cricket matches have been played. The Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu
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4410-471: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly were held in September and October 2024 . The union territory is under the jurisdiction of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court , which also serves as the high court for Ladakh . Police services are provided by the Jammu and Kashmir Police . The main political parties active in the region are the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (leader: Omar Abdullah )
4515-430: The Jammu and Kashmir administration released their media policy in 2020 which enabled government officers to sanction journalists and media organisations for disseminating " fake news ", and is valid for the next five years. The policy attracted criticism for allegedly reducing people to "passive recipients of the information the government intends to disseminate." The Press Council of India (PCI) expressed concern over
4620-417: The Jammu region. The climate of Jammu and Kashmir varies with altitude and across regions. Southern and southwestern areas have a sub tropical climate, with hot summers and cool winters. This region receives most of its rainfall during the monsoon season. In the east and north, summers are usually pleasant. The effect of the monsoon diminishes in areas lying to the leeward side of the Pir Panjal , such as
4725-429: The Kashmir valley, and much of the rainfall happens in the spring season due to western disturbances . Winters are cold, with temperatures reaching sub-zero levels. Snowfall is common in the valley and the mountain areas. The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir consists of two divisions : Jammu Division and Kashmir Division , and is further divided into 20 districts . Jammu and Kashmir has two major airports at
4830-410: The administration of the state grew. During this time, Srinagar, and in turn the Kashmir Valley, was connected to the rest of India via roads, which saw increased trade with Punjab . In 1886, a municipality was established for the city of Srinagar. Works for sanitation and urban development undertaken by the municipality were often met with stiff opposition by the residents, who were averse to changes. In
4935-404: The arts of shawl and carpet weaving, papier-maché, and wood carving in Srinagar. The Mughals annexed Kashmir in 1586 after a period of internal instability in the valley, and added it to their Kabul province. Mughal emperor Akbar visited the valley three times. During his second visit in 1592, an elaborate Diwali celebration was held in Srinagar. On the final such visit, he was accompanied by
5040-550: The best golf courses in India. Jammu and Kashmir was also host to the first Khelo India Winter Games , held in 2020 in Gulmarg. Jammu and Kashmir came first with the most gold medals at 26, followed by the Indian Army team with 8 gold medals. The second edition of the winter games were also held in Gulmarg in 2021, with Jammu and Kashmir coming first again. Some major tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir are Srinagar ,
5145-461: The chronicle of Chinese traveller Huein Tsang who visited the city in 631 CE. Although several other capitals of Kashmir were constructed by other rulers over the next few centuries, Pravarasena's Srinagar survived as the capital. The city was divided into several parts, each with its own guardian deity, which continue to be worshipped by Hindu Kashmiris . The 8th century scholar Adi Shankara visited
5250-718: The city and around the Dal lake during his and his successor Shah Jahan 's reign, including the Shalimar and Nishat Bagh . Empress Nur Jahan built the Pathar Mosque on the left bank of Jhelum river opposite the Khānqāh-e-Moula in 1623, the mosque was however deemed unfit for worship soon after its construction and used instead for non-religious purposes. Shah Jahan made Kashmir into a separate Subah (province) with its administrative seat at Srinagar in 1638. The Aali Masjid
5355-532: The city and founded the Shankaracharya Temple here, at the site of the earlier Jyeshteshwara Temple. The city gradually extended to the left bank of the Jhelum river, and in the early 12th century the royal palace was shifted to this side. Rinchana , a Buddhist convert to Islam who briefly ruled Kashmir in the early 14th century, built the first mosque in Kashmir on the site of a Buddhist temple in
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#17327654180575460-410: The city and the urban agglomeration has average literacy rate of approximately 70%. The child population of both the city and the urban agglomeration is approximately 12% of the total population. Males constituted 53.0% and females 47% of the population. The sex ratio in the city area is 888 females per 1000 males, whereas in the urban agglomeration it is 880 per 1,000. The predominant religion of Srinagar
5565-761: The city depict the historical cultural and religious diversity of the city as well as the Kashmir valley. There are many religious holy places in Srinagar. They include: Additional structures include the Dastgeer Sahib shrine, Mazar-e-Shuhada, Roza Bal shrine, Khanqah of Shah Hamadan , Pathar Masjid ("The Stone Mosque"), Hamza Makhdoom shrine, tomb of the mother of Zain-ul-abidin, tomb of Pir Haji Muhammad, Akhun Mulla Shah Mosque, cemetery of Baha-ud-din Sahib, tomb and Madin Sahib Mosque at Zadibal. Apart from these, dozens of smaller mosques are located all over
5670-461: The city on either side of the Jhelum river, the Mar canal and two islands inside Dal lake called Sona Lank and Rupa Lank. He also built a stone shrine for his Islamic teacher at Madin Sahib , and a brick mausoleum for his mother constructed using materials from a Hindu structure and showing Timurid influences, where he was also buried after his death. He is also credited with establishing industries around
5775-457: The city. Several temples and temple ghats are located on the banks of river Jhelum in Srinagar, including Shurayar temple, Gadhadhar temple, Pratapishwar temple, Ganpatyar Ganesh temple, Purshyar temple, Sheshyar temple, Raghunath Mandir, Durga Patshala and Dhar temple. Gurdwaras are located in Rainawari, Amira Kadal, Jawahar Nagar, Mehjoor Nagar, Shaheed Gunj, Maharajpur and Indra Nagar areas of
5880-423: The city. The city expanded rapidly between 1891 and 1941, partly due to increased migration from the countryside as a result of famines and due to improvements in sanitation and urban development as well as economic expansion, in particular the growth of the textile and tourism industries in the city. Many Punjabis also settled in Srinagar during this time for trade, commerce and administration. Srinagar emerged as
5985-466: The city. There are three Christian churches in Srinagar. The Sheikh Bagh Cemetery is a Christian cemetery located in Srinagar that dates from the British colonial era. The oldest grave in the cemetery is that of a British colonel from the 9th Lancers of 1850 and the cemetery is valued for the variety of persons buried there which provides an insight into the perils faced by British colonisers in India. It
6090-410: The dialects of western Himachal Pradesh. Urdu is also widely understood and spoken, particularly in the Kashmir region where it acts as the lingua franca alongside Kashmiri and also serves as a medium of instruction along with English , while Hindi is taught and understood in the southern areas of Jammu. According to the 2011 census, the literacy rate in Jammu and Kashmir was 67.17%, male literacy
6195-663: The doctrine of Jina , and constructed stupas . Despite the discrepancies, multiple scholars identify Kalhana's Ashoka with the Mauryan emperor Ashoka , who adopted Buddhism. Although "Jina" is a term generally associated with Jainism , some ancient sources use it to refer to the Buddha . That king, who had extinguished sin and accepted the teachings of Buddha, covered Suskaletra and Vitastatra with numerous stupas He also built Shiva temples, and appeased Bhutesha ( Shiva ) to obtain his son Jalauka. Other scholars have disputed
6300-699: The establishment of Dogra rule following the 1846 Treaty of Amritsar , Srinagar became the capital of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir . Taxes were increased and the production of silk, saffron, paper, tobacco, wine, and salt, as well as the sale of grain, became the monopoly of the state. It was a capital offence for a Muslim to kill a cow as late as the 1920s; later, the penalty was reduced to ten years of imprisonment and still later to seven years (Section 219 of Ranbir Penal Code ). The Dogras found Srinagar deteriorating, filthy and overcrowded. The city used to see several break-outs of cholera , as well as earthquakes, floods, fires and famines. The famine of 1877–79
6405-562: The first recorded European visitors to the area. Akbar built fortifications around the Hari Parbat hill, and established a township called Nagar Nagar there. He also built a shrine for Hamza Makhdoom , a Sufi mystic of Kashmir's Rishi order , on the southern slope of Hari Parbat which was later expanded several times. His successor Jahangir was particularly fond of the Kashmir valley and frequently visited it. His rule brought prosperity to Srinagar, and several Mughal gardens were built in
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#17327654180576510-552: The fiscal year 2019–20, total exports from Jammu and Kashmir amounted to ₹ 188.18 million (equivalent to ₹ 220 million or US$ 2.7 million in 2023). The Jammu & Kashmir Bank , which is listed as a NIFTY 500 conglomerate, is based in the union territory. Jammu and Kashmir is one of the largest recipients of grants from the central government annually. According to the Sustainable Development Goals Index 2021, 10.35 per cent of
6615-402: The fiscal year 2023–2024, it is expected that Jammu and Kashmir's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will exceed Rs 2.30 lakh crore, with a growth rate of 10 per cent. Along with horticulture and agriculture , tourism is an important industry for Jammu and Kashmir, accounting for about 7% to its economy. The Kashmir Valley is known for its sericulture and cold-water fisheries. Wood from Kashmir
6720-402: The forests. The sapphire reserve mines of Machail, Paddar are a source of mineral wealth. Jammu and Kashmir is the only administrative unit in India with a large amount of borax and sapphire resources. It possesses 36 per cent of the graphite, 21 per cent marble and 14 per cent of gypsum present in India. Coal, limestone and magnesite are found scattered among the different districts of
6825-526: The hands of the Afghan Durrani Empire . The Afghans undertook reconstructions in Srinagar and built the palace at Shergarhi at the site of a pre-existing ancient palace, as well as the fort atop Hari Parbat. However, contemporary accounts describe the city as filthy and deteriorating, and it also saw worsening inter-community relations during Afghan rule, with repeated Hindu-Muslim and Shia-Sunni riots, and state persecution of Pandits. In 1819,
6930-487: The hub of political activity within the Kashmir valley during later Dogra rule. Kashmiris at large despised the Dogra rule and considered the dynasty an "alien rule". Many Muslim leaders competed for influence and control over Muslim shrines in the city through which they sought to become representatives of Kashmiri Muslims . Sheikh Abdullah , and his National Conference (NC), eventually succeeded in doing so. In 1947, after
7035-529: The late 19th and early 20th century, modern tourism began to take hold in the city, especially on and around the Dal lake, with houseboats being built to accommodate British officers and their families who came in the summers seeking respite from the heat of the plains of northern India. The Shergarhi Palace was greatly modified by the Dogras, who used it as their official residence in the city. Pratap Singh and his successor Hari Singh also laid out several parks in
7140-544: The leadership of a Mayor . The Srinagar district along with the adjoining Budgam and Ganderbal districts forms the Srinagar Parliamentary seat . Srinagar's city government attracted brief international attention in March 2008 when it announced a mass poisoning program aimed at eliminating the city's population of stray dogs. Officials estimate that 100,000 stray dogs roam the streets of the city, which has
7245-467: The leeward side of the rain shadow which blocks the monsoon winds from the south. Winters are colder in the region than most areas with monsoon climates due to these influences and its elevation, with daily maximum temperatures averaging 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) in January and dropping below freezing point at night. Moderate to heavy snowfall occurs in winter and the highway connecting Srinagar with
7350-476: The line will connect the two regions of Jammu and Kashmir and will also provide a rail link to the Kashmir valley from other parts of the country. The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway , a segment of the NH44 , is the main highway in the territory connecting the two capitals by road. National Highways 1, 144, 144A, 444, 501, 701 and 701A are the other NHs in the territory. As per the 2011 census, Jammu and Kashmir has
7455-455: The majority of the population of Jammu and Kashmir with a large Hindu minority. The Kashmir Division is predominantly Muslim (96.41%) with a small Hindu (2.45%) and Sikh (0.81%) population. Only 808 Kashmiri Hindu Pandit families remain in the valley after their forced displacement by Islamic militants. Shias are mostly concentrated in the Budgam district , where they form about 30-40% of
7560-531: The majority of the seats. for now, with the following elections being concluded with the win of the nc-cong Alliance and Omar Abdullah becoming the first Chief Minister of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir is set to become an state soon as directed by the supreme court of India. 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 Kashmir valley
7665-496: The minority Hindus—particularly the Kashmiri Pandits —during the insurgency which resulted in their ultimate exodus . Kashmiri Hindus constituted 8.39% of Srinagar's population in the 1981 census and 2.75% in the 2011 census. The Gawakadal massacre took place in the city in January 1990, resulting in 50–100 deaths. As a result, bunkers and checkpoints are found throughout the city, although their numbers have come down in
7770-565: The mlechchhas (barbarians) overran the country, and he took sannyasa . According to Kalhana's account, this Ashoka was the 48th king of the Gonandiya dynasty ( Rajatarangini I102). By Kalhana's calculations, he would have ruled in the 2nd millennium BCE. Kalhana's chronology is widely seen as defective, as he places kings such as Kanishka and Mihirakula respectively 1100 years and 1200 years before their actual reigns. Kalhana also states ( Rajatarangini I102) that this king had adopted
7875-605: The north of the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and to the west of Ladakh which is administered by India as a union territory. Provisions for the formation of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir were contained within the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 , which was passed by both houses of the Parliament of India in August 2019. The act re-constituted the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, one being Jammu and Kashmir and
7980-679: The oldest and earliest Institutions of the country including the University of Kashmir dating back to 1948 while the National Institute of Technology Srinagar was established during the second Five year plan . The educational institutions in the City include: Schools Medical colleges Universities General degree colleges Srinagar is broadcasting hub for radio channels in UT which are Radio Mirchi 98.3FM, Red FM 93.5 and AIR Srinagar . State television channel DD Kashir
8085-409: The other being Ladakh, with effect from 31 October 2019. Jammu and Kashmir is named after the two regions it encompasses – the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley . As per Government of India , Kashmir region encompasses the region under Indian control and the territory under Pakistan control known as "Pakistan-occupied Kashmir" (POK). While Pakistan considers the Indian controlled territory as
8190-403: The past few years as militancy has declined. However, protests still occur against Indian rule, with large demonstrations happening in 2008, 2010 , 2013, and 2016 . After revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and the subsequent devolution of the state into a union territory in August 2019, a lockdown was imposed in Kashmir, including in Srinagar. The city is located on both
8295-435: The population of Jammu and Kashmir live below the national poverty line, the third-highest among union territories in the country. The apple industry is a significant source of employment in Jammu and Kashmir, generating the highest number of jobs. It provides approximately 400 man-days of work per year per hectare of orchards, supporting a workforce of 3.5 million people. Moreover, it contributes approximately 10 per cent to
8400-677: The population. The Jammu Division is predominantly Hindu (67.5%) with a significant Muslim population (30%). The Muslims form a majority in the Rajouri (63%), Poonch (90%), Doda (54%), Kishtwar (58%) and Ramban (71%) districts of Jammu, while the Hindus form a majority in Kathua (88%), Samba (86%), Jammu (84%) and Udhampur (88%) districts. Reasi district has an almost equal number of Hindus and Muslims. The Dogras and various organisations of Hindu-majority Jammu region have demanded
8505-400: The princely state's accession to India following an invasion of the state by Pakistani irregulars in the aftermath of the partition of India , Indian forces were airlifted to Srinagar on 27 October to defend the city and the larger Kashmir valley. The National Conference also established a popular people's militia in the city to aid the army in their defence of the territory. Srinagar became
8610-492: The provisions of fake news in the policy, as it "interferes with the free functioning of the press." Major periodicals in Jammu and Kashmir include Greater Kashmir , Rising Kashmir , Kashmir Times , Daily Excelsior , Elite Kashmir and Kashmir Monitor . DD Kashir is the state-owned television broadcaster. Popular private television channels are ETV Urdu and Gulistan News. In association with All India Radio , DD Kashir has established high power transmitters along
8715-399: The rest of India faces frequent blockades due to icy roads, landslides and avalanches. Summers are warm to hot, slightly moderated from its elevation, with a July daytime average of 30.0 °C (86.0 °F). The average annual rainfall is around 697.5 millimetres (27.46 in). The highest temperature reliably recorded is 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) recorded on 10 July 1946, and the lowest
8820-415: The revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India, in order to bring Jammu and Kashmir to equal status with other states. Resolution to repeal Article 370 was passed by both the houses of the Parliament of India in August 2019. At the same time, a reorganization act was also passed, which would reconstitute the state into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh , while Article 35A
8925-422: The right bank of the Jhelum, corresponding to the location of modern-day Srinagar. Kalhana describes the capital having several markets, mansions, wooden houses, grand temples and canals, and also refers to the Dal lake and Jhelum river. A long embankment was constructed on the Jhelum by Pravarasena to protect the city from floods, parts of which have survived to the present day. The two capitals are also mentioned in
9030-522: The shores of Dal Lake and Anchar Lakes , between the Hari Parbat and Shankaracharya hills. The city is known for its natural environment, various gardens, waterfronts and houseboats . It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts like the Kashmir shawl (made of pashmina and cashmere wool ), papier-mâché, wood carving, carpet weaving, and jewel making, as well as for dried fruits . It
9135-637: The sides of the Jhelum River , called Vyath in Kashmir. The river passes through the city and meanders through the valley, moving onward and deepening in the Wular Lake . The city is known for its nine old bridges, connecting the two parts of the city. There are a number of lakes and swamps in and around the city. These include the Dal , the Nigeen , the Anchar , Khushal Sar , Gil Sar and Hokersar . Hokersar
9240-480: The situation has now improved quite considerably). Srinagar has an outdoor stadium namely Bakshi Stadium for hosting football matches. It is named after Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad . The city has a golf course named Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar located on the banks of Dal lake, which is considered one of the best golf courses of India. Football is followed by the youth of Srinagar and the TRC Turf Ground
9345-402: The state has boosted the state's economy, specifically tourism. Jammu and Kashmir is also famous for its scenery, flower gardens and apple farms. It attracts tourists for its unique handicrafts and the famous Kashmir shawls . Ashoka (Gonandiya) King Ashoka , of the Gonandiya dynasty, was a king of the region of Kashmir according to Kalhana , the 12th century CE historian who wrote
9450-512: The summer capital of a smaller region which is administered by India as a union territory, after the former state's reorganisation . The earliest records, such as Kalhana's Rajatarangini , mentions the Sanskrit name shri-nagara which have been interpreted distinctively by scholars in two ways: one being "The city of "Shri " (श्री), the Hindu goddess of prosperity, meaning " City of Lakshmi " and other being sūrya-nagar , meaning " City of
9555-483: The summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir when it was established in 1952. In 1963–1964, the relic at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar briefly disappeared, causing political turmoil. Following this, the shrine was reconstructed between 1968 and 1979 in a Mughal-inspired style. In 1989, Srinagar became the focus of the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir . The city saw increased violence against
9660-532: The surrounding Pir Panjal range has an average elevation of 10,000 feet (3,000 m). The Jhelum River is the major Himalayan river which flows through the Kashmir valley. The southern Jammu region is mostly mountainous, with the Shivaliks , the middle and the great Himalayas running parallel to each other in a southeast–northwest direction. A narrow southwestern strip constitutes fertile plains. The Chenab , Tawi and Ravi are important rivers flowing through
9765-669: The tentative list for sites to be included in world Heritage sites . The Sher Garhi Palace houses administrative buildings from the state government. Another palace of the Maharajas, the Gulab Bhavan , has now become the Lalit Grand Palace hotel. The Shankaracharya Temple lies on a hill top in the middle of the city. The city is run by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) under
9870-477: The two capitals of the territory: Jammu Airport at Jammu and Srinagar Airport at Srinagar, which is also the only international airport in the territory. These airports have regular flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore , Chandigarh and other major cities of the country. The under-construction Jammu-Baramulla line of the Northern Railways is the only railway line in the territory. Once complete,
9975-944: The union territory. Other minerals of significance that occur are bauxite , ball clay and china clay in Udhampur; bentonite in Jammu; diaspore in Rajouri and Udhampur; graphite in Baramulla; lignite and marble in Kupwara; quartz and silica sand in Anantnag, Doda and Udhampur; and quartzite in Anantnag district. In addition, the Department of Geology and Mining has determined the presence of minerals such as magnetite , dolomite , fuel mineral, decorative building stones, slate, and gemstones. All are materials with commercial and industrial uses in many products and factories. In
10080-577: The union territory. A Council of Ministers led by a Chief Minister is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor from the membership of the legislative assembly. Their role is to advise the Lieutenant Governor in the exercise of functions in matters under the jurisdiction of the legislative assembly. In other matters, the Lieutenant Governor is empowered to act in his own capacity. Omar Abdullah has been chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir since October 2024. The legislative branch of government
10185-513: Was 75%, while female literacy was at 56.43%. University of Kashmir located in Srinagar is the main university in the territory. Other universities include University of Jammu , Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir , Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University , Islamic University of Science & Technology , etc. Major institutions of higher education are NIT Srinagar , IIT Jammu , IIM Jammu , NIFT Srinagar and IHM Srinagar. Medical colleges include SKIMS , and
10290-477: Was a major centre of learning. During the 14th–16th centuries the city's old town saw major expansions, particularly under the Shah Mir dynasty , whose kings used various parts of it as their capitals. It became the spiritual centre of Kashmir, and attracted several Sufi preachers. It also started to emerge as a hub of shawl weaving and other Kashmiri handicrafts. In the late 16th century, the city became part of
10395-480: Was also abolished through suspension of the Presidential Order of 1954. The reorganization took effect from 31 October 2019. In September 2019, nearly 4,000 people, including two former Chief Ministers and hundreds of other politicians, were arrested by the Indian authorities in Kashmir; the state was put under a lockdown and communication and internet services were suspended. On 11 December 2023,
10500-536: Was built during the reign of Aurangzeb (1658–1707), as was the Safa kadal bridge over the Jhelum. The moi muqaddas , a relic believed to be the hair strand of prophet Muhammad's beard, also arrived in Kashmir during this time, and was housed in a Mughal palace at Hazratbal , which became the Hazratbal Dargah . A number of Europeans visited the city during the later Mughal period. In 1753, Kashmir passed into
10605-414: Was built in the Kashmir valley by Ashoka . Kalhana calls this capital puranadhisthana , Sanskrit for 'old capital', identified as present-day Pandrethan, 3.5 kilometres south-east of Srinagar. A 'new capital' was built by king Pravarasena , called Parvarapura , in 6th century CE. Srinagari continued to be used as a name for this capital. This new capital was located at the base of the Hari Parbat hill on
10710-518: Was damaged by floods in 2014. It contains a number of war graves. The notable interments here are Robert Thorpe and Jim Borst . Srinagar is home to various premiere Higher Education Institutes including the University of Kashmir , the Cluster University of Srinagar , Central University of Kashmir besides the National Institute of Technology Srinagar formerly known as Regional Engineering College (REC Srinagar). Most of these are among
10815-463: Was inaugurated on 14 February 2009 with Air India Express flights to Dubai . Hajj flights also operate from this airport to Saudi Arabia . Srinagar is a station on the 119 km (74 mi) long Banihal-Baramulla line that started in October 2009 and connects Baramulla to Srinagar, Anantnag and Qazigund . The railway track also connects to Banihal across the Pir Panjal mountains through
10920-569: Was made, and it is the second cable car in Kashmir after the Gulmarg Gondola . Whilst popular since the 7th century, water transport is now mainly confined to Dal Lake , where shikaras (wooden boats) are used for local transport and tourism. There are efforts to revive transportation on the River Jhelum . Like the territory of Jammu and Kashmir , Srinagar too has a distinctive blend of cultural heritage. Holy places in and around
11025-415: Was still a move which was resented by Kashmiris, particularly Pandits. The Raghunath Temple was also completed during Ranbir Singh's rule. With a global decline in shawl trade during late 19th century, the shawl weaving class of the city was upended. Several changes were ushered in during the reign of Pratap Singh (1885–1925). A British Residency was established in Srinagar and direct British influence on
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