Part I

History of J&K ( All districts)

 Srinagar

Srinagar was ruled by the Mauryan empire till around the 14th century and it
was emperor Ashoka, who had introduced Buddhism to the valley of Kashmir.
The Kushans believed to have controlled this region during the first century who
ruled over this place from their stronghold at Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Even King Vikramaditya from Ujjain, ruled over this place before transferring
the reigns of control to a nomaid tribe named Huns during the 6th century. One
of the most terrified rulers of the city was Mihirkula who belonged to this tribe.
After the 14th century, the city came under the Mughal rule and was ruled by the
Muslim Kings. This city was made the capital during the rule of Yusuf Shah Chak
who was then tricked to death by Akbar who set up his dominion on the city post
the fall of Yusuf Shah Chak. It was in the year 1707 that the Mughal dominion
came to en end with the death of their last King, Aurangzeb and then Srinagar
came under the reign of the Durrani Empire. This empire was the leader of the
Pasthun tribe and they ruled on Srinagar for multiple decades. Raja Sukh Jiwan
Mal was a soldier in the Afghan Durrani army who became governor and, later,
the king (1754–1762) of Kashmir. It was in 1814 that the rule of Sikhs was
established and Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruled over Kashmir. It was ruled by the
Sikhs till the British Raj came into India. Till the year 1947, Srinagar was
considered as a princely state in the British India.

Note:-

1. Srinagar is known as Venice of Kashmir.

2. Srinagar is famous for 9 old bridges.

  Anantnag
Anantnag district is in southern sector of Jehlum Valley. The Northern and
Western sides of this district are bounded by Pulwama district while Kulgam
district falls in its west. Of all the districts of the state, Anantnag claims the largest
number of streams (Nallas) like Sandran, Brengi, Arpath and Lidder. The most
important among these is Lidder which takes off from Sheshnag lake and irrigates
maximum area of the district. Kulgam was carved out of district Anantnag in the
year 2007. Owing to proximity of Pir Panjal Range, which stretches in its South
and South-East, the district has a more temperate climate in summer than other
districts of the Valley. In winter, however, snowfall is heavier and temperature is
relatively low. Being engulfed on two sides by mountains, the monsoon does not
generally reach the district. The rainfall is often excessive in Spring, moderate in
Summer, deficient in Autumn and moderate in Winter. The name of Anantnag
District according to a well known archaeologist, Sir A.Stein comes from the great
spring Ananta Naga issuing at the southern end of the town. This has also been
corroborated by almost all local historians including Kalhana according to whom
the town has taken the name of this great spring of Cesha or Ananta Naga “land
of countless springs”. The spring is mentioned in the Neelmat Purana as a sacred
place for the Hindus.The district as well as its headquarter town are also called
Islamabad. Regarding this second name, no mention is to be found in the old
chronicles of Kashmir.

However, it is said that the name of Islamabad was assigned to the town by Islam
Khan who was the Governor of Kashmir during the Mughal rule in 1663 A.D,
but the change in its nomenclature proved temporary and during the reign of
Gulab Singh, the town as well as district again resumed their old name,
Anantnag. Still, the name Islamabad is popular among common masses, though
officially the name Anantnag is used. Before the advent of Muslim rule in 1320
A.D., Kashmir was divided into three divisions, viz; Maraj in the south, Yamraj
in the centre and Kamraj in the north of the Valley. Old chronicles reveal that the
division was the culmination of the rift between Marhan and Kaman, the two
brothers, over the crown of their father. The part of the valley which lies between
Pir Panjal and Srinagar now called the Anantnag was given to Marhanand named
after him as Maraj. While Srinagar is no longer known as Yamraj, the area to its
north and south are still called Kamraz and Maraz respectively.

Lawrence in his book “The Valley of Kashmir” states that these divisions were
later on divided into thirty four sub-divisions which after 1871 were again
reduced to five Zilas or districts.

 Kulgam

Tazkira Sadat-i-Simnania, compiled by 13th-century scholar and poet Swaleh

Reshi, gives the name of place as “Shampora”. Syed Hussain Simnani later
renamed it “Kulgam” (kul for ‘clan’ and gam for ‘village’ in Sanskrit). Simnani
is said to have invited Hazrat Amir Kabir Mir Hamdani to Kashmir with poets
including Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani and Lal Ded.

The area had been a hunting place for Mughal emperors and Dogra rulers,
especially for Shahanshah Shahjahan, who laid the Chinarbagh and
Maharaja Hari Singh, who discovered the potential of sanctuary at Kutbal.
TheDistrict is the birthplace of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, the founder
of the Rishi order, and of the forefathers of Allama Iqbal and Jawaharlal
Nehru.

Syed Simnan came from a place called Simnan in Iran. Travelling in the Kashmir
valley, he came to Kulgam and liked the spot on a cliff overlooking the river
Veshaw. He made Kulgam his permanent abode and was buried at the veryspot
which he had found fascinating. His ‘aastan’ draws huge population in and around
Kulgam. The family of Syed Simnan is buried in a nearby village called Amun.
Both the shrines have a masonry plinth and a wooden superstructure of deodars.
He was known for his mystical powers and had devotees amongst Muslims as well
as Hindus.
Shaikh Nur-ud-din, also known as Nund Rishi, was a Kashmiri saint who
belonged to the Rishi order and is also called Alamdar-e-Kashmir. Sheikh-ul-
Alam as the patron saint of Kashmiris, revered by both Muslims and Hindus, was
also born in a village called Kaimuh of the Kulgam distinct in 779 A.H. (AD
1377). The family of Shaikh Nur-ud-din is buried in Kaimuh. The Kulgamarea
is the birthplace of the ancestors of Allama Iqball (Supur village). Pandit Jawhar
Lal Nehru’s ancestors also are from Nadi Marag, a village in Kulgam.

Aharbal is a tourist spot in the district of Kulgam. It is a high waterfall, which is

a source of the river Veshaw. It has its origin from a spring called Kounsernag
located in the mountain range of Pir Panjal.

Kulgam is known as the rice bowl of the valley and is known for its variety of
fruits, especially apples.

Kulgam was in the news regarding the recent excavation of a new archaeological
site in a nearby village called Kutbal which has yielded signs of having been
home to a first-century civilization as some artefacts belonging to the period of
Kushana kings appeared in Kulgam district. The plateau of Kutbal was once
considered a scenic city in the Kushan period. The stamped tiles, which were
excavated from the site, indicated the taste and living standard of the people of
first century AD. These excavations speak of high culture, civic sense, social
norms and art of the people living in first century AD.

The old Kulgam is situated on the banks of “Kaval”. A scenic nallah Vashiv
irrigates the fertile lands of Kulgam area. Kulgam is called the granary of
Kashmir Valley.

Kulgam is famous being the first seat of missionaries of Islam as before Hazrat
Sayeed Ali Hamdani, he sent Sayeed Mohammad Hussain Simnani to Kashmir
to preach Islam. Sayeed Simnani chose Kulgam as a permanent seat. It is the place
where Salar Sanz (father of Nund Reshi) embraced Islam and was renamed Salar
ud-din. He got married to Sadre ( Sadre Moji), daughter of Kota rajas of Daderkot.
It was due to the efforts of Sayeed Simnani that this marriage took place.

Important places in Kulgam:

1.Houen Heng ( mountain peak)

2. Vasak Nag (Kund, Devsar)

3. Chiranbal (meadow)

4. Ziyarat Sheikh-ul-Alam (Chimmer, Kulgam)

5. Bedi Behak (pasture)

6. Panchanpathri

 Shopian
The geologist Frederic Drew stated that Shopian derived its name from a
distortion of word shah-payan, i.e. “royal stay”. However, the local people hold
the view that Shopian was earlier named as “Shin-Van” meaning “snow forest”.
The Shias have a different view, believing it was earlier inhabited by Shias so it
is “Shin-Van” that is “The Forest of Shias”. Shopian is an ancient town of
Kashmir and had an importance due to it being situated on the ancient imperial
route, commonly known as Mughal Road, which connects Lahore and Srinagar.
Shopian was one out of six Wazarat Headquarters in Kashmir from 1872-1892

A.D. It has decades-old road connectivity with Anantnag as well as Kulgam.

It was earlier a tehsil of Pulwama district. However, in March 2007, it was

given the status of the district.

The economy of the district depends on agriculture, particularly apple growing.

Shopian district has many places with tourism potential:

 Arshi Pora Lahanthour

 Sedow
 Hirpora wildlife sanctuary (in Dubjan forests)
 Peer Ki Gali on the historical Mughal Road
 Lake Nandansar
  Hash Wang Bagam Pather
 Sok Sarai
 Mughal Saray (Aliabad Sarai) at Jajinar.
 The Jamia Masjid in Shopian is one of the famous historical monuments
built during the Mughal reign resembling that of jamia Masjid Srinagar.
 The Aasar-i-Sharief Dargah at Pinjura attracts thousands of devotees on
the occasion of Eid-i-Milad-un- Nabi and Shab-i-Mehraj.
 Darul Uloom Islamia Pinjura is also a notable place.

On the outskirts of Shopian town near Nagbal area, there is a Shiva temple
called Kapalmochan Mandir with three natural springs and a unique Shivling
with small Rudraksh shaped knots spread all over it.

Note:-

Along the Mughal road also lies a mountain ridge called Hasti Vanj. Asper
Rajtaringini, this is the place where a Huna king called Mihrakul, living in
firstpart of sixth century is said to have had thrown 100 elephants from the
cliff. As per legends, the king was crossing Pir Panjal with his mighty army.
One day he heard the terrifying cry of an elephant who had fallen off the cliff
here. The king loved the sound of screeching elephant so much that he ordered
100 elephants off the cliff. Kalhana calls and describes his “another God of
Death and rival to Yama”.


  Pulwama

According to the revenue records, the original name of Pulwama was

Panwangam which comprised 4 villages namely Malikpora, Dangerapora,
Chatpora and Dalipora. The cities continue to be known by these names, as
some stages Panwangam became to be called as “Pulgam” which was with the
passage of time changed to the present name of Pulwama.

Pulwama is bounded by Srinagar in the North, by Budgam and Poonch Districts

the west and by Anantnag District in the South and East. The District was formed
in 1979 by separation of Tehsils Pulwama, Shopian and Tral of District
Anantnag. The district is famous for two temples built by Raja Avantivarman of
Utpala dynasty. One of the temples was dedicated to Lord Shiva and other was
dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The district is also famous for religious shrines like
that of Khanqah Faiz Panah of Shah Hamdan(R.A) at Tral and temple of Jawala
Mukhi at Khrew. Besides District Pulwama is famous all over the world for
saffron cultivation which is mainly grown in Karewa lands of Pampore.
Agriculture is the main occupation of people. Forests, Green gold of union
territory, are in abundance in the district and they contributes a remarkable share
in the union territory income.
  Budgam
In old days, Budgam was a part of the district Baramulla when Srinagar itself
was a constituent of the Anantnag district. It was then known as Tehsil Sri
pratap. Old records also refer to the area as `Pargana Deesu’. The present
Budgam town (the district headquarter) has a long history. According to
Khawaja Azam Demari, the area was known as Deedmarbag and was densely
populated. It is said that the population was so congested that if a goat would
climb a housetop in the southern end of the habitation it would come down on
the northern end covering the distance on closely connected housetops. The
place many believe, owes its name, Budgam (Big Village) to this dense
population. Famous warrior, Mehmood Ghazni, made two abortive attempts to
invade Kashmir in the 11th century through the Poonch Gali, the boundary of
the present district of Budgam in Khag area. In 1814 A.D. Sikh ruler, Ranjit
Singh, also made his first attempt from here to capture Kashmir. The famous
Chinese traveler, Hien Tsiang,while visiting poonch, also took this route.

One of the tallest personalities of Kashmir, Sheikh Noor-ud-din, popularly

known as Alamdar-e-Kashmir, has traveled much in the present Budgam
district and meditated at several places here. His resting place at Chrar-e-
Sharief is also situated in the district. A Prominent village, Nasrullah Pora, is
named after one of his distinguished disciples, Baba Nasr.

The tehsil of Chadoora has also a rich history. The famous Malik Hyder
belonged to this place. Malik was a very influential landlord and a close friend
of Emperor Jahangir. The emperor too reposed great trust in him. It is said that
after the death of her first husband, Nur Jehan (Jahangir’s wife) was given in
Malik’s custody by the Emperor before he finally married her and the woman
became powerful enough to influence the decisions of the State. Malik also
chronicled the history of Kashmir. He was honoured and rewarded by the
Mughals for his talents. Jahangir has praised the beauty of Chadoora and
mentioned, in his Tuzk-e-Jahangiri, a tree which would tremble all over if only
a branch of it was pulled. The tree, he says was known as Halthal. At Chadoora,
the grave of Mir Shams-ud-Din Iraqi, a Shiete theologist is also situated . The
counsellor of the last native ruler of Kashmir, Yusuf Shah Chak and his son,
Yakub Chak’s tutor, Ali Dar also belonged to this area. The present Chadoora
town was once a Kareva. Jahangir used to visit this place for hunting. He
rechristained the place as Noorabad after his beloved wide but the name, was
not popular upon which the king ordered reversion to its old name.

Chadoora held a place of prominence during the Mughal period. The Mughals
had constructed some buildings here including a small palace and an
ammunition depot.

Another block of the district, Beerwah, was formerly known as Behroop after a
famous spring of the same name. Beerwah is thought to be the the corrupted form
of Behroop. A cave is also situated here. It is believed that the famous Shivite
philospher, Abhinav Gupt alongwith some of his associates, entered in it
sometime between 10th and 11th century A.D and did not return. In 1760 A.D.
the Durrani Governor, Badal Khan Khatak, constructed a fortress in Beerwah
which was repaired in 1801 A.D by Abdullah Khan. In 1884 A.D, the fortress
was destroyed in a severe earthquake. Subsquently, the remains of the fortress
also disappeared.
The prominent Aga family of Kashmir belongs to Budgam. According to an
account, a famous Hakeem namely Syed Hyder came here to settle down about
150 years ago. He was pious and god-fearing man. Many people came to him for
spiritual guidance. After Hyder’s death, his son, Aga Syed Mehdi, followed the
footsteps of his father. He studied religion in Najaf (Iraq).The present Aga Sahab,
the spiritual leader of the Shias, is a decendent of Aga Syed Mehdi.The family
has produced a great religious man in Aga Syed Yusuf Al-Mousavi, whodied in
1982. The main market in Budgam town is named after him. The village of
Kanihama, the home of famous Kani Shawl, was an important trade centre during
the Dogra rule. The idols of Raja Beerwa’s period, are found in Beerwah tehsil
pointing to the Shivite influence on the area. Many areas of the Budgam district
had, in the ancient days, been under the influence of Buddhism. These include
Ishgan and Ishkota. The Khag block in the district is a place of enchanting beauty.
The Budgam district has produced many distinguished poets and writers of
Kashmir Language. Of these, the more famous include Shamas Fakir and Samad
Mir, the pioneers of spiritual Kashmiri poetry (Sufiana Shairee), Abdul Ahad
Azad, revolutionary poet of kashmir who also penned the history of Kashmiri
literature and Ghulam Nabi Dilsoz, a well known romantic poet. Among the
living literaly personalities are Ghulam Nabi Gowhar, novelist,and Moti Lal Saqi,
poet, scholar and critic.

Important places in Budgam:-

1. Doodhpathri (also known as valley of milk)

2. Tosamaidan

3. Yusmarg ( meadow of Jesus)

4. Tatta Kutti peak.

  Baramulla
The city of Baramulla, from which the district derives its name, was founded by
Raja Bhimsina in 2306 BC. The city held the position of a gate-way to the valley
as it was located on the route to the Valley from Muzaffarabad, now inPOK, and
Rawalpindi, now in Pakistan.

As such, a number of prominent visitors have been to Baramulla. These include

the famous Chinese visitor Heiun Tsang and Moorcraft, the British historian.

Mughal Emperors had special fascination for Baramulla. Being the gateway of
the valley, it was a halting station for them during their visits to the Valley. In
1508 AD, Emperor Akbar who entered the Valley via Pakhil spent a few days
at Baramulla and according to “Tarikh-e-Hassan” the city during Akbar’s stay,
was decorated like a bride. Jahangir also stayed at Baramulla during his visit to
Kashmir in 1620 AD.

In the 15th century, Baramulla became important to Muslims, as the famous

Muslim saint Syed Janbaz Wali, who visited the valley along with his
companions in 1421 AD, chose Baramulla as the centre of his mission, and after
his death he was buried there. His shrine attracts pilgrims from all over the
Valley. In 1620 AD, the sixth Sikh Guru (Shri Hargobind Singh) visited the city.
Baramulla thus became an abode of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs
living in harmony and contributing to a rich composite culture.

It was the oldest and the most important town in north of princely state of
Jammu and Kashmir and the ‘Gateway of Kashmir Valley’ by Rawalpindi-

Murree-Muzaffarabad-Baramulla Road until 27 October 1947. It became a part

of Union of India when the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on 26
October 1947.
  Ganderbal

This district was carved out from Srinagar and given the status of a District on Ist
April 2007. Nearly 70% area of the District is hilly and semi-hilly. Some areas
remain inaccessible for quite some time during winter.

The Ganderbal town is the district headquarter and has derived its name from a
famous spring Gander bhavan. With the passage of time, the name got changed
into Ganderbal from Gander bhavan, now recognized name and used officially. In
the olden days, the territory of Ganderbal has acted as gate way to the central
Asia by constituting one of the most important station of the erstwhile silk-route.

In addition, Islamic influence on Kashmir found its way through Sindh valley.
Hazrat Shahi Hamdan, Rinchan Shah the first ruler of Kashmir and Mirza Hyder
Daughlat have entered Kashmir through Ganderbal popularly known as Sindh
valley those days because river Sindh traverses course of about 100 kms through
the district with a basin exceeding 1556 kms. The district covers the entire water
shed of the river so the Sindh valley and the District has become synonymous.

Manasbal lake is an important lake located in Ganderbal. The lake holds the
distinction of being the deepest lake of India. The large growth of lotus (Nelumbo
nucifera) at the periphery of the lake (blooms during July and August) adds to the
beauty of the clear waters of the lake. The Mughal garden, called the Jaroka bagh,
(meaning bay window) built by Nur Jahan overlooks the lake. The lake is a good
place for bird watching as it is one of the largest natural stamping grounds of
aquatic birds in Kashmir and has the sobriquet of “supreme gem of all Kashmir
Lakes”.

Ganderbal is also famous for Kheer Bhawani temple. The temple is situated in the
middle of a natural spring and is often visited by tourists out of curiosity. Devotees
offer milk and kheer to the resident deity. Popular among all tourists, it is
especially revered by the Kashmiri Pandits in the valley. Rumour has it that the
waters turn black as a warning for any looming calamity.

A famous hill station, Sonamarg (meadow of gold), also lies in Ganderbal district.
Sonamarg had historical significance as a gateway on the ancient Silk Road,
connecting Jammu and Kashmir with Tibet. Today, the hill station is a popular
tourist destination amongst fishers and hikers. Sonamarg gives rise to the 'Three
Sisters'—a group of rivers (the Lidder, Sind and Neelum) that run parallel to each
other and serve as tributaries for the major Jhelum River that runs through the
Kashmir Valley and into Pakistan. Sonamarg provides trekking routes leading
to Vishansar Lake, Krishansar Lake, Gangabal Lake and Gadsar Lake in the
Himalayas, which are stocked with snowtrout and brown trout.

Ganderbal is also famous for ziyarat of Mir Baba Hyder. Mir Saheb is also known
as Mir Haider Gujarati. It is said that his ancestors were basically from Gujarat. He
was a disciple of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom. He has written a book, Hidayat-ul-
Mukhlisin, on the spiritual powers and miracles of his teacher and guide Sheikh
Hamza Makhdoom.

Note:- Thajiwas Glacier is one of the primary attractions of Sonamarg.

Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom is also known as Mehboob-ul-Alam.

  Kupwara

District Kupwara was carved out form erstwhile District Baramulla in the year
1979. The north west part of the District is bound by line of actual control (L.O.C)
while the southern portion is bound by the District Baramulla.

Some of the important places are:

 The shrine of famous Saint Zaiti Shah Wali, located in village known after
him as Muqam Shah Wali has been selected as a spot of tourist pilgrimage
and is being developed accordingly.
 The Seemab Valley is located at the entrance of the Lolab Valley. The valley
has a natural picturesque beauty and a perennial water body by the name
of Daal Kul.
 Lolab valley, named after Maharaja LOLO, is known for its lush green forests
and pastures. It is traversed by a stream known as Lalkul (Lahwal).Water to
Lalkul is contributed by numerous tributaries flowing from surrounding
hills, which are clothed by dense forest of Deodar. It is also known for the
Sat Barran (Seven doors) and a cave in the jungles of Madmadav. The
famous Lov-nag is located in Anderbaugh village.
Apart from natural beauty, Lolab Valley is also historically important for
Varnow village, a small settlement in the region, is the birthplace of Allama
Anwar Shah Kashmiri.
 One of the relatively unknown areas of Kashmir with vast tourism potential
is the valley of Bangus. The principal valley, locally known as Bodh Bangus
(Big Bangus), consists of a linear elliptical bowl aligned along the east-west
axis. The valley is surrounded by Rajwar and Mawar in the east, Shamasbury
and Dajlungun Mountains in the west and Chowkibal and Karnah Guli in the
 north. A smaller valley known as Lokut Bangus (Small Bangus) lies on the
north-eastern side of the main valley. Both the valleys have level green
meadows surrounded by low-lying mountains covered with dense
Coniferous forests (budloo) and a stream flowing through them.
 Sadhna Pass is a mountain pass in Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in
the Himalayas and connects Karnah tehsil of Kupwara district with the rest
of the Indian administrated Kashmir valley. It is located in the vast Shams
Bri mountainous range. The pass is best known for its generation old
mythological legend of Blind and Deaf Fairies.

 Soyamji peak lies in Handwara, Kupwara. It ia a volcanic mountain which is

dead right now but erupted lava in 1934.

 Drangyari (valley)

 Kalaroos cave
There is an age-old myth that Kalaroos caves in Kupwara lead to Rous,
Russia.

 Bandipora

It is located on the northern banks of Wular – the largest fresh water lake in Asia.
In Kashmiri, there is a famous phrase about Bandipora or in other words
Bandipora is famous for three A’s – A’lim (knowledge), Adab (good habits or
literature) and Aab (water).As can be known from the folklore, the name of
Bandipora originated either from Bund of Wular as Bund e pur, from the local Folk-
singing Bands as Baand e pur or from the enclosed geographical location as Bandh
e pur. Bandipora is bound by mountains on three sides and by Wular Lake in the
fourth. Bandipora is also a stepping town to the higher reaches of Razdan, Gurez
and Tragbal. The famous Lolab valley in Kupwara district is adjacent to the
Bandipora. It is just 30 km from Bandipora via Aloosa village. Once this road is
upgraded it will become a lifeline of the Lolab valley and it will provide an
additional route to the Kupwara district. Bandipora was the connecting link
between North India and Central Asia via the Silk Road. At Pazalpora village, there
was a custom and immigration department which is now a forest check post. Due
to the fact, Bandipora is also known as Gateway to Central Asia.

Some of the famous places in Bandipora district are:

 The famous Nishat Park in Bandipora was constructed in 1954 under the
supervision of the then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Bakhshi
Ghulam Mohammad. Nishat garden Srinagar is the largest of the Mughal
gardens in Kashmir. Nishat park Bandipora is built in accordance with the
Nishat Garden Srinagar and is in the outskirts of main market Bandipora.
 One of the sacred places of Hindus is Danishwar, locally also called as Chota
Amarnath, is also located in Bandipora . It is a cave in dense forests of Arin.
Pilgrim have to crawl about 60 meters to reach a cave where there are
engraved features of Lord Shiva. People used to go there on the Sharvan
Purnima, the date on which Amarnath Yatra is being performed.
 Wular lake is also located here. Jhelum river drains into it. The lake has the
honour of being the largest fresh water lake in India and one of the largest
fresh water lakes in Asia. In ancient times, Wular Lake was also called
Mahapadmasar. The Kashmiri sultan Zain-ul-Abideen is reputed to have
ordered the construction of the artificial island of Zaina Lank in the middle
of the lake in 1444. According to the traditional beliefs, in the vicinity of
Wular Lake, there once stood a city whose king was Raja Sudrasen. By the
reason of the enormity of his crimes, the waters of the lake rose and
 drowned him and his subjects. It was said that during the winter months, at
low water, the ruins of the submerged idol temple might be seen rising from
the lake. Upon this island, he erected a Mosque and other buildings and
gave the islet the name of Lanka.

Note:- Wular Lake has been declared as the Ramsar site in the year 1990.

 Ahansar Lake is an ox-bow lake formed by the meandering of alluvial

deposits. It is situated in the flood plains of river Jhelum and connected to
it through artificial canal locally called "Ahan Nallah" regulated by weir
system. The lake is located in Sumbal, Bandipora.

Note:-

1) Gajendragadkar Commission was set up in the year 1967 and it submitted its
report in 1968. It was headed by P.B Gajendragadkar. The commission
recommended, along with other recommendations, creation of three new
districts in the Kashmir Valley. Acting on the recommendations, the number of
districts was increased from three to six.

2) Wazir commission was set up in the year 1981 under the chairmanship of Justice
J.N Wazir (retired Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K). In 1983, the Wazir
Commission had recommended the creation of only four districts -- three in
Jammu and one in the Kashmir Valley. Ghulab Nabi Azad said that though the
Wazir Commission had recommended the creation of only four districts, the
changing scenario over the past 30 years made it imperative to reassess the
process for creating new districts. The state cabinet then approved the creation
of 8 new districts, four each in Jammu province and Kashmir division, in the year
2007. The eight districts are as under:
a)Samba was carved out of Kathua.

b)Kishtwar was carved out of Doda.

c)Ramban was carved out of Doda.

d)Reasi was carved out of Udhampur.

e)Bandipora was carved out of Baramulla.

f)Ganderbal was carved out of Srinagar.

g)Kulgam was carved out of Anantnag.

h)Shopian was carved out of Pulwama.