Jammu and Kasmir
Area: 222,236 sq km
Capital: Srinagar (Summer) Jammu (Winter)
Districts: 14
Languages: Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Ladakhi, etc.
Physiography:
The state lies in the extreme north of the country and is bounded on the north by China, on the east by Tibet and on the south by Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Pakistan. The official language is Urdu.
History:
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 the Punjab in 1819.
In 1846 Ranjit Singh made over the territory of Jammu to Maharaja Gulab Singh. After the decisive battle of Sabroon in 1846 Kashmir also was made over to Maharaja Gulab Singh under the Treaty of Amritsar. British supremacy was recognised until the Indian Independence Act 1947.When all the states decided on accession to India or Pakistan, Kashmir asked for stand-still 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 U.N. 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 fo-llowed by the Shimla Agreement in July, 1972. A new line of control was delineated bilaterally to replace the cease-fire line between the two countries in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Maharaja's son Yuvraj Karan Singh took over as Regent in 1950 and on the ending of hereditary rule (17th October, 1952) was sworn in as a Sadar-i-Riyasat. On his father's death (26th April, 1961) Yuvraj Karan Singh was recognized as Maharaja by the Indian Government. He decided, however, not to use the title.
Administration:
The Constitution of the state came into force in part on 17th November, 1956 and fully on 26th January, 1957.
The constitution provides for a bicameral Legislature
- the Legislative Assembly
- the Legislative Council.
- Anantnag
- Badgam
- Baramula
- Doda
- Jammu
- Kargil
- Kathua
- Kupwara
- Ladakh
- Pulwama
- Poonch
- Rajauri
- Srinagar
- Udhampur
Economy:
Agriculture is the mainstay of the State's economy, as about 80 per cent of the population depend on it. Paddy, wheat and maize are the major crops. Barley, bajra and jowar are cultivated in some parts. Gram is grown in Ladakh.
Kashmir handicrafts have always been a byword for excellence. The tradition of crafting papier mache, wood carving, carpet and shawl making, etc. is very old in Kashmir. This sector provides employment to about 2 lakh people. Kashmir handicrafts particularly carpets earn substantial foreign exchange for the country.
The world's highest observatory is being set up at Hanle, Ladakh. It will be remote controlled from Hoskote near Bangalore via satellite link.
Universities:
- University of Jammu, Jammu, Pin: 180 006
- University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Pin:190 006
- Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Srinagar, Pin: 190 121. Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Jammu, has decided to set up a Sanskrit University.
Kashmir is the paradise for tourists both international and domestic.
Main centres of attraction are Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, etc. Among places of pilgrim interest are Amarnath and Vaishno Devi.
The tourist industry in the state had registered phenomenal growth during the past decades. In the Seventh Plan the outlay for tourism development was Rs. 2250 crore. Tourist arrivals rose to the record level of 1 million by the end of the 1980s. Because of disturbed conditions, tourism is in disarray since 1990. Tourism has been given industry status.
Ladakh, the meeting point of Indo-Tibetan and Central Asian cultures has the potential to be developed as a great tourist destination. Leh has an airport. Labels: jammu and kashmir
