Jammu And Kashmir

Area : 2,22,236 sq km

Population: 1,00,69,917; growth rate (1991-2001): 29.04%

Density per sq km: 99

Sex ratio (females per 1, 000 males): 900

Literacy rate: 54.46% (males: 65.75%; females: 41.82%)

Capital: Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)

No. of Districts: 14

Legislature: Bicameral

Principal Languages: Kashmiri, Dogri, Gujri, Punjabi, Urdu, Dalti, Dadri, Pahari and Ladakhi

Important Cities, Towns and Religious/Tourist Places: Anantnag, Baramula, Chilas, Doda, Gilgit, Gilgit Wazarat, Gulmarg, Jammu, Kargil, Kathua, Kokarnag, Kupwara, Leh, Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Pahalgam, Patnitop, Phulwara, Punch, Rajauri, Riasi, Sonamarg, Srinagar-Venice of the Orient (Achabal Gardens, Chashma Shahi Springs, Dal Lake, Manasbal Lake, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Hazrathal Mosque, Nagina Lake, Hari Parbat Fort, Sonmarg), Udhampur, Verinag, Yusmarg. Other places of historical importance are Vaishno Devi Temple, Martand Temple, Pandrenthan Temple, Martand Temple, Pandrenthan Temple, Martand Temple, Pandrenthan temple, avanti Puri, Pari Mahal and shankaracharya Hill. Amarnath, 45 km from Pahalgam, is known for the sacred cave and ice lingam symbol of Lord Shiva at a height of about 3,880 metres.

Judicature: High Court at Srinagar and Jammu.

Location: Located in the extreme north, the State is bounded north by China, east by Tibet (China), South by Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and west by Pakistan.

History:

Kashmir is known as paradise on earth and has a legendary history going back to the epic age. The fourth Buddhist council during the reign of Kanishka was held here. In modern history, it was annexed to the Sikh kingdom of Punjab in 1819. In 1820, Ranjit singh made over the territory of Jammu to Gulab singh.

After the decisive battle of Sabraon in 1846, Kashmir was also made over to Gulab Singh under the Treaty of Amritsar5. British supremacy was recognised until the Indian Independence Act, 1947, when all States decided on accession to India or Pakistan. Kashmir asked for standstill agreements with both. Pakistan agreed but India desired further discussion with the government of Jammu and Kashmir State.

In the meantime, the State became subject to armed attack from the territory of India on October 26, 1947 by signing the Instrument of Accession. Jammu & Kashmir is, thus, an integral part of the Indian union, notwithstanding that out of the area of 2,22,236 sq km, 78,114 sq km is under illegal occupation of Pakistan to China and 37,555 sq km is under illegal occupation of China.

Economy:

About 80 percent of the people of the State are dependent on agriculture. Paddy, maize and wheat are the main crops. Gram, Bajra, jowar and barley are the main crops. Horticulture has made considerable progress in recent years. The State produces fruits and their exports have shown a remarkable increase over the years.

The State has a forest area of 21,000 sq km, comprising over 15 percent of the total geographical area, excluding vast barrenness of Ladakh. Kashmir handicrafts are famous for excellence and are good foreign exchange corners. There are a large number of cottage industries and small-scale industrial units engaged in carpet and shawl making, engraved carpentry and handicrafts.

The future power projects of the State are: salal Project, Duhlasti Project, Uri Project and Baghliar Project.

Jammu And Kashmir State India