GENERAL AWARENESS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO J & K

CONTENTS
S.NO. TOPICS
01. History of Jammu & Kashmir

02. Perfect Personalities of J & K

03. Tourist Destinations of J & K

04. Flaura and Fauna of J & K

05. Heritage and Culture of J & K

06. 73rd Amendment Act

07. Weather, Climate and Transport of of J & K

08. Panchayat Raj Act, 1989

09. J & K Reorganisation Act

 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 1

HISTORY OF JAMMU FIRST HISTORICAL DYNASTY :- 500 B.C. – 143 B.C.

 In Raja – Darshini (written by Ganesh dass),
Jammu Rajya had a small beginning when Agnigir  RAJA BODH ARJUN :- He was a great conqueror,
(also known as Agnibaran) the younger son of during his rule Jammu regained its glory. He ruled
King Sudarshan (20th descendent in line of Rama for 80 years. His dynasty ruled for 357 years.
of Ayodhya) migrated from Oopa (Ayodhya) to  Raja Mangal Chand of Kangra-Nagarkot occupied
the Shalala Hills and rachd the bank of the Ravi Jammu after killing Raja Vallab, the seventh
(Now known as kathua). descendant of Raja Bodh Arjun
 He (Agnigir) subjugated the people and ruled  Bhanu Jakh of Barakh then killed Mangal Chand.
over the towns of Pushpavati and Airava.  A long line of kings from Damodar Dutt to Nand
Probable year 550 of Kali Yuga. Gupta ruled Jammu from Gandhara.
 He was succeeded by his son Vayu-Shrava who  At the time of Alexander’s invasion in 326 B.C.
extended his rule up The Ujh. Damadar Dutt’s Seventh descendant Raja Ajay
 The next ruler was Agnigarbh whose eldest son singh ruled Jammu. He was Raja Puru’s (Porus)
Bahu lochan succeeded him. Bahu lochan Son-in-law. He was killed during the war of Porus
founded Dharanagri and transferred his capital against Alexander. After Ajay singh, his son Bejoy
from Airava. He also built Bahufort on the left singh ascended the throne. His descendant Ram
bank of the Tawi river. He tried to extend the Gupta constructed Ramgarh Fort.
empire towards Madar Desh (Presently known as
Punjab) and attacked its Raja at Shallakote RAI DYNASTY :- 58 B.C – 430 A.D.
(Sialkote) but was defeated and killed by
Chandrahas.  About 50 B.C. the Rai Dynasty of Sialkkot annexed
 Jambu Lochan took Jammy. Adi Rai was the independent and the first
over hte rulership. He defeated Chandrahas, the ruler of Rai dynasty in Jammu ( 58 B.C. – 10 B.C.)
Sialkote king and annexed territories upto Sindh.  DEV RAI – (10 B.C. – 40 A.D.) Andrew one of the
Once on a hunting expedition he was amazed on 12 Disciples of Christ came to his court and cured
seeing a tiger and a goat drinking water at the his son from a disease with his prayers in 39 A.D.
same pond. He founded a town there named  KARAM RAI – (124 A.D. – 204 A.D) Karam rai
Jambupura which later changed to Jamboo, buried his new born daughter alive and started
Jambu and Jammu. the tradition in Hill Rajputs.
 Jambu Lochan (1500 B.C.) succeeded by  SIND RAI – He subdued all the Ranas.
Purankaran who shifted the capital from Bahu to  JOG RAI – He had two sons Malhan Hans and
Jammu. Suraj Dhar, Malhan Hans moved to Sialkote and
 The next important ruler was Shakti karan who formed the Manhas tribe of Rajputs while the
invented the Dogri script. He extended his empire younger son Suraj Dhar became the ruler of
upto Banihal (Pir Panjal). Jammu.
 Shiv Prakash (the last ruler of this dynasty) was
defeated by Raja Shal of Sialkote who annexed DHAR DYNASTY – (430 A.D. – 840 A.D.)
Jammu.
 Raja Shal was the maternal uncle of Pandavas and  SURAJ DHAR – (430 A.D. – 485 A.D.) He was the
was killed in Mahabharata war. Jammu was then first ruler of Dhar dynasty.
governed by Babru-Vahan (Arjun’s son). He  Ganga Dhar – (495 A.D. – 530 A.D.) His brother
founded Babour town. His discendants ruled for Sojla Dhar started the Charak Clan.
500 years.  SARBIA DHAR - (590 A.D. – 650 A.D.) During his
 The next important ruler was Joti Prakash and reign Peer Roshan Shah Wali, a muslim saint from
Sarv Prakash who reconquered Jammu. They Arab came and settled in Gurmat.
were the local discendants of Shakti Karan. They  VIJAY DHAR – (785 A.D. – 840 A.D.) – He could
ruled till 6th Century B.C. Their last king was Bali not hold out against the constant attacks and fled
Karan. to Garh Babour in 850 A.D.

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 2

DEV DYNASTY (840 A.D. – 1808 A.D.) – Vijay  GAJE SINGH (1692 A.D. – 1703 A.D.) – Guru
Dhar’s successor, Suraj dev was the first king of Gobind Singh came to Jammu in his time.
Jammu to use the Surname Dev. He was buried
alive in a masonary tower by Shareef Khan. His  DHRUV DEV (1703 A.D. – 1733 A.D.) :- He
wife Neela Rani Committed Sati after the death of threw away the yoke of Mughals and grew as
Suraj dev. a powerful king and established a powerful
empire in jammu. He built the Mubarakh
 AVTAR DEV (982 A.D. – 1030 A.D.) – Mehmood Mandi Complex and shifted his palace from
of Ghazni invaded Jammu during the rule of Avtar Mal Mandi.
Dev
 JAS DEV (1030 A.D. – 1053 A.D.) – He was the  MAHARAJA RANJIT DEV (1733 A.D. – 1782
founder of Jasrota Town and Jasrota Clan. He A.D.) – He was the eldest son of Dhruv Dev.
introduced the worship of Bhair (Varun) Devta He was first who conquered most of the
and Kali devi of Bahu fort. States of Jammu and became the Maharaja
 of all 22 hill States. During his period Jammu
 MANAK DEV – He was another descendent of was known as Dar-ul-Aman (Abode of Peace).
Bhuj and was the founder of Mankot state and He also imposed ban on Sati and Female
Mankotia clan. infanticide. An eminent Dogri poet and
 BRIJ DEV (BEJAY) (1164 A.D. – 1215 A.D.) – He scholar Pandit Dev Dutt stayed at his court.
founded the Baj Pur which is presently known as In 1771, Dev Dutt translated Varun the Varun
Vijay Pur. Praba of Mahabarata into Hindi. Ranjit dev
 MAL DEV (1361 A.D. -1400 A.D.) – His period was died a natural death in 4th of april, 1782.
regarded as the golden period. He erected a  BRIJ RAJ DEV (1782
building at Purani Mandi named as Mal mandi. A.D. – 1787 A.D.) – He was the eldest son of
He sat on the Gaddi first time there and the Ranjit dev. He was killed in a battle with the
tradition continued with all dogra kings. Sikhs, at Rumal, 1787. By the efforts of Mian
 BAIRAM DEV (1454 A.D. – 1489 A.D.) – During Mota (Braj Raj’s Cousin) the kingdom was saved
his reign Peer Sayyid Qutub Alam came to Jammu and Sampuran Dev who was an year old son of
from Sabazwar. He made a large number of Brij Raj was made the king . He ruled upto 1798
Hindus and muslims his followers. He was a A.D.
sweet tongued Faqir and was fond of Milk and After Sampuran Dev, Jit singh who was the
Sugar. So his devotees called him Peer Meetha younger son of Mian Dalal Singh ascended the
and used to offer him sugar cane. Another Peer throne. It was during Jit Singh’s period that
Jogi Gareeb Dass came and lived at Jamwant Cave Jammu finally passed into the hands of Sikh
(Khoh) and after his residence the cave named as Ruler.
Peer Khoh.
Bairam dev’s grand children named Hasal SIKH RULE
dev and Shera started Rajput clans Slathia and
Sarkhania. Jammu was conquered by Sardar Hukam
 GHOGHAR DEV (1500 A.D. – 1530 A.D.) :- In his Singh and annexed to Sikh Kingdom.
time Babur occupied Delhi and Agra. Later, It was Gulab Singh who was the first in the
Ghoghar dev became friend of Babur and sent dogra family to enter Maharaja Sardar Ranjit
him gifts. He won many battles for Babur and Singh’s services. Gulab singh faught the battle of
earned the title of Isa Khan. He also started the Chach Hazara and Hazru against Afghans in 13
clan of Isakhania Rajputs. july, 1813 and proved his valour, alacrity and
 BHUPAT DEV 1616 A.D. – 1656 A.D.) :- His assiduity and graceful bearing towards Ranjit
brother Dalpat became the ancestor of singh.
Dalpatia Rajputs. Mian Dido Started a revolt against the Sikh
rulers in Jammu. Mian Dido attacked the Sikh
Garrison in the Jammu fort. Gulab Singh took
upon himself the difficult task of ridding the Sikh

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 3

rules of this Headache. Gulab Singh was promised At the time of commencement of Mahabharata
by Ranjit singh that jammu will be given to him if War, Gonanda II was ruling Kashmir.
he succeeded in his mission. Ranjit Singh
entrusted reign of Jammu to Gulab Singh and his MAURYAN EMPIRE
brothers Dhian Singh and Sachet Singh. Mian Ashoka introduced Buddhism in Kashmir in 3rd
Dido lost his relevance and was killed in a battle Century BC. He founded the old city of Srinagar
against Gulab singh at Trikuta hills. General now known as ‘Pandrethan’. He built a Shiva
Zorawar Singh of Reasi was the Chief Architect of Temple at Vijeshwari (modern Bijbehra) and
victories Between 1818 A.D. – 1841 A.D. gifted to valley people
– worshippers of Shiva.
ORIGIN OF KASHMIR
Kashmir means “Desiccated land” Local tradition : Lord Shri Krishna and Lord
In Sanskrit : Ka = Water, and Shimeera = Buddha also supposed to have visited Kashmir.
Desiccate
After Ashoka’s death, his son Jaluka became the
Rajtarangini (the “River of Kings”) (History of King and Shaivism flourished during his reign.
Kashmir written in Sanskrit by Kalhana in 12th Jaluka was succeeded by his son Damodar II.
Century) states that the valley of Kashmir was Jaluka removed oppressing ‘Malecchas’ (foreign
formerly a lake known as Satisar. unclean tribes) from the valley.

Hindu Mythology : The lake was drained by the KUSHAN EMPIRE

great Rishi Kashyapa, son of Marichi, son of It is believed that valley was ruled for over 200
Brahma by cutting the gap in the hills at years by Indo-Greek Kings before the Start of
Baramulla (Varah – mula). Then Kashyapa asked “Turushka (Kushan Dynasty) rule.
Brahmins to settle there and the chief town or
collection of dwellings in the valley was called Cunningham : recorded Silver Coins of Azes (and
Kashyapa – pura, was known as Abode of Rishis Azilies) Indo-Scythian rulers of Iranian Origin, on
Named by ancient Greeks as ‘Kasperia’. the banks of Vitasta (river Jhelum) in the hills
between Varahmula and Jhelum.
Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited there during Greek Contact : Architectural and Sculptural Style
the Karakota Dynasty in about 631AD and called of old Kashmir Temples and Coinage of later
it Kashi – Milo. Rishis residing there, gave it the Kashmiri Kings. Three Kings mentioned by
name ‘Kashyapa Mar’. Modern time – name Kalhana : Huska, Juska and Kanishka – each of
changed to Kashmir. them credited with foundation of a town after
their respective names : Huskapura, Jushkapura
In pre-historic times, the valley was believed to and Kanishkapura. Kushan Kings built temples
be the abode of Shiva manifest itself as the great and Vihars (monasteries) Kanishka held 4th great
lake of Sati council of the Buddhist Church at “Kundarvan”
also attended by Hieun Tsang. 500 Buddhist and
Medieval historian – Alberuni : Hindu Scholars also attended. It was presided by
Varanasi and Kashmir are the high schools of Kashmiri Brahmin Vasumitra. Some of the great
Hindu Science. Buddhist Scholars who attended : Ashvagosha,
Nagarjuna, Vasubandu, Sanghamitra, Jinamitra.
HINDU PERIOD OR EARLY PERIOD Entire proceedings of the Conference was
Kalhana in his book Rajtarangini : History of inscribed on Copper plates in Sanskrit, enclosed
Kashmir started just before the great in Stone boxes and deposited in a Vihar, yet to be
Mahabharata War. unearthed.
According to him, the first King of Kashmir was
Gonanda – 653 Kaliera, the traditional date of KARKOTA DYNASTY (625 A.D. – 855 A.D.):-
coronation of King Yudhishtira. Durlabhvardhana (625 A.D. – 661 A.D.) was the
founder of this dynasty. Hieun Tsang, the great

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 4

Chinese pilgrim, visited the country during his immense influence over her husband. She built
rule. Karkota dynasty has given Kashmir the many temples and monastries and one of these
greatest ruler Lalitaditya Muktapid (724 A.D. – was reserve for the people of Madhyadesha and
761 A.D.). He is also known as ‘Samudragupta’ of Lata (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Central India).
Kashmir. It was he who broke the power of Arabs
in Sindhs. Lalitaditya was equally a great builder In 980 AD, Didda ascended the throne after the
and he built his capital near the sacred shrine of death of her husband. Before her, two other
Kheer Bhawani and gave it the name of Queens had ruled the Kashmir, Yashovati and
Parihaspur (city of pleasure). He built very fine Sugandha. Didda was very unscrupulous and
and massive temples, out of which the world wilful lady and led a very immoral life. But inspite
famous Sun temple (Martand) was built by him in of these drawbacks, she was an able ruler, who
Mattan Karewa. firmly ruled the valley. She died in AD 1003 and
After his death he was succeeded by his left the throne to her family in undisputed
grandson Jayapida. succession. As her children had died young, she
transmitted the Crown to Sangramraj, ruler of
Darvabhisara, son of her brother Udairaj, the
MEDIEVAL PERIOD ruler of Lohara (Poonch). It was during her time,
the Mahmud of Ghazni twice tried to capture the
Utpala Dynasty Valley but the Fort at Lohara, remarkable for its
It was about in AD 855-856 that Karkota rule height and strength proved impregnable. The
ended and a new Utpala Dynasty assumed power Sultan was obliged to abandon the conquest.
in Kashmir. The most important ruler of this LOHARA DYNASTY (1003 A.D. – 1171 A.D.)
dynasty was Maharaja Avantivarman. It was he, Lohara Dynasty, centred at Lohran, was founded
who recovered Kashmir from utter political and by Sangramraj after the death of Queen Didda
economic disorder. His reign witnessed a period and ruled the ashmir for more than a century,
of peace and consolidation and prosperity. after the eclipse of Utpala Dynasty, till the end of
The most important foundation of the King was the Hindu rule in Kashmir (AD 1399). From AD
his capital city of Avantipur, which he 1089 to 1101, King Harsha ruled Kashmir.
embellished with two temples, one dedicated to Harsha with his son Bhoja were murdered and
Shiva and other to Vishnu. Both of them are in the Kashmir throne passed into the hands of two
ruins now, but even then, they stand as the most princes respectively. Both the prince met the fate
imposing monuments of ancient Kashmir of Harsha and when our great historian Kalhan
Avantivarman died in a temple on Dal Lake, when completed his ‘Rajtarangini’ in AD 1149-50, King
a fatal disease caught him. Jaisimha, the last great ruler of the Hindu time,
was ruling the State. Jaisimha’s (AD 1128-55)
Avantivarman was succeeded by his son early days were critical, because of the preceding
Shankarvarman but then the decline of Utpala civil wars and political unrest. Still the new ruler
dynasty set in. In the time of King Yasakara was able to maintain his firm rule for
(AD939-948), a Math (hospice) was built for the twentyseven years in a comparative safety. The
students of India, who came to Kashmir for study King repaired and restored many temples,
and meditation. shrines, and numerous other pious foundations
It clearly reveals intimate cultural contact were also made during his reign. The people after
between the valley and plains of India in the 10th a long time heaved a sigh of relief. The last ruler
Century in AD 950, Khemgupta ascended the of Lohara dynasty was Vanitadeva, who died in
Throne of Kashmir, a man of mediocre ability, AD 1171.
who married Princess Didda, daughter of the
ruler of Lohara (Poonch) and granddaughter of 1155-1339 AD – disturbed period : Rulers
the Shahi King of Kabul. involved in debauchery and mutual quarrels.
The last Hindu Ruler : Udayan Dev. before death,
Queen Didda was the defacto ruler of the State, embraced Islam.
as she was very dominating and exercised

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 5

Death in 1339 paved the way for the ruler. It is also said that the ruler of Kashmir
establishment of Muslim rule. towards Delhi and on the way conquered Kangra
and then the army of Feroz shah Tughlaq
Deva Dynasty (1171 A.D. – 1371 A.D.) opposed him on the banks of Sutlej.
Deva dynasty ruled the Kashmir from AD 1171 to
1371 Sangramdev and Sahdev were notable Since the battle between the rulers of the Delhi
Kings. During the reign of Sahdev, Kashmir was and Kashmir was indecisive, peace was concluded
invaded by a Tartar Chief, Dulucha, from Central and it was agreed that all the territory from
Asia. Sirhind to Kashmir was belong to the Kashmir
ruler.
Foreign Invasion
In the beginning of 14th century, a ferocious Shah-ud-din was not only a great conqueror, but
Mongol, Dulucha invaded the valley through its also an able administrator and he governed his
Northern side Zoji La pass with an army of 60000 kingdom with firmness and justice. The King
men. Like Taimur in the Punjab and Delhi, founded a new town, which he called Shihab-ud-
Dulucha carried sword and fire, destroyed towns din-pura, known as Shadipur. He was also erected
and villages and slaughtered thousands. His many mosques and monasteries. Shihabud-din
savage attack practically ended the Hindu rule in can rightly be called the Lalitaditya of medieval
Kashmir. A weak and worthless man Raja Sahdev Kashmir.
was the ruler then. It was during his reign that
three adventurers – Shah Mir from Swat (Tribal) Qutb-ud-din
Territory on the borders of Afghanistan, Rinchin The next ruler was Sultan Qutb-ud-din and in
from Ladakh and Lankar chak from Dard territory whose time, the only important event worth
near Gilgit came to Kashmir and played a notable mentioning is the arrival of Syed Ali Hamdani,
role in subsequent political history of the valley. who was the most remarkable personality of the
All the three men were granted Jagirs by the King. then Muslim world. At the time of his 3rd visit, he
Rinchin, for three years, became the ruler of got 700 Syeds from Hamdan, who were being out
Kashmir, Shah Mir was the first ruler of Shah Miri to torture by Timur, ruler of Persia.
Dynasty and the descendants of Lankar Chak These Syeds established their centres of
established Chak rule in Kashmir. missionary activities in different parts of the
valley. In 1389, Qutb-ud-din died and he was
MUSLIM RULE succeeded by his eldest son Sultan Sikandar. It
was in the time of this Sultan that the political
Shah Miri Dynasty (1339 A.D. – 1561 A.D.) atmosphere of the State was vitiated.
Started in 1339
Shah Mir : named as Sultan Shams–ud–din and Zain-ul-Abidin
his dynasty ruled for 222 years. Sultan Sikander Shahi-Khan or Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin ascended the
Butshikan of this dynasty considered worst. throne in AD 1420 and ruled upto AD 1470,
Firishta : Sikander Butshikan issued orders nearly for half a century. His accession to the
prohibiting residence of non-muslims in Kashmir throne proved to be the return of a bright and
and ordered breaking of golden and silver warm day after a cold and a chilly night.
images. Zain-ul-Abidin organised a huge army and with
its help he re-conquered the Punjab, Western
Shah-ud-din Tibet, Ladakh and Balti region, Kulu and Ohind
The ruler of Kashgar (Central Asia) came with a (Hazara). The Sultan also maintained cordial and
huge army and Shah-ud-din, whose army was friendly relations with the rulers of other
numerically inferior, inflicted a crushing defeat Countries. The Sheriff of Mecca and the Kings of
and the Kashgar army was almost wiped out. Jilan and Egypt sent him presents.
The Maharaja of Gwalior, hearing that the Sultan
This led to the annexation of Ladakh and was interested in music, sent his valuable works
Baltistan, which were claimed by the Kashgar on Indian music. There was also an exchange of

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 6

embassies and gifts between the great Sultan and Syed Ahmed Rumi, Qazi Syed Ali Shirazi, Qazi
the rulers of Sindh, Bengal, Tibet, Gujarat, Malwa Jamal and Maulana Kabir to mention only a few.
and Delhi. The Sultan had also established a translation
The Sultan improved the tone of administration, department, where important works were
which had rudely been shaken. He appointed translated from Sanskrit into Persian and Arabic.
talented persons in high administrative posts The Sultan opened schools and hostels for the
irrespective of caste or creed. students.
The Sultan was a great builder. He founded the
Social Works of Sultan : new City called Nowshader (a part of the city
now). Besides Nowshader, the Sultan founded
Zain-ul-Abidin the town of Zainapur,
The Sultan had a high sense of justice and no one Zainakut and Zainagir. Siilarly, he built the first
who committed a crime was spared, however wooden bridge at Srinagar known even now as
close he was to throne. Many grandees, who Zainakadal.
were favourites of the King, were severely In AD 1470, the Sultan died and for a long time
punished when found guilty. The King took keen his death was mourned by the people. Sultan
interest in agriculture and like Lalitaditya and Zain-ul-Abidin’s death sounded the death knell of
Avantivarman, many canals were dug out in all Shah Miri dynasty.
parts of the Kingdom. Jonraj and Shriva have
given details of these canals in their valuable Chak Dynasty (1561 A.D. – 1587 A.D.)
books. The last Shah Miri ruler, Sultan Habib Shah, a
weakling was deposed by his commander and
Owing to these irrigation works, the draining of nobles raised on throne Gazi Chak, a prominent
marshes and reclamation of large areas for Military General of the time. He was the direct
cultivation, Kashmir became self-sufficient in descendant of Lankar Chak, who had come to
food and rice was cheap. Kashmir towards the close of Hindu rule.
The Chak rule began in Kashmir in AD 1561 and
One of the most outstanding features of his lasted till AD 1587, when Akbar, the great Mughal
administration was the just and liberal treatment Emperor, conquered Kashmir. Chaks were
for the Hindus, who were not only allowed originally Dards – residents of Gilgit Huza area.
complete freedom of worship, They thwarted successfully the attempts of
but the Sultan recalled all those, who had fled to Mughal Emperors Babur and Humanyun to annex
India in the time of his father. Kashmir.
Yusuf Shah Chak married to Habba Khatun, a
He allowed those Hindus, who had forcibly been beautiful and charming poetess and made
converted, to return to their former religion.The Gulmarg and Sonamarg the holiday resorts. He
Sultan banned cow slaughter and permitted the tried his best to ward off the expanding influence
repair and rebuilding of the Temples at of the Mughals, but eventually succumbed to the
Government expenses. He granted lands to forces of Akbar and died in prison in Bihar.
learned Brahmins, endowed temples and for Mughal Army under Qasim, defeated Shah’s
Hindu pilgrims visiting holy places in the valley, Army at Haripura and this paved the way of
he opened a royal kitchen at Rainawari known Mughal rule in Kashmir in AD 1587.
even now as Jogi Lanker.
Jaziya was almost abolished and the sultan MUGHAL PERIOD (1587A.D. – 1752 A.D.) -
participated in Hindu festivals and entertained 1556 – 1605 AD – Kashmir annexed to Mughal
Brahmins and Sadhus on auspicious days. Some Empire by Akbar.
of his important Hindu ministers were the famous 1587 to 1752 AD
physician, viz Shri Bhat, Tilakacharya, Simha Bhat, Akbar built a new town – Nagar-Magar near
Rupa Bhat, Karupar Bhat and Shrivara. Hariparbat and built a massive wall around the
At the same time Sultan was a great patron of hill.
men of letters, such as Syed Mohammad Rumi,

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 7

Jahangir visited Kashmir 13 times, planted from the Valley. They were Abdul Qadoos
gardens wherever a hill came down gently to a Gojwari, Malik Zulfiqar and
spring or a group of Chinar trees such as – Malik Kamgar. In AD 1819, thirty thousand
Shalimar and Nishat Gardens on the banks of Dal soldiers of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s attacked
Lake. Harwat Garden is also facing Dal Lake. Kashmir, defeated the Pathans and the State
Aurangzeb visited Kashmir only once in 1665. bace a part of Ranjit Singh’s Empire. Sikh Rule
Afghan invasion in 1752 due to lack of unity and lasted for only twenty-seven years from AD 1819
discriminations of Mughal Kings. to AD 1846.

DOGRA PERIOD (1846-1949)

AFGHAN RULE – (1752 A.D. – 1819 A.D.) Dogras : Indo-Aryan ethnic group in South Asia
Abdul Khan Ishik Aqasi was the commander sent Believed to be Suryavansh : Rajputs of Chattri
by Ahmad Shah Abdali to defeat Mughals in (Kshatriya) Origin (igrated from Rajptana) Live in
Kashmir. Aqasi 1st ruled Kashmir. J&K, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and North-East
Pakistan.
Terror policy
28 Durrani (a tribe) Subedars in 67 years. Rich Language : Dogri
people summoned by the Abid Ali Governor Most Dogras are Hindus, some are Muslims and
Abdullah Khan and ordered to surrender all some Sikhs.
wealth. Durrani Empire belonged to Afghanistan.
4 Dogra rulers ruled in J&K.
Afghan Rule was called the darkest period of the Kashmir accession started at the time of
history of J&K. In 1819, Birbal Dhar from Kashmir Maharaja Hari Singh Two Anglo-Sikh Wars led to
visited Maharaja Ranjit Singh 1819 : The State the final extinction of Sikh rule in the Punjab in
was added to the Sikh Kingdom of Punjab. 1849.

SIKH RULE (1819 – 1846 AD) Treaties of Lahor and Aritsar : British became the
master, Maharaja Gulab Singh buys J&K under
Natural calamities, premature snow falls, the later Treaty (Amount 75 lakhs).
destruction of ripe crops leading to famines. First Maharaja : Maharaja Gulab Singh (1846-
Famines followed by Cholera and Plague. People 1857), died in 1857. Kashmir became a Princely
started leaving and went to other parts of India – State in March 1846 Laid the foundation of a
population of Valley came down to 2 lakhs from 9 sound system of administration Succeeded by
lakhs. Maharaja Ranbir Singh – ruled from 1857 to
1885. In 1885, throne ascended by Maharaja
Punjab Lahore Kashmir Pratap Singh – ruled for 40 years. Worked for
Large area was to be administered and the rulers modernisation of the State and progressive
couldn’t give attention. reforms.

First Governor under Sikh Rule – Diwan Moti Sir Walter Lawrence brought the first assessment
Ram. After Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death, East of land revenue system in the State.
India Company annexed Punjab in 1849
after two battles. Kashmir became a Princely Two mountain roads : Jhelum Valley road and
State in March 1846. Banihal Cart road built, linkng the State with the
rest of India.
Sikh Rule
A deputation of Kashmiris led by Pandit Birbal Scheme for drainage of valley : reclaiming waste
Dhar and his son Pandit Rajakak Dhar, left for land and preventing floods by digging flood
Lahore and fervently requested Maharaja Ranjit channels.
Singh to conquer Kashmir. Three prominent Construction of water reservoir at Harwan.
Muslims helped Pandit Birbal Dhar in his escape Establishment of electricity generating plant at

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 8

Mohra. Establishment of two Colleges in the January 1949 : Hari Singh abdicates in favour of
State and a large no. of education institutions. Karan Singh, Sheikh Abdullah and 3 colleagues
Development in means of communication and join the Indian Constituent Assembly to discuss
telegraphs, telephones and post offices. provisions of Article 370 under the Indian
Constitution that was still being drafted.Dr. B. R.
After Maharaja Pratap Singh’s death, his nephew Ambedkar was against Article 370.
Maharaja Hari Singh ascended the throne in 1925
and ruled till 1949. 1950 : According to the Indian Constitution,
Article 1 defines J&K as a State of India but Article
Hari Singh – last ruler of Kashmir. 370 accords special status to J&K

During Dogra rule, state administration 1951 : The Constituent Assembly of J&K (created
dominated by Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims the State Constitution) convenes. All members
were socially and economically backward. belong to Sheikh Abdullah’s NC.

1930s : Kashmiri Muslims were unhappy with 1953 : Sheikh Abdullah dismissed as PM because
Maharaj Hari Singh’s rule. he had lost the support of the Cabinet. Bakshi
Mehar Chand Mahajan – PM of Maharaj Hari Ghulam Mohammad takes his place.
Singh under 1939 Constitution. J&K’s first major Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad – the first CM of J&K.
political party, the National Conference (NC) born
– founder Sheikh Abdullah Quit Kashmir 1956 : J&K adopts its Constitution and defines
Movement launched against Maharaja. itself as an integral part of India.

August 1947 : after independence, the princely 1957 : J&K holds first legislative elections. J&K
states, those not officially with India or Pakistan, Constituent Assembly dissolved, replaced by
were given 3 choices – stay independent OR Join Legislative Assembly. (Constituent Assembly
either India OR Pakistan, Junagarh, Hyderabad frames the Constitution).
and J&K were still undecided. Sardar Vallabhbhai Indian Home Minister Govind Ballabh Pant visits
Patel tried to convince Maharaj Hari Singh to join Srinagar (capital of J&K) – says that the State is
India. Maharaja Hari Singh signs a standstill now fully a part of India, leaves no possibility of a
agreement with Pakistan and India, opting for plebiscite.
status quo on 12th of August, 1947. October 1947
: Armed tribesmen from Pakistan infiltrate J&K. 1962 : China gains control of Aksai Chin region in
Maharaja reaches out to Nehru and Patel who J&K after a war with India.
agreed to send troops on the condition that
Maharaja signs an instrument of accession (IoA) May 1965 : Titles of Prime Minister and Sadr– I–
in favour of India handing over control of Riyasat officially changed to Chief Minister and
defence, foreign affairs and communication. Hari Governor respectively (First Sadr-i-Riyasat – Dr.
Singh signs IoA, Indian troops moved in and drove Karan Singh)
out tribesmen, armed conflict continues. Sheikh
Abdullah appointed as the emergency 1965-1966 : August 1965 to Jan 1966 : War
administrator for the State on 30th of October, between India and Pakistan. Indian Prime
1947 by Maharaja Hari Singh. Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistani
President Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent
After 1947 Declaration marking the end of war.

January 1948 : Hari Singh appointed an interim 1972 : India and Pakistan signs the Simla
Government in J&K. Sheikh Abdullah named the Agreement ratifying the ceasefire line as the Line
PM of Control (L.O.C). (ratify : make something
officially valid).

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 9

1990 : Kashmiri youth protest against Indian MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (M.C.Qs)
administration, hundreds die in clashes with
Indian troops. JKLF gains strength, so central rule 1. Which one of the following is the earliest
declared Kashmiri Pandits flee from their source of ancient Kashmir?
hometowns in Kashmir Valley because of rising a.) Nilmata Purana
militancy. b.) Raja Tarangini
c.) Rajadarshni
AFSPA imposed by the Central Government giving d.) The Sea of Tales
armed forces unprecedented powers to counter 2. The meaning of Rajatarangini is :
armed militancy. a.) Kings of Kashmir
b.) Wars in Kashmir
2019: Home minister Amit Shah proposed a c.) River of Kings
Presidential Order to repeal Article 370 and 35 A. d.) None of the above
(repeal : revoke) J&K bifurcated as two Union 3. Hiuen Tsang visited Kashmir in :
Territories of Ladakh (Centrally administrated) (a) 5th century A.D.
and Jammu & Kashmir (with its Legislative (b) 6th century A.D.
Assembly) Opposition protests in Parliament and (c) 7th century A.D.
there was Complete shutdown in Jammu and (d) 8th century A.D.
Kashmir state. 4. Rajatarangini was translated into English in
a.) 1900 A.D.
b.) 1901 A.D.
c.) 1902 A.D.
d.) 1903 A.D.
5. The first king in the history of Kashmir whose
name is mentioned by Kalahana was :
a.) Damodar
b.) Gonanda
c.) Krishna
d.) Balbhadra
6. Buddhism was firstly preached in Kashmir by :
a.) Ashoka
b.) Menander
c.) Bindu Sara
d.) Majhantika
7. The famous king, who founded the old city of
Srinagar called as Pandrethan :
a.) Gonanda 1
b.) Jaluka
c.) Damodar 1
d.) Ashoka
8. The fourth Buddhist council was held during
the reign of :
a.) Kanishka
b.) Ashoka
c.) Damodar
d.) Mihirkula
9. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited
Kashmir during the reign of :
a.) Durlabvardhana
b.) Balditya
c.) Partapaditya

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 10

d.) Chandrapida d.) Shihab-ud-din

10. Lalitaditya Muktapida, the most important 19. Who among the following sultans of Kashmir
ruler of the Karkota dynasty ruled from : fought against Feroz Shah Tughlak of Delhi?
a.) 625 A.D. – 650 A.D. a.) Sultan Ala-ud-din
b.) 650 A.D. – 695 A.D. b.) Sultan Sham-ud-din
c.) 701 A.D. – 707 A.D. c.) Sultan Shihab-ud-din
d.) 724 A.D. -761 A.D. d.) Sultan Qutub-ud-din
11. Which of the following dynasty came in 20. Nowshader, Zainapur and Zainagir, these towns
Kashmir, after the end of Karkota dynasty? were founded by :
a.) Naga dynasty a.) Shah Mir
b.) Gupta dynasty b.) Sikander
c.) Lohara dynasty c.) Fateh shah
d.) Utpala dynasty d.) Zain-ul-abidin
12. Who was the founder of Utpala dynasty? 21. The first wooden bridge at Srinagar, was built
a.) Avantivarman by :
b.) Lalitaditya a.) Shah-i-khan
c.) Bhupindra b.) Rinchana
d.) Rajinder c.) Aurangzeb
13. Which of the following king issued an order d.) Nazuk Shah
banning the slaughter of any living creature in 22. Who was the last ruler of the Shah-Mir
the kingdom? Dynasty?
a.) Lalitaditya a.) Haider Shah
b.) Jayapida b.) Nazuk Shah
c.) Ajitapida c.) Ghazi Shah
d.) Avantivarman d.) Habib Shah
14. Which of the following king’s death came very 23. The Mughals ruled Kashmir from :
peacefully when he was listening to the recital a.) 1525 A.D. – 1947 A.D.
of the ‘Bhagavatgita’? b.) 1535 A.D. – 1707 A.D.
a.) Ajitapida c.) 1586 A.D. – 1753 A.D.
b.) Avantivarman d.) 1590 A.D. – 1847 A.D.
c.) Shankara Varman 24. When Akbar conquered Kashmir, who became
d.) Pravarasena the first Governor of Kashmir?
15. Who is the founder of Lohara dynasty? a.) Mirza Yusuf Khan
a.) Sangramaraja b.) Qasim Khan
b.) Kalasa c.) Todar Mal
c.) Avanta d.) Qali Khan
d.) Hariraja 25. The Afghan rule came to Kashmir in :
16. Who was the last ruler of Lohara dynasty? a.) 1751
a.) Vanitadeva b.) 1752
b.) Parvagupta c.) 1753
c.) Jayasimha d.) 1754
d.) None of above 26. The afghans ruled Kashmir for :
17. Who built the first mosque in the Kashmir : a.) 5 years
a.) Rinchana b.) 20 years
b.) Shah-Mir c.) 53 years
c.) Bulbul Shah d.) 67 years
d.) Vanitadeva 27. The first Afghan governor of Kashmir was :
18. Shah-Mir assumed the title of : a.) Abdullah Khan
a.) Lalitaditya b.) Abdul Hassan
b.) Sham-ud-din c.) Sukh Jiwan
c.) Ala-ud-din d.) Azim Khan

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 11

28. Kashmir became a part of Lahore darbar in : 37. Which of the following ruler of Jammu found a
a.) 1816 goat and a tiger drinking water together at the
b.) 1819 same pond?
c.) 1825 a.) Agnigir
d.) 1827 b.) Jambulochan
29. Who was the last Sikh Governor of Kashmir? c.) Hari Singh
a.) Sheikh-Immaudin d.) Ranjit Singh
b.) Mian singh 38. Bahulochan was said to have been killed in a
c.) Ghulam Mohi-ud- din battle with
d.) Moti Ram a.) Jambulochan
30. The Sikh rule in Kashmir was administered by : b.) Chandrahas
a.) 10 governor c.) Manendar
b.) 12 governor d.) Surajdev
c.) 14 governor 39. Who introduced Dogri Script?
d.) 16 governor a.) Raja Shakti Karan
31. The treaty signed by Sikhs and the British b.) Raja Sarbhdhar
Government on March 9, 1846 is known as : c.) Purankaran
a.) Treaty of Amritsar d.) Raja Maldev
b.) Treaty of Lahore 40. Jambulochan was succeeded by
c.) Treaty of Punjab a.) Puran karan
d.) Treaty of Jammu b.) Shakti Karan
32. The treaty signed by British and the Gulab singh c.) Dharam Karan
on march 16, 1846 is known as : d.) Kirat Karan
a.) Treaty of Amritsar 41. Who among the following was the first ruler of
b.) Treaty of Lahore dev dynasty?
c.) Treaty of Jammu a.) Avtar dev
d.) Treaty of Punjab b.) Mal dev
33. How much amount Gulab singh paid to the c.) Bhuj dev
Birtish as per Amritsar Treaty? d.) Suraj dev
a.) 10 lakh rupees 42. Mehmud of Ghazni invaded Jammu during the
b.) 20 lakh rupees reign of :
c.) 35 lakh rupees a.) Mal dev
d.) 75 lakh rupees b.) Avtar dev
34. Which treaty is also known as ‘Sale deed of c.) Jas dev
Kashmir’? d.) Sangram dev
a.) Treaty of jammu 43. Who founded a city on the banks of river of
b.) Treaty of Lahore river Ujh and named it Jasrota
c.) Treaty of Amritsar a.) Jodh dev
d.) Treaty of Punjab b.) Bijay dev
35. Who was first ruler of karkota dynasty in c.) Mal dev
Kashmir? d.) Jas Dev
a.) Durlabvardhana 44. During the period of the king in the history of
b.) Baladitya jammu it is regarded as ‘Golden Period’?
c.) Pratipaditya a.) Mal dev
d.) Chandrapida b.) Jas dev
36. During Afghan rule, How many Durani c.) Ghogher dev
Subedars Governed Kashmir? d.) Hamir dev
a.) 22 45. Ranjit dev ruled the jammu between :
b.) 27 a.) 1707-1732
c.) 28 b.) 1733-1757
d.) 31 c.) 1733-1782

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 12

d.) 1755-1795 b.) Zain-ul-abidin

46. Dev Dutt, translated Varun Praba of c.) Haider Shah
Mahabharata into Hindi in : d.) Hassan Shah
a.) 1705 55. The Mughal emperor Akbar visited Kashmir :
b.) 1725 a.) Once
c.) 1771 b.) Twice
d.) 1785 c.) Thrice
47. Who among the following was the founder of d.) Four times
Jammu and Kashmir state? 56. The Sikhs ruled in Kashmir Between :
a.) Gulab Singh a.) 1819 – 1846
b.) Ranjit Singh b.) 1820 – 1856
c.) Pratap Singh c.) 1821 – 1847
d.) Hari Singh d.) 1829 – 1857
48. The Dogras ruled J&k between : 57. The Sayed Qutub Alam was also known as :
a.) 1857-1957 a.) Peer khoh
b.) 1840-1942 b.) Peer meetha
c.) 1846-1947 c.) Baba ji
d.) 1825-1947 d.) Pir Baba
49. Prince of Wales of College (now G.G.M. Science 58. An eminent dogri poet and Scholar Pandit Dev
College), Jammu was established in : Dutt Stayed in the court of :
a.) 1900 a.) Mal dev
b.) 1905 b.) Jag dev
c.) 1910 c.) Ranjit dev
d.) 1915 d.) Brij dev
50. In 1939, Muslim conference was dissolved and 59. The ‘Treaty of Amritsar’ signed between the
now political party was formed named as : British Government and the Maharaja Gubal
a.) National Conference Singh consisted of :
b.) Muslim league a.) 5 articles
c.) Praja Sabha b.) 7 articles
d.) None of the above c.) 8 articles
51. The constituent assembly met for the first time d.) 10 articles
in Srinagar on : 60. Which of the following places is known as
a.) Oct 12,1948 Kingdom of 22 states or Principalities?
b.) Oct 21, 1949 a.) Jammu
c.) Oct 26, 1950 b.) Kashmir
d.) Oct 31, 1951 c.) Ladakh
52. Rajatrangini was translated into English by : d.) None of the above
a.) A, Stein 61. The Neolithic culture in Kashmir was found at :
b.) M.L. Kapur a.) Pahalgam
c.) Alexander Cunningham b.) Burzahom
d.) None of the above c.) Parihaspura
53. Which of the following periods tools have not d.) Avantipura
been found in Kashmir? 62. Burzahom was discovered by :
a.) Neolithic a.) Dr. Neve
b.) Palaeolithic b.) Dr. Terra
c.) Both a & b c.) Lawrance
d.) None of the above d.) Fedrick Drew
54. He repealed Jazia and Forbade Killings of 63. During the reign of Utpala Dynasty, the capital
birdsand fish in several springs sacred to the city was :
Hindus : a.) Srinagar
a.) Rinchana b.) Avantipur

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 13

c.) Harinagar c.) Nilmatpuran

d.) None of these d.) Pratyabhijnasutra
64. Which of the following dogra ruler laid the 72. Which is the first archaeological site in the
foundation of a sound system of country which revealed the existence of a
Administration in J&K : Neolithic settlement in Kashmir region?
a.) Pratap singh a.) Aihole
b.) Gulab singh b.) Lothal
c.) Hari singh c.) Konark
d.) Karan singh d.) Burzahom
65. Which of the following is known as the first 73. According to Mahabharata evidences,who was
kashmiri Historian : ruled over the region during the epical times
a.) Habbah Khatoon and had Republican System of Government?
b.) Lal ded a.) Peer zada Hassan
c.) Kalhana b.) Kamboj
d.) None of these c.) Gonanda
66. Sericulture was organised for the first time on a d.) None of the above
commercial basis during the reign of : 74. Pandrethan, the old city of Srinagar was
a.) Gulab singh founded by
b.) Hari singh a.) Ashoka
c.) Pratap singh b.) Gautam
d.) Ranbir singh c.) Gonanda 1
67. Which of the following ruler was also known as d.) Yudhistira
Samudra Gupta of Kashmir : 75. In which of the following place, the fourth
a.) Lalitaditya Buddhist Council was held?
b.) Zain-ul-abidin a.) Patliputra
c.) Jayapida b.) Uttar Pradesh
d.) Gulab singh c.) Kashmir
68. Prithvi raj chauhan honoured Brij dev with the d.) Kurukshetra
title of : 76. Who is known as the Samudragupta of
a.) Rai-hameer Kashmir?
b.) Maharaja a.) Gunavarman
c.) Adhiraja b.) Durlab Vardhan
d.) All of the above c.) Lalitaditya
69. This magnificient palace served as the royal d.) Sanghbuti
residence of the rulers of the Dogra Dynasty 77. During whose rule Buddhism was introduced in
until 1925 and is one of the famous tourist Kashmir?
attractions in jammu. Identify the fort/palace a.) Ashoka
from the following options : (PAA 2020) b.) Kanishka
a.) Hari Niwas Palace c.) Jayapida
b.) Bahu Fort d.) None of these
c.) Mubarak Mandi 78. Kashmir shaivisim is also referred as
d.) Akhnoor Fort a) Trika
70. Ranjit singh died in b) Trishakti
a.) 1829 c) Siva
b.) 1831 d) Trisha
c.) 1835 79. Martand temple of Kashmir is dedicated to
d.) 1839 which god?
71. Which of the following is the earliest source of a.) Sun
Kashmir? b.) Moon
a.) Shivadrishti c.) Earth
b.) Rajtarangini d.) India

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 14

80. Which of the following are the two important 89. Whose period was known as the darkest period
temples built by Avantivarman in Avantipura? in the history of Kashmir?
a.) Shiva and Ram a.) Dogra rule
b.) Vishnu and Ram b.) Pathan rule
c.) Shiva and Vishnu c.) Mughal rule
d.) Krishna and Ram d.) Sikh rule
81. King Yasakara ruled between which period in 90. First wooden bridge known as Zaina kadal was
Kashmir? built at?
a.) AD 939-948 a.) Kashmir
b.) AD 938-947 b.) Srinagar
c.) AD 939-947 c.) Jammu
d.) AD 938-948 d.) Ladakh
82. Sangramraj was the son of 91. Who amongst the following was a great finance
a.) Queen Didda and revenue minister during Akbar’s period in
b.) Udairaj Kashmir?
c.) Yashovati a.) Jahangir
d.) Sugandha b.) Sultan Habib Shah
83. Who was the founder of Lohara Dynasty? c.) Raja Todermal
a.) Queen Didda d.) None of the above
b.) Sangramraj 92. When didthe Mughal rule ended in Kashmir?
c.) Udairaj a.) Before 1857
d.) Jaisimha b.) During 1857
84. When did Kalhan completed his writing c.) After 1857
‘Rajtarangini’? d.) None of the above
a.) AD 1089-01 93. During whose period, Raja Sukh Jeevan mal
b.) AD 1149-50 became the Governor of Kashmir?
c.) AD 1129-30 a.) Hindu Period
d.) AD 1128-29 b.) Mughal period
85. Who was/were the notable Hindu minister in c.) Afghan period
Kashmir, who worked under Shah Mir? d.) Sikh Period
a.) Chandra Damra 94. When did Maharaja Ranjit Singh Died?
b.) Shura a.) 1827
c.) Kota Bhat b.) 1828
d.) All of the above c.) 1829
86. Shahib-ud-din-pura, founded by Shihab-ud-din d.) 1839
is now known as 95. Who amongst the following helped Pandit
a.) Shadipur Birbal Dhar to escape from the valley of
b.) Srinagar Kashmir?
c.) Ladakh a.) Abdul Qadeer
d.) None of the above b.) Mallick Zulfikar
87. Shahi khan ruled Kashmir during which period? c.) Malik Kangar
a.) AD 1420-30 d.) All of the above
b.) AD 1420-60 96. The Sikh rule lasted for how many years in the
c.) AD 1420-70 valley?
d.) AD 1420-90 a.) 25 years
88. Which of the following king founded the City of b.) 26 years
Nowshader? c.) 27 years
a.) Zain-ul-Abidin d.) 28 years
b.) Shihab-ud-Din 97. During the reign of which of the following
c.) Sham-ud-din Hindu king in Kashmir Kalhana completed
d.) None of these ‘Rajtarangini’?

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 HISTORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 15

a.) Harsha ANSWER KEY

b.) Bhoja 1 A 2 C 3 C 4 A
c.) Jaisimha
d.) Udairaj 5 B 6 D 7 D 8 A
98. Who led Ahmad shah’s Army Campaign in 9 A 10 D 11 D 12 A
Kashmir? 13 D 14 B 15 A 16 A
a.) Nadir shah
b.) Abdullah Khan Ishaq Aqasi 17 A 18 B 19 C 20 D
c.) Imam shah 21 A 22 D 23 C 24 B
d.) None of the above
25 C 26 D 27 A 28 B
99. Who succeded Sultan Habib Shah, the last Shah
Mir ruler? 29 A 30 A 31 B 32 A
a.) Gazi Chak 33 D 34 C 35 A 36 C
b.) Habha Khatun
c.) Qasim 37 B 38 B 39 A 40 A
d.) None of the above 41 D 42 B 43 D 44 A
100. Which of the following gardens is/are built by
45 C 46 C 47 A 48 C
Jahangir?
I.) Shalimar Bagh 49 B 50 A 51 D 52 A
II.) Chashma Shahi 53 B 54 B 55 C 56 A
III.) Pari Mahal
IV.) Varinag Bagh 57 B 58 C 59 D 60 A
V.) Achabal Bagh 61 B 62 B 63 B 64 B
65 C 66 C 67 A 68 C
Select the correct code from the given below :
69 C 70 D 71 B 72 D
a.) I, II and III 73 B 74 A 75 C 76 C
b.) II, III and IV
77 A 78 A 79 A 80 C
c.) I, IV and V
d.) All of the above 81 A 82 B 83 B 84 B
85 C 86 A 87 C 88 A
89 B 90 B 91 C 92 A
93 C 94 D 95 D 96 C
97 C 98 B 99 A 100 C

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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 1

HISTORICAL/POLITICAL PERSONS of National conference in

1953.
1. KALHANA :  He ruled the state for 11
 Author of Rajtarangini (River years from 1953 – 1964.
of Kings).  He is remembered as the
 Kashmir’s first historian. architect of modern Kashmir.
 He wrote Rajtarangini in 4. KARAN SINGH :
Sanskrit in 1148 A.D. and  He is the son of last ruler of
1149 A.D. Princely State of Jammu and
2. HARI SINGH : Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh.
 He was born into the Hindu,  He is a member of India’s
Kachwaha Caste, Part of Upper house of Parliament
Rajput Community on 23rd and Titular Maharaja of J&K.
sept,1895.  He has served as President
 He ascended the throne of his (Sadr-e-Riyasat) and Governor
father Pratap singh in 1925. of J&K.
 He made primary education  He has received the Padma
compulsory in the state. Vibhushan in 2005.
 Introduced laws prohibiting  He resigned as Governor of
Child marriage. J&K and became the youngest
 He signed the Instrument of ever Member of Union
accession on 26 oct, 1947. Cabinet.
3. BAKSHI GULAM  He has served as an Indian
MOHAMMAD : Ambassador to the U.S.A. and
 He had represent India’s case also as a Chancellor of
in UN and took over as chief Banaras Hindu University,
administrator in 1948. Jammu and Kashmir
 He became the PM of the University and the Jawaharlal
state and also the president Nehru University.
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 2

5. MEHR CHAND MAHAJAN : 7. MUFTI MOHAMMAD SAYEED

 He was the third Chief Justice :
of Supreme Court of India and  He was the 6th CM of J&K and
PM of J&K during the reign of served twice as the CM from
Maharaja Hari Singh. Nov, 2002 – Nov, 2005 and
 He was the Nominee of the again from March 2015 –
Indian National Congress on January 2016.
the Redcliff Commission.  He was also Minister of
 He was the one, who turned Tourism in Rajiv Gandhi’s
down the offer of district cabinet and also Home
Lahore and instead annexed minister of India from
district Gurdaspur to India. December 1989 to November
 Before becoming the Chief 1990.
Justice, he served as ne of the  He has founded PDP in july
first judges of the Supreme 1999.
Court of Independent India. 8. FAROOQ ABDULLAH :
6. MEHBOOBA MUFTI SAYEED :  He is the chairman of National
 She is the president of the J&k Conference.
People’s Democratic Party  He has served as the CM of
(PDP). J&K 3 times.
 She was the Member of 14th  He has served as the Union
Lok Sabha (2004 – 2009) and Minister for New and
16 Lok Sabha in 2014 Renewable Energy between
representing the Anantnag 2009 – 2014.
constituency. 9. OMAR ABDULLAH :
 She is the first woman CM  He became the 11th and the
and last Chief Minister of J&k youngest CM of the State J&K.
from 4th april, 2016 to 19  He was a member of 14 lok
june, 2018. sabha, representing the
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 3

constituency of J&K.  He was one of the founders

 He was the Union Minister of of the Delhi School of
State for External affairs in Economics.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s NDA  He served as the United
government, from 23 july, Nations Assistant Secretary
2001 to 23 oct., 2002. General, Research and Policy
10. P.N. DHAR : Analysis, in New York from
 Prithvi Nath Dhar was an 1978 to 1986.
economist and the Head of  He was awarded with the
Indira Gandhi’s secretariat Padma Vibhushan, India’s
and one of her closest second highest civilian award
advisers. in 2008.
 He was born in Kashmir in  His memoir, Indira Gandhi,
1919. the Emergency, and Indian
 Dhar served as Principal Democracy was published in
Secretary to the Prime 2000.
Minister Indira Gandhi during 11. MIAN BASHIR AHMED :
the days of emergency (1973-  He was born in 1923 in
1977) Kashmir, a politician and a
 He was one of her close religious person.
advisors, who were  His native name is Sajjada-
collectively known as the Nasheen-Zayaaarat Baba Jee
“Kashmiri Mafia”. Sahib Laarvi.
 He was also a professor of  He proselytises the doctrines
economics at Delhi University of ‘Naqsh Bandi and Qadri’ in
and the Director and Emeritus order to Sufism to his
Professor of the Institute of followers through Bayyat.
Economic Growth in New  He was awarded the Padma
Delhi. Bhushan in 2008, for his
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 4

contribution to the society. awarded the Padma Bhushan,

12. SHEIKH MOHAMMAD India’s third highest civilian
ABDULLA : award by Indian President,
 He was born on 5 december APJ Abdul Kalam in 2005.
1905 in Soura, Srinagar. 14. GULAM NABI AZAD :
 He was referred as “Sher-e-  He is an Indian politician of
Kashmir” (Lion of Kashmir). the Indian National Congress
 He was the founding leader of and was the Minister of
the All Jammu & Kashmir Health and Family Welfare.
Muslim Conference (Later  He has served as the
renamed Jammu & Kashmir Parliamentary Affairs Minister
National Conference). of India in the government of
 He is the 1st elected PM of former PM Manmohan Singh
J&K after its accession to until 27 Oct., 2005.
India.  He was the 7th CM of J&K.
 He became the CM of J&K in  He was nominated as the
1974. President of the Jammu and
 He died on 8 sept., 1982. Kashmir Pradesh Youth
13. SAYED MIR QASIM : Congress in 1975.
 He became the CM of J&K  In 1980, he was appointed as
from 1971 – 1975. the President of the All-India
 He became the leader of Quit Youth Congress.
Kashmir Political movement. 15. SHAMMA JAIN :
 The name of his  She is an Indian Senior
autobiography is My Life and diplomat serving as the Indian
Times published in sept. ambassador to Greece since
1992, published by South Asia June 2007.
books.  Previously, she was the
 He was posthumously Ambassador of India to
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 5

Panama, Costa Rico and singh.

Nicaragua. 18. MAHARAJA SIR PRATAP
 She has also served as India’s SINGH : (18 JULY 1848 – 23
AmbassaDOR TO Ivory coast, SEPT. 1925)
Liberia, Sierra Leone and  He was the head of the
Guinea from 2008 – 2011. Jamwal Rajput Clan.
 She has also held other  He was succeeded by his
diplomatic assignments, nephew, Hari Singh as the
including as the Deputy Chief Maharaja in 1925.
of Mission in Rome, Italy,  The first major step of
Political Counsellor in the improvement was taken in
U.S., and at the permanent 1889 when the Jhelum Valley
Delegation of India to Cart Road, “the Most
UNESCO in Paris, France. wonderful Mountain road in
16. MAHARAJA GULAB SINGH the World”, from Kohala to
JAMWAL : (1792 – 1857) Baramulla was completed.
 He was the founder of royal  In 1922, another great
Dogra dynasty and the first highway, the Banihal Cart
Maharaja of Princely State of Road, which connected
Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar, the summer capital,
 The treaty of Amritsar was with Jammu, the winter
concluded between Raja Capital of the state was
Gulab Singh and the British thrown open to the public.
Govt. on 16th march, 1846 at  During his reign the first
Amritsar. railway line was built from
17. MAHARAJA RANBIR SINGH : Sialkot to Jammu.
(AUG. 1830 – SEPT. 1885) 19. MAHARAJA HARI SINGH : (23
 He ruled from 1857 to 1885. SEPT. 1895 – 26 APRIL 1961)
 He was the third son of Gulab  He was the last ruling
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 6

Maharaja of the Princely  He first played his T20

State. international against England
 Pratap singh appointed him as in 2017 where he dismissed
the commander-in-chief of Boin Margan and got his first
the state Forces in 1915. T20 international wicket.
 He is from Bijbehara in
SPORTS Anantnag district of Kashmir,
India.
1. PARVEZ RASOOL :
 He became the second
 He is an Indian cricketer who
cricketer after Vivek Razdan
plays as an all-rounder from
from Jammu and Kashmir to
Jammu and Kashmir.
get selected for the national
 He is a right-hand batsman
side, but did not play any
and off break bowler and the
game on that tour.
captain of the Jammu and
2. MEHRAJUDDIN WADOO :
Kashmir team and a regular
 He is a former Indian football
member of India A.
player and is the current
 He was bought for 95 lakh
assistant coach of the
rupees (US$1,30,000) by the
Hyderabad FC.
Sunrisers Hyderabad in the
 He has represented the India
2014 IPL auction.
National team from 2005 to
 He was the first cricketer from
2011.
Jammu and Kashmir to have
 He scored the winning goal
played in the IPL.
against Banladeshin the SAFF
 He received his maiden call-
Cup finals at Karachi in
up for the national team in
December 2005. He was also
2013 for the Zimbabwe tour.
a member of the Indian squad
He finally represented the
that won Nehru Cup 2007, the
national team against
AFC Challenge Cup 2008 and
Bangladesh on 15 june 2014.
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 7

the Nehru Cup in 2009. contracted for US$2,60,000

 4 times Winner, Federation by Pune warriors.
Cup & IFA Shield. 2 times 4. RASIKH SALAM DAR :
Winner, Nehru Cup (2007 &  He is from Kulgam District of
2009). Wadoo was the best J&K.
right-back in the Hero ISL  In December 2018, He was
during Season 2 as he helped bought by the Mumbai
chennaiyin FC to the Coveted Indians for 2019 IPL.
Hero ISL Trophy, appearing 14  He became the third cricketer
times for the Super Machans. from J&K to be picked in the
3. MITHUN MANHAS : IPL.
 He is an Indian first-class  He became the youngest
cricketer who played for player to make their debut for
Chennai Super kings as an all- the Mumbai Indians.
rounder.  In June 2019, the Board of
 He is a right-handed batsman, Control for Cricket in India
he also bowls right-arm (BCCI) banned him for two
offbreak and can keep wicket. years following a discrepancy
 Virat kohli-led Royal with his birth certificate.
Challengers Bangalore have  He made his list A debut for
now hired all-rounder Mithun J&K in the 2018 – 19 Vijay
Manhas as their assistant Hazare Trophy on 3 October
coach for IPL 12. 2018.
 He is from Jammu district of  He made his first-class debut
J&k. for J&K in the 2018-19 Ranji
 He is a player in the Indian Trophy on 30 December 2018.
Premier League represented  He made is T20 debut for J&K
the Delhi Daredevils. In the in the 2018-19 Syed Mushtaq
fourth season of Ipl he was ali Trophy on 22 Feb. 2019.
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 8

 He was released by the three in Individual events and

Mumbai Indians ahead of the three in teams events, in the
2020 IPL Auction. 2016 South Asian Games.
5. ISHFAQ AHMAD : 7. TAJAMUL ISLAM :
 He is a retired Indian  Eight years old Tajamul Islam
Professional footballer who is – the first Kashmiri to
now working as the assistant represent India at the world
coach for the Kerala Blasters kickboxing championship and
FC in the Indian Super League. made the country proud and
 He is from Srinagar, J&K. created history by clinching
 He is the second footballer the gold medal on Friday, 11
from J&K who has Nov 2016.
represented the country.  She is from Tarkpara village
 He has also won the league of Bandipura District.
title while also winning  She won six games in five
domestic cups such as the days. The last of those was
Federation Cup and Durand the Gold medal bout at the
Cup. Sub-junior World Kickboxing
6. CHAIN SINGH : Championship in Italy.
 He is an Indian Sport Shooter 8. HASHIM MANZOOR :
from the Doda District of J&K.  He has won a gold medal at
 He won the Bronze Medal at the National Karate trails in
the 2014 Asian Games in the Srinagar.
men’s 50m rifle 3 positions  He has won another gold
event. medal for India at the Asian
 He won an individual Gold Youth Karate Championship in
Medal in the 7th Asian Airgun Delhi
championship Kuwait.  He is from Bandipura district
 He won six Gold medals, of J&K.
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 9

RELIGION :  His shrine is located on the

southern slope of Hari Parbat
1. HAMZA MAKHDOOM Hill and popularly called
KASHMIRI : Makhdoom Sahib or Hazrat
 He is popularly known as Sultan-ul-Arifeen, is an
Makhdoom Sahib (c.1494 – c. important pilgrimage center
1576), was a Sufi mystic, in Kashmir.
scholar and spiritual teacher 2. SHEIKH NOOR UD DIN
living in Kashmir. He is NOORANI :
sometimes referred to as  Nund Rishi (1377 – 1438 A.D.;
Mehboob-ul-Alam (literally, sometimes spelled Nund
“loved by all”) and Sultan-ul- Reshi), also known as Sheikh
Arifeen (Literally, “king of Noor-ud-din Noorani and by a
those who knew God”). honorary title Alamdar-e-
 He was born in the village of Kashmir, was a kashmiri Sufi
Tujjar near Sopore in saint, mystic, poet and Islamic
Baramulla district. preacher.
 His father was called Baba  Nund Reshi was among the
Usman and came from a founders of the Rishi Order, a
Chandravanshi Rajput family. Sufi tradition of the region. He
 He adhered to the tradition of was influenced by the
Jalaluddin Bukhari. Spiritual teachers and saints,
 He directed his teachings including Hamza Makhdoom,
specifically to the followers of Resh Mir Saeb, and Shamas
islam, and under his influence Faqir.
a part of Kashmir’s population  He was born in Kulgam
truly followed the Hanafi. district in 1377 AD in Salar
 He died at an age of 82 years Sanz and Sadra, also called
in year 1576 in Srinagar. Sadra Maji or Sadra Deddi.

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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 10

 Noor-ud-din died in 1438 at of moern kashmiri literature.

the approximate age of 63.  She is also known by various
Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin other names, including Lal
commissioned a Tomb for his ded, Mother Lalla, Lalla Arifa,
body at Charari Sharief. The Lal Diddi, Laleshwari, Lalla
Charar-e-Sharief shrine is Yogeshwari and Lalish.
visited by pilgrims to this day,  She left her home at the age
especially on the eve of Noor- of 24 to take Sannyasa
ud-Din’s. (renunciation).
 The Afghan governor Atta  She continued the mystic
Mohammad Khan minted tradition of Shaivism in
coins with Noor-ud-din name. Kashmir, which was known as
3. LALESHWARI (LAL DED) : Trika before 1900.
 Lal Ded (1320-1392), known 4. MIR SAYYID ALI HAMADANI :
as Laleshwari in other parts of  He was a Persian sufi of the
the subcontinent, was a Kubrawiyo order, a poer and a
kashmiri mystic of the prominent Muslim Ssholar.
Kashmir Sahivism School of  He was known as Shah-e-
philosophy in the Indian Hamadan (King of Hamadan),
Subcontinent. Amir-i-Kabir (the Great
 She was the creater of the Commander) and Ali Sani
style of mystic poetry called (second Ali).
vatsun or Vakhs, literally  After Sharaf-ud-Din Abdul
‘speech’ (voice). Rehman Bulbul Shah, he was
 Known as Lal Vakhs, her the second important muslim
verses are the earliest to visit Kashmir.
compositions in the Kashmiri  He is regarded as having
Language and are on brought various crafts and
important part in the history industries from Iran into
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 11

Kashmir; it is said that he  She performed her Sadhana

brought with him 700 in solitude at Chashme
followers. The growth of the Shahbi, Manigam Lar and
textile industry in Kashmir Vaskura. These places,
increased its demand for fine including her birthplace at
wool, which in turn meant Safa Kadal, are now famous as
that Kashmiri Muslim groups Rupa Bhawani Asthapanas.
settled in Ladash, bringing  She died on Maag got’tu
with them crafts such as pochh satam in 1721AD. This
minting and writing. day became known as Sahib
 He travelled and preached Saptami and is observed by
islam in different parts of the Hindus in Kashmir.
world such Afghanistan, 6. SWAMI LAKSHMAN JOO
Uzbekistan, China, Syria, and RAINA :
Turkestan.  He was a mystic and scholar
 He died on his way back to of Kashmir Shaivism. He was
Central Asia at a site close to known as Lal Sahib (Friend of
present day Mansehra town God) by followers.
in North-west Pakistan.  He was born in the city of
5. MATA RUPA BHAWANI : Srinagar. His father
 Her birth name was Narayandas (Nov Narayan)
Alakheswari and she was a Raina, was the first person to
kashmiri. have introduced households
 Her father Pandit Madhav Joo in the Kashmir valley.
Dhar introduced her to the  He learned Sanskrit and
practices of yoga. Shaiva philosophy under the
 She followed her father in guidance of a scholar named
pursuit of God and Maheshwar Razdan.
spirituality.  In 1991, the Swami travelled
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 12

to the United States and Padma Shri Award by the

established the Universal president of india for his
Shaiva Fellowship where he contributions to the fields of
designated John Hughes and science and technology, in
his Wife Denise to continue 2002.
publishing his teachings of 2. SUBASH KAK :
Kashmir Shaivism. In India the  He is an Indian-American
teachings of Lakshman Joo computer scientist and a
are carried on by Ishwar Hindutva-based historical
Ashram Trust, an organisation revisionist.
shortly after his death.  He is the regents Professor of
Computer Science
SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES Departmentat Oklahoma
1. RAMESHWAR NATH KOUL State University-Stillwater, an
BAMEZAI : Honorary visiting professor of
 He is from Srinagar district of engineering at Jawaharlal
J&K. Nehru University, and a
 He is an Indian scientist in the member of the Indian Prime
field of Human genetics and Minister’s Science,
cancer biology. Technology and Innovation
 He is the coordinator of the Advisory Council (PM-STIAC)
National Centre of Applied  He has published n the history
Human Genetics, school of of science, the philosophy of
Life sciences, Jawaharlal science, ancient astronomy,
Nehru University (New Delhi). and the history of
Mathematics. He has also
 He has served as the vice
chancellor of Shri Mata published an
Vaishnu Devi University. archaeoastronomy, and
advocated the idea of
 He was honoured with the
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 13

Indigenous Aryans. honor, in 1985 and Shanti

 In 2019, the GoI awarded him Swarup Bhtnagar Award in
with Padma Shri, the fourth 1986.
highest civilian award in India.  On 28 december, 2016, he
 He was featured as one of the was awarded the
pioneers of quantum learning Subrahmanyan
in the journal Chandrasekhar Prize of
NeuroQuantology edited by Plasma Physics for his seminal
Cheryl Fricasso and Stanley contributions in the areas of
Krippner. laser-plasma interactions,
3. PREDIMAN KRISHAN KAW : strongly coupled dusty
 He was an Indian plasma plasmas, and turbulence, non
physicist. linear effect magnetic fusion
 He had been the founding devices.
director of the Institute for  He is also a recipient of the
Plasma Research and served 2008 TWAS Prize.
the Institute as the director 4. TRILOKI NATH KHOSHOO :
from 1986 to 2012.  He was an Indian
 He is from Srinagar district of environmental scientist and
J&k. administrator.
 He received PhD from Indian  He started his professional
Institute of Technology, Delhi career as the co-founder of
in 1966 under Supervision of the Department of Botany
Prof. M.S.Sadha, and was the that moved to Khalsa College,
first Ph.D. from the Indian Amritsar soon after the
Institute of Technology, Delhi. partition of India.
 He was awarded the  In 1982, he became the
prestigious Padma Shri Secretary of the newly
Award, India’s fourth-highest created Department of
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 14

Environment in Prime Canna, many of which were

Minister Indira Gandhi’s brought together in a single
cabinet with the responsibility document called Origin and
of developing a pro-active Evolution of Cultivated
environmental policy for the Cannas.
country. 5. FAYAZ AHMAD MALIK :
 In 1985, he joined TERI as a  He is an Indian
Distinguished Fellow and Pharmacologist, cancer
contributed to public policy biologist and a scientist at the
discussions at national as well Indian Institute of Integrative
as international forums. Medicine of the Council of
 He was a prolific writer and Scientific and Industrial
has authored more than 250 Research.
research papers on plant  He is known for his studies an
genetics evolution, biomass, investigating the regulatory
energy, forestry, conservation mechanisms of Cancer Stem
and the utilization and Cells during tumor
management of natural Metastosis.
resources.  His studies also involve the
 His book ‘Mahatma Gandhi: identification of signalling
An Apostle of Applied Human networks conferring
Ecology’, published in 1996, resistance to current anti-
was widely applauded for the cancer therapies.
practical relevance of  The Department of Science
Gandhian philosophy in and Technology (DST)of the
todays world. Government of India awarded
 He has authored and co- him the Swaranajayanti
authored over 10 separate Fellowship, one of the
papers on the subject of presitigious Fellowship, one of

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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 15

the prestigious Fellowship Awards from Jammu and

award, for his advanced Kashmir Government in 2010.
research in cancer Biology, in  The Department of
2013-14. Biotechnology (DBT) of the
 He has started his career by Government of India awarded
joining the Indian Institute of him the National Bioscience
Integrative Medicine of the ward for Career
Council of Scientific and Development, one of the
Industrial Research where he highest Indian science awards
is a senior scientist of the in 2014.
Cancer Research and Drug 6. RAJEEV MOTWANI :
Discovery group.  He was a professor of
 His major research focus Computer Science at Standard
remains to understand the University whose research
critical regulatory biological focussed on theoretical
mechanisms predisposed to computer science.
the failure of current  He was an early advisor and
therapies, acquired supporter of companies
resistance, and the onset of including Google and PayPal,
metastasis by exploring and a special advisor to
cellular catabolic machinery Sequoio Capital.
and regulatory networks of  He was a winner of the Global
Cancer Stem Cells in subtypes Prize in 2001.
of breast cancer.  He was born in Jammu district
 He has received he Young of J&k.
scientist of the Year Award  He was found dead in his pool
from the council of Scientific in the backyard of his
and industrial Research in Atherton home on June 5,
2009 and Young Scientists 2009.
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 16

 A building was named in his Queen”. She is extremely

honour at IIT Kanpur. popular for her rendition of
Hafeez Jalandhri’s song, Abhi
OTHERS : To main Jawan Hoon (“I am
1. BHAJAN SOPORI : still youthful”), which is
enjoyed by millions not only
 Born on 9 march, 1948.
in Pakistan, but also in India.
 He is an Indian
 Her popular numbers were,
Instrumentalist. He is a player
Lo phir basant aaya and Quli
of the Santoor, an ancient
Qutub’s Piya baaj Piyale piya
stringed musical instrument.
Jaye na and Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s
 He belongs to Sufiana
Mere qatil mere dilbar mere
Gharana of Indian classical
pass Raho.
music.
 She was in village Mirpur, on
 His family has played Santoor
the banks of the River
for over Six generations.
Akhnoor, 16 miles from
 His first public performance
Jammu. As she grew up her
was at a conference organised
mother moved to Rajinder
by Prayag Sangeet Samiti and
Bazar, Kanak Mandi area of
the University of Allahabad
Jammu, where she spent
when he was 10 years old.
early years of her life. She was
 Sopori’s son Akshay Rustum
given the name “Malika” at
Sopori is also a santoor
birth, by ‘Majzoob’, Baba Roti
Player.
Ram, a spiritualist, in Akhnoor
2. MALIKA PUKHRAJ :
area, and named Pukhraj by
 She was a highly popular her Aunt.
Ghazal and folk singer of  Malika Pukhraj received her
Pakistan.
training from Ustad Ali Baksh
 She was generally called as Kasuri, father of legendary
“MALIKA” meaning “The
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 17

singer Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali known under the name Zoon
Khan. (the Moon) because of her
3. SHIV KUMAR SHARMA : immense beauty until her
 He was also an Indian Santoor marriage with Yusuf Shah
Player. Chak.
 He is also known as the title  One of her most popular lyrics
of Pandit. is Mye ha Kaer chey kit and
 He was born in Jammu to the Che Kamin Sonei Myani.
Singer Uma Dutt Sharma and 5. PADMA SACHDEV :
his mother tongue is Dogri.  Born in Jammu in 1940.
 He gave his first performance  She is an Indian Poet and
in Bombay in 1955. novelist.
 He composed the background  She is first modern woman
music for one of the scenes in poet of Dogri Language.
Shantaram’s Jhanak Jhanak  She also writes in Hindi.
payal Baje in 1956.  She has published her several
 He recorded his first solo poetry collection including
album in 1960. Meri Kavita Mere Geet (My
4. HABHA KHATOON : (1554- Poems, My Songs) that has
1609) won the Sahitya Akademi
 She was a 16th-century Award in 1971.
Kashmir mystic-poet and  She has also received Padma
ascetic; who is also known as Shri, the Indian fourth highest
“Nightangale of Kashmir”. civilian award in 2001 and the
 She was born in the small Kabir Samman for poetry for
village of Chandrahar the year 2007-08, given by
(Chandhaur) just outside the Government of Madhya
Samboora in present Jammu Pradesh.
and Kashmir state, and was  She first married famous
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 18

Dogri Poet Vedpal Deep and In 2000, his memoir

later married singer Surinder ‘Indira Gandhi, the
Singh of musical duo, “Singh Emergency and Indian
Bandhu” in 1966. Democracy’ was
 Her books are Tavi Te published.
Chanhan (Rivers Tavi and  He died on 19th july 2012.
Chenab, 1976), Nheriyan 7. MIAN BASHIR AHMED :
Galiyan (Dark Lanes, 1982),  He was born in 1923 in
Pota Pota Nimbal (Fingertipful Wanghat in Kashmir.
cloudless Sky, 1987), Uttar  He is a politician and religious
Vahimi (1992) and Tainthian person.
(1992).  He remained the member of
6. PRITHVI NATH DHAR : Jammu and Kashmir
 He was born on 1 march, Legislative Assembly for four
1919 in J&K. times.
 He was an economist and  He was honoured Padma
head of Indira Gandhi’s Bhushan in 2008 due to his
Secretary and also was contribution to the society.
Principal Secretary. 8. BASTI RAM MEHTA :
 He was one of the  His grandfather Mehta Amru
founders of the Delhi held charge of military affairs
School of Economics. in Kishtwar under Raja
 He has also remained in Mohammad Tegh Singh in
the position of the United 1821.
Nation Assistant Secretary  He raised Fateh Shibji
General, Research and Battalion (now 4 JAK Rif)
Analysis. sometime in 1834.
 In 2008, he was honoured 9. Pt. PREM NATH DOGRA :
by the Padma Vibhushan.  He was a leader from Jammu
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 19

and Kashmir who worked for honoured with Indira Gandhi

total integration of the state Award for National
with India. Integration at Delhi by Prime
 He formed Praja Parishad Minister Manmohan Singh.
party in 1947 in along with  PM Singh described Puri’s
Balraj Madhok and opposed book – Kashmir towards
policies of Sheikh Abdullah. insurgency – as a primer for
 Pt. Prem Nath Dogra anybody trying to understand
popularly known as Pandit Ji the intricacies of Kashmir
belongs to Brahmin Family issue.
and was given Upadhi of 11. PROF. RAM NATH SHASTRI :
Dogra.  He was also known as the
 He was born on 24th oct, 1884 father of dogri was a prolific
at Smailpur in Jammu and and multifaceted Dogri poet,
died on 20th march, 1972. dramatist, actor, fiction writer
10. BALRAJ PURI : for over 6 decades.
 He began his career in  His writings has succeeded in
journalism in 1942. bringing Dogri Language on
 He mediated the famous 1975 the national Stage and has
Sheikh Abdullah-Indira Gandhi undoubtedly made a
accord. significant contribution
 He played an important role towards the development and
in restoring peace in Punjab in advancement of Dogri
the 1980s. language and literature.
 He was conferred the Padma  He edited the Dogri-Dogri
Bhushan in 2005, one of dictionary which is regarded
India’s highest civilian onors, as a monumental addition to
in Literature and Education. the development of Dogri
 On 31 oct, 2009 he was language for Jammu and

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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 20

Kashmir Cultural Academy.  He was born in Paghwal,

12. HASHMAT ULLAH KHAN : Jammu and his mother
 He has been a pioneer in tongue was Dogri.
working to revive the world’s  He was awarded with Padma
most exquisite and famous shri in 1977 and Sangeet
Kani Shawls of Kashmir. Natak Academy Award in
 The Kani shawls are woven 1982.
with special needles called 15. GHULAM RASOOL SANTOSH :
kanis in Kashmir, hence the  He was a prominent Kashmiri
name Kani Shawl. Painter.
 These shawls were the  He was best known for his
favourite of Mughal themes inspired by Kashmir
Emperors. Shaivism.
 In 2009, he was conferred  He was an authority on
with the Padma Shri, India’s Kashmiri Shaivism and was
fourth Highest civilian honour. one of the very few people
13. MOTI LAL KEMMU : who could read and write the
 He is an important ancient, and almost extinct,
contemporary playwriter Kashmiri script called Sharda.
from Kashmir.  He is the Recipient of Sangeet
 His plays include Nagar udas, Natak Academy Award in
Teen Asangati Aikanki, Lal 1986, the Padma Shri in 1991
Drayas Lol Re, Trunove, Tshai and Padma Vibhushan in
etc. 2001.
 He was conferred the Padma 16. PRAN KISHORE KAUL :
Shri Award in 2012.  He was awarded with Sahitya
14. ALLA RAKHA : Natak Academy for his Novel
 He popularly known as Alla Sheen Tu Watu Pod.
Rakha, was a Tabla Player.  He was one of the founders of
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 21

the Miltsar Kashmir Music and considered by them to be

and Dance Group, a group a fully realised saint.
that travels widely with the 19. REHMAN RAHI :
goal of supporting Kashmiri  He is a Kashmiri poet,
and fine arts. translator and critic.
 He was a Kashmiri Stage  He was awarded the Indian
personality and in addition to Academy Award in 1961, for
acting he has directed and his poetry collection Nawroz-
written screenplays. I-Saba, the Padma Shri in
17. JAFFAR ALI 2000 and India’s highest
 He was a world-renowned literary award, the Gyanpith
papier-mache artist and Award for the year 2004.
entrepreneur from  He is the first kashmiri Writer
Hussainabad, Srinagar, to be awarded with the
Kashmir. Gyanpith, India’s highest
 He has received numerous literary Award for his poetic
awards, including one from collection Siyah Rud Jearen
Indira Gandhi, for his Man.
exemplary work in promoting  As a translator he did
Kashmiri handicrafts. excellent translation of Baba
 He got his skills of papier- Farid’s Sufi poetry to kashmiri
mache from his grandfather from original Punjabi.
who brought papier-mache
trade to Kashmir from
Mashad, Iran.
18. SWAMI LAKSHMAN JOO :
 He was a scholar of Kashmir.
 He was known as Lal Sahib or
Friend of God by followers
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 22

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 4. Who was the first Kashmiri

(MCQs) poet to write in ‘Blank Verse’?
1. Who was known as Lal Sahib? a) Amitabh Mattoo
a) Bhajan Sopori b) Dinanath Nadim
b) Jaffar Ali c) Ved Rahi
c) Swami Lakshman Joo d) Amin Kamil
d) M J Akbar
2. Sharda is a : 5. Who was popularly known as
a) Kashmiri painting Sher-e-Kashmir?
b) Kashmiri Shawl a) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
c) Kashmiri Script b) Sheikh Mohammad
d) None of the above Abdullah
3. Consider the following c) Omar Abdullah
statement : d) Farooq Abdullah
I) The Kani Shawls are 6. Which of the following persons
woven with special served in Indian Ambassador to
needles called Kanis in the USA?
Kashmiri. a) Mehr Chand Mahajan
II) These Shawls has been b) Karan Singh
Favourite of Tughlaq c) Hari Singh
emperors. d) Bakshi Ghulam
Mohammad
Which of the following 7. Which of the following was a
Statement is/are true? philosopher and disciple of
a) Only I Abhinav Gupta and wrote
b) Only II original works of Kashmir
c) Both I and II Shaivism?
d) None of these a) Khemraja
b) Lakshman Joo

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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 23

c) Jaffar Ali 10. Which of the following,

d) None of the above personalities of jammu and
Kashmir known for his Basohli
8. Consider the following paintings?
Statement. a) Uttam kumar
I) Kalhan’s Rajatarangini b) Trioke Kaul
is the only source of c) Sohan singh Biolloworia
information about rulersof d) None of the above
Kashmir.
II) It is regarded as
Kashmir’s first historian. 11. Which of the following known
as ‘father of Dogri’ for bringing
Which of the following Dogri language on the national
statement is/are true? stage?
a) Only I a) Ramnath Shastri
b) Only II b) Ghulam Nabi Khayal
c) Both I and II c) Amn Kamil
d) None of the above d) Ved Rahi

9. Which of the following is not 12. Which of the following

an performing artists of the personalities founded the
State of Jammu and Kashmir? Kashmir People’s Democratic
a) Bhajan Sopori Party?
b) Khadim Hussain a) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
c) Smt Raj Begum b) Oman Abdullah
d) Dushyant Sharma c) Farooq Abdullah
d) Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed

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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 24

13. Which of the following is the india to intiate an

first Kashmiri writer to awarded unconditional dialogue with
the Gyanpith Award, India’s Kashmir’s for resolution of the
highest literary award? Kashmir problem?
a) Dinanath Nadin a) Farooq Abdullah
b) Rehman Rahi b) Mufti Mohammad sayeed
c) Amitabh Mattoo c) Omar Abdullah
d) Amin Kamil d) PN Dhar

14. Which of the following was 17. Consider the following

principal secretary to Mrs. statements about Karan Singh :
Indira Gandhi during the days I. He served as “Sadr-e-Riyasat”
of emergency (1973-1977) ? and Governor of the State.
a) PN Dhar II. He served as youngest ever of
b) RN Kaul Union Cabinet.
c) Triloke Kaul III. He was an Indian
d) None of these Ambassador to the United
States.
15. Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed is the IV. He is former
President of which of the Chancellor of Banaras Hindu
following parties of Jammu and University.
Kashmir?
a) Awami league Which of the statements given
b) NationalConference above is/are correct?
c) Panther’s party a) Only I
d) People’s Democratic Party b) I, II, III
c) Only II
16. Which of the following d) All of These
persuade the Government of e)
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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 25

18. Who was known as the

‘Architect of Modern Kashmir’,
because of his constructive
work in the State?
a) Sheikh Abdullah
b) Bakshi Gulam
Mohammad
c) Mehr Chand Mahajan
d) Karan Singh

19. Which of the following Dogra

Kings signed the instrument of
Accession?
a) Pratap Singh
b) Hari Singh
c) Gulab Singh
d) Karan Singh

20. Which of the following

personalities of UT of Jammu
and Kashmir made the Primary
Education Compulsary in the
State?
a) Hari Singh
b) Sheikh Abdullah
c) Ghulam Mohammad
Sadiq
d) Bakshi Gulam
Mohammad.

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 PERFECT PERSONALITIES OF J&K 26

ANSWER KEY

1. C 2. C 3. A
4. B 5. b 6. B
7. A 8. C 9. D
10. C 11. A 12. A
13. B 14. A 15. D
16. B 17. D 18. B
19. B 20 A

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 1

Jammu and Kashmir is home to MAJOR ATTRACTIONS :

several valleys such as the Kashmir
 JAMMU :
Valley, Chenab Valley, Sindh
Valley and Lidder Valley. Some Tourism is the largest industry in Jammu
major tourist attractions in Jammu city. It is also a focal point for the
pilgrims going to Vaishno Devi and
and Kashmir are Srinagar, the
Kashmir valley as it is second last railway
Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, terminal in North India. All the routes
Pahalgam, Patnitop and Jammu. leading to Kashmir, Poonch, Doda and
Every year, thousands of Hindu Laddakh start from Jammu city. So
pilgrims visit holy shrines of throughout the year, the city remains
full of people from all the parts of India.
Vaishno Devi and Amarnath which
Places of interest include old historic
has had significant impact on the palaces like Mubarak Mandi Palace,
state's economy. Purani Mandi, Rani Park, Amar Mahal,
Bahu Fort, Raghunath Temple,
Kashmir Valley is one of the top Ranbireshwar Temple, Karbala, Peer
tourist destinations of India. Meetha, Old city.
Gulmarg, one of the most popular
 SRINAGAR :
ski resort destinations in India, is
also home to the world's highest Srinagar is one of several places that
green golf course. The decrease in have been called the "Venice of the
East". Lakes around the city include Dal
violence in the union territory has
Lake – noted for its houseboats – and
boosted the territory's economy, Nigeen Lake. Apart from Dal Lake and
specifically tourism. Nigeen Lake, Wular Lake and Manasbal
Lake both lie to the north of Srinagar.
Jammu and Kashmir is also famous Wular Lake is one of the largest fresh
for its scenic beauty, flower water lakes in Asia.
gardens, apple farms and more. It
Srinagar has some Mughal gardens,
attracts tourists for its unique forming a part of those laid by the
handicrafts and the world-famous Mughal emperors across the Indian
Kashmiri Shawls. subcontinent. Those of Srinagar and its
close vicinity include Chashma Shahi (the

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 2

royal fountains); Pari Mahal (the palace Verinag Spring, for which this place is
of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the garden named. There is an octagonal stone
of spring); Shalimar Bagh; the Naseem basin at Verinag Spring and an arcade
Bagh. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial surrounding it which were built by
Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1620 A.D.
the city, set up in 1969. The Indian Later, a beautiful garden next to this
government has included these gardens spring, was laid out by his son Shah
under "Mughal Gardens of Jammu and Jahan. This spring is known to never dry
Kashmir" in the tentative list for sites to up or overflow. Verinag Spring is also the
be included in world Heritage sites. major source of river Jhelum. Verinag
Spring and Mughal Arcade surrounding it
The Shankaracharya Temple which lies is officially recognized by Archaeological
on a hill top in the middle of the city, Survey of India as a Monument of
besides the Kheer Bhawani Temple are National Importance.
important Hindu temples in the city.
 GULMARG :
 VERINAG :
According to CNN (Cable News
Verinag or Vitastatra is a tourist place Network), Gulmarg is the "heartland of
and a notified area committee with winter sports in India" and was rated as
tehsil status (Shahabad Bala Verinag) in Asia's seventh best ski destination. The
Anantnag district in the union territory town is accessible from Srinagar by road
of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is about via Tangmarg.
26 kilometers away from Anantnag and
approximately 78 kilometres south-east It was originally called Gauri Marg which
from Srinagar which is the summer means the path of Devi Gauri, later it
capital of the union territory of Jammu was changed by the Yousuf Shah Chak
and Kashmir. Verinag is also the first and named it as Gulmarg which means
tourist spot of Kashmir Valley when meadow of flowers. Winter sports like
travelling by road from Jammu, the skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding and
winter capital of the union territory of heli-skiing take place on the slopes of
Jammu and Kashmir towards Srinagar. It Mount Apharwat reachable by a
lies at the entry point of Kashmir Valley Gondola lift from gulmarg.
right after crossing Jawahar Tunnel and
is also known as Gateway of Kashmir.

A major tourist attraction of this place is

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 3

 SONMARG :  PAHALGAM :

Sonmarg, which means 'meadow of Pahalgam is a town and a notified area

gold', has snowy mountains against a committee in Anantnag district of the
cerulean sky as its backdrop. The Sindh Indian union territory of Jammu and
meanders along here and abounds with Kashmir. It is a popular tourist
trout and mahseer. Snowtrout can also destination and hill station. Its lush
be caught in the main river. In late April, green meadows and pristine waters
when Sonmarg is open for road attract thousands of tourists from all
transport, visitors can expect snow. over the world each year. It is located 45
Ponies can be hired for the trip up to kilometres (28 mi) from Anantnag on the
Thajiwas glacier, a major attraction banks of Lidder River at an altitude of
during the summer months. 7,200 feet (2,200 m). Pahalgam is the
headquarters of one of the five tehsils of
Sonmarg’s weather climate frequently Anantnag district. Pahalgam is
has rain, though during July and August, associated with the annual Amarnath
rainfall is isn’t as frequent. From Yatra. Chandanwari, located 16
Sonmarg, trekking routes lead to the kilometres (9.9 mi) from Pahalgam is the
Himalayan lakes of Vishansar Lake, starting point of the yatra that takes
Krishansar Lake, Gangabal Lake and place every year in the months of July–
Gadsar Lake, stocked with Snowtrout, August.
Brown trout and Satsar, glacier-fed and
surrounded by banks of alpine flowers. JAMMU AND KASHMIR TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION :
Baltal, 15km east of Sonmarg, is a valley
th
that lies at the foot of the Zojila. Only a It was established on 13 feb, 1970 as a
day's journey away from the sacred cave fully owned company of Jammu and
of Amarnath is a base camp for Kashmir Government.
Amarnath yatra. Trekkers can also reach
the rooftop of the world, Leh, by The objective of the corporation is to
crossing over the Zojila pass. run, manage and administer government
hotels and catering establishments for
At Sonmarg, the Jammu and Kashmir promotion of tourism and providing best
tourism department organises river transport facilities to the tourist.
rafting tournaments yearly, which has
recently seen the participation of teams The Jammu and Kashmir can be
from abroad. separated into two regions, Namely

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 4

foothills of Jammu and the Kashmir Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the
valley. richest temples in India. Authors Michael
Barnett and Janice Gross Stein says,
IMPORTANT TOURIST PLACES IN "Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu has
JAMMU REGION : an annual income of about $16 million,
mainly from offerings by devotees".
 MATA VAISHNU DEVI :
The temple is sacred to all Hindus and
The temple is situated at a height of Sikhs. Many prominent saints such as
1,584.96 m (5,200 ft), 12 km from Katra Guru Govind Singh and Vivekananda
on Trikuta hill. It is about 61 km from have visited the temple.
Jammu city. There is no historical record
about the temple, but there is a mention The Vaishno Devi Temple was included
of the Trikuta hill in Rigveda, the place in the Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata
where the temple is located. The Vaishno Devi Shrine Act No. XVI/1988
Goddess Vaishno Devi abode is in 100 ft. and also part of Article 26 of the
long cave with a narrow opening. The Constitution of India. The board name is
holy, cold and crystal clear water washes Shri Mata Vaishno devi Shrine Board.
the lotus feet of the Mata’s ‘Pindian’. There are nine members in the board; all
There are three natural Pindies are nominated by the Government of
representing Mata Saraswati, Mata Jammu and Kashmir, particularly by
Lakshmi and Mata Kali, which represent Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Shri
creative, preservative and destructive Mata Vaishno devi Shrine Board
aspects of the Super Power. management also took the control of
Shiv Khori, a famous Shiva temple.
The Vaishno Devi Temple is an important
Hindu temple dedicated to Vaishno Devi  PANCHBAKHTAR TEMPLE :
located in Katra at the Trikuta
Mountains within the Indian Union Old tales and oral histories state that Adi
territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Shankaracharya visited this site and
temple is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas stayed there. While to others it was
dedicated to Durga, who is worshipped discovered much later, during the reign
th
as Vaishno Devi. It is one of the most of Raja Maldev in early 14 century.
visited pilgrimage centers of India. Every Panchbakhtar (five faces) Mahadev
year millions of visitors visit the temple. Mandir occupies a unique place in
During festivals like Navaratri, the count Jammu, the city of temples. It is one of
even increases to one crore visitors. the oldest Shivalya in the city. The

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 5

Lingam in this temple is self manifested.  RANBIRESHWAR TEMPLE :

The temple was also connected with
Amarnath Yatra. It is another well known Shiva temple of
Jammu and is the biggest Shiva Temple
 THANAMANDI : in North India.It is located on the
Shalamar road near the Secretariat. The
It is a health resort and an important Magnificent Temple was Built by
historical place from the time of Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1863. There
Mughals, who used to stay here during are large number of Shiva lingam, the
their journey from Delhi to Kashmir and central lingam is in black stone and is
vice-versa. seven and half feet high. It is surrounded
by twelve crystal lingam measuring
 RAGHUNATH TEMPLE : 15cms to 38 cms. In two big halls, there
are 1.25 lakh bone lingam.
It was contructed by the first Dogra ruler
Maharaja Gulab Singh in the year 1835
and later on his son Maharaja Ranbir  BAHU FORT AND TEMPLE :
Singh got it completed in the 1860
during dogra rule. It consist of a complex The fort was originally built by Raja
of a seven Hindu Shrines. It has many Bahulochan on the left bank of Tawi
gods in its complex of shrines, but the river around 3000 years ago and was
main sanctuary is dedicated to Lord th
rebuild by the Dogra rulers in the 19
Vishnu’s eighth incarnation Rama – also century. The first renovation of this fort
known as Raghunath, an Avatar of was undertaken by Maharaja Ranjit
Vishnu. The inner walls of the main Singh. The fort is a religious place, and
temple are covered with gold sheets on within its precincts has a temple
the three sides while the interiors of the dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. The
temple are plated with gold. temple is known locally as the "Bawe
Wali Mata temple". A popular Hindu
The temple witnessed two terrorist festival known as Bahu Mela is held
attacks in the year 2002, when militants during the Navaratas in the fort area,
attacked it in March and November, twice a year. The image of Mahakali
with grenades and indulged in deity in the temple in the fort was
indiscriminate firing which resulted in brought from Ayodhya.
the death of 20 devotees and also in
injuries to over 40 people.

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 6

 PEERKHOH CAVE : the ‘Pink Hall’. It has a rich collection

containing miniature paintings of various
The Peer Khoh cave temple is another styles of the region. The miniatures
well-known Shiva temple in Jammu. belong to the Kangra, Jammu and the
Igneous rocks and acacia forests serve as Basholi art schools. But it also has a gold
the backdrop to this Cave Temple. Even painted bow and arrow of Mughal
though there are several popular emperor Shah Jahan. The pink hall owes
legends that are linked to the temple, its name to the pink plastered walls of
the antiquity of the Peer Kho Temple the palace section.
cannot yet be dated with certainty.
Some consider it to be the oldest historic The palace was the royal residence of
place in the Shivalik Region. The story the maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir
even goes that Jamvant, the bear God from the Dogra dynasty. It was their
from the famous epic Ramayana main seat till 1925 when Maharaja Hari
meditated in this temple. This is why it is Singh moved to the Hari Niwas Palace in
also known as the Jamvant Cave. It is the northern part of Jammu. The palace
widely accepted that a Shiva Lingam was is located in the heart of the old walled
formed naturally in the cave and the city of Jammu and overlooks the Tawi
people of Jammu started worshipping it river.
ardently with a lot of reverence. Another
interesting part is that there are some The palace has a Sheesh Mahal which is
who even believe that the cave does not made entirely of Glass.
just lead to other caves but to parts
outside the country.  AMAR MAHAL :

It was built in the nineteenth century for

 MUBARK MANDI PALACE
Raja Amar Singh, a Dogra king by a
COMPLEX :
French architect on the lines of a French
The oldest building of the complex dates Palace. The palace was donated to the
back to 1824. Successive maharajas Hari-Tara charitable trust by Dr. Karan
added to the complex in size and Singh for use as a museum. It has many
building took more than 150 years. The exhibits including a golden throne
architecture is a mix of Rajasthani weighing 120 kg, Pahari miniature and
architecture and European baroque, and Kangra miniature paintings, a library of
Mughal styles. 25,000 antique books and many rare art
collections and the suite occupied by the
The Dogra art museum is situated within late Maharani Tara Devi. The decoration

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 7

crown of India, which Maharani received width. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes are

in 1945, is also displayed there. The designated as Ramsar Convention in
th
museum was inaugurated on 13 April, November 2005.
1975 by the Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi.  SURINSAR LAKE :

The palace was the last official residence Surinsar and Mansar lakes are
of the Dogra dynasty, and a large considered as twin lakes, as Mansar is
collection of portraits of the royal family located 9 km (5.6 mi) away from it. The
are also on display in the Museum. Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary is
located in the midst of both Lakes. The
 MANSAR LAKE : region is populated with abundant
fauna, flora and avifauna. A small island
It is holy site, sharing the sanctity of Lake is at the middle of the lake. This island is
Manasarovar. Two ancient temples of home to thousands of bats. Due to some
Umapati Mahdev & Narsimha as also a religious beliefs, swimming and boating
temple of Durga are situated in the are discouraged in this lake.
vicinity of the Mansar Lake. It is also an
ideal place for boating for which the According to Hindu mythology, the
Tourism Department provides adequate origin of this lake is associated with the
facilities. There is a wild life Sanctuary warrior of Mahabharata, Arjun. It is
housing jungle life like Spotted Deer, believed that Arjun shot an illustrious
Neelgai etc. besides other water birds arrow on the ground of Mansar and a
such as cranes, Ducks etc. One can also spring gushed from the land and became
witness the traditional and typical Surinsar Lake. Firstly, it was known as
distinct life style of Gujjar and Surang Sar (Surang means a tunnel) and
Backarwals wearing ethnic costume, by the time it became Surinsar.
living in open Kulhas around on the hills
of Mansar Lake. This Mansar lake road It is situated 42 km (26 mi) from Jammu
joins to another important road that city by road, surrounded by hills and
directly links Pathankot (Punjab) to dense forests, and has some
Udhampur, Jammu Province. mytholocgical importance.

Mansar lake is situated 62 km (39 mi)  PURMANDAL :

from Jammu. Mansar is a lake fringed by
forest-covered hills, over a mile (1.6 km) Purmandal Temple, dedicated to Parvati,
in length by half-a-mile (0.8 km) in is built on the west bank of the river. A
number of other temples are dedicated
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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 8

to Shiva. There is a large haveli singh of Jammu and Kashmir in 1817 and
(mansion) dating from about 1830, in continued till 1841. The main entry gate
good condition, and several is made of Baluka stones with Rajasthani
dharamshalas (rest-houses for pilgrims), Carving. The fort has a statue of the
mostly severely deteriorated. Many of Goddess Mahakali and of God Hanuman.
these structures are decorated with
murals dating from between 1813 and After the death of Maharaja Gulab
1898. Singh, his heir Maharaja Ranbir Singh
and Maharaja Pratap Singh used
Every month a Mela is organized here. Bhimgarh Fort as a treasury and
The devotees take a holy dip in the armoury.
Devak river and seek blessings. There are
total 12 Mela in a year. Every Mela has The fort was handed over to the Jammu
assigned a unique name corresponding and Kashmir State Archaeology
to the month, i.e. Chaitra Chaudish, Department in 1989 on the orders of the
Shivraatri Mela, etc. State Government.

Purmandal (also called Chhota Kashi) is a In 1990, the fort was renovated by the
village located in the Devika River IN Vaishno Devi Sthapna Board.
Samba District, Jammu and Kashmir,
India. The village and its temple are a  PATNITOP :
pilgrimage site for Hindues, who believe
Patnitop is a distortion of the original
bathing in the river cleanses the soul.
name of “Patan Da Talab” meaning
 BHIMGARH FORT : “Pond of Princess”. People can enjoy the
thrill of flying at Patnitop. The
It is also known as the Reasi Fort paragliding joyrides are conducted at
situated near Reasi, a town Dawariyai 2 km landmark on the
approximately 64 km Northwest of Patnitop – Sanasar road.
Jammu. The fort is on a hillock
approximately 150 metres high. Patnitop or Patni Top is a hilltop tourist
location in Udhampur district in the
Initially it was constructed of clay. Later Jammu and Kashmir union territory of
on, one of the heirs of Maharaj Rishipal India, on the Jammu-Srinagar National
Rana, the founder of Reasi, Highway (which is part of National
reconstructed it using stone. Highway 44, formerly 1A), 112 km (70
mi) from Jammu on the way from
It was renovated by Maharaja Gulab Udhampur to Srinagar. Situated on a
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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 9

plateau in the Shivalik belt of the  DHANIDHAR FORT :

Himalayas, Patnitop sits at an altitude of
2,024 m (6,640 ft). The river Chenab During the Mughal period, the route
flows in close proximity to this location from Jammu to Srinagar passed through
Rajouri. It is said that the Mughal
Snowfall and avalanche in winter at Emperor Jahangir and his queen Noor
Patnitop used to obstruct the Jammu- Jehan had traveled on this route
Srinagar National Highway a few times frequently during their journey to
every winter and causes long queues of Srinagar. Two important places are
vehicles, sometimes for days. These associated with them, namely Chingus
problems were mitigated by the opening and Noor-e-Chhamb.
of the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee
Tunnel( Also called Chenani Nashri The Mughal entourage while passing
tunnel). At 9.2 km (6 mi), it is India's from Rajouri to Srinagar halted at
longest road tunnel. convenient places. This is the reason
why we find a number of mini forts on
 SANASAR : the entire route. All of these are not
forts in the real sense. Many of them are
Sanasar is the name given to the two only inns (Sarais).
small villages of Sana and Sar in Jammu
province. Dhanidhar Fort is situated near
Dhanidhar village overlooking Rajouri
Sanasar is named after small local lakes, and was constructed by Mughal king
Sana and Sar are located 20 kilometres during the reign of Emperor Jahangir
(12 mi) west of Patnitop, ramban district nearly 400 years back. Before the advent
on the national highway 1A at an of the Muslims, Rajouri was ruled by
altitude of 2050 metres (6,730 ft). The Hindu Kings belonging to the ‘PAL’
area is notable for its scenic views of dynasty who claimed to be descendants
mountains ranges including the of the Pandavas. The fort commands a
Brammah Massif. complete view of the Rajouri town. The
name Dhanidhar was given to this
There is a mountain range called Shanta highest elevation of land portion
Ridge near sanasar. There is a temple overlooking Rajouri town and the valley
called Shank Pal Temple at an altitude of below, on the basis of a village called
2897m (9,505 ft.), which is the highest Dhanidhar in its close proximity.
point of the ridge. The 400 year old
temple is dedicated to Nag Shankh Pal. There is another story about the fort i - e

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 10

In 1819 Maharaja Ranjit Singh while Interestingly the Jia Pota Ghat got its
concurring Kashmir captured Rajouri, he name from the Jia Pota tree whose
appointed Mirza ReheemUllah Khan as botanical name is Putranjiva roxburghii
Raja of Rajouri in place of Raja Agar of Euphorbiaceae family under whose
Khan. On 15th March, 1846, Jammu and shade the Raj Tilak ceremony of
Kashmir and Ladhakh was sold by the Maharaja Gulab Singh took place on 17
Britishers to Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu June, 1822.
and Kashmir. By this way, the Rajouri
principality also came under the The ghat has remained a major centre of
jurisdiction of Maharaja Gulab Singh. pilgrimage. It has a Devsthan of Baba
Since Maharaja was not having good Kahi where on a platform holy Soungals
relation with Raja Raheem Ullah Khan of i.e. Symbolic chains of the Devta are
Rajouri, therefore, he directed him to kept. The legend goes that Kahi Devta,
step down. But Raja Raheem Ullah Khan one of the most illustrious son of Vasuki
refused to do so. In these circumstances, Nag brought the waters of river
Maharaja Gulab Singh alongwith his Chanderbhaga to the arid region of
forces reached Rajouri and dismissed Akhnoor and then was crowned as its
Raja Raheem Ullah Khan and his king for his feat.
administration and on 26th of October,
1846. Then Maharaja Gulab Singh The ancient fort was built on the site
appointed Mian Hathu the Governor of belonging to the Harappan civilization.
Rajouri. Mian Hathu governed Rajouri
from 1846-1856 AD. In this very period,
 NOORI CHAMB :
he started the construction of
Dhannidhar Fort. He used the stones and Noori chamb is a waterfall in the
material in the construction of Fort of headwaters of the Poonch River in
those buildings which were belonging to Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. It
Jaral Rajas and destroyed during the is named after the mughal queen Nur
invasion of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on Jahan. It is located near the hill village of
Kashmir. The Fort was completed in Bahramgala below Pir Panjal Pass (Peer
1855 AD. Ki Gali).
 JIA POTA : According to local legends, It is named
after Nur Jahan, the wife of emperor
The Jia Pota Ghat on the right bank of
Jehangir. “Chamb” in local terminology is
Chenab at Akhnoor is the crowning glory
Water fall. Nur Jahan used to bathe in
of this ancient town.
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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 11

the waterafall while travelling to Drungali Nallah. It is one of the oldest

Kashmir. shrines of the Sikhs in Northern India. It
was established by Thakur Bhai Mela
 POONCH FORT : Singh ji (the fourth successor of Bhai
Pheru Singh Ji) in 1803. Maharaja Ranjit
The foundation of this fort was laid in AD singh visited the Gurdwara in 1814.
1713 by Raja Abdul Razaq Khan, but the
construction of the same was completed  SHAHDERA SHARIEF :
by his son Raja Rustam Khan, between
AD 1760 and 1787. The famous shrine of Baba Ghulam Shah
Popularly known as Shahdera Sharief is
The fort features a series of buildings about 30 kms from Rajouri and is
that are arranged around four irregular situated amidst picturesquely mighty
courtyards. These structures belong to mountains. The Urs of Hazrat Ghulam
the distinct eras of Muslim rule, Sikh rule th
Shah Badshah is celebrated on 10 of
and Dogra rule. The main building Moharram every year.
displays influences of stylish Mughal
architecture. When Sikh rulers governed  JASROTA :
the region, they added central block to
it, which is built in typical Sikh This kingdom derives its name from that
architectural style. of its founder, Jas Dev, a Jamwal Raja
who came here in AD 1019 or 1195. His
Years after its construction, the fort was descendants came to be known as
renovated by Raja Moti Singh (1850- Jasrotia Rajputs.
1892), who brought a European
architect for designing the front block.  HARI PARBAT FORT :
During the rule of Raja Baldev Singh,
Poonch Fort was made the secretariat of It is located in Srinagar district of J&K
the empire, while the official residence and also known as Dhurani fort. The first
was shifted to Moti Mahal. At present, fortifications on the Hari Parbat was
this fort stands as the pride of Poonch constructed by the Mughal emperor
and is one of the city's main tourist Akbar in 1590 who built an outer wall for
attractions. the fort as part of his plans for a new
capital called Nager Nagor. The project,
 NANGALI SAHIB : however, was never completed. The
present fort was built in 1808 under the
It is also known as Gurdwara Nangali reign of Shuja Shah Durrani. The fort has
Sahib. It is situated on the bank of
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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 12

a Shakti temple on the western slope runs through the middle of the Garden.
th
and Muslim Shrine of Khwaja The 4 terrace, by far the best, was once
Makhdoom Sahib and Akhund Mullah reserved for royal ladies.
Shah on the Southern Slope and on the
Southern side of the outer wall, there is  NISHAT BAGH :
a Gurdwara, which commemorates the
visit of Guru Hargobind. It is the largest garden in the Kashmir
valley and is a terraced Mughal garden
 SRINAGAR : built on the eastern side of the Dal Lake
with the Zabarwan Mountains as its
It is one of several places that has been backdrop. Nishat Bagh is an Urdu term
called the “Venice of the East” known which means ‘Garden of Joy’, ‘Garden of
for its lakes, mughal gardens and Tulip Gladness’ and ‘Garden of Delight’. The
garden recently added to the list. The Bagh was designed and built in 1633 by
Gulab Bhawan Palace, has now become Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan.
the Lalit Grand Palace Hotel.
 CHASHME SHAHI :
SHALIMAR BAGH :
Chashma-i-shahi or the royal spring is
Shalimar Bagh is a Mughal garden in one of the mughal gardens built in 1632
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, AD around a spring by Ali Mardan Khan,
linked through a channel to the a governor of Mughal emperor of Shah
northeast of Dal Lake. It also known as Jahan as per the orders of the Emperor,
Shalimar Gardens, Farah Baksh ('the as a gift for his elder son Prince Dara
delightful'), and Faiz Baksh ('the Shikoh.
bountiful'). The Bagh was built by
Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife Chashme Shahi originally derives its
Nur Jahan ('light of the world'), in 1619. name from the spring which was
It is now a public park and also referred discovered by the great female saint of
to as the "Crown of Srinagar". The word Kashmir, Rupa Bhawani, who was from
Shalimar in Sanskrit means 'abode of the Sahib clan of Kashmiri Pandits. The
love'. family name of Rupa Bhawani was
'Sahib' and the spring was originally
The garden is 539m by 182m and has called 'Chashme Sahibi'. Over the years
four terraces, rising one above the the name got corrupted and today the
other. A canal lined with polished stones place is known as Chashme Shahi (the
and supplied with water form Harwan Royal Spring).

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 13

 PARI MAHAL :  DAL LAKE :

It is also known as The Palace of Fairies It is the second largest lake in the Union
and is a seven terraced garden located territory of J&K. It is intergral to tourism
at the top of Zabarwan mountain range, and recreation in Kashmir and is named
overlooking the city of Srinagar and the “lake of Flowers”, “Jewel in the
south-west of Dal Lake. It was built as a crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel’.
library and residence for the Mughal The lake covers an area of 18 sq. km.
Prince Dara Shikoh in the mid-1600s. (6.9 sq mi) and is divided by causeways
Dara Shikoh was said to have lived in this into four basins known as Gagribal,
area in the area 1640, 1645, and 1654. It Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nigeen. Lokut dal
was further used as an observatory, and Bod-dal each have an island in the
used for teaching astrology and centre, known as Rup Lank (or Char
astronomy. Chinar) and Sona Lank respectively. The
Dal lake is a host to world famous
 HAZRATBAL SHRINE : Shikaras and houseboats. It is lined with
world famous Boulevard road.
The name of the shrine comes from the
Farsi word Hazrat, meaning "respected",  KHANQAH-E-MOULA :
and the Kashmiri word bal, meaning
"place". Thus it means the place which is It is also known as Shah-e-Hamadan
given high regards and is respected Masjid and Khanqah is a mosque located
among the people. The shrine is situated in the Old City of Srinagar, Jammu and
on the Northern bank of the Dal Lake, Kashmir, India. Situated on the right
Srinagar, and is considered to be bank of the river Jhelum between the
Kashmir's holiest Muslim shrine. It is Fateh Kadal and Zaina Kadal bridges, it
white marble shrine with a dome and was first built in 1395 CE, commissioned
minaret. It contains a relic, the Moi-e- by Sultan Sikendar in memory of the
Muqqadas, believed by many Muslims of Islamic preacher Mir Sayyid Ali
Kashmir to be Mohammad’s Hair. The Hamadani, the central figure involved in
sacred relic was brought from Medina the widespread conversion to Islam in
about thousand years ago and is Kashmir after Bulbul Shah. Shah
displayed to the public on special Hamadani was also known as Shah-e-
occasions by the members Banday Hamadan (the King of Hamadan), who
th
family, who are the caretakers of relic. It came from Persia in the 13 century. It
is the only domed Mosque in Srinagar. is one of the best examples of Kashmiri
wooden architecture, and is decorated

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 14

with papier mache. It is one of the oldest  KHEER BHAWANI TEMPLE :

muslim shrines in Kashmir.
The temple was dedicated to goddess
 PATHAR MOSQUE : Ragnya Devi, a form of goddess Durga at
Tula Mula village is considered to be the
It is known locally as Naev Masheed, is a most important Hindu pilgrim centre in
Mughal era stone mosque located in the Kashmir, after the holy Amarnath cave.
old city of Srinagar. It is located on the A marble temple with a golden dome
left bank of river Jhelum, just opposite stands in the middle of the pool created
the Shrine of Khanqah-e-Moula. It was by the spring water. The presiding deity
built by Mughal Empress Noor Jehan, is symbolized as sacred spring and is
the wife of Emperor Jehangir in 1632. popularly known as Kheer Bhawani, as
Unlike other mosques, it does not have devotees offer milk and ‘Kheer’ at the
the traditional pyramidal roof. spring. If the color of the milk offered to
Furthermore, the mosque has nine the deity turns black, it is considered to
mehraabs (arches), with the central one be a warning for disaster.
being larger than the others.
 AMARNATH CAVE :
 SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE :
Amarnath cave is a Hindu shrine located
It is also known as the Jyeshteshwara in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The cave is
Temple. It is located on the top of the situated at an altitude of 3,888 m
Shankaracharya hill or Takht-i-Sulaiman (12,756 ft). The Amarnath temple is one
hill on the Zabarwan range in Srinagar. It of the 51 Shakti Peethas, temples
is dedicated to lord Shiva. The temple is throughout South Asia that
at the height of 1,000 feet above the commemorate the location of fallen
valley floor. It was visited by Adi body parts of the Hindu deity Sati.
Shankara and has ever since been According to Hindu mythology, this is
associated with him; this is how the the cave, where Lord Shiva told about
temple got the name Shankaracharya. the secret of life and eternity to his
Historians believe that the first edifice divine consort Parvati and hence this
on this site was built by emperor shrine holds a very special value to the
Ashoka’s son Jaluka around 200 B.C. The Hindus. According to an ancient tale,
Dogra King Gulab Singh (1792-1857 AD) there was once a Muslim Shepherd
constructed the steps of the temple. named Buta Malik who was given a sack
of coal by a sadhu. Upon reaching home,
he discovered that the sack, in fact,

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 15

contained gold.  JAMIA MASJID :

 WULAR LAKE : The mosque is situated at Nowhatta in

the middle of the Old City, the Mosque
It is one of the largest fresh water lake in was commissioned by Sultan Sikandar in
Asia. It is sited between Bandipora and 1394 CE and completed in 1402 CE and
Sopore district in Jammu and Kashmir, was enlarged by his son, Zain-ul-Abidin,
India. The lake basin was formed as a it is a typical example of Indo-Saracenic
result of tectonic activity and is fed by architecture. It was destroyed thrice by
the Jhelum River. The lake's size varies fire and rebuilt each time, the mosque,
seasonally from 12 to 100 square miles as it now stands, was repaired during
(30 to 260 square kilometres). In the the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh.
centre of the lake, there is a small island
called Zaina Lank, constructed by Sultan IMPORTANT DESTINATIONS OF LADAKH
Zain-ul-Abidin. The lake is considered to
be the remnant of Satisar Lake of  KARGIL :
Prehistoric times.
The second largest town in the Ladakh
 MARTAND SUN TEMPLE : known for snow laden peaks and the
green meadows. The place is indeed a
It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Surya heaven for adventure seekers as one can
(The chief solar deity in Hinduism) and enjoy adventurous activities such as
th
built during the 8 century CE. Martand trekking and mountaineering. Some of
is another Sanskrit synonym for Surya. the major attractions include Sani
Now in ruins, the temple is located five Monastery, built by the king Kanishka of
st
miles from Anantnag in the Indian union the Kushan dynasty during the 1
territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The century, the monastery is regarded as
Martand Sun Temple was built by the one of the oldest religious sites in
third ruler of the Karkota Dynasty, Ladakh and Zanskar. The kargil also host
Lalitaditya Muktapida, in the 8th century archery contest during the month of
CE. It is said to have been built during May. Kargil is the centre of the Suru
725-756 CE. The temple was destroyed (Indus) River valley, historically known as
on the orders of Sultan Sikandar Purig. Kargil has witnessed a war
Butshikan, as part of his efforts to between India and Pakistan in 1999.
forcibly convert Kashmiri people to
Islam.

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 16

 STOK MONASTERY : buddha statue. It is the second largest

buddha statue in Jammu and Kashmir.
Stok Monastery or Stok Gompa is a The original palace, now in ruins, was
Buddhist monastery in Stok, Leh district, built near the Shey village by Lhachen
Ladakh, northern India, 15 kilometres Palgyigon, the king of Ladakh (then
south of Leh. It was founded by Lama called Maryul), in the 10th century.
Lhawang Lotus in the 14th Century and
has a notable library including all 108  SPITUK MONASTERY :
volumes of the Kangyur. A ritual dance-
mask festival is held annually. It is also known Pethup Gompa is a
bhuddist monastery in Spituk. It was
Next to the monastery is the 71 feet (22 founded by Od-de, the elder brother of
m) high seated Gautama Buddha statue Lha Lama Changchub Od when he came
and temple, constructed between 2012- to Maryul in the 11th Century. The
2015 and consecrated by the 14th Dalai monastery contains 100 monks and a
Lama on 8 August 2016. giant statue of Kali (unveiled during the
annual festival). Every year the Gustor
 PHYANG MONASTERY : Festival is held at Spituk from the 27th
to 29th day in the eleventh month of the
It was established in 1515. The Tibetan calendar. Spituk has an average
monastery is one of the earliest elevation of 3,307 metres (10,852 feet).
monasteriesin Ladakh belonging to the
Drikung Kagyu, Dri-gung-pa or Drigungpa  ALCHI MONASTERY :
school, one of eight schools derived
from the teachings of Phakmadrupa The complex comprises four separate
Dorje Gyelpo (1110-1170 CE). After the settlements in the Alchi village in the
monastery was built, it specialised in lower Ladakh region with monuments
Drigung teachings. dated to different periods. Of these four
hamlets, Alchi monastery is said to be
 SHEY PALACES AND the oldest and most famous. It is
MONASTERY : administered by the Likir Monastery.
The complex comprises four separate
The Shey Monastery or Gompa and the settlements in the Alchi village in the
Shey Palace complex are structures lower Ladakh region with monuments
located on a hillock in Shey. Shey was dated to different periods. Of these four
the summer capital of Ladakh in the hamlets, Alchi monastery is said to be
past. It contains a huge shahyamuni the oldest and most famous. It is

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 17

administered by the Likir Monastery.

Dukhang or Assembly Hall and the Main
Temple (gTsug-lag-khang), which is a
three-storied temple called the Sumtseg
(gSum-brtsegs), are built in the Kashmiri
style as seen in many monasteries; the
third temple is called the Manjushri
Temple ('Jam-dpal lHa-khang). Chortens
are also an important part of the
complex.

 TSO MORIRI OR LAKE MORIRI :

The lake and surrounding area are

protected as the Tso Moriri Wetland
Conservation Reserve.

The lake is at an altitude of 4,522 m

(14,836 ft). It is the largest of the high
altitude lakes entirely within India and
entirely within Ladakh in this Trans-
Himalayan biogeographic region. Tsokar
means Salty Lake in local language and
salt was extracted from this lake in
earlier times, till the end of 1959.

 DRAS VALLEY :

Drass is a tourist hub for its high altitude

trekking routes and tourist sites, is a Hill
Station in the Kargil district. It is often
called "The Gateway to Ladakh". It is at a
height of 10,800 feet (3,300 m).

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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 18

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs) 1400 by

a) Aurangzeb
1. The largest mughal garden of b) Sultan Sikander
Kashmir valley is : c) Babur
a) Shalimar Bagh d) None of the above
b) Nishat Bagh 8. Hari Parbat Fort was first built by :
c) Harwan Garden a) Akbar
d) Naseem bagh b) Jahangir
2. The largest Tulip garden is located in c) Babur
a) Doda d) None of the above
b) Kishtwar 9. Hazaratbal masjid is located at :
c) Srinagar a) Srinagar
d) Budgam b) Jammu
3. The second largest Mughal Garden c) Baramulla
of Kashmir is : d) Doda
a) Gulmarg 10. Chashme Shahi is located in :
b) Srinagar a) Srinagar
c) Pahalgam b) Budgam
d) Jammu c) Baramulla
4. Nishat Bagh is situated on the banks d) Leh
of : 11. Which is also known as Golden
a) Dal Lake Meadow?
b) Wular Lake a) Sonamarg
c) Nagin Lake b) Pahalgam
d) None of these c) Leh
5. Martand temple is dedicated to : d) Gulmarg
a) Lord Rama 12. Raghunath ji temple was built by :
b) Lord Surya a) Gulab Singh
c) Goddess Mahakali b) Dhruv Dev
d) Lord Shiva c) Maharaja Ranjit Singh
6. Khanqah of Shah Hamdan is d) None of the above
devoted to : 13. The height of Patnitop hill resort is
a) Mir Syed Ali Hamadan about :
b) Nizamuddin Aulia a) 500m
c) Sultan Sikander b) 1100m
d) None of the above c) 2024m
7. Jama Masjid n Srinagar was built in d) 3000m
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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 19

14. Patnitop hill resort is located in 20. The last residence of Dogri Kings
a) Udhampur was :
b) Jammu a) Mubarak Mandi Palace
c) Doda Complex
d) Srinagar b) Amar Mahal Palace
15. Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex c) Akhnoor Fort
was built by : d) None of the above
a) Gulab Singh 21. The winter capital of jammu and
b) Bhruv Dev Kashmir is :
c) Hari Singh a) Drass
d) None of the above b) Baramulla
16. The management of the Vaishno c) Kathua
Devi Shrine is administered and d) Jammu
controlled by : 22. Which monastery has a statue of
a) Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Shakyamuni Buddha?
b) The Central Government a) Shey Monastery
c) The State Government b) Stok Monastery
d) Both by Central and State c) Phyang Monastery
Governments d) None of the above
17. The oldest and biggest Masjid of 23. King Avanti Varman belonged to
Jammu district is : which dynasty?
a) Jamia Masjid a) Karkota
b) Chashm-e-shahi b) Maurya
c) Hazratbal Masjid c) Utpala
d) None of the above d) Gupta
18. Which of the following tourist 24. Which temple was only known as
places also known as Mini-Kashmir? Gopadri?
a) Bhaderwah a) Martand Sun temple
b) Sanasar b) Shankaracharya temple
c) Patnitop c) Panchbakhtar temple
d) None of the above d) Raghunath Temple
19. Balidan Stambh was constructed in 25. Jama Masjid at Nowhatta is a typical
which year : example of :
a) 1707 a) Indo-Persian Architecture
b) 1800 b) Indo-Islamic Architecture
c) 1990 c) Indo-Saracenic Architecture
d) 2008 d) Indo-Arabic Architecture
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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 20

26. Consider the following Statement : Parbat Fort?

I) Nishat bagh was a) Guru Angad
designed by Shah b) Guru Arjan
Jahan to AD 1633. c) Guru Gobind Singh
II) Chashmashahi was laid d) Guru Hargobind
by Asaf Khan in AD 32. Which of the following tourist place
1632. is/are situated in the Jammu region?
Which of the following a) Thanamandi
statement is/are true? b) Ranbireshawar Temple
a) Only I c) Both a & b
b) Only II d) None of the above
c) Both I and II 33. When was the Jammu and Kashmir
d) None of the above Tourism Development Corporation
27. Emperor Jahangir built the Shalimar established?
Bagh in Srinagar for : a) 1970
a) Hameeda Bano Begam b) 1975
b) Nur Jahan c) 1980
c) Mumtaz Mahal d) 1985
d) Jodha Bai 34. Hemis is a town 40 km South-East of
28. Which of the following Mughal Leh in Ladakh, well known for the
Garden are located in Srinagar? Hemis Monastery that was
a) Chashmashahi established by :
b) Nishat Bagh a) Lama Changehub od
c) Naseem Bagh b) Avanti Varman
d) All of these c) King Senge Nampar Gyalva
29. Which place is known as Reasi Fort? d) Raja Bahulochan
a) Amar Mahal Palace 35. Which of the following tourist
b) Dhanidhar Fort places known as ‘City of Lamas’?
c) Bhimgarh Fort a) Leh
d) Shalimar Bagh b) Kargil
30. Patnitop is located on c) Tibet
a) NH 1-A d) None of the above
b) NH 2 36. Which of the following place known
c) NH 3 as “The Moon Land”?
d) NH 4 a) Leh
31. Which Sikh Guru visited the b) Ladakh
Gurdwara situated in the Hari c) Siachen
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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 21

d) Nun Kun a) State Government

37. Which of the following lake is the b) Shree Amarnath Yatra Trust
largest of the high Altitude lakes in c) Both A & B
the Trans-Himalayan biographic d) Central government
region, entirely within India? 43. The famous tourist spot Dal Lake is
a) Tsomoriri Lake divided into four parts by causeways
b) Dal Lake which of the following is a part of it?
c) Wular Lake a) Lokut Dal
d) None of the Above b) Bod Dal
38. Which of the following regions has c) Nagin
been called the “Paradise of the d) All of the Above
Indies”? 44. Which of the following is the first
a) Jammu region Mosque ever built in Srinagar?
b) Kashmir region a) Hazratbal
c) Ladakh b) Jamia Masjid
d) All of the Above c) Kanqah of Shah Hamadan
39. Which of the following is d) Charar-e-Sharif
responsible for the spread of Islam 45. Which of the following is the only
in Kashmir? domed Mosque in Srinagar?
a) Mir Syed Ali Hamadani a) Hazratbal
b) Zain-Ul-Abidin b) Jama Masjid
c) Sultan Sikandar c) Khanqah of shah Hamadan
d) Noor-ud-din-Noorani d) Charar-e-sharif
40. Sun temple is now ruined and the 46. The resort known for its golf course,
original temple was built by which the highest in the world :
of the following king? a) Gulmarg
a) Lalitaditya b) Sonamarg
b) Zain-ul-abidin c) Pahalgam
c) Hari singh d) Daksu
d) Ashoka 47. Which of the following place also
41. The word Khanqah refers to : known as ‘Meadow of flowers’?
a) A Wooden Structure a) Srinagar
b) Mosque b) Gulmarg
c) Religious place c) Pahalgam
d) Place of Worship d) Sonamarg
42. The Amarnath Yatra is organized by 48. Origin of the name ‘Patnitop’ is a
which of the following? distortion of the original name of
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 IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF J&K 22

“Patan Da Talab” refers to as

a) Pond of the Princess
b) Pond of fresh water ANSWER KEY
c) Group of Mountains 1. A 2. C 3. A 4. A
d) Pond of flowers 5. B 6. A 7. B 8. A
49. Which of the following ruler built an 9. A 10. A 11. A 12. C
outer wall of the fort Hari Parbat 13. C 14. A 15. D 16. C
and planned a new capital called 17. A 18. A 19. D 20. B
‘Nager Nagor” to be built within the 21. D 22. A 23. C 24 B
wall? 25. C 26. D 27. B 28. D
a) Raja Hari Singh 29. C 30. A 31. D 32. C
b) Gulab Singh 33. A 34. C 35. A 36. B
c) Partap Singh 37. A 38. B 39. A 40. A
d) Akbar 41. A 42. C 43. D 44. C
50. The fort located on a hill in the 45. A 46. A 47. B 48. A
vicinity of Rajouri town, constructed 49. D 50 D
by Mughal emperor Jahangir :
a) Bahu Fort
b) Hari Parbat
c) Bhimgarh Fort
d) Dhanidhar Fort

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 1

The state is rich in the cultural diversity of the micro-flora of isolated regions is available for
people, as well as diversity of flora and fauna in some plant orders and families only. The plants of
the forest areas, and domesticated species the western Himalayas are well known for their
outside the forest. Plant diversity is the life medicinal properties. This area is a storehouse of
support of almost all terrestrial eco-systems, with medicinal and aromatic plants, which are used in
both humans and animals being entirely pharmaceutical and perfume industries. The list
dependent on plants directly or indirectly. The includes 55 species of important medicinal and
state of Jammu and Kashmir has a fairly rich aromatic plants. There are 11 medicinal plants in
diversity of plant life, and on this the people the temperate, cold, arid regions of Jammu and
depend for their daily needs of food, medicine, Kashmir. Several medicinal plants grow wild in
fuel, fibre, etc. The varied plant life also the temperate and alpine habitats. Some native
contributes to the food and habitat needs of the medicinal plants have been taken up for
wild and domesticated animals in the state. cultivation, e.g. Dioscorea deltoidea is now
Plants are also an integral part of the social fabric cultivated for its tubers which are rich in
of the state. The environmental, social and diosgenin and yield cortisone, a steroid hormone.
economic values of plants are very well known.
On the other hand, the faunal component of the Phyto-geography and vegetation types
bio-diversity of the state is rich, with interesting
and unique forms both in the forest zones and Within the Indian region, the area of Jammu and
above the forest-line. The variety of animal forms Kashmir is, phyto-geographically, the most
ranges from higher groups like vertebrates, complex and diverse. The flora has passed
including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, through various stages during the geo-
and lower groups like invertebrates including morphological evolution of this region. This
insects and even unicellular micro-organisms. region has been colonised at different times by
humid tropical Malayan forms, tropical African
The Wildlife Protection Department, Jammu & forms, temperate and alpine north Asiatic-
Kashmir Government, came into existence in the European forms, sclerophyllous Mediterranean
year 1978 to implement the Jammu and Kashmir forms, temperate East Asian and semi-arid
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 providing Central Asian forms. The rigorous environment
protection to the wildlife flora and fauna and has further acted upon this mosaic of
management of Protected Areas in the state. The geographical forms leading to the extinction of
Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection species, breaking up of distribution ranges, or
Department evolved from erstwhile J&K Game induction of genetic variation with or without
Preservation Department, created under the speciation. The flora of the surrounding regions
Game Preservation Act, 1942 to protect and has enriched the flora of Jammu and Kashmir.
preserve the “Game” in the State. Floristically, Jammu and Kashmir can be divided
into two regions:
THE FLORA
Temperate vegetation of Kashmir: Though the
The flora of Himalayan Kashmir comprises about vegetation of the Kashmir valley is disturbed due
3,054 species. About 880 species are found in to extensive cultivation of grain crops like paddy
Ladakh. The flora of the Jammu district comprises and maize, one can see extremely rich vegetation
506 species. These figures include only the in the beds and banks of the streams and canals.
angiosperms, gymnosperms and pteridophytes. The Kashmir valley abounds in lakes and swampy
The species lists of different districts are being lagoons with distinctive hydro-phytic formations.
continually updated in taxonomic publications. The other Pir Panjal forests form a compact and
The lower plants like fungi and algae have not linear strip-like area running from south-east to
been studied exhaustively; information on the north-west and constitute the southern boundary

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 2

of the Kashmir valley. knotweed, is a species of flowering plant in the

family Polygonaceae, native to the Himalayas. It
Sub-tropical vegetation of Jammu: The is a creeping, densely tufted, mat-forming
vegetation of the Jammu region is of a dry, mixed perennial, growing to 25 cm (10 in) tall by 60 cm
deciduous type. During the rainy season the low- (24 in) broad. The narrow elliptic leaves are white
lying areas become Jheels that support a number on the underside because of a waxy coating.
of aquatic plants. Bistorta affinis is used ornamentally as
groundcover. Under the synonym Persicaria
Aquatic vegetation affinis the following cultivars have gained the
Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden
The high altitude lakes situated above 4,000 m in Merit:
the Pir Panjal Range and in Ladakh are devoid of
macro-phytic vegetation, whereas the lakes  'Darjeeling Red'
situated in the pine forest zone of the Pir Panjal  'Donald Lowndes'
and the Kashmir valley have well developed  'Superba'
stratified vegetation. Most of the lakes of the
Kashmir Himalayan range have typical zonation of 2. CARDUUS CRISPUS
plants. The innermost zone has submerged
plants, which have their flowers and fruits above Carduus crispus, the curly plumeless thistle or
the water surface. In the shallower water there is welted thistle, is a biennial herb in the daisy
a zone of plants that have their leaves floating on family Asteraceae. It is native to Europe and Asia.
the surface of water. Along the lake margins, the The species and genus is a favorite food plant of
plants stand in water with the greater portion of caterpillars of the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa
the plants being visible above water. Small free- cardui), which derives its specific epithet, cardui,
floating plants occur in the shallow waters and from their preference for Carduus thistles. It is
along lake margins. Characteristic features of also used by bees for honey production. Extracts
Kashmir lakes are the floating islands . These are from this plant have been found to have anti-
strips of land artificially created and towed along cancer properties, the main one of which being
from place to place. These floating islands are crispine B. It is said to hold restorative and
used for growing crops and horticultural plants. anodyne properties in its roots.
Following are the important species of flora are :

1. BISTORTA AFFINIS

3. ECHINOCHLOA COLONA

Echinochloa colona, commonly known as jungle

rice, deccan grass, or awnless barnyard grass, is a
Bistorta affinis is found in the Himalayas, from
type of wild grass originating from tropical Asia. It
Afghanistan to eastern Nepal, at altitudes of
was formerly classified as a species of Panicum. It
3,000 –4,800 m (9,843–15,748 ft). Bistorta affinis,
is the wild ancestor of the cultivated cereal crop
the Himalayan bistort, fleece flower, or
Echinochloa frumentacea, sawa millet. Some
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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 3

taxonomists treat the two taxa as one species, in 6. ZANTHOXYLUM ARMATUM

which case the domesticated forms may also be
referred to as E. colona.

In India seeds of this grass are used to prepare a

food dish called khichadi and are consumed
during festival fasting days. In Gujarati is called
Zanthoxylum armatum, also commonly called
"Samo" or "Moriyo" in Marathi it is called bhagar
winged prickly ash in English, is a species of plant
or "Vari cha Tandul", in Hindi it is called
in the family Rutaceae. It is an aromatic,
"Mordhan" or "Sava ka chawal". Also called
deciduous, spiny shrub growing to 3.5 meters in
samay ke chawal.
height, endemic from Pakistan across to
Southeast Asia and up to Korea and Japan. It is a
4. GAULTHERIA TRICHOL
source of the spice Sichuan pepper, and also used
in folk medicine, essential oil production and as
It is commonly known as Himalayan snowberry, is
an ornamental garden plant. Z. armatum grows in
a species of plant in the heath and heather
many habitats below 3100m. The shrub flowers in
family, native to the Himalayas. The flowers
India from March to April. The species was
range in color from red, to pink, to white; fruits
described by the eminent Swiss botanist Augustin
are blue-colored berries; and leaves are
Pyramus de Candolle in 1824.
approximately 3 mm (0.12 in) in length.
7. CHINAR (THE TREE OF J&K)
5. IRIS CROCEA

Iris crocea is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in

the subgenus Limniris and the series Spuriae. It is
a rhizomatous perennial plant, found in Kashmir.
It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is also
commonly known as Golden Iris or Golden Flag. It
was also known as Iris aurea for a long time,
before that was regarded as a synonym of Iris
crocea. It is similar in form to Iris orientalis but
with larger flowers.

Platanus orientalis, the Old World sycamore or

Oriental plane, is a large, deciduous tree of the
Platanaceae family known for its longevity and
spreading crown. The majestic Chinar trees
(whose botanical name is Platanus orientalis or

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 4

oriental plane) grow as tall as 25 meters, with Sinhalese name referring to a blue flower; the
girth exceeding 50 feet in some cases. It is a specific epithet ‘nucifera’ means ‘nut-bearing’,
majestic tree that can be found throughout the referring to the embedded seeds in torus.
landscape of the valley, hillsides and cities, now
generally called booune in local Kashmiri and Botanical Description: An aquatic, perennial herb
chinar by Urdu speakers. Kashmir Valley is the with thick, stoloniferous rhizomes. The petioles
home of world’s oldest chinar tree (627 years old) and peduncles are fleshy with spongy tissues.
which is located in village Chattergam of Budgam Leaves are simple, usually rising above level of
district, Kashmir,it is believed to be planted in water, peltate, orbicular with wavy margins, ca 50
1374 A.D by an Islamic mystic Syed Abul Qaim cm across. Flowers are terminal on solitary scape,
Hamadani who accompanied Mir Sayyid Ali pink or white, fragrant. The scape is larger than
Hamadani from Iran to Kashmir, which has a girth petioles. Petals are arranged in many whorls.
of 31.85 m at ground level and 14.78 m at breast Fruit is a spongy torus containing a few oblong-
height. Naseem Bagh a Mughal Garden near obovoid seeds.
Srinagar which houses over 700 chinar trees, has
been developed as a first Chinar Heritage Park by Flowering & Fruiting: June – October.
the University of Kashmir.
Range of Distribution: It is native to India and is
8. LOTUS distributed throughout the country. It is
distributed from Southeast Asia to tropical
Australia.

Economic Importance: The long stalks of this

plant yield a yellowish white fibre, which is used
as wicks of sacred lamps.

Traditional Uses: According to Hindu mythology,

the lotus is considered to have originated from
the navel of Lord Vishnu and hence considered
sacred. It symbolises purity, peace, and non-
State Flower: Pamposh (kashmiri word) attachment to desire. The flowers are often used
in making garlands and offered to the gods.
Botanical Name: Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Flowers, seeds, young leaves and roots are eaten
in many parts of the country; mature leaves are
Kingdom: Plantae used as a wrap for food. Rootlets are often
pickled with rice vinegar, sugar, chili and garlic
Species: N. Nucifera and used with salads, prawns, sesame oil and
coriander leaves.
Common Names: Chinese Water Lily, Egyptian
Bean, Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus (English); Ambuj, Medicinal Uses: Roots in powder form is
Lalkamal, Kamal, Padam (Hindi); Ambapadam, prescribed for piles and dysentery. It is also used
Amburoha, Amlana, Aravinda, Asyapatra, as a paste in skin infection and ring worm. The
Bisakusum, Drishopadma, Indriyalaya, Jalajanma, leaves are used as cool bed-sheets useful in fever
Kamala, Kunja, Mahapadma, Nala, Pankaja, due to heat and burning of skin. The milky viscid
Sujala, Shuklapadma, Varisoha (Sanskrit). juice of the leaf and flower stalks is a remedy in
diarrhoea. Flowers are used as cooling,
Family: Nelumbonaceae Etymology: The generic refrigerent and astringent, diuretic and are
name, ‘Nelumbo’ is derived from Tamil or cardio-tonic and used to cure haemorrhages.

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 5

Seeds are used to check vomiting, diuretic, form a IMPORTANT FAUNA

cooling medicine for skin diseases and leprosy. It
is also considered to be an antidote to poisons. 1. HIMALAYAN BROWN BEAR
The filaments are considered astringent, cooling
and are used in burning sensation, bleeding piles
and menorrhagia.

Ceremonial Uses: The Civilian awards given by the

Government of India in the form Padma Sri,
Padma Bhusan and Padma Vibhusan, have the
words ‘Padma’ (‘Lotus’) and ‘Sri’ written in
Devanagari script appear above and below an
imprint of lotus flower on its observe.
The Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos
Note: The plant can be propagated through isabellinus), also known as the Himalayan red
rhizomes. bear, isabelline bear or Dzu-Teh, is a subspecies
of the brown bear and is known from northern
THE FAUNA Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, northern India,
west China and Nepal. It is the largest mammal in
The fauna of Jammu and Kashmir is diverse due the region, males reaching up to 2.2 m (7 ft) long,
to its unique location and climatic condition. while females are a little smaller. They are the
About 16% of the Indian mammals, birds, largest animals in the Himalayas and are usually
reptiles, amphibians and butterflies are sandy or reddish-brown in colour. The bears are
presented in the state. Birds contribute much to omnivorous and hibernate in dens during the
the chordate diversity following by mammals, winter around October and emerge during April
reptiles, fishes and amphibians. The state is home and May. It is highly endangered and populations
to about 75 species of mammals, besides several are dwindling. They are already speculated to
sub-species, belonging to 54 genera, 21 families have become extinct in Bhutan.
and 8 orders. Carnivores represent 32% of the
total mammalian fauna in the state. Of the 19 2. KASHMIR MUSK DEER
species of the ungulates reported from the state,
13 have been listed as globally threatened. The Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus) is an
endangered species of musk deer native to
The fauna of Jammu and Kashmir is diverse due Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. Recent studies
to its unique location and climatic condition. have shown that the species is also native to
About 16% of the Indian mammals, birds, western Nepal. This species was originally
reptiles, amphibians and butterflies are described as a subspecies to the alpine musk
presented in the state. Birds contribute much to deer, but is now classified as a separate species.
the chordate diversity following by mammals, The deer stand at 60 cm (2.0 ft) tall, and only
reptiles, fishes and amphibians. The state is home males have tusks and they use them during
to about 75 species of mammals, besides several mating season to compete for females.
sub-species, belonging to 54 genera, 21 families
and 8 orders. Carnivores represent 32% of the
total mammalian fauna in the state. Of the 19
species of the ungulates reported from the state,
13 have been listed as globally threatened.

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 6

poaching and habitat destruction following

infrastructural developments. It inhabits alpine
and subalpine zones at elevations from 3,000 to
4,500 m (9,800 to 14,800 ft), ranging from
eastern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan the
Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau, to southern
Siberia, Mongolia, and western China. In the
countries in the northern part of its range, it also
lives at lower elevations.
The Kashmir musk deer, which is one of seven
similar species found throughout Asia, is
endangered due to habitat loss and also because
of poachers hunting the animal for its prized
scent glands. It is listed as an endangered species
in Pakistan.

3. KASHMIR GRAY LANGUR

The Kashmir gray langur (Semnopithecus ajax) is

an Old World monkey, one of the langur species.
It is a leaf-eating monkey. PARNASSIUS ACTIUS

It has been reported from Jammu and Kashmir Parnassius actius, also known as the scarce red
and Himachal Pradesh in northwestern India but apollo, is a high-altitude butterfly found in
evidence indicates it only occurs in the Chamba Central Asia. It is a member of the snow Apollo
Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Because of its genus (Parnassius) of the swallowtail family
restricted range, fragmented population and (Papilionidae). It is a rare butterfly and declining
threats from human agriculture and development due to changes in its habitat and is thus
activities it is listed as Endangered in the IUCN considered to be vulnerable.
Red List. It was formerly considered a subspecies
of Semnopithecus entellus and is one of several
Semnopithecus species named after characters
from The Iliad, along with Semnopithecus hector
and Semnopithecus priam. The birthing season
for the Kashmir gray langur runs from January
through June, although almost half of all infants
are born in March.

4. SNOW LEOPARD 5. KASHMIR STAG

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), also known

as the ounce, is a large cat native to the mountain
ranges of Central and South Asia. It is listed as
Vulnerable on the IUCN (International Union for
Conservation of Nature) Red List because the
global population is estimated to number less
than 10,000 mature individuals and is expected to
decline about 10% by 2040. It is threatened by

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 7

The Kashmir stag (Cervus canadensis hanglu), also 7. ZANISKARI

called hangul, is a subspecies of elk native to
Kashmir. This deer lives in groups of two to 18 The Zaniskari or Zanskari is a breed of small
individuals in dense riverine forests in the high mountain horse or pony from Ladakh, in northern
valleys and mountains of the Kashmir Valley and India. It is named for the Zanskar valley or region
northern Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh. In in Kargil district. It is similar to the Spiti breed of
Kashmir, it is found in the Dachigam National Himachal Pradesh, but is better adapted to work
Park where it receives protection but elsewhere it at high altitude. Like the Spiti, it shows similarities
is more at risk. In the 1940s, the population was to the Tibetan breeds of neighbouring Tibet. It is
between 3000 and 5000 individuals, but since of medium size, and is often grey in colour. The
then habitat destruction, over-grazing by breed is considered endangered, as there are
domestic livestock and poaching have reduced only a few hundred alive today, and a
population dramatically. Earlier believed to be a conservation programme has been started in
subspecies of red deer (Cervus elaphus), a India. The Zaniskari is particularly adapted to
number of mitochondrial DNA genetic studies work as a pack animal in the high altitudes and
have revealed that the hangul is part of the Asian challenging conditions of its native region, which
clade of the elk (Cervus canadensis). The IUCN, lies between 3000 and 5000 m above sea level.
however, includes it in the new grouping of The ITBP and the Indian army in Ladakh uses it as
Central Asian red deer (Cervus hanglu), with the a pack-beast. It is also used for riding and for
Kashmir stag being the type subspecies (Cervus polo.
hanglu hanglu). According to the census in 2019,
there were only 237 Hanguls. 8. KASHMIR FLYCATCHER

6. WILD GOAT

The Kashmir flycatcher (Ficedula subrubra) is a

small passerine bird in the flycatcher family
Muscicapidae. At one time it was considered to
be a subspecies of the red-breasted flycatcher,
Ficedula parva. This is an insectivorous species
Capra aegagrus was the scientific name proposed
which breeds in the north-west Himalayas in the
by Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777 for
Kashmir region of the Indian Subcontinent. It is
the wild goat populations of the Caucasus and
migratory and winters in the hills of central Sri
Taurus Mountains. It is a wild goat species,
Lanka and the Western Ghats of India. It is now
inhabiting forests, shrublands and rocky areas
declared as National Bird of Jammu & Kashmir.
ranging from Turkey and the Caucasus in the west
This species is 13 cm long. It is similar in shape to
to Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the
the slightly smaller red-breasted flycatcher. This
east. It has been listed as near threatened on the
is a vulnerable species with a decreasing
IUCN Red List and is threatened by destruction
population and breeding range, which is also
and degradation of habitat. It is one of the
severely fragmented as a result of the destruction
ancestors of the domestic goat (C. hircus).
of temperate mixed deciduous forests by
commercial timber extraction, agriculture and
livestock grazing. The population is thought to be
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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 8

between 2,500 and 10,000 birds.  National Parks : 03

 Wildlife Sanctuaries : 13
9. BLACK-NECKED CRANE  Conservation Reserves : 29
 Total Protected Area : 4777.282 sq.km
approx
 UT animal = Hangul
 UT Tree = Chinar
 UT bird = Kashmir Flycatcher
 UT flower = Lotus
 Forest area = 20230 Sq. Km

The black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) is a The recorded Forest area is 20230 Sq. Kms. which
medium-sized crane in Asia that breeds on the constitutes 19.95 % of geographical area of the
Tibetan Plateau and remote parts of India and State. Forests are largely distributed in Kashmir
Bhutan. It is 139 cm (55 in) long with a 235 cm Valley and Jammu regions. Leh and Kargil are
(7.8 ft) wingspan, and it weighs 5.5 kg (12 lbs). It devoid of Forest Vegetation as the region is cold
is whitish-gray, with a black head, red crown desert. There are five forest types occurring in
patch, black upper neck and legs, and white patch the State Viz. Subtropical Dry Evergreen,
to the rear of the eye. It has black primaries and Himalayan Moist Temperate, Himalayan Dry
secondaries. Both sexes are similar. Some Temperate, Subtropical Pine and Sub-alpine and
populations are known to make seasonal alpine Forests.
movements. It is revered in Buddhist traditions
and culturally protected across much of its range. IMPORTANT NATIONAL PARKS OF J&K
A festival in Bhutan celebrates the bird. It was the
state bird of Jammu and Kashmir. The breeding 1. DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK
areas are alpine meadows, lakeside and riverine
marshes and river valleys. They also make use of Dachigam National Park is located 22 kilometers
barley and wheat fields in these areas. Wintering from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. It covers an
areas tend to be in sheltered valleys or lower area of 141 km². It is located in the Zabarwan
altitudes. The largest populations are in China Range of the western Himalayas. The name of the
with smaller numbers extending into Vietnam, park literally stands for "ten villages" which could
Bhutan and India. Eggs are laid mainly in May and be in memory of the ten villages that were
June, One or two eggs. The adults were found to relocated for its formation. These ten villages
feed the young ones mainly with fish in Ladakh, were living in this region before the World War I
adults fishing like herons. They are endangered the beginning of the early 20th century. The park
because of the hunters. has been a protected area since 1910, first under
the care of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir
WILD LIFE PROTECTED AREAS OF J&K and later under the observation of the concerned
government authorities. It was upgraded and
In order to achieve the basic aim and objective of declared a National Park in the year 1981.
the Department, the Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir
vide various S.R.O’s, and Cabinet decisions, Flora :
Notifications and Government orders issued from
time to time has brought about 4777.282 sq.km The mountain sides below the tree line are
under the Protected Area Network, which wooded. Most of this coniferous forest consists
comprises of 3 National Parks, 13 Wildlife of broad leaf species. Interspersed between these
Sanctuaries and 29 Conservation Reserves in are alpine pastures, meadows, waterfalls and
Jammu and Kashmir.
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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 9

scrub vegetation with deep gullies, locally known and the Nagnari conservation reserve.
as Nars, running down the mountain face.
Located high among its interiors is the Marsar FLORA
lake from which flows the Dagwan river. This
river flows all the way down to, and past, the The park has more of coniferous forests of
lower region where it runs along the only proper deodar at lower altitudes, spruce and fir in the
road in the park and is also known for its fish middle to upper elevation and kail from lower to
population, the trout. upper elevations. Birch can be found only in sub-
alpine zones. The sub-alpine and alpine scrubs
Fauna are found at higher elevations and have more of
Junipers.
The park is the home of the endangered Hangul
or Kashmir Stag, the species of red deer in the FAUNA
country. The various other animals include Musk
deer(roose kat), Leopard, Himalayan Serow, Nearly 20 species of animals can be found in the
Kashmir grey Langur, Leopard Cat, Himalayan park which includes endangered Markhor Wild
black bear, Himalayan brown bear, Jackal, Hill fox, Goat, Musk deer, Brown bear, Leopard to name
Himalayan weasel, yellow-throated marten, some.
Jungle cat, Long-tailed marnot etc
AVI-FAUNA
Avi-Fauna :
The Kazinag National Park is home to about 120
There are more than 150 species of birds. The species of birds which include Golden Eagle (least
principle species are Cinnamon sparrow, Black concern), Sparrow Hawk, Kashmir Red breasted
bulbul, Himalayan monal, Golden oriole, Minivet, Flycatcher, Snow Pigeon, The Cuckoo etc.
Pygmy owlet, Woodpecker, Babbler, Redstart,
Wagtail, Koklass pheasant, Chough, Orange BUTTERFLIES
bullfinch, Kashmir flycatcher, Tytler's leaf
warbler, Streaked laughingthrush, Himalayan It is home to 17 Species of Butterflies which
rubythroat, Wallcreeper, Black-and-yellow include Regal Apollo, Brown Argus, Common Red
grosbeak, Himalayan griffon vulture, Bearded Apollo, Mountain Argus etc.
vulture, Red-billed blue magpie, Titmouse etc.
3. KISHTWAR NATIONAL PARK
2. KAZINAG NATIONAL PARK
Kishtwar National Park is a national park located
Kazinag National Park or Qazinag National Park is in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir,
a commissioned future national park in the India. It is bounded to the north by Rinnay river,
Baramulla district in the Indian union territory of south by Kibar Nala catchment, east by main
Jammu and Kashmir. It is part of a proposal for a divide of Great Himalaya and west by Marwa
trans-Karakoram peace park with Pakistan. It was river. It was declared a National Park on 4
created after the Kargil War and based on the February 1981. It was majorly founded to protect
increasing pressure to protect the endangered the Snow Leopards that are now slowly vanishing
and rare markhor wild goat. This national park is from the nature.
being set up by the Jammu Kashmir Government
with an aim to conserve the rare species of goats Area of the national park - 400 km²
and other species like brown bear, musk deer and
leopards. This park was decided to be made out Its Altitude Range from 1,700 m to 4,800 m.
of the Limber and Lachipora wildlife sanctuaries

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 10

FLORA 5. HEMIS NATIONAL PARK

The flora mainly comprises coniferous, Alpine, Hemis National Park (or Hemis High Altitude
Meadows and scrub forests. The major trees National Park) is a high altitude national park in
found in this area are Pinus Gerardiana, Cedrus Ladakh, India. Globally famous for its snow
Deodara, Juglans Regia, Ulmus spp, Quercus and leopards, it is believed to have the highest
many more. Herbs that can be spotted include density of them in any protected area in the
Brachypodium, Anemone spp, Artemisia Vlugaris, world. It is the only national park in India that is
Primula spp, etc. north of the Himalayas, the largest notified
protected area in India (largest National park)
FAUNA and is the second largest contiguous protected
area, after the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and
It is a natural habitat of 15 mammal species surrounding protected areas. The park is home to
including the Musk Deer and Himalayan black and a number of species of endangered mammals,
brown bear. One of its important feature is the including the snow leopard. Hemis National Park
Hangul or Kashmiri stag which migrate to this is India's protected area inside the Palearctic
region during winters from the Dachigam realm, outside the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary
National Park. Other animals include Ibex, Indian northeast of Hemis, and the proposed Tso Lhamo
Muntijal, Rhesus macaque etc. Cold Desert Conservation Area in North Sikkim.
The park is bounded on the north by the banks of
AVI-FAUNA the Indus River, and includes the catchments of
Markha, Sumdah and Rumbak, and parts of the
It is a home to almost 50 species of birds which Zanskar Range.
includes Himalayan Monal, Bearded Vulture,
White Cheeked Bulbul, Koklass and Indian Mynah The park was founded in 1981 by protecting the
to name some. Rumbak and Markha catchments, an area of
about 600 km² (230 sq mi). It grew in 1988 to
4. SALIM ALI NATIONAL PARK around 3,350 km² (1,290 sq mi), by incorporating
neighbouring lands, before increasing in 1990 to
Salim Ali National Park or City Forest National 4,400 km² (1,700 sq mi), and is the largest
Park was a national park located in Srinagar, national park in South Asia.
Jammu and Kashmir, India. It covered an area of
9.07 km². Notified in 1986 and established in the Fauna
year 1992, the name of the park commemorated
the Indian ornithologist Salim Ali. The park was The park is home to a viable breeding population
converted into the Royal Springs Golf Course, of about 200 snow leopards, especially in the
Srinagar between 1998 and 2001 by Farooq Rumbak catchment area. A small population of
Abdullah, the then Chief Minister of Jammu & the Asiatic ibex is also present in Hemis. Hemis is
Kashmir. the only refuge in India containing the Shapu
(Ladakhi Urial). The Tibetan wolf, the Eurasian
The park featured a wildlife species such as the brown bear (endangered in India), and the red
hangul, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, fox are also present in Hemis. Small mammals
leopard, Himalayan serow and 70 species of include the Himalayan marmot, mountain weasel
birds, including the paradise flycatcher, and the Himalayan mouse hare.
Himalayan monal, and Himalayan snowcock.
Among birds of prey noted here are Himalayan
and Trans-Himalayan birds of prey: the golden
eagle, lammergeier vulture, and Himalayan

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 11

griffon vulture. The Rumbak Valley offers 2. Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary

opportunities for birdwatching, including several
Tibetan species not common in other parts of Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary or Heerpora Wildlife
India. Birds present here include brown accentor, Sanctuary is located in Shopian district of Jammu
robin accentor, Tickell's leaf warbler, streaked and Kashmir, 70 kilometers south of Srinagar. It
rosefinch, black-winged snowfinch, chukar, spreads over an area of 341 km². It is bounded to
Blyth's swift, red-billed chough, Himalayan the north by Lake Gumsar, northeast by Hirpora
snowcock, and the fire-fronted serin. 16 mammal village, east by Rupri, south by Saransar and to
species and 73 bird species have been recorded the west by the Pir Panjal pass. The slopes are
in the park so far. gentle to moderately steep on the eastern aspect
and very steep with many cliffs on the higher
Flora northern and western aspect. The southern and
southeastern portions are moderately steep.
This region is in the rain shadow of the
Himalayas, and does not receive much 3. Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary
precipitation. Hence, dry forests of juniper,
Populus - Salix forests, subalpine dry birch - fir are The Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected
present at lower altitudes. Alpine and steppe area in Aru Valley near Pahalgam in Jammu and
trees are predominantly found here. These trees Kashmir, India. It is on the periphery of the two
and shrubs are spread across the valley bottoms. villages of Overa and Aru. The sanctuary spreads
A study conducted by CP Kala reports 15 rare and over 511 square kilometres (197 sq mi), lies 76
endangered medicinal plants growing in the park, kilometres (47 mi) east of Srinagar. It was
which include Acantholimon lycopodiodes, declared a game reserve in 1945 under the Dogra
Arnebia euchroma, Artimisia maritima, Bergenia Rule and later upgraded to a sanctuary in 1981.
stracheyi, Ephedra gerardiana, Ferula
jaeschkeana, and Hyoscyamus niger. The Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the
Lidder Forest Division in Anantnag District of the
IMPORTANT WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES Kashmir province. It is bordered to the north by
Sind Valley and to the west by Dachigam National
1. Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary Park. The sanctuary constitutes 38 Forest
compartments. The Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary
The Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 180 is a catchment area of the Lidder River, a
square kilometres (69 sq mi) is a protected area tributary of Jhelum and forms an important
in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, source of irrigation and drinking water.
India. The sanctuary lies on the north-eastern Geographical features of the sanctuary include
side of the Pir Panjal mountain range and falls lakes, glaciers and mountain peaks. The most
under the northwest Biogeographic Zone 2A. It notable are the Tarsar Lake and the Kolahoi with
lies 50 kilometres (31 mi) south-west of Srinagar a peak elevation of 5,425 metres (17,799 ft)
and 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Baramulla. The above sea level. It is also the highest point of the
sanctuary was first declared as a game reserve in sanctuary.
1981 and later upgraded to a sanctuary in 1987.
The elevation of the sanctuary ranges from 2,400 4. Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary
metres (7,900 ft) to 4,300 metres (14,100 ft). The
highly steep terrain of the upper reaches of It is situated about 26 km from Jammu on
Ferozpur gorge consists of Panjal volcanics, with National Highway-1A. The sanctuary is spread
exposed acidic lava flows. Limestone, shale, over an area of 33 sq km and has been named
quartzite and slate occur throughout the after Nandini village. The sanctuary is the home
sanctuary. of a large number of rare and endangered species

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 12

of mammal and birds. There are about 8 mammal

species in the area. The main species are leopard,
wild boar, rhesus monkey, goral, grey langur etc.
The sanctuary is also known for the wonderful
species of pheasants. The common birds are
Indian mynah, blue rock pigeon, peafowl, red
jungle fowl, chir pheasants, chakor etc.

5. Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary

Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary or Daksum Wildlife

Sanctuary is a protected area located in Anantnag
district of Jammu and Kashmir, 85 kilometres (53
mi) south of Srinagar. It spreads over an area of
20 square kilometres (7.7 sq mi). This area was
protected as a game reserve for hangul during
the Maharaja’s period, prior to 1948. In 1981, it
was upgraded to the Rajparian Wildlife
Sanctuary.

The vegetation types present in the Rajparian

Wildlife Sanctuary include dense coniferous
forests and sub-alpine pastures. In dense
coniferous forests, kail pine, spruce, fir, birch,
deodar and juniper trees are predominant. The
Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary is abode to many
species of animals including the Himalayan black
bear, hangul, and musk deer. A number of
species of wild birds are also found in the
sanctuary.

Other Wild Life Sanctuaries

6. Trikuta Wildlife Sanctuary, 1981

7. Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary,
1981
8. Ramnagar Rakha WLS, 1981
9. Baltal-Thajwas WLS, 1987
10. Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary, 1987
11. Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, 1987
12. Jasrota WLS, 1987
13. Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, 1987
14. Lachipora WLS, 1987
15. Limber WLS, 1987
16. Hokersar Wildlife Sanctuary, 1992

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 13

BIOSPHERE RESERVES

S. NO. NAME OF THE CONSERVATION RESERVE YEAR OF TOTAL AREA

NOTIFICATION (KM²)
1 Khiram CR 1945 15.75
2 Panyar CR 1945 10
3 Khanagund CR 1945 15
4 Shikargah CR 1945 15.5
5 Khrew CR 1945 50.25
6 Khonmoh CR 1945 67
7 Brain-Nishat CR 1945 15.75
8 Khimber/Dara/Sharazbal CR 1945 34
9 Wangat/Chatergul 1945 12
10 Ajas CR 1945 48
11 Naganari CR 1981 22.25
12 Zaloora, Harwan 1970 25.25
13 Sudh Mahadev CR 1981 142.25
14 Thein 1981 19
15 Bahu 1981 19.75
16 Sabu 1981 15
17 Boodh Karbu 1981 12
18 Hokera (Ramsar Site) (WL) 1945 13.75
19 Narkara (WL) 1970 4.5
20 Manibugh (WL) 1970 4.5
21 Chatlam, Pampore (WL) 1970 0.25
22 Mirgund (WL) 1970 4
23 Shallabugh (WL) 1945 16
24 Ajas (WL) 1945 1
25 Hygam (WL) 1945 7.25
26 Malgam (WL) 1970 4.5
27 Gharana (WL) 1981 0.75
28 Pargwal (WL) 1981 49.25
29 Kukarian (WL) 1981 24.25
30 Nanga 1981 15.25
31 Sangral-Asa Chak (WL) 1981 7
32 Tsomoiri (Ramsar Site) (WL) 1981 120
33 Norrichain (WL) 1981 2
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 providing
protection to the wildlife flora and fauna and
DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE PROTECTION J&K management of Protected Areas in the state.

The Wildlife Protection Department, Jammu & The Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection
Kashmir Government, came into existence in the Department evolved from erstwhile J&K Game
year 1978 to implement the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation Department, created under the

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 14

Game Preservation Act, 1942 to protect and Department are enumerated as below:
preserve the “Game” in the State. The “Game”
included few species of wild animals and birds  Management & habitat improvement
considered important from hunting point of view of Protected Areas;
as a sport. Prior to enactment of Jammu and  Management, restocking, reallocation
Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978, few areas of rare and endangered species;
called “Game Sanctuaries”, “Game Reserves” and  Anti-poaching and anti-smuggling
“Reserve Areas” were regulated under a set of drives;
 Law enforcement and wildlife crime
control;
 Wildlife management plan
various rules to provide protection to few species formulation and implementation
of wild animals and birds considered important thereof;
from shooting and hunting point of view.  Conservation breeding, zoos &
zoological parks;
Since the creation of the Department of Wildlife  Wildlife health care and monitoring,
Protection in 1982 the State Government has rescue, rehabilitation and release of
taken a series of measures for conservation of wild animals;
forests and the Wildlife therein. Over a period of  Man-wild animal conflict resolution;
time, Wildlife Department has focused on  Eco-tourism promotion;
management and conservation of wildlife and its  People and stake holders’
habitat on modern lines in consonance with participation for protection and
prevalent legislations. preservation of wildlife;
 Awareness & nature education;
The State has amended the J&K Wildlife
 Research and training programmes;
(Protection) Act, 1978 on the lines of the National
 Species recovery programmes.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Under the
amended Act, different schedules have been
revised. Hunting of almost all species under the
schedules has been prohibited. Number of
endangered species of wild animals and plants
have been upgraded and brought under
MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
Schedule-I and Schedule-VI of the Act
respectively to accord them more protection. A
recent amendment pertains to amendment in 1. When was the Jammu and Kashmir
Schedule VI of the Act respectively to accord Wildlife Protection Act launched?
them more Protection. A recent amendment a) 1972
pertains to amendment in schedule VI related to b) 1975
c) 1977
medicinal plants in the Wildlife Act .The State has
also the responsibility to manage Captive and d) 1978
injured animals in Zoos and Rescue Centers 2. In which district the Trikuta Wildlife
Sanctuary is located?
respectively.
a) Kathua
b) Leh
The main objectives and functions of the
c) Reasi
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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 15

d) Anantnag c) Both 'a' and 'b'

3. Which National Park was founded to d) None of the above
protect the Snow Leopards? 9. The largest wild goat in the world
a) Hemis National Park found in Himalayan bio-geographical
b) Kishtwar National Park region is
c) Dachigam National Park a) Pir Panjal Marphor
d) None of the above b) Snow Leopard
4. The Kazinag National Park is made out c) Both 'a' and 'b'
of d) None of the above
a) Limber Wildlife Sanctuary 10. Consider the following statements
b) Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary I. Hemis National Park is the only
c) Nagnari Conservation Reserve national park in India to the North of
d) All of the above Himalayas.
5. Which National Park is a part of a II. The park is bounded on the North
proposal for a trans-Karakoram Peace by the banks of the Indus river.
Park? III. The park lies in the region of rain
a) Kazinag National Park shadow of Himalayas.
b) Kishtwar National Park IV. The park is a home to a viable
c) Dachigam National Park breeding population of snow leopards.
d) Hemis National Park Which of the above statements is/are
6. Which National Park is home to the correct?
endangered Hangul? a) II and IV
a) Salim Ali National Park b) I and IV
b) Hemis National Park c) I, II and IV
c) Dachigam National Park d) All of the above
d) None of the above
7. Consider the following statements List I List II
I. The boundaries of a national park 1. Species, which are not
are not well marked and found after searches of
circumscribed. A. Normal species known areas of their
II. Activities like developmental, occurence
forestry, poaching, hunting and 2. Species found in
grazing are not permitted in a national B. Endangered Species some particular
park. areas
Which of the statements given above 3. Population levels are
is/are correct? C. Endemic species considered to be
a) Only I Normal
b) Only II 4. Species, which are in
c) Both I and II D. Extinct species danger of extinction
d) None of the above 11. Match the following
8. Which of the Wetlands are Ramsar
site also? Codes: A B C D
a) Hokera
b) Tsomorin a) 4321

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 16

ABCD Wildlife Sanctuaries?

b) 3421 I. It is an area only for conservation of
c) 1234 wildlife.
d) 2134 II. It is an area only for conservation of
12. Over-Aru Biosphere reserve is situated animals and human activities like
at what altitude above the sea level? harvesting of timber.
a) 3000-5425 sq km III. Boundaries of sanctuaries are not
b) 2000-5525 sq km well defined.
c) 3000-5525 sq km Select the correct answer using the
d) 2000-5425 sq km codes below.
13. The area that are supposed to develop a) I and II
innovative approaches, more b) Only II
importantly to combine many c) II and III
different approaches in a vast diversity d) All of the above
of policy and management fields, 18. Which National Park is the only
towards a balanced relationship habitat of the Ladakhi Urial?
between mankind and nature refers to a) Kishtwar National Park
a) Ecosystem b) Hemis National Park
b) biosphere reserve c) Kazinag National Park
c) lithosphere d) Dachigam National Park
d) biosphere conservation 19. The area covered by Hemis National
14. The Avi Fauna of the Karakoram Park is (in sq. km)
Wildlife Sanctuary includes which of a) 3500
the following? b) 4000
a) Booted Eagle c) 4400
b) Hill Pigeon d) 4800
c) Little Gul 20. The Wildlife Protection Department of
d) All of the above Jammu and Kashmir celebrated
15. Match the following wildlife week in which month every
year?
Codes: A B C D a) July
b) August
a) 2134 List I List II
b) 4321
c) 1234 A. Hemis 1. Near Pahalgam
d) 3421 National Park
16. Which of the following Wildlife B. Dachigam 2. Jammu
Sanctuaries covers the lowest area?(in National Park
sq km) C. Nandini 3. Srinagar
a) Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife
b) Limber Wildlife Sanctuary Sanctuary
c) Surinsar Wildlife Sanctuary D. Overa Wildlife 4. Ladakh
d) Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary Sanctuary
17. Which of the following is true for c) October

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 FLORA AND FAUNA OF J&K 17

d) April a) 1234
21. Consider the following statements b) 2143
I. Hangul or Kashmiri Stag is the state c) 3421
animal of Jammu and Kashmir d) 4321
II. Black necked crane is the state bird 25. IUCN stands for
of Jammu and Kashmir. a) Indian Union for Conservation of
Which of the statements given above Nature
is/are correct? b) International Union for Conservation
1. D 2. C 3. B 4. D of Nature
5. A 6. C 7. B 8. C c) Indian Union for Conservation of
9. A 10. C 11. A 12. A National Park
13. B 14. D 15. B 16. D d) International Union for Conservation
of National Parks.
17. C 18. B 19. C 20. C
21. C 22. A 23. B 24. D
25.B
a) Only I
b) Only II
c) Both I and II
d) None of the above
22. In which year Dachigam was declared
as a National park?
a) 1981
b) 1982
c) 1991
d) 1992
23. The City Forest National Park is now
known as
a) Kazinag National Park
b) Salim Ali National Park
c) Kishtwar National Park
d) Hemis National Park
24. Match the following

List I List II
A. Gharana 1. National Park
B. Bahu 2. Wildlife Sanctuary
C. Karakoram 3. Conservation
reserve
D. Kazinag 4. Wetland reserve
Codes: A B C D

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 1

The state was highly influenced by the Greeks Kashmiri Shawls and Pheran. The costume of
and Romans. Besides, the Persians had a great the Kashmiris is usually a long robe or to be
influence on the living, food, dressing and more precise a loose gown which is bottoned
literature of J&K. Since past few decades the near the neck and flows down falling to the
religious cults like Islam, Hinduism and Jainism ankles. It is only a quality of the fabric which
have made a significant contribution towards varies according to the season for a heavy
the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and fabric is used during winter and light cotton is
Kashmir. These diversified dynasties and used during summer. Men can be always seen
religions were responsible for bringing variety with a headgear or a turban and this is sign of
into the lives of people. Today, the people of respect according to the Kashmiris. Pheran is
Jammu and kashmir celebrate and enjoy something worn both by men and women with
festivals like Durga Puja, Eid-ul-Zuha, Holi and a minute difference. Usually loose Pyjama is
Diwali with same fervor and enthusiasm. The worn under the Pheran. The women folk adorn
same factor of unity in diversity can be seen in themselves with a skull cap surrounded by a
the population. J&K is one of those places that fillet of red colour in the case of Muslim and a
has become famous for its many sided culture. fillet of white cloth in case of Pandit women.
The two regions namely Kashmir valley and The women wear a white shawl over their head
Jammu have different people with their diverse and shoulders which are to protect them from
culture and traditions, but continuously a sharp Sun and to cover them from any
intermingling, making it a vibrant specimen of strangers or elders as matter of respect.
Indian unity amidst diversity.
FOOD
INHABITANTS OF J&K
 Rice and meat is the staple diet of
1. KASHMIRIS : Kashmiris and Kashmiris pride over Karam
sag, nadro and turnips.
The people of Kashmir are commonly known as  One of the most liked traditional drink of
the Kashmiri and they belong to the Dardic the Kashmiris is the green tea with spices
Linguistic group. The Kashmiris are mainly and almond known as Kawa.
people who are said to be immigrates from  The Kashmiris have a liking for sweet
Turkey, Iran, Central Asia and Afghanistan, and delicacy known as Phirni which is made of
settled in the valley of Kashmir. With lot of sooji, milk and sugar.
reference there are inferences made that these  Other than Kawa, people of Kashmir also
people have a close bearing of the Indo-Aryans like to drink Noon chai or Sheer chai.
on the racial Composition. The Kashmiris are
highly influenced by the Indo-Aryan religions
and languages and have also brought a lot of
changes in their way of living. Moreover, 2. DOGRAS :
Kashmir has also received racial impulses from
the Indo-Greeks, which have influenced the The Dogras or Dogra people, are an Indo-Aryan
ethnic structure of Kashmiris significantly. ethno-linguistic group in India and Pakistan
About 95% of total population of Kashmir consisting of the Dogri language speakers.
consists of Muslims and the rest of Hindus are Dogra ruled Jammu from the 19th century,
Kashmiri Pandits. when Gulab Singh was made a hereditary Raja
of Jammu by the Sikh Emperor Maharaja Ranjit
COSTUME Singh, whilst his brother Dhian Singh was the
empire's prime minister, until October 1947.
It includes Pashmina Shawl, Pathani suit, Dogras are found in the plains of Jammu
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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 2

region. On the outskirts of Shivalik, facing the certainity. According to an account, the arrival
plains of Punjab is the habitat of Dogras a of Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir is attributed
distinctive ethnic group of Jammu division. to the outbreak of devastating droughts and
They are descended from Aryan stock. They famines in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kathiwad, which
speak Dogri language, a mixture of Sanskrit, led to the outmigration of these people
Punjabi and Persian, whose origin goes back to (Gujjars), who along with their cattle entered
the Indo-Aryan branch of Sanskrit. Dogras are the pastures of the Shivaliks and the Sub-
deeply attached to their land, very religious Himalayas. Their major concentration in the
and God fearing people. state lies in Jammu, Rajouri, Udhampur,
Poonch, Uri, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Daksum and
COSTUME Kandi areas of Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Although some of them have started settling,
It includes dresses like Jamma and Parna, they are, essentially cattle rearers and a
Salwar-Kameez and Suthan and kurta.They section of them; Bakarwals, regularly oscillates
wear a short coat or a free flowing shirt with between the Southern slopes of the Shivalik
Pyjama loose to the knees but tight towards and the Margs of the Central Himalayas. The
the ankles. The men also wear a turban and tie houses of Gujjars and Bakarwals are locally
a kamarband around the waist. The women known as Kothas and Bandis respectively. It is
wear loose skirt or jumper with pyjamas. They generally a mud-house against the slope of a
cover their heads with the Dupattas or Shawls. hillock. They are working followers of Islam
except a few, who have settled in Bimber,
FOOD Mirpur and Rajouri. Gujjars are known for their
hard work, brotherhood and gentle nature, as
Wheat, maize and bajra are staple food besides well as for their traditional tribal songs and the
rice, cereals and a tangier preparation made simple tribal pattern that they weave into their
out of mango or tamarind popularly known as clothes. They have subsistence type of
Ambal or Maani. The whole dish is called Dal economy and try to produce everything they
patth maani and is savoured as a combination. need in their daily life.
Mittha madra is a favourite and is cooked from
milk, dry fruits, and semolina. Preparations of 4. HANJIS :
Rajmash (a special variety of red kidney beans);
Mash Da Madra (Yogurt based gravy for black Hanjis, the dwellers of water, constitute a
lentils); Auryia a dish of curd fermented by rye; significant ethnic group in the valley of
Kulth di Daal (Horse gram); Ambal made from Kashmir. They are, mainly, confined to the Dal,
pumpkin, jaggery and tamarind are favourites, Wular and Anchar lakes and the Jhelum river,
especially during ceremonial cooking. The especially, between Khannabal (Anantnag
expert cooks are called Siyans, usually district) and Chattabal (Srinagar district). They
Brahmins. belong to one of the ancient racial groups, who
were, essentially, Nishads (boatmen). Some of
3. GUJJARS AND BAKARWALS : the Hanjis claim to be the descendants of
Prophet Noah. On the basis of occupation and
They constitute a significant proportion of the social status, Hanjis are divided in the following
population of the state. Generally, they are types :
nomadic in character and largely depend on
livestock rearing for their livelihood. The 1. Demb-Hanz (vegetable growers)
diffusion and spread of 2. Gari-Hanz (water-nuts gatherers)
3. Gad-Hanz (fishermen)
Gujjars in the state is not known with 4. Mata-Hanz (who deals in wood)

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 3

5. Dunga- Hanz (owner of passenger mixture of Dogri and Kashmiri.

boats)
6. Haka-Hanz (gatherers of wood from LANGUAGES OF J&k
water bodies)
7. Bahatchi-Hanz (who live in Bahatch 1. KASHMIRI :
boats)
8. Shikara Hanj (who ply shikara boats) Kashmiri or Koshur is a language from the
9. Houseboat-Hanz. Dardic subgroup of Indo-Aryan languages,
spoken by around 7 million Kashmiris. In 2020
The various type of Hanjis use boats of the Parliament of India passed a bill to make
different shapes and sizes. The type of boat Kashmiri official language of Jammu and
which a Hanji used denotes his caste, social Kashmir along with Dogri, Hindi, English and
status and occupation. Their favorite Krams are Urdu. Kashmiri is also among the 22 scheduled
Danger, Dar, and Mab. languages of India. It was a part of the eighth
Schedule in the constitution of the Jammu and
5. CHIBALIS AND PAHARIS : Kashmir. Along with other regional languages
mentioned in the Sixth Schedule, as well as
Paharis are the linguistic minority in the state Hindi and Urdu, the Kashmiri language is to be
found in mountainous gentler slopes, where developed in the state. Most Kashmiri speakers
cultivation is possible. They, usually, speak are located in the Kashmir Valley and Chenab
Pahari language, which is a mixture of Punjabi, Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiri is also
Kashmiri and Dogri. Strong muscled virile, spoken in Pakistan, primarily in the territory of
simple and truthful; the Paharis inhabit the Azad Kashmir, where the speakers are mostly
hilly tracts of the 'middle mountains'. There is a concentrated in the Neelam and Leepa valleys
hard life, rearing sheep and cultivating the and in the district of Haveli. Most Kashmiri
sparse available tracts of land on hilly, sloppy speakers use Urdu or English as a second
terraces for barley, wheat and maize. Many language. Since November 2008, the Kashmiri
people of this area prefer to get recruited in language has been made a compulsory subject
Army. Their hospitality is examplary. Their diet in all government schools in the Valley up to
is simple and sparse - wheat bread with whey secondary level. There are three orthographical
and lentils. Generally, dressed in grey woollens systems used to write the Kashmiri language:
and loose pyjamas, they also flaunting a the Sharada script, the Devanagari script and
kamarband. Women wear long, loose tunics, the Perso-Arabic script. The Roman script is
close fitting chudidars and dupatta or cap to also sometimes informally used to write
complete their charming ensemble. The Kashmiri, especially online. The Kashmiri
Kashmiris, who have immigrated into this language is traditionally written in the Sharada
region have adopted the same dress and speak script after the 8th Century A.D. This script
a mixture of Pahari and Kashmiri dialects. however, is not in common use today, except
for religious ceremonies of the Kashmiri
The physical features of a Kishtwari (Pahari) Pandits. The Perso-Arabic script is recognised
are, unmistakably, those of an Indian-dark as the official script of Kashmiri language by
complexion, thick protruding lips and broad the Jammu and Kashmir government and the
noses, akin to Dravidians. They are of short Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture
stature, simple and unsophisticated, but are and Languages. Nowadays, Kashmiri Perso-
very hardy. They are surefooted mountaineers, Arabic script has come to be associated with
Guileless and credulous, they are superstitious. Kashmiri Muslims, while the Kashmiri
Witchcraft prevails among some of them. The Devanagari script has come to be associated
people speak the Kishtwari dialect, which is a with the Kashmiri Hindu community.

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 4

2. DOGRI : Pothwari (or Pothohari). In Kashmir, speakers

of Pahari-Pothwari are known as Pahari people.
Dogri is a Northern Indo-Aryan language There are at least three major dialects:
spoken by about five million people in India, Pothwari, Mirpuri and Pahari. They are
chiefly in the Jammu region of Jammu and mutually intelligible, but the difference
Kashmir. It is also spoken in the state of between the northernmost and the
Himachal Pradesh, and in northern Punjab southernmost dialects is enough to cause
region, other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. difficulties in understanding.
Dogri speakers are called Dogras, and the
Dogri-speaking region is called Duggar. Dogri is A name occasionally found in the literature for
now considered to be a member of the Pahari language is Dhundi-Kairali, a term first
Western Pahari group of languages. Dogri is used by Grierson who based it on the names of
one of the 22 official languages of India. It was the two major tribes of the area – the Kairal
added in the 8th schedule of the constitution in and the Dhund. A closely related dialect is
2003. Dogri was originally written in Dogra spoken across the Jhelum River in Azad
Akkhar script which is an adaptation of Takri Kashmir, north of the Mirpuri areas in Pakistan.
Script. It is now more commonly written in Names associated in the literature with this
Devanagari in India, and in the Nastaʿliq form dialect are Pahari Chibhālī named after the
of Perso-Arabic in Pakistan and Pakistani- Chibhal region or the Chibh ethnic group and
administered Kashmir. The Dogra Script was Poonchi. Pahari is also spoken in Jammu and
standardised from Chambeali Takri Script Kashmir. The population, estimated at 1
during the Dogra rule. This script was then million, is found in the region between the
called "Namme Dogra Akkhar ". Jhelum and Chenab rivers: most significantly in
the districts of Poonch and Rajouri, to a lesser
3. BHADARWAHI : extent in neighbouring Baramulla and
Kupwara. Pahari is among the regional
Bhadarwahi is an Indo-Aryan language of the languages listed in the sixth schedule of the
Western Pahari group spoken in the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. This
Bhadarwah region of Jammu and Kashmir, Pahari is sometimes conflated with the
India. Variants of its name include Bhaderwahi, Western Pahari languages spoken in the
Baderwali, Bhadri, Badrohi, Bhadlayi, and mountainous region in the south-east of
Bhadlai. The name Bhadarwahi can be Jammu and Kashmir. These languages, which
understood either in a narrow sense as include Bhadarwahi and its neighbours, are
referring to the dialect native to the often called "Pahari", but they are not closely
Bhadarwah valley, or in a broader sense to related to Pahari–Pothwari.
cover the group of related dialects spoken in
the wider region where Bhadarwahi proper is 5. URDU :
used as a common language. In addition to
Bhadarwahi proper, this group also includes Urdu is an Eighth Schedule language whose
Padri, Bhalesi, and Khasali dialect. status, function, and cultural heritage is
recognized by the Constitution of India; it has
4. PAHARI : some form of official status in several Indian
states. Urdu has been described as a
The Indo-Aryan language spoken on the Persianised standard register of the Hindustani
Pothohar Plateau in the far north of Pakistani language. Urdu and Hindi share a common
Punjab and in western areas of Jammu and Indo-Aryan vocabulary base and very similar
Kashmir. It is known by a variety of names, the phonology and syntax, making them mutually
most common of which are Pahari and intelligible in colloquial speech. Formal Urdu

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 5

draws literary and technical vocabulary and ART AND CULTURE OF J&K :
some simple grammatical structures from
Persian, whereas formal Hindi draws these Jammu and Kashmir basks in its stupendous
from Sanskrit. According to natural beauty. Along with this, it has a unique
Nationalencyklopedin's 2010 estimates, Urdu is blend of cultural heritage that it has inherited
the 21st most spoken first language in the from its past. As land of sufis and saints, it has
world, with approximately 66 million who strong influence of communal harmony
speak it as their native language. According to ingrained in its social fabric. The state has
Ethnologue's 2018 estimates, Urdu, is the 11th varied topography and geographical
most widely spoken language in the world, conditions. With these variations, the culture
with 170 million total speakers, including those of Jammu and Kashmir also changes
who speak it as a second language. Urdu is also dramatically in different regions. Its multi
one of the officially recognised languages in faceted culture embarks upon different ethical
India and one of the five official languages of societies flourishing here since ancient times.
Jammu and Kashmir, one of the two official Jammu and Kashmir truly displays the spirit of
languages of Telangana and also has the status co-existence for every community and imbibed
of "additional official language" in the Indian their culture into its mainstream.
states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West
Bengal and the national capital, New Delhi. In POPULAR ART AND CRAFT OF J&K :
the former Jammu and Kashmir state, section
145 of the Kashmir Constitution stated: "The 1. SHAWLS:
official language of the State shall be Urdu but
the English language shall unless the
Legislature by law otherwise provides,
continue to be used for all the official purposes
of the State for which it was being used
immediately before the commencement of the
Constitution." Urdu has a few recognised
dialects, including Dakhni, Dhakaiya, Rekhta,
and Modern Vernacular Urdu (based on the
Khariboli dialect of the Delhi region). Dakhni A unique position among Kashmir textile is held
(also known as Dakani, Deccani, Desia, Mirgan) by a calibrated shawl known as Pashmina
is spoken in Deccan region of southern India. It shawl. The fabric of this shawl is extracted from
is distinct by its mixture of vocabulary from the smooth fleecy wool of kel goat by the
Marathi and Konkani, as well as some handloom artisans, who are usually
vocabulary from Arabic, Persian and Chagatai womenfolk. Equally popular is the calibrated
that are not found in the standard dialect of ‘ring shawl. The fabric of this particular shawl is
Urdu. Dakhini is widely spoken in all parts of so sleek and smooth that it can pass
Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and effortlessly through a ring and hence the name.
Karnataka.
Rare and different from the others is the
6. HINDI Jamavar shawl. In this case, the threads of the
7. GOJRI warp and weft are dyed before weaving. The
8. PUNJABI peculiar charm of this famous shawl is derived
9. POGLI from the symphony of colour schemes
10. PASHTO depicting architectural and mythological
11. LADAKHI figures interwoven with landscape designs. The
12. KISHTWARI Mughals reorganised the industry. Akbar and
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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 6

his successors wore shawls of Kashmir. The embroidery of Kashmir called Kasida, is
world famous. Varied, rich in colour, elaborate
2. CARPETS : in detail and exquisite in execution, the Kasida
patterns are freely drawn by the naqqash
mostly from memory. The chain-stitch is also
used for the making of a large number of
miscellaneous articles such as bags, screens
and cushion covers.

These find a ready market in abroad.

Embroidered on shawls or saris, on wearing
apparel, whether of cotton or silk it is in
constant demand and has vast possibilities of
expansion. The embroiderer of Kashmir is
highly sensitive to current demand and keeps
The namda, felt rug, made from beaten wool,
on producing a number of goods required for
which is then embroidered over, is an
decorating a modern house like household
important Branch of the Kasida Industry of
linen and upholstery articles prized by
Kashmir. The Gabba, A unique type of floor
housewives.
covering, prepared from old woollens in a
variety of forms and designs come next to the
4. WOOD CARVING :
namda industry and its manufacture is
localised at Anantnag, Baramulla which
specialises in printed gabbas.

The chain-stitch rug, which resembles the

gabba carpet, is also manufactured
economically, as the base is Hessian cloth and
coarse wool, over which floral and other motifs
are worked.

The carpet industry, introduced into the valley

by Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, justly renowned. From
the point of weaving, carpets are broadly Walnut and chinar wood, abundant in Kashmir,
divided into two classes: smooth-faced carpets provides material for the wood carving, which
and pile carpets. Pile carpets (kalins) made in is among the best known cottage industries of
Kashmir since the Muslim rule, attained great Kashmir. To make excellent furniture and toilet
perfection. Worked with floral and other articles such as chairs, cabinets, writing or
designs, the hand-woven pile carpet became dining tables, jewellery boxes and ornamental
the national craft of Kashmir. caskets, which are greatly appreciated.

The flora and fauna of different lands Kashmir, Some of the walnut wood products cigar boxes
Central Asia and Iran are depicted on the and trays, table-tops, handkerchief and collar
carpets of Kashmir in a harmony symbolic of boxes are delicately carved. Floral designs of
traditional synthesis of Kashmir's diverse cults almost every conceivable variety are made
and cultures. with great accuracy of detail in chased or
raised work.
3. EMBROIDERY :

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 7

5. KHATAM BAND : ornamental picture frames, cigarette cases,

tumblers etc. Among the flora and fauna,
leaves of the chinar and the lotus furnish the
popular patterns. Designs of the lilac, a popular
flower of the valley, are also wrought in silver.
The Kashmiri artisan also produces excellent
products of copperware consisting mostly of
cooking pots and samovars (tea kettle of
Russian origin) and sundry articles for the
household or the mantelpiece. There is a good
Khatam band is a speciality in Kashmir wood demand for lovely copper trays inlet into tables
work and comprises ceilings of rooms, made of carved walnut wood, the carpenter works in
from thin panels of pine wood, cut into cooperation with the deft coppersmith.
geometrical designs. Builders of houseboats Enamelled silver work is also pretty.
have kept this old craft alive. In Kashmir, the
shrine of Khwaja Naqshband, near the Jamia 7. PAPIER-MACHE :
Masjid of Srinagar, presents the best example
of this craft. The Kashmiri carpentry and wicker
work industries are notable. The boats (flat-
bottomed mostly) that the carpenter makes
are of many sizes and include the famous
house-boats, the favourite residence of
summer visitors. In wicker work, lunch and
flower baskets, chairs and tables and various
other articles of common use are turned out in
elegant designs. Kangri, the Kashmiri chafing
vessel, its earthen bowl encased in wicker
work, is also made as an artifact ornamented Papier-mache craft, peculiar to Kashmir was
with wicker rings and coloured mica for the also introduced into the valley by the great
mantelpiece. The Khatam band is also popular monarch, Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, who has been
in countries like Iran, Morocco, Uzbekistan etc. aptly called the Akbar of Kashmir. These
products are made of the pulp of paper and
6. SILVER AND COPPERWARE : adhesive. To make a product of papier-mache,
paper is soaked in water till it disintegrates. It is
then pounded, mixed with an adhesive
solution, shaped over moulds and allowed to
dry and set before being painted and
varnished. There is a big variety in artistry and
the choices of the colours. Prices are decided
by the material used to decorate the artwork.
Green fields sloping towards the snow capped
mountains, sparkling streams running over
rounded rocks, shikaras and lotuses blooming
on the lakes are the favourite papier-mache
patterns. The craftsmen have introduced brass
Both plain and engraved work is executed to and metal lining for the new style of papier-
cater the differing tastes of buyers. The Range mache goods, which makes them more durable
of silverware is indeed wide: silver tea sets, and useful.
flower vases, toilet sets, scent chests,
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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 8

8. NAMDAS : curd, ginger, and asafoetida while Muslims

mostly use onion, eggs, and garlic in their food.
Staple food of J&K is rice and many delicacies
are prepared from it. Mutton is largely used in
non vegan dishes. Phirni is the famous dessert
here and there are many types of breads eaten
by Kashmiris. Kashmiri cuisine is also popularly
known for its beverages like Sheer Chai and
Kahwa. People of the state are heavy drinkers
of these varieties of tea.

Namdas are the beautiful floor coverings which DOGRA CUISINES :

are made of woolen and cotton fibres which
are given the shape manually and are cheap as Wheat, maize and bajra are staple food besides
compared to other products. The price of rice cereals and a tangier preparation made out
namdas depends actually on the percentage of of either mango or tamarind also popularly
wool used. Those with higher percentage are known as “Maani”, the whole dish is called,
sold at a high price as compared to those with “Dal Pat Maani”. Mitha Madra, Auria, Ambal,
low wool percentage in them. Chain stitch Kalari, Babbru/Pathura, Kheer, Guchiyyan(dried
embroidery in woolen and cotton thread is mushroom, black morel), Saffron or Kesar,
worked on these rugs. Emporiums in Srinagar Khatta Meat and Keurs are some of the
houses a large variety of namdas. favourite dishes of the people living in the
Jammu region of J&K.
9. SARIS :
KASHMIRI DISHES :
In Kashmir saris are generally made from silk.
Silk farming is practiced in this area where Kashmiri dishes are famous for its delicious
mulberry and silkworms are used to produce vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes.
quality silk. Though the kashmiri silk may not The style of cooking is different for Hindus and
be very thick as compared to others but it is muslims although with lots of similarities.
strong in nature. Weaving saris is not very Mayth Maz, Kabab, Tabaq Maz, Rista,
famous in Kashmir. It is not practiced on a very Goshtaba, Marts vangan Qorma, Dana Val
large scale. Qorma, Roghan Josh, Aab Gosh, Paneer, Hak
sag, Nadru( stem of lotus) and Bam tsunt are
CUISINE : the major dishes of the people of Kashmir.
Some kashmiri vegetarian cuisines are Cholk
Jammu and Kashmir is the paradise for food Wangun(Khatte Baingun), Malai Kofta, Haak
lovers as well. The state offers rich cuisines and Nadru (Lotus stem with greens), Tamatar
loved for their aromatic flavors and fine blend Chaaman (Paneer with tomatoes) and Kashmiri
of spices. The food culture of state was highly Dam aloo.
influenced during 15th century when chefs
from Samarkhand migrated to this region. They FOLK DANCES :
incorporated the famous Kashmiri Wazwan
which still attracts foodies from all corners of Jammu and Kashmir is well known for its folks
world. Apart from this delectable 36 course not only in India but worldwide. The state is
meal, there are many other sumptuous meals rich in its tradition and culture that attracts
that vary with regions in this state. Kashmiri outsiders from every part of the world. The folk
Pandits have their unique style of cooking using music and dance of the state is a part of every

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 9

important event in local tradition. Jammu and

Kashmir has folk dances for every event right
from the birth of an infant to his death, crop
sowing and harvesting and even for different
seasons. The themes of folk songs range from
the yearning for reunion with ones lover, the
hard mountain life and songs for festivals and
Rouf is a popular and main folk dance of
other occasions.
Jammu and Kashmir performed by women of
the Kashmiri community. Rouf Dance is
1. KUD
generally performed in the Kashmir valley.
Rouf is performed with the intriguing footwork
carefully resonating with one another. The
dance is performed on special occasions.
Traditional Kashmiri Dress is worn while
performing the Rouf dance. Rouf folk dance of
Jammu and Kashmir is performed primarily on
special occasions- Eid-ul-Fitr, on some Cultural
events, Harvest Season and on other festive
This is a spiritual dance performed in groups. It seasons.
is performed mostly during nights. It is aimed
at pleasing the lok/kul devtas. It is performed 4. BACHA NAGMA :
with instruments like chhaina, drum, flute, and
narsingha etc. It is performed to show
gratitude towards the Kul Devta after a good
harvest and for saving their crops and lives
from the natural calamities.

2. HEREN

Bacha Nagma is one of the major folk dance

forms found in the Kashmir valley. It is also
referred to as Bacha Gyavaun in certain parts
of Kashmir. Afghans of Kabul are credited with
This form of dance is performed by women in the parentage of this dance. It is a derivative of
Jammu Kashmir. It is theatrical dance mostly the Hafiza Nagma. During the Bacha Nagma, a
performed during the festival of Lohri. This teenaged boy dressed as a girl dancer, who is
style is mostly performed in hilly regions of trained in the Hafiza style of dancing sings
Jammu. Kashmiri Ballad and dances. This dance is
popular in the villages, mainly at the harvest
3. ROUF : time. It is accompanied by instruments like
rabab, sarangi, and drums. It involves quick
spinning movements just like in the Hafiza
dance form and some may even resemble
those of kathak. The song-dance proceeding is
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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 10

known as Bach Nagma Jashan - Kid Dancer's specific dance steps, however, the dance is
Celebration. unique and performed on the beats of drums,
spoon ticklings and Dogri songs sang by all the
5. HEERAN DANCE ladies.

7. BHAND PATHER

Traditional Heeran Dance is also performed in Bhand

Jammu on the Occasion of Lohri. Heeran Dance Pather is the traditional folk theatre form of
whose literal meaning is Deer Dance. Dogri Kashmir practised in the Kashmiri community.
Traditional music and songs are also performed This form of theatre is an age-old tradition of
on Heeran dance and at night a bonfire is lit Kashmir surviving till date. There are three
and Arg is given to the fire God. Heeran dance main elements of Bhand Pather- Classic
is performed on Lohri celebrations. On Lohri, Instrumental Music, Dance & Acting. In this folk
while Chajja dance is performed by the young dance of Jammu and Kashmir, Bhand Pather,
boys, Heeran dance is performed by the adults. the actors play different roles while raising the
Heeran Dance is performed by the Dogras of social, economical, political issue in order to
Jammu region dressed as a Heeran and dances aware the locals. Bhand Pather is generally
on the beat of Drums, Nagara and flutes. practised in open spaces. In the Bhand Pather,
men play the role of women in the drama.
6. JAGARANA : Similarly, Muslims of the valley plays the role of
Hindus as many plays revolve around the Hindu
ritual and deities. The means of conveying the
message is convenient, satirical and humorous
yet the impact it left on the mentality of the
community is deep. Bhand Pather is performed
in the social gathering, some theatre groups
also perform in the marriage ceremonies.
Bhand Pather is performed by the group of
trained artists where skill has been passed
from one generation to another- 'Guru Shishya
Jagarna is a folk dance form of Jammu region Parampara'. Bhand Pather is performed with
performed particularly on the marriage the drums and Sitara in the background while
ceremonies. Jagarna is performed only by the the artists utter the dialogues related to the
females of the bridegroom's side. It is theme of the drama.
performed by the ladies on the eve of groom’s
departure to inlaw’s house. It is inauspicious to
left the wedding home of the bridegroom
empty and quiet so some of the females of the
family stay there & at night they perform
Jagarna. The Jagarna dance do not have any

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 11

8. HAFIZA DANCE occasions and at set locations. Generally, this

dance is performed with wearing long,
colourful robes and tall, conical caps, studded
with beads and shells.this is the most famous
dance in the universe. The dancers sing in
chorus. Drums are used to assist the music. The
performers move in a ritual manner and dig a
banner into the ground on set occasions.
Usually, the dance begins with men dancing
around this banner.
Hafiza Dance is a Kashmiri folk dance
performed by the women of Kashmir, 10. DOGRI DANCE :
particularly in the marriage ceremonies. Apart
from weeding the dance form is also
performed in festivals. Hafiza dance form is
very popular in Kashmir. The Dance and the
music of Hafiza dance form have the influence
of Persian literature & Sufi philosophy.
Moreover, the dance is performed on the
Sufiana Kalam Music (Devotional Sufi Music),
the classical music of Kashmir. However, this
dance form is on the verge of extinction as
Dogra is an ethnic tribe from the mountains
there are not many artists who can perform
and plains of the Jammu region. The traditional
the dance. We need to preserve this traditional
Dance of Dogra is known as Dogri Dance. The
dance form of Kashmir. Hafiza folk dance of
Dance is performed on the beat of Dholak and
Jammu and Kashmir is performed mainly on
Chimta. The Dance is performed on the Pakh
the wedding ceremonies and festivals by the
Music which is a unique style of singing a song.
Kashmiri women. Hafiza is performed on the
Pakhs are very popular in the Jammu region.
musical strings of Santoor. The dance is
Pakhs are mainly sung in Dogri Language.
performed in a group, artists performed the
Moreover, Dogri Dance is performed over
intricate moves while singing the songs.
Pakhs. Dogri Dance is performed in functions or
events. It is also performed in social gatherings
9. DUMHAL DANCE :
and annual Shinj which is a popular wrestling
event in the Jammu region. Dogri Dance is
performed by a group of Artists. The main
leader sings the song as well as dances while
the others are in the sitting position provide
beats of Drums and Chimta.

11. DANDARA :

It is performed during one of the most popular

festivals of India, Makar Sankranti or Lohri.
Dumhal is a dance performed in the Indian Other than during Lohri festival, you would be
territory of Jammu and Kashmir by the Watal able to find these dance performances taking
tribe. Only the men folk of the wattal are place during the seasons of harvest. A model of
privileged to perform this dance, on specific peacock that is made of bamboos and colored

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 12

paper is carried by every group and every which are played differently and on fast notes
member has a stick in his hand. It is an is also called Rouf. It is a very important part of
exceptional form of dance and is believed to the Henna Night (Ma'enzi raat) during
have its origin in the Vrindavan’s folk dance weddings.
style of Dandiya Raas. While this is quite a
popular dance form in the present state of 2. SUFIYANA
Gujarat as Garba during the Navratri festival, in
Jammu and Kashmir, it has taken the shape of Sufiana Kalam is the classical music of Kashmir,
Dandaras.A huge similarity may be found in which uses its own ragas (known as maqam),
both Dandiya Raas and Dandaras forms of and is accompanied by a hundred-stringed
dancing. instrument called the santoor, along with the
Kashmiri saz, the setar, the wasool and the
12. GEETRU dokra. The dance based on the sofiyiana kalam
is the hafiz nagma. Sofians Musiqui came to
A dance-song of Dogra Pahari region of Jammu Kashmir from Iran in the 15th century. Over the
being performed at the occasion of feasts, years, it has established itself as the classical
festivals and marriages by the rural folk parties music form of Kashmir and has incorporated a
of this region. Male and female both number of Indian Ragas in its body. Hafiz
participate in this dance-song in their Nagma in fact, used to be part of Sufiyana
traditional costumes. This type of dance-song is music. The instruments used in this form are
performed at any time of the day as well as Santoor, Sitar, Kashmiri Saz, Wasool and Tabla.
night.
There are only a few families in Kashmir, who
13. SURMA are practising this musical form in Kashmir
whereas, the tallest Ustad Ghulam Mohammed
This song in Dogri, set to dance reveals the Qalleenbaaf is unable to move out because of
anguish of a newly married girl whose husband health problems, Ustad Ghulam Mohammed
is away in the Army. The ever increasing Saaz Nawaz and Ustad Abdul Ghani Namathali
yearning of re-union is depicted through this are imparting training to their family members
song-dance. and are the practising artists.

POPULAR MUSIC 3. BAKH

1. CHAKRI : It is a chorus narrative singing sang by a group

of 10 singers without the accompaniment of
Chakri is one of the most popular types of any musical instrument. This folk song is a
traditional music played in Jammu & Kashmir. widely prevalent form of mass entertainment
Chakri is a responsorial song form with in our region. The haunting Melody of Pahari
instrumental parts, and it is played with songs add to the beauty and joy of daily life.
instruments like the harmonium, the rubab, There are certain songs which are independent
the sarangi, the nout, the geger, the of instruments. "Bakhan" is such a best
tumbaknaer and the chimta. It is performed in example. "Bakhan" are in verse. The metre is
folk and religious spheres, by the Muslim and irregular and is determined by modulation in
Hindu kashmiris. Chakri was also used to tell tone. The movement of hand indicates the
stories like fairy tales or famous love stories variations in the note. This is the only form of
such as Yousuf-Zulaikha, Laila-Majnun, etc. lyric in Dgri which resembles the Western
Chakri ends with the rouf, though rouf is a harmony of sounds without loosing its
dance form but few ending notes of Chakri individual note and rhythm.

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 13

4. GWATRI : Music and musical instruments find mention in

the earliest texts like the Nilmatapurana and
It is a singing dance combined traditions in Rajatarangini by Kalhana. The very fact that it
which the singer narrate some text which is was a Kashmiri, Abhinavagupta (the great
enacted by the gwatri dancers. philosopher), who wrote a commentary called
Abhinavabharati on Bharata's Natyashatra
5. LADISHAH shows how much importance was given to
music in the ancient times. A favorite
Ladishah is one of the most important parts of traditional instrument is the santoor (Shat-
the Kashmiri music tradition. Ladishah is a tantri-veena), a hundred string percussion
sarcastic form of singing. The songs are sung instrument which is played by the goddess
resonating to the present social and political Sharada (the goddess of learning and art in
conditions and are utterly humorous. The ancient Kashmir).
singers move from village to village performing
generally during the harvesting period. The Notable santoor players from Jammu and
songs are composed on the spot on issues Kashmir include Shivkumar Sharma, from
relating to that village, be it cultural, social or Jammu, and Bhajan Sopori from the Kashmir
political. The songs reflect the truth and that Valley.
sometimes makes the song a bit hard to digest,
but they are totally entertaining. 10. HAFIZ NAGMA

6. KARAK This is based on the classical music of Kashmir,

the Sufiyana Kalam. The Sufiyana Kalam has its
It is a tale ballet of singing form sung by a own raga known as Muquam. The prominent
community called Jogies. They narrate a instrument used in Hafiz Nagma is called
popular folk tale in their dance style, Santoor-a hundred stringed instrument played
performed by three members with with sticks. The dance performed in this
accompaniment of typical folk instrument tradition is known as Hafiza. In Hafiz Nagma,
called Rabab. the dancer is a female while her accompanists
on various instruments are males. Hafiza
7. SONG OF HABBA KHATOON moves her feet on musical notes in traditional
manner.
Habba Khatoon was the renowned princess of
Kashmir. Her feelings during her separation FAIRS AND FESTIVALS :
from the King Yusuf is depicted in this song.The
song is based on the folk rendering of Kashmiri The paradise on earth, Jammu and Kashmir is
music. home to a rich cultural heritage, besides a
panoramic landscape that leaves many a visitor
8. HENZAE spellbound. This culture and tradition is
reflected in the several fairs and festivals in
Henzae is a traditional and ancient form of Jammu and Kashmir that are widely celebrated
singing which is practiced by Kashmiri Pandits across the state with much zeal and gaiety. We
at their festivals. It appears to have archaic at Indian Holiday take you on tours to Jammu
features that suggest it is the oldest form of and Kashmir that provide you with an exclusive
Kashmiri folk singing. opportunity to be a part of these memorable
celebrations. Almost all the major Hindu
9. HINDUSTANI CLASSICAL festivals in India are celebrated with equal
enthusiasm in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 14

Interestingly, all Hindu, Muslim or Sikh fairs It is an important fair held in Jhiri on Guru
and festivals are religiously observed in the Nanak Birthday every year. It symbolises
entire state of Jammu and Kashmir. courage, honesty and compassion of Baba Jitto
and the fair is held in his honour. As per
JAMMU REGION : legend, Baba Jitto settled himself at Kahnachak
after migrating from the village Aghar due to
1. MAKAR SANKRANTI (known as family conflicts. Jitto ploughed the barren land
Pongal in South India and Lohri in of a landlord with some mutual agreement.
Punjab) Baba Jitto spent days on the fields to yield a
rich crop with great efforts. On seeing, the
good crops, the land lord demanded major
share out of it. On this, he refused to accept
the unfairness act of the zamindar (landlord)
and committed suicide on the heap of the crop
yield. The little daughter Bua Kori also
sacrificed her life on the funeral of her father
Baba Jitto. From that day, every year a big fair
Lohri is one of the major festivals in Jammu and is celebrated by the people of Jhiri, Jammu,
Kashmir. It is celebrated by the Dogras of the Haryana and Punjab in the memory of his
Jammu region as well as by the Hindu sacrifice. These people consider Baba Jitto their
community of Jammu Kashmir and Punjab. Kul devta and worship him.
Lohri is celebrated on 13th January every year
which marks the end of Winter season and 3. BAISAKHI MELA
welcome spring season in the state. On this day
a bonfire is lighted in the household yards to
give Urg in the fire. Urg is a traditional practice
of serving food to the fire lord. Also, a special
cuisine is prepared with raw rice, jaggery,
peanuts and more which is called Tricholi. On
the day of Lohri, children go door-to-door in
the neighbourhood to ask for Lohri (which is
the mixture of peanuts and other eatables) by
singing songs in the local dialects. Prior to the
Lohri festival, boys prepare Chhajja and
perform a folk dance which is locally known as Considered an auspicious occasion for
Chhajja dance in Lohri, which is the prominent marriages, the festival of Baisakhi is basically
form of dance of Jammu and Kashmir. the harvest festival of northern India. The
name of the festival is derived from the first
2. JHIRI MELA month of the Hindu/Vikram calender, i.e.
“Vaishakh”. Devotees take ritual dips in the
holy rivers and welcome the new year with full
warmth. It has a special significance for the
Sikhs, as their tenth Guru, Gobind Singhji
formed the Khalsa sect on the same day in
1699. Listening to Kirtans, offering prayers in
Gurudwaras (worship place for the Sikhs),
holding Langar (common kitchen) and watching
Bhangra (traditional Sikh/Punjabi dance) are

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 15

the major attractions of this festival. August-September.

4. MELA BAHU FORT 9. TIHAR

A Major festival is held at the Kali Temple in It is an interesting festival observed in

Bahu Fort(Jammu) twice a year in march or Bhaderwah and Kishtwar in the months of
April and October or November during Chaitra (March-April). Springs and baulis
Navratas. receive a spring-cleaning and this is followed
on the next day by worship of nagas (serpents),
5. PURMANDAL MELA to whom rice and floral offerings are made.
Sankrant or the beginning of a month (in
Purmandal is 39 Kms. from Jammu city. On Bikrami era) is regarded as a sacred day by
Shivratri, the town is transformed for three Hindus. Women bathe in rivers and observe a
days as people celebrate the marriage of Lord day's fast.
Shiva to Goddess Parvati here. The people of
Jammu also come out in their colorful best to 10. JANAMASHTMI The birthday of
celebrate Shivaratri at peer khoh, the Lord Krishna.
Rainbireshwar Temple and the Panjbhaktar
Temple. In the night, Jhangarns narrate the As Janamashtmi is the major festival of Hindu
story of Shiv-Parvati wedding. religion celebrated in the month of August, it is
also one of the major festivals of the Hindus of
6. CHAITRA CHAUDAS Jammu and Kashmir. In the pious day of
Krishna Janmashtmi, elders practice fasting
Chaiter Chaudash is celebrated at Uttar while the children enjoy flying kites. If the
Behni,about 25 Kms. From Jammu. Uttar Behni weather is favourable then you can literally see
gets its name from the fact that the Devak the sky of Jammu flooded with the Kites of
River(also known as Gupta Ganga locally) flows different colours. People usually enjoy
here in the northerly direction. People from Janamastmi with music and all the members of
far of places come to this place and have bath the family are on the terrace to enjoy the kite
in the Devak river as after the bath they festival.
worship Lord Shiva.
11. NAVRATRI FESTIVAL
7. MANSAR FOOD AND CRAFT MELA
Navratri is indeed the festival of Jammu.
This traditional fair is organized by Jammu & Jammu and Kashmir is the holy abode of Shri
Kashmir Tourism during Baisakhi, at the scenic Mata Vaishno Devi and in the Navratri, the
Mansar Lake (around 60 km from Jammu). The Darbar of Mata Vaishno Devi is decorated as no
fair lasts for three days and people visit this fair less of a Heaven. Navratri festival is celebrated
for the special handicrafts, unique arts and every year in the month of October for 9 days.
cuisine of the state. However, the Navratris are celebrated twice in
a year but the Navratris in the month of
8. MELA PATT October with the Ramnavmi is mainly
celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir. People also
It is one of the most important fairs, also practice fasting in the holy days of Navratris,
known as Pateru Kud is celebrated in the heart usually on the first and last Navratri. At the 9th
of Bhaderwah town. The mela or Kud takes and the last day of Navratri people practice
place 15 days after the Kailash Yatra and lasts Kanjak Pujan (worship of Girls). Literally, on this
for the three days. It falls in the month of day people on the streets of Jammu city are

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 16

waiting for the girls in order to observe the instruments the sarang and noot. In the
Kanjak Pujan ritual. The Navratri festival evenings drums begin to beat and people start
celebrated for a total of 9 days has major chanting religious humns as they dance around
importance among the people of Jammu. On the shrine. The next day farmers go from the
this day people organise Jagrans (locally known shrine to their fields to begin the process of
as Jagratas) in the homes and in the streets of ploughing the earth and sowing.
Jammu which last for the whole night. A grand
Mela/Fair and Jagran is also organised annually 14. Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr
in Bahu fort Temple of Jammu.

KASHMIR REGION

12. KHEER BHAWANI

Kheer Bhawani is a temple dedicated to the

goddess Kheer Bhawani (originally just
Bhawani) constructed over a sacred spring. The
worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among
the Hindus of Kashmir. The temple is situated
at a distance of 14 miles East of Srinagar near
the village of Tula Mula. It is the most Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr are one of the most
important temple for the followers of historical important and popular festivals of Jammu and
vedic religion in Kashmir, known as the Kashmir. Eid-ul-Azha, also known as the festival
Kashmiri Pandits. Around the temple is an area of sacrifice is celebrated in the month of july
covered with smooth and beautiful stones. The with the sacrifice of a goat or a sheep in every
sacred spring of Tula Mula is situated in a Muslim household. It commemorates Prophet
marshy ground. The name of the spring is Mata Abrahan, who agreed to sacrifice his son to
Ragini Kund (pond), Maharagini is in the form God. Eid-ul-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast
of Durga Bhagwati. The Brahmins of Kashmir celebrated after the holy month of Ramzan. On
worship this spring and pilgrims from every this day, Muslims offers 6 times Namaz instead
corner of the country visit to have the darshan of 5 times. The festival of Eid is not limited to
of the place. The temple was originally built by Kashmir but celebrated with passion in other
the Kashmir's erstwhile king Maharaja Pratap regions of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state
Singh in AD 1912 and later renovated by viz. Jammu and Ladakh.
Maharaja Hari Singh. The festival is celebrated
on Jyeshtha Ashtami, the birthday of the 15. SHIVRATRI FESTIVAL
goddess Kheer Bhawani. This falls in June.

13. AISH MUQAM’S FESTIVAL

Such festivals are a good time to hear the

Chhakri song in its original habitat. Rural
people from the three valleys around the
hilltop shrine-Doru Shahbad, Lidder and Tral
come to pay homage, beginning their journey
in the early mornings. Torches are lit in each of
three valleys when the festival singers, mimics,
satirists and actors, arrive with their In Jammu and Kashmir, Lord Shiva is the

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 17

presiding deity of the Hindu community of This is a wonderful flower festival organized
Jammu and Kashmir. The Dogras, Kashmiri from the 5th to 15th of April in Srinagar at the
Pandits, Badherwahis, Paharis are all the keen Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden. The
believers of Lord Shiva. Temples of Lord Shiva festival showcases tulips of Srinagar. Apart
can be seen on the difficult mountainous from flowers, the festival also lets you sample
terrain of the state. There are many famous the culture of Kashmir by way of folk dances
temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in Jammu and and songs, cultural programs, cuisine and
KashmirShivratri is celebrated every year in the handicrafts at the venue. You may give other
month of February. In Jammu city, people have festivals a miss but time your arrival for the
to wait for hours in a queue to wait for their Tulip or the Mansar festival and get wonderful
turn to enter the temple premises. As the perspectives on Kashmir.
Jammu city is known as the city of temples,
among the various temples in the Jammu city 18. SNOW FESTIVAL
most of them are Shiv temples dedicated to
Lord Shiva. On the pious occasion of Shivratri Every year J&K govt organize snow festival or
people drink Bhang as Prashad of Lord winter games at Gulmarg between January &
Shiva.Also, people offer free meals to the February like the state sking championship,
pilgrims which are locally known as Bhandara. Kashmir snow festival, Rugby, snow baseball,
ice-skating and night sking. The tourism
16. ASHOORA FESTIVAL department arranges such events to encourage
tourism in the Kashmir valley. The beautiful
Ashoora is the tenth day of the Islamic month Gulmarg is also world renowned ski resort and
of Muharram. This is when Imam Husain was a well-liked tourist destination.
killed at Karbala (Iraq). The Imam was the
grandson of Prophet Mohammad. He died 19. SAFFRON FESTIVAL
fighting against the army of Yazeed who
wanted to be the caliph of Arabia. The two The Saffron Festival is celebrated in October
main Shia organisation of Srinagar city take during this time every saffron is in full bloom.
turns to lead a large procession of mourners to Kashmiri saffrom is very famous in world. This
commemorate the Imam's martyrdom. The festival offers an opportunity to see the
procession consists of several thousand intricate harvesting of saffron in the colourful
Shiamen. They recite elegies, beat their breasts fields giving the enchanting view during the
till they bleed. The wounds heal miraculously moonlit nights.
fast, leaving no scars. A fine horse is included in
every such procession. It represents Zulginah, 20. HEMIS FESTIVAL
the horse Imam Hussain rode on the battle
field of Karbala.

17. TULIP FESTIVAL

Hemis
festival is celebrated every year in the month
of June according to the Tibetan Calendar and
is one of the crucial festivals of Ladakh. Hemis

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 18

festival is dedicated to 8th-century Buddhist Civilization, which is one of the oldest

master Guru Rinpoche also known as Lord civilization of the world. A series of cultural
Padmasambhava. The festival starts with the events take place along with the various
people seekings blessing of Guru Rinpoche sightseeing endeavours. Also, the puja of
early in the morning. The famous Mask dance Sindhu river is organised on the second day of
of Ladakh depicting the victory of good over the 3-day long Sindhu Dharshan festival.
the evil is also performed which is locally
known as Cham dance: the dance of Jammu 23. AMARNATH YATRA
and Kashmir.
The holy shrine Amarnath Yatra is started each
21. SHIKARA FESTIVAL year between June-August Thousands of
devotee visit every year to this cave shrine
where natural shiv lingam appear in the form
of ice.

24. URS

Shikara is a traditional boat that you can found

floating in most of the water bodies of Jammu
and Kashmir, particularly in the Dal lake.
Shikara festival is a boat race organised
annually usually in the month of March by the
state government of Jammu and Kashmir to The festival urs organized throughout the year
encourage tourism. Shikara boat race attracts at various shrines mostly in honour of the birth
tourists from all over the world, prominent annivarsaries of saints and seers. The prominet
persons of state are also present on 2-day long ones include: Urs Milad Hazratbal, Urs Peer
Shikara boat festival. Along with the boat race, Dastigeer, Urs Makhdoom sahib, Urs
some other cultural and traditional Naqashband sahib, Urs Nooruddin Noorani
programmes are also organised by the Chrari sharif, Urs Ashmuquam, Urs Shah-i-
authorities. The Dal lake and the mountain Hamdan Khanqah Moulla etc.
peaks in the background increasing the
amenity of Srinagar city is a must-visit place in MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Jammu and Kashmir.
The state's important musical instruments are
22. SINDHU DARSHAN
1. SITAR
On the full moon of Guru Purnima in the
month of June Ladakh holds the mega festival
of Sindhu Dharshan. Sindhu river (Indus river) is
the river along which the Indian culture, the
natives of India thrives. In fact, the celebration
of Sindhu Dharshan is observed in order to
encourage the ancient heritage of Indus Valley

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 19

The Kashmiri musical instrument is a bit big in

size and it has 7 strings fitted by the hook,
which is called Mizrab.
This instrument is made of wood, having 3
2. SKALING major strings on another side of the
instrument, which is in 2 sets of strings which
This Kashmiri musical instrument is like 2 flutes are sympathetic.
are joined to each other.
8. DAMMAN
3. DAMIAN
This instrument is made of 2 sets of
This instrument is like a Guitar, made of 6 kettledrums which are known as Mo and Fo
strings. The instrument is very famous in the meaning male and female. The instrument has
nomadic people, who reside in the Kashmir's a hole inside it, through which water can pour
Tibetan area. The meaning of this instrument is inside it and creates the deep and heavy
'Da' mean sound and 'Mian' stands for sweet. sound. In State of Jammu and Kashmir, there
are other number of instruments like Dingjam,
4. DAHARA Daph, Sagra-Snyan, Diwang, Dukkar, Chimta,
Kon-Kon, Tooti, Gharah etc.
This musical instrument is like a very long rod
of iron and has iron and bronze rings to 9. KING
support it, controlled by the musician's hand
movement. It is the most fascinating folk instrument of
Jammu having a long round wooden bar with
5. TUMBAKNARI two gourd resonators placed vertically on it.
King is played while singing folk songs and
This musical instrument is an Eastern Karkan, which are ballads having religious
instrument and is played on every occasion in themes.
Kashmir and has most of the common features
with Irani instrument Tumakh. 10. RABAB

6. SARANDA

This instrument is also a stringed one similar to

the Indian traditional instrument Sarangi and
quite popular with religious saints in Jammu
region.

7. SAZ-E-KASHMIR It is

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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 20

also very popular string instrument used in Jammu and Kashmir?

singing Chakri and Sufiana Kalam in Kashmir a) Nend Baith
valley. It has a deep, hollow wooden body b) Gwatri
serving as a resonator. Rabab is played by c) Karak
plucking strings and pressing them at different d) Geetru
scales. 6. Geetru dance song is famous in
which of the following region of
11. OTHER MUSIC INSTRUMENTS Jammu and Kashmir?
a) Ladakh
There are numerous other musical instruments b) Kashmir
too in the State of Jammu and Kashmir state c) Jammu
such as Daph, Diwang (fiddle), Dingjam, Bugjal d) None of these
(cymbals), Gling-Liu, Sgra-Snyan, Kon Kon in
Ladakh; Dukkar, Swarnari in Kashmir; Chmta, 7. Which folk dance of Kashmir region is
Gharah, Talli, Hauns, Algoza, Tooti, in Jammu. performed on set locations and set occasions?

MCQs (MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS) a) Bacha Nagma

b) Bhand Jashan
1. Which folk dance is mainly c) Cham
performed during Eid and Ramzan d) Dumhal
days?
a) Kud 8. Which dance is performed mainly during the
b) Jabro time of Lohri festival?
c) Rouf
d) Cham a) Bacha Nagma
2. The Rouf dance is performed b) Dandaras
mostly during special festive c) Cham
occasions of d) Bhand Jashan
a) Marriage
b) Religious festival 9. Tumbakarni is a
c) Birth of a child
d) Both (a) and (b) a) Folk music
3. Which dance is performed in the b) Musical instrument
honour of local deity by he farmers c) Folk dance
of Jammu region? d) None of the above
a) Jabro
b) Kud 10. Which Kashmiri musical instrument is
c) Heren looked like two flutes are joined to each other?
d) Damhal
4. Which folk dance is related to a) Sitar
Sufiana music of Jammu and b) Skaling
Kashmir? c) Saranda
a) Hafiz Nagma d) Dahara
b) Heren
c) Cham 11. Which musical instrument is looked like
d) Dumhal Indian Sarangi?
5. Which dance song reflects cultural
tradition and historical heritage of a) Saranda
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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 21

b) Saz-e-Kashmir November?
c) Damman
d) Dahara a) Diwali
b) Losar
12. Which of the following musical instruments c) Saffron
was introduced by Zain-ul-Abidin in Kashmir d) None of these
from Turkistan?
18. On 2016, the government of Jammu and
a) Damman Kashmir started the festival named
b) Dahara
c) King a) Gurez festival
d) Rabab b) Shikara festival
c) takthok Tsechu festival
13. Which musical instrument is used in d) None of the above
Ladishah songs?
19. Kheer Bhawani temple is dedicated to
a) Damain
b) Damman a) Goddess Parvati
c) Dahara b) Goddess Ragnya Devi
d) King c) Lord Shiva
d) Lord Vishnu
14. Which song is very famous among the
farmers of Kashmir region? 20. Kheer Bhawani temple is situated in which
of the following places where famous Kheer
a) Nend Baith Bhawani festival is organised?
b) Ladishah
c) Surma a) Baramulla
d) Jagarna b) Srinagar
c) Anantnag
15. Eid-ul-Zuha is celebrated on the 10th day d) Kupwara
of which month of Islamic calendar ?
21. Tulip festival is celebrated in
a) 1st
b) 5th Srinagar in the month of
c) 9th
d) 12th a) March or April
b) November or December
16. Which festival is celebrated by Muslims of c) January or February
Jammu and Kashmir after the end of the fasting d) June or July
month of Ramzan?
22. On Tihar festival, people worship
a) Eid-ul-Fitr
b) Eid-ul-Zuha a) Lord Rama
c) Losar b) Lord Buddha
d) Tihar c) Lord Shiva
d) Nagas
17. Which festival is celebrated in Pampore
town of Jammu and Kashmir during 23. Which of the following is a festival of
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 HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF J&K 22

Bhaderwah Kishtwar region? d) Jhiri

a) Jhiri 29. The Sufiana Kalam come to Jammu and

b) Hemis Kashmir from which place?
c) Tihar
d) Kheer Bhawani a) Iran
b) Persia
24. Chajja dance is performed in which festival c) Italy
of Jammu and Kashmir? d) Greece

a) Sindhu Darshan 30. The music of jammu and Kashmir has been
b) Lohri influenced by which of the following?
c) Mátho Narang
d) Stok Guru Tsechu a) Irani music
b) Greek music
25. Which of the following festivals is a harvest c) Persian music
festival? d) All of these

a) Matho Nagrang
b) Dosmoche
c) Tihar
d) Baisakhi

26. The Jhiri Mela is held annually in the

memory of which of the following? ANSWERS
1. C 2. D 3. B
a) A local ruler 4. A 5. B 6. C
b) A local farmer 7. D 8. B 9. B
c) A local zamindar 10. B 11. A 12. D
d) Jhiri tribes 13. C 14. A 15. D
16. A 17. C 18. B
27. Jhiri Mela, an annual fair held in
19. B 20. B 21. A
22. D 23. C 24. B
Jammu during the months of October-
25. D 26. B 27. D
November symbolizes
28. A 29. A 30. C
a) courage
b) honesty
c) compassion
d) All of these

28. Which mela / fair is celebrated twice a year,

once in March or April and second in
September or October?

a) Bahu Mela
b) Puramandal Mela
c) Tihar
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 73rd Amendment act, 1992 1

In 1957, Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was the adopted by the State the other being voluntary
first committee who recommended the which the States may or may not adopt.
establishment of the village level authority or the
scheme of 'democratic decentralisation' which COMPULSORY PROVISIONS :
finally came to be known as Panchayati Raj.
Balwant Rai Mehta is known as the Father of 1. Organization of Gram Sabha in a
Panchayati Raj. The recommendation in 1958 village or group of villages.
were accepted by the National Development
Council, however much of its implementation The term Gram Sabha is defined in the
was being left to the States whose basic structure constitution of India under Article 243(b) which
and principles to remain uniform throughout the explains Gram Sabha means a body consisting of
country. On Nagaur district of Rajasthan, this persons registered in the electoral rolls relating
scheme was first initiated on 2nd October 1959 to a village comprised within the area of
and Andhra Pradesh was the second State to Panchayat at the village level. It is the primary
Adopt it. body of the Panchayati Raj system and by far the
Largest body. It is the only permanent unit in
Many committees like Ashok Mehta committee, Panchayati Raj system. Gram Sabha is the Sabha
G V K Rao committee, L M Singhvi committee and of the electorate, All other institutions of the
Gadgil Committee was formed and gave their Panchayati Raj like the Gram Panchayat, Block
necessary recommendations to improve the Panchayat and Zilla Parishad are constituted by
status of Panchayati Raj. Gadgil committee’s elected representatives. The decisions taken by
recommendations was the blue print of 73rd the Gram Sabha cannot be annulled by any other
amendment act. body. The power to annul a decision of the Gram
Sabha rests with the Gram Sabha only.
The 73rd (constitutional) amendment 1992 added
a new part IX to constitution called “The Who are the members of Gram Sabha?
Panchayats” which contains provisions from
Article 243 to 243(O); and added a new 11 Persons, who are above 18 years of age and living
schedule to the constitution of India. Article in the village and whose names are included in
243(G) covers 29 subjects which deals with the the electoral rolls for the Panchayat at the village
functions of the Panchayats. level.

The amendment implements the article 40 of FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY GRAM SABHA :

DPSP which says that the state shall take steps to
organize Panchayats and endow them with such  Gram Sabha should meet a least in
powers and authority as may be necessary to each quarter preferably on Republic
enable them to function as units of self Day, Labour Day, Independence Day
government. With the enactment of 73rd and Gandhi Jayanti.
Amendment act, the Panchayati Raj institutions  Decide developmental work to be
got constitutional status. They are now the undertaken by Panchayats based on
justiciable part of the Indian constitution. needs assessment.
Consequently neither the formation of  Suggest remedial measures for
panchayats nor the holding of elections at regular economy and efficiency in the
intervals depend on the will of the State functioning of the Panchayats.
Government any more.  Question and scrutinise the decisions
of Panchayats in the meeting of Gram
In this act, there are two types of provisions, one Sabha.
being the compulsory which are mandatory to be  Discuss the Annual Financial
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 73rd Amendment act, 1992 2

Statement of Gram Panchayats. DURATION OF PANCHAYATS :

COMPULSORY PROVISIONS : A clear term of 5 years has been provided for the
Panchayats and elections must take place before
2. Establishment of panchayats at the the expiry of the term. However, if the Panchayat
village, intermediate and district may be dissolved earlier on specific grounds in
levels. accordance with the state legislation, the election
3. Direct elections to all seats in must take place before expiry of 6 months from
panchayats at the village, the dissolution.
intermediate and district levels.
4. Indirect elections to the post of DISQUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS:
chairperson of panchayats at the
intermediate and district levels. Article 243F makes provision for disqualification
5. 21 years to be the minimum age for from the membership. As per this article, any
contesting elections to panchayats. person who is qualified to become an MLA is
6. Reservation of seats (both members qualified to become a member of the panchayat
and chairpersons) for SCs and STs in but for Panchayat the minimum age prescribed is
panchayats at all the three levels. 21 years. Further the disqualification criteria are
7. Reservation of one-third seats (both to be decided by the State Legislature by law.
members and chairpersons) for
women in panchayats at all the three STATE FINANCE COMMISSION :
levels.
8. Fixing tenure of five years for Under Article 243-I of the Constitution of India,
panchayats at all levels and holding the governor of a state is required to constitute a
fresh elections within six months in Finance Commission every five years. Wondering
the event of supersession of any why? This is in order to decide the resource
panchayat. allocation between the state government and the
9. Establishment of a State Election Panchayati Raj Institutions. A State Finance
Commission for conducting elections Commission reviews the financial position of the
to the panchayats. panchayats in a state and makes
10. Constitution of a State Finance recommendations to the Governor about the
Commission after every five years to principles that should govern the distribution of
review the financial position of the tax proceeds – taxes, duties, levies, toll fee
panchayats. collected by the state between the state and its
Panchayati Raj Institutions at all three levels –
The Act provides for the establishment of the village level, block level and district level.
three-tier system of Panchayati Raj in the states
(village, intermediate and district level). States It also recommends the following:
with a population of less than 20 lakhs may not
constitute the intermediate level. They were  Taxes, levies and fees levied or
given an option not to have the intermediate appropriated by Panchayats
level. The members to all the levels of the themselves.
Panchayati Raj are elected directly and the  Grants-in-aid to Panchayati Raj
chairpersons to the intermediate and the district Institutions from the consolidated
level are elected indirectly from the elected fund of a state.
members and at the village level the Chairperson  Ways to improve the financial position
is elected as determined by the state of the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
government.  Measures for the overall improvement
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 73rd Amendment act, 1992 3

of Panchayat’s finances. distribution of electricity.

15. Non-conventional energy sources.
Under Article 243-I of the Indian Constitution, the 16. Poverty alleviation programme.
governor of a state ensures the laying of a State 17. Education, including primary and
Finance Commission’s recommendations to the secondary schools.
table of the state legislature. It also includes a 18. Technical training and vocational
memorandum of action taken by the government education.
on the Commission’s report. 19. Adult and non-formal education.
20. Libraries.
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF PANCHAYATS : 21. Cultural activities.
11TH SCHEDULE – 22. Markets and fairs.
23. Health and sanitation, including
The state legislature is needed to enact laws to hospitals, primary health centres and
endow powers and authority to the Panchayats dispensaries.
to enable them functions of Local Government. 24. Family welfare.
The 11th schedule enshrines the distribution of 25. Women and child development.
powers between the State legislature and the 26. Social welfare, including welfare of the
Panchayats. The 11th Schedule of Indian handicapped and mentally retarded.
Constitution was added in 1992 by the 73rd 27. Welfare of the weaker sections, and in
Constitution Amendment Act. This schedule particular, of the Scheduled Castes
contains 29 subjects. This schedule covers and the Scheduled Tribes.
important topics such as Panchayat's powers, 28. Public distribution system.
rural development, poverty alleviation, market, 29. Maintenance of community assets.
roads and drinking water etc. These 29 Subjects
are listed below : ELECTIONS :

1. Agriculture, including agricultural Article 243k enshrines the provisions with respect
extension. to elections of the Panchayats. The State
2. Land improvement, implementation of government is required to appoint a State
land reforms, land consolidation and Election Commissioner who would be responsible
soil conservation. for conducting elections to the Panchayati Raj
3. Minor irrigation, water management institutions. Earlier, this task was per formed by
and watershed development. the State administration which was under the
4. Animal husbandry, dairying and control of the State government. Now, the office
poultry. of the State Election Commission is autonomous
5. Fisheries. like the Election Commission of India. However,
6. Social forestry and farm forestry. the State Election Commission is an independent
7. Minor forest produce. office and is not linked to nor is this officer under
8. Small scale industries, including food the control of the Election Commission of India.
processing industries.
9. Khadi, village and cottage industries. The article maintains the independence of the
10. Rural housing. election commission by making provisions that
11. Drinking water. the election commissioner of this commission
12. Fuel and fodder. would be removed only by manner and on same
13. Roads, culverts, bridges, ferries, grounds as a Judge of the High Court If there is a
waterways and other means of dispute in the Panchayat elections, the Courts
communication. have no jurisdiction over them. This means that
14. Rural electrification, including the Panchayat election can be questioned only in

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 73rd Amendment act, 1992 4

the form of an election petition presented to an 74TH AMENDMENT ACT

authority which the State legislature by law can
prescribe. The constitution 74th Amendment Act 1992,
relating to Municipalities (Urban local
(Important) The election commissioner for this Government) was passed by the parliament in
reason is to be appointed by the Governor. The 1992. It received the assent of the president of
terms and conditions of the office of the Election India on 20th April 1993. The Act seeks to provide
commissioners have also to be decided by the a common framework for the structure and
Governor mandate of urban local bodies to enable them to
function as effective democratic units of local Self
Applications to Union Territories Government. Government of India notified 1st
June 1993 as the date from which the 74th
Provisions of Panchayats shall be applicable to Amendment Act came into force. The Act
the UTs in same way as in case of the states but provided for a period of one year from the date
the President by a public notification may make of its commencement, within which the then
any modifications in the applications of any part. existing municipal laws (which were in force at
that time In states/union territories) were
Exempted areas and states required to be changed/amended/modified in
order to bring them in conformity with the
The provisions of part IX are not applicable to the provisions of the constitution (74th Amendment)
following: Act—1992.

1. Entire states of Nagaland Meghalaya By 74th Amendment Act 1992, Part IX A was
and Mizoram. Inserted in the constitution and articles 243-P to
2. Hill areas in the State of Manipur for 243-ZG were added. After defining the municipal
which District Councils. area and the municipality, The Amendment Act
3. Further, the district level provisions lays down rules regarding the organization
shall not apply to the hill areas of the powers, functions and finances of the institutions
District of Darjeeling in the State of of Urban Local Government.
West Bengal which affect the
Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. These can be described as follows:
4. The reservation provisions are not
applicable to Arunachal Pradesh. 1. Constitution of Municipalities:

Baron interference by Courts 1. These shall be constituted in every state:

Article 243-O bars the courts to interfere in the a) A Nagar Panchayat (by whatever name
Panchayat Matters. The validity of any law called) for a transitional area, that is to
relating to the delimitation of constituencies or say, an area in transition from a rural
the allotment of seats to such constituencies area to an urban area.
cannot be questioned in a court. No election to b) A municipal council for a smaller urban
any Panchayat is to be questioned except by an area.
election petition presented to such authority and c) A municipal corporation for a larger
in such manner as provided by the state urban area in accordance with the
legislature. provisions of this part.

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 73rd Amendment act, 1992 5

2. Composition of Municipalities: (b) The manner in which the seats in a wards

committee shall be filled.
a. All the seats in a municipality shall be
filled by persons chosen by direct 3. A member of a municipality representing a
election from the territorial ward within the territorial area of the wards
constituencies in the municipal areas committee shall be a member of that committee.
and for this purpose each municipal area
shall be divided into territorial 4. Where a wards committee consists of:
constituencies to be known as wards.
b. The Legislature of a state may, by law (a) One ward, the member representing that
provide ward in the municipality, or two or more wards,
one of the members representing such wards in
(a) For the representation in a Municipality of: the municipality elected by the members of the
wards committee shall be the chairperson of that
A. Persons having special knowledge or committee.
experience in municipal administration.
B. The members of the Home of people and 5. Nothing in the article shall be deemed to
the members of the Legislative Assembly prevent the Legislative of a state from making
of the state representing constituencies any provision for the constitution of committees
which comprise wholly or partly the in addition to the wards committees.
municipal area:
C. The members of the council of states Reservation of Seats:
and the members of the Legislative
Council of the state registered as Article 243T deals with the reservation of seats in
electors within the municipal area. the municipalities. Seats shall be reserved for the
D. The chairpersons of the committees scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in every
constituted under clause (5) of Article municipality and the number of seats so reserved
243S: provided that the persons referred shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same
to in paragraph (A) shall not have the proportion to the total number of seats to be
right to vote in the meetings of the filled by direct election in that municipality as the
municipality. population of the scheduled castes in the
municipal area or of the scheduled tribes in the
(b) The manner of election of the chairperson of municipal area bears to the total population of
a municipality. that area and such seats may be allotted by
rotation to different constituencies in a
Constitution and Composition of Wards municipality. Not less than one-third of the total
Committees: number of seats reserved shall be reserved for
women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or as
1. There shall be constituted wards committees the case may be, the Scheduled Tribes.
consisting of one or more wards, within the
territorial area of a municipality having a Not less than one-third (including the number of
population of three lakhs or more. seats reserved for women belonging to the
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of
2. The legislature of a state may, by law, make the total number of seats to be filled by direct
provision with respect to: election in every Municipality shall be reserved
for women.
(a) The composition and the territorial area of a
ward committee.

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 73rd Amendment act, 1992 6

Duration of Municipalities: (Article 243U) whole.

Every Municipality, unless sooner dissolved under Twelfth Schedule (Article 243 W):
any law for the time being in force, shall continue
for five years from the date appointed for its first 1. Urban planning including town planning.
meeting and no longer provided that a 2. Regulation of land use and construction
Municipality shall be given a reasonable of buildings.
opportunity of being heard before its dissolution. 3. Planning for economic and social
An election to constitute a Municipality shall be development.
completed before the expiry of its duration 4. Roads and bridges.
specified and before the expiration of a period of 5. Water supply for domestic, industrial
six months from the date of its dissolution. and commercial purposes.
6. Public health sanitation, conservancy
DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP (ARTICLE and solid waste management.
243V) 7. Fire services.
8. Urban forestry protection of the
A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, environment and promotion of
and being, a member of a Municipality- ecological aspects.
9. Safeguarding the interests of weaker
(a) If he is so disqualified by or under any law for sections of society, including the
the time being in force for the purposes of handicapped and mentally retarded.
elections to the Legislature of the State 10. Slum improvement and upgradation.
concerned provided that no person shall be 11. Urban poverty alleviation.
disqualified on the ground that he is less than 12. Provision of urban amenities and
twenty-five years of age, if he has attained the facilities such as parks, gardens,
age of twenty-one years. playgrounds.
13. Promotion of cultural, educational and
(b) If he is so disqualified by or under any law aesthetic aspects.
made by the Legislature of the State. 14. Burials and burial grounds,
cremations, cremation grounds and
Finance Commission: (Article 243Y) electric crematoriums.
15. Cattle pounds, prevention of cruelty to
The Finance Commission constituted under animals.
Article 243-1 shall also review the financial 16. Vital statistics including registration of
position of the municipalities and make births and deaths.
recommendations to the Governor. The Governor 17. Public amenities including street
shall cause every recommendation made by the lighting, parking lots, bus slops and
commission under this Article together with an public conveniences.
explanatory memorandum as to the action taken 18. Regulation of slaughter houses and
thereon to be laid before the legislature of the tanneries.
state.
Salient Features of the Municipalities after
Committee for District Planning: There shall be passing the 74th Amendment Act:
constituted in every state at the district level a
District Planning Committee to consolidate the 1. Constitution of three types of municipalities:
plans prepared by the panchayats and the
Municipalities in the district and to prepare a Constitution of three types of municipalities:
draft development plan for the district as a

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 73rd Amendment act, 1992 7

 Nagar Panchayat has granted sufficient autonomy to urban local

 Municipal Council government and those have been accorded
 Municipal Corporation constitutional status, these are not completely
free from governmental control. The urban local
Nagar Panchayats are created for a transitional government institutions work within the limits
areas (the area which is fast changing from rural prescribed by the state Municipal Act which
to urban area) or for a very small urban areas. creates and governs them.

Its tenure is five years.

Municipal councils are created for smaller urban

areas.

Its tenure is five years.

Municipal corporations are created for larger

urban areas.

Its tenure is 5 years.

2. Fixed five year term and continuity of

operation for municipalities.

3. Appointment for an election commission in

each state for conducting local elections to the
institutions of local government.

4. Constitution of metropolitan and district

planning committees in each state.

5. Constitution of finance commission for local

governments.

6. Provisions for reservation of seats for SCs, STs,

OBCs and women.

7. Provision for reservation of seats of public

offices for SCs and STs and women.

After the passing of the 74th Amendment Act, all

the states of union were to enact/amend their
respective municipal acts. This work was
accomplished by 1994. The urban local
Government institutions in all states were
organised in their new forms with effect from
1994.

Although, 74th Amendment of the constitution

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 1
GEOGRAPHY: South-West lie the states of Punjab and Himachal
Pradesh. On the west is the North West Frontier
The territories of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and Provinces of Pakistan, China and Russia.
Gilgit form the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Afghanistan and Pakistan now have come close to
state of Jammu and Kashmir, which had earlier the boundaries of the state of Jammu and Kashmir,
been under Hindu rulers and Muslim sultans, The nearness to the boundaries of foreign
became part of the Mughal Empire under Akbar countries has made the position of the State most
from 1586. After a period of Afgan rule from l756, it important from military point of view. The entire
was annexed to the Sikh Kingdom of Punjab in State lies between 32.17" and 36.58" North altitude
1819. In 1820 Maharaja Ranjit Singh made over the and East to West, the State lies between 73.26"
territory of Jammu to Gulab Singh. In 1846 Kashmir and 80.30" longitude. The standared time is 5.30
was also made over to Gulab Singh under the hours ahead of Greenwitch time as in the rest of
Treaty of Amritsar. Ladakh was annexed by India and has a difference of half an hour with the
Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1830. Thus this local time. In lalitude, the State of Jammu and
northernmost state was founded by Maharaja Kashmir corresponds with South Carolina (North
Gulab Singh in 1846 and was the biggest princely America), Fez (Morracco), Damascus, Baghdad and
state in India before the partition of the country in Peshawar (Pakistan).
August 1947. At that time the total area of the
state was 2,22,236 sq. km. Pakistan invaded the Soils:
State in October 1947. Indian forces pushed
Pakistan back but in 1949 when a cease fire line In Jammu and Kashmir the soils are generally loamy
was drawn about one third of the area i.e. 78932 with very little clay content in them. Poor in lime
sq. km. i.e. the whole of Gilgit, Mirpur, Kotli and a content but with a higher concentration of
part of Poonch came into the possession of magnesia; the soils are treated with chemical
Pakistan, leaving behind only 143,30 sq. km. on the fertilisers and enriched with green manure legumes
Indian side. Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and before beginning with cultivation on them. There is
Anantnag districts remained unaffected. Again in sufficiently high nitrogen content and organic
1962 China occupied about 64000 sq.kms. in matter in the soil of Kashmir due to animal
Ladakh known as Aksai Chin. Pakistan again made excretion, natural vegetation, crops stubble and
an unlawful possession over Chhamb, Deva, Chakla plant residue. Kashmir showcases different kinds of
and Manawar gaining an area of3999 sq. kms. Thus the earth like the Floating garden soils, Surzamin,
total area left on the Indian side is about 12850 sq. Lemb, Nambaal (Peats), Sekil (Sandy), Bahil (Loam),
kms. There are many low lying valleys in the state Gurti (clay) as well as Karewa soils.
like Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, Sind
Valley and Liddar Valley, but the main Valley is the Forests:
valley of Kashmir, which is 100 kms. wide and
15520.3 sq. kms. in area. Through this velley flows Forests are one of the most important resources of
the river Jhelum with its tributaries. The height of Jammu and Kashmir. Spread over 2,236 (sq). Kms of
the valley above sea level is about 1700 metres. On demarcated forest area; it accounts for 20% of the
the map of India, the State of Jammu and Kashmir total geographical area of the state on this side of
looks like a crown. The state is 640 kms. in length the Line of Control. More than 99% of forest area is
from north to south and 480 kms. from east to confined to the province of Jammu & Kashmir only,
west. To its north lie Chinese and Russian Turkistan. with the largest area of 5848 sq. kms in the district
On its east is Chinese Tibet. On the South and of Doda and smallest area of 481 sq. kms. in the

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 2
district of Budgam. Over 19,236 (sq). Kms is under to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir
coniferous softwood (Pine) and another 946 sq. km valley is enclosed by high mountain chains on all
is under nonconiferous softwood. In the coniferous the sides except for a few passes and a narrow
category, Fir accounts for 3355 sq. km, whereas Kail gorge at Baramulla. There are the Siwalik hills to
for about 1874 sq. km, Chir accounts for around the south and very lofty mountains in the north;
1773 sq. km and finally Deodar for 1122 sq. km. the peaks of which always remain covered with
Since forests require an abundance of moisture in snow. Volcanic mountains that caused havoc in the
the soil, they are found in the areas where there is past are also seen in the geography of the State.
sufficient rainfall or along the banks of the rivers Some of the famous mountains and their passes
where water is easily available. In the State of are:
Jammu and Kashmir forests are mainly found
where annual rainfall is about 100 cms. However, 1. Karakoram (8615.17 M) and Kyunlun Ranges :
scrub forests do occur in regions, where rainfall is Both these mountains ranges lie towards the north
less than 100 cm. The valley of Kashmir has and north-east of Jammu & Kashmir, separating it
deciduous vegetation. The Walnut, Mulbery, Partal, from Russian Turkistan and Tibet. In the north-
Chinar, Kail Fir, Pine, Poplar, Deodar, and several west, Hindukush range spreads towards Karakoram
others grow all across the valley region. Baramulla Range that have the K2 peak considered being the
& Anantnag has 71% and 60% of their area covered second highest mountain peak in the world. High
by dense forests respectively. Bigger forests peaks of Gashorbram and Masharbram also lie
provide timber and fire-wood in the valley. Grassy here. People of Ladakh travel through Karakoram
meadows in the forest provide fodder for the pass that is 5352 metres high and the Nubra pass
cattle. Herbs like the menthol, digitalis, balladona, while going to Turkistan and Khattan in China. Tibet
the hyoseyamus are under hot growth. Besides can be reached from Ladakh through Kharudangala
there also are rubus, trilliu, polygola, podophyllum, pass and Changla pass.
hops and askuth that grow in abundance in the
region. Production houses and mainstream 2. Zanskar Range :
industries across India like herbal drugs, wood
carving, furniture, joinery sports goods, paper, silk It lies at about 600 meters above sea level and
industry and manufacture of agricultural separates Indus Valley from the valley of Kashmir;
implements, as well as, construction of railway preventing the south-west cold winds from
sleepers depend mainly on these forests. reaching Kashmir. The Ladakh region terminates at
The thick undergrowth in the forests seen here the Zojila pass (3529 metres) from where begins
store the rain water and allow it to flow slowly. This the valley of Kashmir. The ‘Poat pass’ (5716 metres)
is because the rivers that have their sources in lying in this very range is also another famous
these forests do not run dry in the hot summer mountain pass in this region.
seasons, as well as, to help check floods during the
rainy season. 3. Nun Kun Range :

Sonamarg, Pahalgam and Gulmarg, are some of the Lying between the Ladakh and Kashmir border, it is
famous places. Apart from these there are 7055.1 metres above mean sea level. To its south-
Kokarnag, Verinag and Achhabbal that are some of east lies Kulu and towards the north-west, Kargil
the famous health resorts located in the thick tehsil of Ladakh is situated. One has to pass
forests of the region. Mountains and Their Passes through
Mountains have a special geographical importance Bawalocha pass (4891 metres) in order to reach

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 3
Leh (Ladakh) from Kulu. In 1947, when Kargil was
attacked by Pakistan, Indian forces, arms and 9. Afarwat :
ammunition were sent to Ladakh through this pass.
This mountain spreads through the Gulmarg valley.
4. Nanga Parbat Range : The famous Alpatharspring lies on its peak, from
which Nullah Nagal comes out and flows down into
This range spreading in Gilgit with height of about the WullarLake.
8107.68 metres above mean sea level is utterly
devoid of vegetation. It was conquered by the 10. Pirpanjal Range :
Italian mountaineers in 1954. This region is now
under the unlawful possession of Pakistan. Separating Kashmir valley from the outer
Himalayas, and this is about 2621 Kms in length and
5. Harmukh Mountain : 50 Kms in the breadth. The famous Banihal pass
(2832 metres) lies in the shape of a tunnel on its
A range of the Himalayas situated at a height of peak; covered with snow during winters making it
5141.3 metres above mean sea level lying towards impassable. At a height of 2200 metres above sea
Bandipore between the River Jhelum and Kishan level a new tunnel 'Jawahar Tunnel' was
Ganga valley. constructed that is 2825 metres long; it was
opened to traffic on 22nd Dec 1956. On the other
6. Burzil Mountain : end of this range, Baramula pass (1582 metres) and
Hajipir pass(2750 metres) are located. During 1965
It bifurcates Kashmir and Ladakh on which theBurzil Indo-Pak war, the Indian army had occupied this
pass is situated at a height of 3200 metres. pass which was later handed over to
Pakistan.
7. Amarnath Mountain :
11. Siwalik Range :
Famous for its holy Amarnath Cave, situated at a
height of 5372 metres above sea level it is visited These hills extend from the north of the outer
by thousands of pilgrims every year on plains to middle mountains of the State reaching
Rakshabandan. One has to pass the Mahagunas heights between 600 metres to 1500 metres.
pass (1475 metres) on their way to Shri Amarnathji.
Gwasharan (5450 metres) is situated in the Lidar 12. Volcanic Mountains :
valley towards Pahalgam; on which lies the famous
Kolahi glacier. Sheeshnag Mountain also spreads in Soyamji' (1860 metres) is one active peak in the
this valley. It is called North Machhipura (Handwara); that erupted for
Sheshnag as its peaks resemble the heads of seven about 13 months in 1934. The other 'Kharewa' peak
big snakes. is a dormant one lying in Tehsil Pehalgam.

8. Toshmaidan :
Toshmaindan (4270 metres) and Kajinag (3700
metres) mountains lie in the Inner Himalayas. They
remain snow-covered throughout the year, but
during summers when the snow melts, it flows
down into the Jhelum river.

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 4
CLIMATE : It starts in November and ends in February. January
is the coldest month of Jammu region. Mist and Fog
The climate of Jammu and Kashmir to a large occur during this month and from February the
extent is influenced by the mountains, it is
temperature begins to rise, which then leads to
surrounded by. The temperature is greatly
moderated by these mountains and the water spring season. During winter season westerly winds
bodies. As the altitude varies in Jammu & Kashmir, also called ‘temperate cyclones’ cause rainfall in
all the three divisions experience a different Jammu region. These winds originate from
environment. The climate ranges from the burning Mediterranean Sea. The average winter rainfall in
and the scorching heat of the plains of Jammu the region is 13 cm.
Division to the snow-capped heights of Gulmarg
(Kashmir) and the mud peak of Mount Godwin 2. SUMMER SEASON :
Austen (Ladakh) 28251 ft above the sea level, the
second highest peak in the world. All these
Summer season starts in March and ends in June.
represent the three different climatic zones, From
alpine (Ladakh) to the sub-tropical (Jammu Region), The temperature starts rising in the month of
the extreme variants of climate in Jammu and March which reaches up to its maximum in the
Kashmir are due to its location and topography. month of May and June. During this period hot dry
The sheltered valley of Kashmir, however, exhibits winds called ‘Loo’ blow, which add to the miseries
an exception to its peripheral region. of the people. The temperature rises upto 40
degree Celsius. Sometimes a dust storm blows,
CLIMATE OF JAMMU :
which bring about light dazzles of rain. During this
season, the average rainfall is 11 cm.
JAMMU is a sub-tropical region. The climate varies
in different parts of the division. The southern
3. RAINY SEASON :
plains experience a climate similar to Punjab. The
summers are hot with rainy seasons. Winters are
It starts in June and ends in October. In the middle
cool. The mountain regions experience weather
of June, the monsoons begin to arrive in Jammu.
similar to that of Kashmir. These regions receive
Monsoon rains bring down the temperature, but
snowfall. While as, the plains receive light to heavy
humidity remains quite high, which makes the
rainfall. Seasonal winds originating from the
weather quite oppressive. Average rainfall during
Mediterranean Sea also influence the weather of
this season is 65 cm.
Jammu division. The temperature dips during the
rainy season, however the humidity remains high. CLIMATE OF KASHMIR :
Jammu is the hottest of the divisions in the UT. The
average temperature during peak summer may go KASHMIR has probably the best climate of the
up to 40°C. On the basis of distribution of annual state. Its climate is largely regulated by the
rainfall and temperature, an year in this region has Himalayas, surrounding mountains and the water
been divided into three seasons : bodies. The valley possesses a sub-tropical to Arctic
type of climate having long winters and short
1. WINTER SEASON : summers. Each season is moderate and beautiful.

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 5
The temperature in winters may go down to -15°C starts melting. The day temperature of the valley
in the hilly areas, while as the plains have a starts rising above 10 degree celcius. The valley
comparatively better temperature at -5 to -8°C. The receives its maximum rains during this season
local people wear woolen cloths and a long gown which are caused by western disturbances.
known as Pheran to save them from the chill. They
also use a portable fire pot, Kangri to keep warm. 3. SUMMER SEASON :
The month of July is the hottest month with the
temperature going up to just above 30°C in the Summer season starts in may and ends in
plains, while the upper reaches remain September. July is the hottest month, when
comparatively cooler, from the heat in the plains, temperature may go up to 37 degree Celsius. The
Chinar trees come to the rescue. These huge giant- humidity is low in the valley because of its high
size trees give a wonderful cool shade in the altitude region.
hottest of summer, so much that you occasionally
get chills under them. Autumn and spring have 4. AUTOMN SEASON :
warm days and cool nights. The valley receives
It starts in the middle of September and ends in
rains during the spring season. Based on the
October. In this season, there is less weather
average temperature and rainfall a year in Kashmir
disturbances and a little rainfall occur and
is divided into 4 seasons:
temperature falls gradually. In this season
1. WINTER SEASON : flowering of saffron takes place. During autumn,
people of the valley remain very much busy in
This season starts in November and ends in storing food and fuel for winter months to come.
February. It is the coldest season of the year in
Kashmir. The temperature starts falling in the The locals of Kashmir recognize six different
month of November and reaches to minimum in seasons in the year, which are:
January. Heavy snowfall occurs during this season.
 Sonth (Spring) from 16 March to 15 May.
The winter precipitation mainly occurs from
westerly disturbances i-e temperate cyclones  Grisham (Summer) from 16 May of 15 July.
originating from Mediterranean Sea. Gulmarg,  Waharat (Rainy) from 16 July to 15
Srinagar, Kupwara, Banihall, Quazigund and September.
Pahalgam witnessed the highest snowfall of recent  Harud (Automn) from 16 September to 15
decades. Gulmarg and Pahalgam recorded November.
cumulative snowfall measurements of about 38.4  Wandah (Winter) from 16 November to 15
and 30cm, respectively, during January, 2017. January.
 Shishur (Ice Cold) from 16 January to 15
2. SPRING SEASON : March.

Spring season starts in march and ends in may. In

this season the temperature starts rising and snow

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 6
CROPS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR:

The total geographical area of the state is 2.23 lakh

sq km including those parts which are under the
occupation of Pakistan and China. About 92 per
cent of the geographical area of the state consists
of high mountains rugged topography and only 5
per cent is available for culti-vation. The general
picture of land-use and the proportion of area
under different categories have been given in
Table.

The net cultivated area has been plotted in Fig. 8.2.

It may be seen from Fig. 8.2 that in the districts of
Kashmir Division about 60 per cent or above of the
total reporting area is under cultivation except in
Ganderbal and Sri-nagar in which it is 47 and 49 per
cent respectively. In Jammu Division the net
cropped area varies between 14 per cent in Doda
to 33 per cent Jammu District. In Ladakh, the net
CROPPING PATTERN :
area sown is only about two per cent of the
re-porting area.
Cropping pattern means the proportion of area
under different crops at a point of time. The crop
statistics published by the government are used to
denote the cropping patterns. Cropping pattern is
however, a dynamic concept as it changes in space
and time. Characterized with mountainous and
undulating terrain and micro-level variations in
temperature, precipitation and soils, the state of
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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 7
Jammu and Kashmir has a high degree of variation major winter crops are wheat, barley, poppy, rape,
in its cropping patterns, crop combination and crop flax, beans etc.
diversification. In general, the Jammu plain has a
high concentration of wheat, rice, maize, pulses, SUMMER CROPS :
fodder and oilseeds, while the Valley of Kashmir is
well known for its paddy, maize, orchards (apples, The summer crops like rice, maize and millets are
al-mond, walnut, peach, cherry, etc.) and saffron sown from mid-July according to the geographical
cultivation. In Ladakh, barley, wheat, maize, location of the place and character of the soil. They
vegetables, barseem and fodder are the main are harvested between mid-August and mid-
crops. The area and percentage of the total November. The major Kharif crops are rice, maize,
cropped area in the state have been given in the cotton, saffron, tobacco, millet, pulses etc.
Table.
KHARIF CROPS :
Crops Area(Lac Ha.)
These are generally sown in summer. These crops
Paddy 2.58 Lac Ha require more temperature for their growth and
harvested in autumn. Important crops are Jowar,
Maize 3.19 Lac Ha maize, pulses etc.

Wheat 2.62 Lac Ha RABI CROPS :

Pulses 0.30 Lac Ha These are usually sown in winter and harvested in
spring season. These crops require relatively cool
Vegetables 0.51 Lac Ha climate with less rainfall. Important crops are
Wheat, barley, peas, oil seeds, fodder, roots and
Flowers 0.00250 Lac Ha tuber vegetables.

Other cereals & ZAID CROPS :

Millets 0.38 Lac Ha These crops are raised under artificial irrigation.
They include leafy and tuber vegetables. They are
Oilseeds 0.62 Lac Ha also called Zaid Kharif or Zaid rabi Crops.

WINTER CROPS :

The winter crops consisting chiefly of wheat and

barley are sown between mid-September and mid-
January depending upon the moisture in the fields.
These are harvested in May-June in the low lying
area and in July-August at higher altitude. The

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 8
district of Kathua and Jammu, rice is the second
ranking crop, while in the remaining districts of the
state wheat stands second.

SAFFRON THE CASH CROP :

Saffron is one of the most important export

products and plays a significant role in employment
generation to the rural people of Kashmir. In 25
July 2020, The J&K administration has issued the
certificate of geographical indication (GI)
registration for saffron grown in the Kashmir Valley.
RANKING OF CROPS :
The main cultivation areas of saffron are Kharewa,
In any scheme of agricultural regionalisation, the Chandhora, Pampore areas districts Pulwama,
ranking of crops has great significance. The ranking Budgam and Srinagar. District Pulwama, commonly
of crops not only gives an idea about dominant known as ‘Saffron Bowl’ of Kashmir, is dominant in
crops of a region, it also helps in knowing the crops saffron production followed by Budgam, Srinagar
which are competing for area with each other. and Kistwar districts. Saffron (Crocus sativus) is one
of the most important foreign exchange earners
An examination shows that rice is the dominant crop among the spices grown entirely in the state
crop in the Kashmir Division excepting the District of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Where about 49
of Kupwara in which it is replaced by maize. The per cent of its total produce is exported. Saffron
districts of Anantnag, Baramulla, Badgam, Pulwama cultivation in Kashmir valley has its historical roots
and Sri-nagar are the leading producers of rice in from Iran where world’s largest amount 70 per cent
the state. of saffron is produced. Jammu Kashmir having
monopoly in the saffron cultivation in India nearby
Maize is the first ranking crop in the Doda, Rajauri, 7.3 per cent of world saffron is produced in the
Poonch and Ud- hampur districts 0ammu Division), state puts India on the third rank in world saffron
while wheat gets first rank in the Kathua and production. Kashmir saffron, grown at an altitude
Jammu districts. In Kargil and Leh districts of of 1,600 meters, saw a steep decline in production
Ladakh, millets stand first in areal strength. by around 65%, from 16 metric tonnes to 5.6
metric tonnes, in 2018. According to an official
In second rank there are three crops namely; data, the saffron land cultivation has also come
maize, rice and wheat which get second rank in the down to 3,715 hectares in 2009-10 from 5,707
various districts of the state. It is observed that in hectares in 1996. Besides, saffron yield has shown a
all the districts of the Kashmir Division excepting sharp decline from 3.13 kg per hectare to 2.5 kg per
Kupwara, maize is the second ranking crop. In hectare.
Kupwara rice gets second rank in area. In the

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 9
TRANSPORT OF J&K : in 2005.The 55 km long Jammu-Udhampur (Leg 0)
section cuts through the Shivalik Hills and has 20
Transport or transportation is the easiest way of major tunnels and 158 bridges. Its longest tunnel is
movement of humans, animals and goods from one 2.5 km in length and its highest bridge is 77 m (253
location to another. In other words, the action of ft) (India's highest railway bridge).
transport is defined as a particular movement of an
organism or thing from a point A to a point B. In 1994, The railway minister declares the need for
Modes of transport include air, land (rail and road), a rail line to Baramulla, well beyond even Srinagar,
water, cable, pipeline and space. The field can be and it is learned that the proposed line will begin
divided into infrastructure, vehicles and operations. from Qazigund and run to Srinagar and then
Transport enables trade between people, which is onwards to Baramulla. On 29 October 2009, the 18
essential for the development of civilizations. km-long section from Anantnag to Qazigund is
inaugurated by the prime minister, marking the
The UT of Jammu and Kashmir excepting the completion of Leg 3. This means that the entire
Jammu Plain and Jhelum Valley is mountainous in "Valley" portion of the line, from Qazigund to
character. Construction of railway lines through the Baramulla, as proposed in 1994, is now operational.
difficult terrain of the Siwaliks, (Middle Himalayas), The 66 km section between Anantnag and
Greater Himalayas is a difficult proposition. It is not Manzhama (Mazhom near Pattan, outside Srinagar)
only a stupendous and challenging task, the opens on 11 October 2008. The Banihal to
maintenance of railway tracks in the fragile rock Baramulla railway line is the Leg 3 line which is in
strata and snowy winters demands prohibitive cost. operation from 26th june 2013.

RAILWAY IN J&K: The Katra-Udhampur railway line (LEG 1) was the

part of Kashmir rail link project and was completed
The Railway line in Jammu region was an extension in 2013 when the first trial train reaches katra from
of NWR (North Western Railway) from Suchetgarh udhampur. On 11 June 2014, a trial train from Delhi
of the Sialkot District to the Jammu city. The work arrives in anticipation of the opening of the
on this Railway line commenced in October 1888 Udhampur-Katra line, which will connect Katra to
and the line was declared open for traffic on 13th the rest of the country. On 4 July, the Udhampur-
March, 1890. It was about 27 mile( 43 km) in Katra line (LEG 1) is opened and the Katra railway
length and was purchased by the State station is inaugurated.
Government from the Dharamarth Department for
a sum of Rs. 11, 78,078. This link, however, was The Leg 2, running 111 km from Katra to Banihal is
disrupted in 1947 as a result of division of the under construction, may be completed in 2022.
Country. Then the state was brought on the This is the line's most difficult section of the rail
Railway Map of India in 1972 when the City of line, with 62 bridges and a number of tunnels
Jammu-Tawi was connected with Pathankot. In totalling 10 km out of total 129 km. It requires 262
1983, Construction of a railway line from Jammu km of access roads connecting 147,000 people in
Tawi to Udhampur begins and started functioning 73 villages; 160 km, connecting 29 villages, is

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 10
completed. An 18 km stretch of Leg 2, between projects including Jammu-Udhampur road (65 km),
Quazigund and Banihal, was authorised on 26 June Chenani-Nashri tunnel (9.2 Km), Ramban-
2013. The stretch includes the 11.215-km (7-mile) Udhampur road (43 km), Banihal-Ramban road
Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, also known as the (15.25 km) and Srinagar-Banihal road (67.7 km), 8.5
Banihal railway tunnel. India's longest rail tunnel, it km long Qazikund-Banihal tunnel besides 12 short
is 8.4 m wide and 7.39 m high. This leg contains the tunnelshaving a total length of 6.2 km, 34 major
construction of two extremely challenging bridges, bridges and 24 viaducts. It will reduce the distance
an arch bridge on the Chenab river and cable- between two capital cities Jammu and Srinagar by
stayed Anji Khad Bridge. The Chenab bridge is a 50 Km. The present travel time 9 to 10 hrs will be
steel and concrete arch bridge under construction reduced to 5 hrs.
between BAkkal and Kauri in the Reasi District. It is
situated at a height of 359m (1,178 ft.) making it NATIONAL HIGHWAY 1B:
the world’s highest rail bridge. Its length is 1,315m
(4,314 ft.), including the 650 m (2,130 ft.) long It is having length of 274 km connects Batote with
viaduct on the northern side. Khannabal via Doda, Kishtwar and Simpthan pass.
This National highway too runs through
ROADWAYS : mountainous areas and remains closed due to
snowfall at different places.
National highways are considered as the lifeline of
any State and country because these connect NATIONAL HIGHWAY 1C :
capitals and places of strategic importance. There
are four main National Highways in Jammu and Domal-katra, National highway having length of 8
Kashmir – 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D besides some small kilometers provides road connectivity to the holy
highways developed during the past less than one town of Katra, the base camp of cave shrine of Shri
decade having a total length of 2319 Kilometers Mata Vaishnu Devi, with the National Highway 1A.
and contest Length and breadth of the state with This highway is also considered as off shoot of
rest of the country. Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY 1A : NATIONAL HIGHWAY 1D :

It is the northernmost part of NH 44 and was It connects summer capital of the state Srinagar
named as NH 1A before the renumbering of the with Leh, the extreme end of Jammu and Kashmir
national highways. It connects twin capital cities of towards China, is the only road which provides
Jammu and Srinagar is about 300 km long and runs connectivity to the entire Ladakh region with the
through some extremely treacherous terrain and rest of the State.
even remains closed during winter because of
avalanches and landslides. Four-laning of the Moreover, there are some more National Highways
existing 300 km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway albeit of not much length and these have been
has been undertaken and divided into the six sub categorized as 144 New (Domel to Katra previously

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 11
known as 1C before numbering of national Highway in Himachal Pradesh. It has a length of
highways), 144a New(Route – Jammu – Akhnoor - 9.02 km and is the longest tunnel above 10,000 ft.
Nowshera - Rajouri - Poonch), 444 New( Route - (3,048 m) in the world and is named after former
Srinagar - Badgam - Pulwama - Shupiyan - Kulgam – PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The tunnel reduces
Quazigund), 501 New(Route - Panchtarni - the travel time and overall distance between
Chandanwari - Pahalgam - Batakut - Martand – manali and keylong on the way to Leh. The
Khanabal) and 701(Route - Baramulla - Rafiabad - previous route went through Gramphy and was 116
Kupwara – Tangdhar) New by the Union Ministry of km and the new route is just 70 km long via Atal
road Transport and Highways. tunnel. The new route via the tunnel brings down
the total distance travelled to 71 km (44.1 mi)
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN ROADWAYS : which can be covered in about 2 hours and 5
minutes, a reduction of around 3 to 4 hours when
1. CHENANI NASHRI TUNNEL : compared to the earlier route. The tunnel is at an
elevation of 3,100 metres (10,171 ft). It was
It is also known as Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3
Tunnel or Syama Tunnel is a road tunnel in Jammu October 2020.
and Kashmir, India and is located in the Lower
Himalayas on NH 44 or NH 1A. The Shiwalik 3. BASOHLI BRIDGE (ATAL SETU) :
mountain range of Himalayas has been drilled for
the constructioni of India’s longest all weather road This bridge is first of its kind in North India and
tunnel. Its Construction started in 2011 and was fourth of its kind in nation. The other such three
completed by 2017. It is India's longest road tunnel bridges are in Mumbai (Bandra-Worli sealink),
with a length of 9.28 km (5.8 mi), and the country's Allahabad (Naini) and Kolkata (Hoogly). Vidyasagar
first tunnel with a fully integrated tunnel control Setu over the Hoogly in Kolkata was the first cable
system. It reduces the distance between Jammu stayed bridge.
and Srinagar by 30 km and travel time by two
hours. The all-weather tunnel bypasses snowfall IIT New Delhi approved the design of this bridge
and avalanche prone areas in winter at places like and the foundation stone was laid in May 2011 by
Patnitop, Kud, and Batote that obstruct NH 44 UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The bridge was
every winter and cause long queues of vehicles – designed by Canadian consultant, McElhanney
sometimes for days on end. The 288 km distance Consulting Services Ltd. (formerly Infinity
between Jammu and Srinagar has been reduced to Engineering Ltd.). The bridge is constructed by the
238 Km by this tunnel. Border Roads Organization, IRCON, Infinity and SP
Singla Constructions Pvt Limited. The bridge is
2. ROHTANG TUNNEL : named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee, and dedicated to the nation one day
It is also known as Atal tunnel is a highway tunnel before his birthday.
built under the Rohtang pass in the eastern Pir
Panjal range of Himalayas on the Leh-Menali It is a 592 m long cable-stayed bridge on the Ravi

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 12
river in the Basohli area of Kathua district, Himachal Pradesh. This bridge also provide a direct
commissioned to nation on 24 December 2015 by access to Kishtwar and Doda District from
former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikkar. The Pathankot. The entire load of the bridge and
bridge is situated on Dunera (Pathankot) to Basohli vehicles moving on it will be borne by 96 cables
road and built to improve connectivity among three supported by two towers raised on the banks of the
states of India- Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Ravi.

TABLE SHOWING NAME AND ROUTE OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN J&K

NH. NO. ROUTE LENGTH (IN
KMS)
Punjab border-Kathua-Samba-Jammu-Udhampur-Batote-Khanabal-
1A Avantipur-Pampore-Srinagar-Patan-Baramulla-Uri.
534
1B Batote-Doda-Kishtwar-Sinthan pass-Khamabal 274
1C Domel-Katra 15
1D Srinagar-Kargil Leh 422
3 New Himachal Pradesh Border-Leh 170
144 A New Domel-Katra,Reasi, Pauni – Junction with NH-144A near Bamla 82
244 New Jammu-Akhnoor-Nowshera-Rajouri-Poonch 230
301 New Kargil-Zanskar Road 234
501 New Junction with NH-1 Panchtarni-Chandanwari-Pahalgam-Batakut- 90
Martand-Khanabal
444 New Srinagar-Badgam, Pulwama,Shopian-Kulgam-Qazikund 150
701 Baramulla-Rafiabad-Kupwara-Tangdhar 126
Total 8 Total length 2627
stages. Later it was named as Government

J&K SRTC (STATE ROAD TRANSPORT

CORPORATION) :
Transport Undertaking. The J&K State Road
The first-ever Government owned transport Transport Corporation (a successor to the
fleet born on June, Ist 1948. A handful of erstwhile Government Transport Undertaking)
persons were drawn virtually from the road- came into existence on 1.9.1976 under Road
side both at Jammu and Srinagar to form the Transport Corporation Act of 1950. The J&K
management to operate the 50 trucks it SRTC has played a vital role in developing the
acquired from General Motor Corporation, economy of the State right from the date of its
Bombay along with some accessories left by inception. The JKSRTC has maintained the
the American Company. The Organisation was supply of essential commodities to every nook
run as a government department in the early and corner of the State very efficiently and

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 13
operates passenger bus services in all the JKSRTC for the first time has launched
regions within the State. It also operates presentation of gold and silver medals, besides
services on Inter-state routes in Punjab, cash rewards to its Meritorious Employees for
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, their remarkable performance in different
Delhi and Rajasthan. centres of the corporation.

OBJECTIVES OF SRTC :

1. To make the transport system advantageous ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND ROAD
and convenient to the Public, kargil, PROJECTS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR :
Tourism, Trade, Industry and various other
agencies. The Asian development Bank has agreed to
2. To provide an efficient and economic Road construct new roads and buildings in Jammu
Transport Service for the traveling public division at a cost of 300 crore, through the
both within the State and on the Interstate Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction
routes. Corporation, which falls under the Ministry of
3. To provide for highly integrated transport Roads and Building.
system for carriage of essential commodities
of the Government agencies and under the Under the plan far-flung areas of the State,
Public Distribution System. including Warwan and Marwah in Kistwar
4. Providing of Adequate, Efficient, Socio tehsil of Doda District, will also be linked by
Economic and Co-ordinated Transport road.
services to the travelling public/commuters
both within the State and outside the State. AIRWAYS OR AIR TRANSPORT :
5. Shouldering the Responsibilities of the
The importance of airways increases at the
Government in Emergencies and Natural
time emergency. The development of airways,
Calamities like War, Floods, and Earth Quake
demands certain thresh hold of population.
Etc.
The construction of Air-fields require plain
IMORTANT POINTS : JKSRTC areas for landing and take-off and hazards free
weather condition. It is quick but quite
The JKSRTC operated the first vehicle across expensive mode of transportation. Both the
Khardung La Pass at 18330 ft in 1962. capitals of the UT Jammu and Srinagar and Leh
are on the air-Map of India. There are regular
The JKSRTC has been given special award by air flights for all these cities from New Delhi
the Central Government in 2010-11 for and other parts of the country. The Srinagar
operating public transport under severe airport has been upgraded to international
geographical Conditions. level named as Sheikh-ul-Alam Airport. Jammu
Airport is officially known as Jammu Civil

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 14
Enclave. Within the UT there are Jammu-
Srinagar, Srinagar-Leh and Jammu-Leh flights
are operated.

Jammu Srinagar air-route is also a busy route,

partly because of the tiring road journey and
partly because of the seasonal shift of capital
from Srinagar to Jammu in winter and Jammu
to Srinagar in summer.

WATER TRANSPORT :

Jhelum, the only river is navigable from

Kahabal to Baramulla. Doongas are used to
carry 50 passengers at a time up and down the
rivers across lakes. Khoch and Bahach are used
to carry heavy loads like grains, Stones, bricks,
timber and sand etc. In Dal Lake, the tourists
move from one place to another in decorated
Shikaras owned by Kashmiris. There is a great
demand of such shikaras for sightseeing. A
good chunk of House Boats are decorated and
rented for stay during summer holidays.
However, these house-boats do not move
from one place to another. Only small house-
boats are seen moving from one place to
another in Jhelum river.

In Jan 2018, the Union Government has

declared four rivers namely Chenab, Indus,
Jhelum and Ravi as national waterways, which
would be developed in a phase manner.

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 15
MCQs (MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS) : 6. Match the following :

1. Which among the followingis an exception to CLIMATE REGION

the Sub-tropical climate of Jammu Division? A. Cold and Desert 1. Coldest region
a) Gool-Gulabgarh B. Temperate 2. Jammu region
b) Bhaderwah C. Humid Sub-tropical 3. Ladakh region
c) Banihal
d) Katra D. Leh 4. Kashmir valley
2. Which among the following is the cash crop in CODES : A B C D ABCD
J&k?
a) Saffron a) 3 4 1 2
b) Barley b) 3 4 2 1
c) Oilseeds c) 1 2 3 4
d) Maize d) 4 3 1 2
3. The Kashmiri name of Saffron is : 7. Which of the following Acts of the Jammu
a) Kongh and Kashmir State restricts the cultivators
b) Dhan from growing wild trees having medical
c) Tamok value and hampers the growth of some
d) Makai areas?
4. The vegetation confined to the Jammu plains a) Conversion Act
and Kandi areas is : b) Kuth Act
a) Alpine c) Forest Act
b) Sub-tropical d) None of the above
c) Temperate 8. Match the following :
d) Dry savanna and Scrub
5. The Significant vegetation in the cold and SEASONS LOCAL TERM
desert area of Ladakh is : A. Ice cold 1. Retkol
a) Scrub
B. Summer 2. Harud
b) Xerophytic
c) Alpine C. Autumn 3. Shishur
d) Sub-tropical D. Rainy 4. Waharat
CODES : A B C D ABCD

a) 3124 b) 1 2 3 4
c) 4321 d) 3 2 1 4
9. Which of the following cropping patterns is
followed in J&K?
a) Multiple cropping
b) Jhum Farming
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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 16
c) Two crops a year b) 3421
d) Single crop in a year c) 1234
10. ‘Maize’ and ‘Wheat’ are the prominent d) 2134
crops of which area?
a) Jammu Region 15. Which of the following horticulture crops
b) Kashmir Region grown in J&K?
c) Ladakh Region
d) None of the Above a) Apples
11. Which of the following is a major rabi crop b) Pears
grown winters in J&K? c) Plums
a) Rice d) All of these
b) Wheat
c) Maize 16. Which of the following is the oldest canal
d) Poppy in the valley used for irrigatioin?
12. The crops like rice and Maize are sown from :
a) Martand Canal
a) Mid-May
b) Shakul Canal
b) Mid-June
c) Zainagir Canal
c) Mid-July
d) Lalkul Canal
d) None of the above
13. The State of Jammu and Kashmir is the
17. Which of the following canals was
leading producer of which of the following
constructed by Soya during Avantivarman’s
crops?
reign?
a) Rubber
b) Saffron a) Nur Canal
c) Rice b) Sambal Canal
d) Millets c) Kayal Canal
14. Match the following : d) Rishipora Canal

CROP PLACE 18. Which of the following canals was built by

A. Saffron 1. Karewa land in Zain-ul-Abidin?
Kashmir valley
B. Tobacco 2. Anantnag and a) Zainakul Canal
Srinagar b) Mahind
C. Oil seeds 3. Kashmir valley
c) Nandkul
D. Maize 4. Pampore d) None of these
CODES : A B C D ABCD
19. What is the length of the Basohli Bridge?
a) 4321
a) 552m

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 17
b) 592m c) 22nd December, 1972
c) 578m d) 9th Sept, 1980
d) 550m
25. Which of the following ruler first explored
20. The railway line from Udhampur to katra the possibility of a Railway?
was completed in?
a) Gulab Singh
a) 1990 b) Zain-ul-Abidin
b) 2000 c) Pratap Singh
c) 2005 d) Hari Singh
d) 2004
26. Which of the following pass connects the
21. In which year JKSRTC came into existence? valley of Kashmir with Jammu?

a) 1976 a) Banihal pass

b) 1950 b) Zojila Pass
c) 1969 c) Katra
d) 1966 d) None of the above

22. Which is the longest national highway in 27. During the British Period, which of the
J&K(UT)? following roads connects Jammu & Srinagar?

a) NH-1A a) Banihal cart road

b) NH-1B b) Jhelum cart road
c) NH-1C c) Ravi cart road
d) NH-1D d) Tawi cart road

23. Which of the following is the India’s 28. The Jawahar Tunnel that connects Jammu
largest all weather road Tunnel? with the Kashmir valley across the Pir Panjal
range falls enroute to which of the following
a) Chenani-Nashri Tunnel highways?
b) Banihal – Qazigund Tunnel
c) Jawahar Tunnel a) NH-1A
d) None of the above b) NH-1C
c) NH-1D
24. The state of J&K was brought on the d) NH-1B
Railway map of India on?
29. During the reign of Pratap Singh the
a) 15th July, 1970 Jhelum valley cart road was completed from?
b) 15th August 1975

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 WEATHER, CLIMATE CROPS AND TRANSPORT OF J&K 18
a) Jammu to Baramulla
b) Kohala to Baramulla
c) Baramulla to Srinagar
d) Jammu to Kohala

30. Which is the smallest national highway in

Jammu & Kashmir (UT)?

a) NH-144
b) NH-1C
c) NH-701
d) NH-244

ANSWERS
1.D 2.A 3.A
4.D 5.B 6.B
7.B 8.A 9.C
10.A 11.B 12.C
13.B 14.A 15.D
16.A 17.A 18.A
19.B 20.D 21.A
22.A 23.A 24.A
25.C 26.A 27.A
28.A 29.C 30.B

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 PANCHAYATI RAJ ACT 1989 1

In Jammu and Kashmir, the roots of Panchayati from among themselves. The Panches shall be
Raj were planted by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1935 elected from the constituencies, Delimited by the
by promulgation of the Jammu and Kashmir prescribed authority in accordance with the rules.
Village Panchayat Regulation No.1, but the The Sarpanch, the Naib-Sarpanch and every
Panchayati Raj Act came into existenence in Panch of Halqa Panchayat shall hold the office for
1989. According to the provision of Act IX of a period of five years from the date of its
1989, Panchayati Raj Institution is divided into 3 Constitution. There shall be a Panchayat Advisory
tier which are called Halqa Panchayat, Block Committee comprising such members as may be
Development Council and District Planning and prescribed. The Halqa Panchayat shall hold its
Development Board for the village, block and meeting at least once in a month.
district level respectively. J&K Panchayati Raj
Amendment Act, 1989 consist of 14 chapters, 83 Halqa means the area comprising a village or
sections & 6 schedules. such contiguous number of villages as may be
determined by the government from time-to-
These 14 chapters are: time.

o Chapter 1 - Preliminary Halqa Majlis means all the voters of Halqa

o Chapter 2 – Halqa Panchayat Panchayat.
o Chapter 3 – Powers and functions of
Halqa Panchayat POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
o Chapter 4 – Property
o Chapter 5 – Conduct of Business Followings are the powers and functions of the
o Chapter 6 – Block Development Halqa Panchayat
Council
o Chapter 7 – Powers and functions of  To prepare the plans for the
Block Development Council development of the Halqa.
o Chapter 8 – Property and Finance  To undertake measure for the
o Chapter 9 – Procedure for Conduct of implementation of the developmental
Business plans.
o Chapter 10 – Holding of Elections  Regulation of building, shops and
o Chapter 11 – District Planning and entertainment house and checking of
Development Board offensive or dangerous trades.
o Chapter 12 – Powers, Functions and Construction and maintenance of slaughter
Finance houses, regulation of sale and preservation
o Chapter 13 – Constitution of of meat and processing of skins and hide.
Panchayati Adalat  Regulation of fairs and festivals.
o Chapter 14 - Miscellaneous  To specifically deal with the problems
of soil conservation, water management,
HALQA PANCHAYAT social forestry, rural industrialisation,
agriculture and other welfare programmes.
There shall be a Halqa Panchayat for every Halqa  Preparation and implementation of
or village, every Halqa Panchayat shall bear the special developmental plants for alleviating
name of the place where it is headquartered. It poverty and employment generation
shall have Halqa Majlis comprising of all the through various programmes. Integrated
persons whose names are included in the rural development programme, National
electoral roll for such Halqa Panchayat. rural employment programme, rural
landless employment Guarantee
Every Halqa Panchayat shall consists of Panches Programme and housing of Scheduled
not less than seven and not more than eleven Castes and Backward classes.
including the Sarpanch. The Sarpanch shall be
elected by the Panches of the Halqa Panchayat

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 PANCHAYATI RAJ ACT 1989 2

 To be involved in implementation of belonging to or under the control of Halqa

scheme of universalisation of elementary Panchayat.
education and other educational 2. Fees for the use of Slaughter Houses
programmes. and encampaign grounds.
 Public village road, movable and 3. Fees for temporary occupation of
immovable, which has been transferred to village sites, roads and other similar public
a Halqa Panchayat, by the government places or parks there in the villages.
building slaughter houses, drain, tanks, 4. Fee on application for creation or re-
ponds, wells etc constitute the property of creation of building.
Halqa Panchayat.
 Regulation sale and preservation of BLOCK DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
fish, vegetables and other perishable
articles and food. For every block in the State Government shall by
notification, constitute a Block Development
TAXES LEVIED AND COLLECTED Council bearing the name of the block.

 Taxes which are levied and collected The Block Development Council shall consists of
by the Halqa Panchayat are as follows:
 Taxes on any trade, calling or a) Chairman
profession within the jurisdiction of b) All Sarpanches of Halqa Panchayat
Halqa Panchayat subject to the falling within the block.
maximum limit as indicated c) Chairman, Marketing Society with the
 On persons up to Rs. 50 per annum. jurisdiction of the block.
 In the case of theatre, cinema and
other places of entertainment up to If the women or Scheduled Caste or any other
Rs. 25 per annum. class are not represented in the Block
 A tax payable by owner thereof on Development Council, the prescribed authority
animals and vehicles kept within the can nominate not more than two persons as
area of Halqa Panchayat and applied members. Every Block Development Council shall
for hire at the following maximum have a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary.
rates The term of office of the Chairman shall be five
 In the case of animals, not exceeding years from the date of his election. The term of
Rs. 20 per animal per annum Vice-Chairman and other members of the Block
 In the case of vehicle, not exceeding Development Council shall be co-extensive with
Rs. 50 per vehicle per annum the term of their office as Sarpanch of the
 In the case of tractor, not exceeding concerned Halqa Panchayat
Rs. 100 per tractor per annum
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
 Tax on boats.
 Pilgrim tax.
The Powers and functions of Block Development
 A tax on gharats, rice husking mills,
Council are as follows:
brick kilns and oil mills.
 Tax on hawkers and pheriwalas.
a) Constructions, maintenance and
supervision of inter-Halga Panchayat
FEES COLLECTED BY THE HALQA PANCHAYAT
communication system. Administrative and
technical guidance to Halqa Panchayat and
Following fees are collected by Halqa Panchayat.
review their work.
These are:
b) To supervise plans relating to agriculture,
rural development, animal
1. Fees on persons exposing goods and
husbandry/sheep husbandry, social
animals for sale in market or Melas
forestry, education and public health.

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 PANCHAYATI RAJ ACT 1989 3

c) Supervise and monitor the implementation The Power and functions can be understood
of poverty alleviation programmes. through the following points. These are:
Integrated Rural development programme,
National Rural Employment programme, 1. To consider and guide the formulation
Rural landless Employment Guarantee of development programmes for the
Programme. district and indicate priorities for
d) Undertake measures for effective various schemes and consider issues
supervision and monitoring of various relating to the speedy development
development programmes. To carry out and economic upliftment of the
such other functions as may be entrusted district.
to it by the government or by District 2. To review periodically progress and
Planning and Development Board. achievement of development plans
e) For every Block Development Council, and schemes and make
there shall be constituted a Block recommendations as it considers
Development Council Fund comprising appropriate.
grants made by the government. Every 3. To function as a working group for
Block Development Council shall hold its formulation of periodic annual plans
meeting once in a month. for the district.
4. To formulate and finalise the plan and
DISTRICT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT non-plan budget for the district.
BOARD 5. To lay down the policy guidelines for
the Block Development council and
Each district shall have District Planning and Halqa Panchayat
Development Board shall comprise of: 6. To approve the budget of the Block
Development Council and supervise
1. Chairman of the Block Development and coordinate their work.
Councils of the district. 7. To undertake special measures for
2. Members of Parliament representing alleviating poverty and employment
the area. generation.
3. Members of the State Legislature 8. To promote and assist cooperative
representing the area within the institutions.
district. 9. All the funds provided by the
4. Chairman of the town area government or any other agency,
committees at the district. meant for the development of district
5. President of the municipal council. will flow through the District Planning
and Development Board as per the
The Chairman of the board shall be nominated by district plans.
the government from amongst the members of 10. The board shall set up committees to
the District Planning and Development Board. handle specialised jobs.
The Vice-chairman shall be elected by the
members of the board from amongst themselves. PANCHAYATI ADALAT
No government servent shall be elected as Vice-
Chairman of the board. There shall be a Panchayati Adalat for every
Halqa. The Panchayati Adalat shall comprise five
The District Development Commissioner shall be members, who shall be nominated by the
the Chief Executive of the District Planning and prescribed authority out of the panel prepared
Development Board and assisted by the district and recommended by the Halqa Panchayat out of
level heads in discharge of functions as such. its electorate. The term of member of Panchayati
Adalat shall be five years.
POWER AND FUNCTIONS

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 PANCHAYATI RAJ ACT 1989 4

The members of a Panchayati Adalat shall elect  A senior Minister to be nominated by

any member from amongst themselves to be the the Chief Minister (Member)
Chairman of such Panchayati Adalat. Three  Speaker of Legislative Assembly
members of Panchayati Adalat shall from the (Member)
Quorum. Panchayati Adalat shall have jurisdiction  Minister Incharge Panchayats Member
over the concerned Halqa Panchayat area for the (Member).
trial of and shall take cognisance of any offence  Leader of opposition in Legislative
and abetment of or attempt to commit any Assembly (Member).
offence, specified in the schedule. It shall not be 4. A person shall not be qualified as State
competent to impose any sentence other than a Election Commissioner unless he is
sentence of fine not exceeding one thousand holding or has held a post in the Indian
rupees. Panchayati Adalat may direct that the Administrative Services or a post in
whole or any part of the fine shall be paid as any civil service of the Union or the
compensation to the complainant or person State not below the rank of a
affected by the offence. commissioner/secretary to
Government having knowledge and
THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR PANCHAYATI RAJ experience in matters relating to the
AMENDMENT ACT, 2011 conduct of elections.
5. This Act also provided that the person
The 2011 Amendment Act, amended the Jammu so appointed is in-service at the time
and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act,1989. The of his appointment, he shall be
substitution of section 36, Act XI of 1989.-For deemed to have retired on
section 36 of the principal Act, the following superannuation from the date of
sections shall be substituted, namely assumption of office as State Election
Commissioner and shall be entitled to
State Election Commission receive pension and other post
retirement benefits in respect of that
1. The superintendence, direction and service.
control of the preparation of electoral 6. The State Election Commissioner shall,
rolls for and the conduct of, all before entering upon his office, make
elections under this Act shall continue and subscribe, before the Governor or
to vest in- an 'Election Authority to be any person nominated in this behalf
known as the State Election by him, an oath or affirmation.
Commission.
2. Notwithstanding anything contrary POWERS OF THE STATE
contained in this Act or any other law
for the time- being in force in the ELECTION COMMISSIONER
State, the Government may, by a
notification in the Government The Commission shall have the power
Gazette, vest the superintendence,
direction and control of the  To require any person including an
preparation of electoral rolls for and officer or an employee of the
the conduct of, election under any Government, subject to any privilege
other law for the time being in force in which may be claimed by that person
the State in the Commission. under any law for the time being in
3. The Commission shall consist of a force, to furnish information on any
State Election Commissioner, to be matter which, in the opinion of the
appointed by the Governor on the Commission, may be useful for, or
recommendation of a Committee relevant to, the subject of enquiry.
consisting of the:
 Chief Minister (Chairman)

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 PANCHAYATI RAJ ACT 1989 5

 To give such directions to the officers (a) Voters of Halqa Panchayat

and employees of the Government or
the Panchayati Raj Institutions or any (b) Members of Halqa Panchayat
other statutory body or society as it
considers necessary to ensure smooth (c) Chairman of Halqa Panchayat
and efficient conduct of elections
under this Act. (d) All of the above
 To delegate any of its powers to such
officers and employees of the 4. If due to any reason the Halqa Panchayat is
Government, as it may deem dissolved before its period of expiration, then the
necessary elections will be held within a period of
 To regulate its own procedure
including the fixing of time and place (a) 1 month (b) 3 months
of its sittings.
 To exercise such other powers as may (c) 6 months (d) 8 months
be prescribed by the Government
from time-to-time. 5. How many meetings are held by Halqa
Panchayat in a month?

(a) At least one (b) 2 meetings

(c) 3 meetings (d) None of these

6. The minimum age to become a member of

Halqa Panchayat of Jammu and Kashmir is

(a) 25 years (b) 30 years

(c) 35 years (d) 40 years

MCQs (MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS) 7. Which of the following programmes are

implemented by Halqa Panchayat in Jammu and
1. In which year Maharaja Hari Singh Kashmir?
promulgated the Jammu and Kashmnir
Panchayati Regulation Act No.1? (a) Proverty Alleviation Programme

(a) 1925 (b) 1930 (b) Employment Generation Programme

(c) 1935 (d) 1940 (c) Integrated Rural Development Programme

2. The Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act (d) All of the above
which provides a three-tier model, was passed for
the first time in 8. Which of the following taxes are payable under
Halqa Panchayat?
(a) 1975 (b) 1988
(a) Tax on trade
(c) 1985 (d) 1989
(b) Tax on pilgrim
3. Who is known as Halqa Majlis?
(c) Tax on boats

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 PANCHAYATI RAJ ACT 1989 6

(d) All of the above 14. The term of office of the Chairman of Block
Development Council is
9. The Halqa Panchayat consists of how many
Panches? (a) 3 years (b) 4 years

(a) More than 7 (c) 5 years (d) 6 years

(b) Less than 11 15. The District Planning and Development Board
comprises of which of the following?
(c) Not less than 7 and not more than 11
(a) Chairman
(d) More than 7 and less than 11
(b) Members of Parliament
10. The Sarpanch of Halqa Panchayat is elected
by the: (c) President of Municipal Council

(a) Naib-Sarpanch of Halqa Panchayat (d) All of the above

(b) Panches of Halqa Panchayat 16. How many members in Panchayati Adalat are
nominated by the Government of Jammu and
(c) Electorate Kashmir?

(d) All of these (a) 3 members (b) 4 members

11. The term of office of the Sarpanch, the Naib- (c) 5 members (d) 6 members
Sarpunch and Panches is
17. What is the minimum age to become a
(a) 4 years (b) 5 years member of Panchayati Adalat?

(c) 6 years (d) 3 years (a) 25 years (b) 30 years

12. The powers and functions of Block (c) 35 years (d) 40 years
Development Council is described in Jammu and
Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act 1989 in its section no. 18. What is the term period of the member of
Panchayati Adalat?
(a) 30 (b) 26
(a) 6 years (b) 4 years
(c) 28 (d) 35
(c) 5 years (d) 7 years
13. Who is the Secretary of Block Development
Council of Jammu and Kashmir as per the Jammu 19. How many members of the Panchayati Adalat
and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act 1989? form the Quorum?

(a) Chairman (a) Two (b) Three

(b) Vice-Chairman (c) Four (d) Six

(c) Block Development Officer 20. Under the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj
Amendment Act, 2004, how many seats have
(d) All of the above been reserved for women in Panchayat?

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 PANCHAYATI RAJ ACT 1989 7

(a) None (b) One/fourth

(c) One/third (d) Two/third

21. To become the State Election Commissioner

of Jammu and Kashmir, the person should have

(a) Hold a post or remained an officer in the

Indian Administrative Service

(b) Hold a post in any Civil Service of the country

(c) Knowledge and experience about conducting

elections

(d) All of the above

22. The term of office of the State Election

Commissioner is

(a) 3 years (b) 4 years

(c) 5 Years (d) 6 Years

23. The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir may

remove the State Election Commissioner from his
office, if he is

(a) Declared as insolvent or of unsound mind

(b) Engaged in any other duties outside his office

during his term of office

(c) If he is sentenced to imprisonment

(d) All of the above

ANSWERS
1.C 2.D 3.A
4.C 5.A 6.A
7.D 8.D 9.C
10.C 11.B 12.A
13.C 14.C 15.D
16.C 17.B 18.C
19.B 20.C 21.D
22.C 23.D

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 J&K REORGANISATION ACT 2019 1

Article 3 of the Indian constitution empowers the state only in case of war or external aggression. The
parliament to create new states/alter boundaries/ Union government can therefore not declare
change names. The Jammu and Kashmir emergency on grounds of internal disturbance or
Reorganisation Act 2019 is an act of the Parliament imminent danger unless it is made at the request or
of India. It contains provisions to reconstitute the with the concurrence of the state government.
state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union  Under Article 370, the Indian
territories, one to be eponymously called Jammu Parliament cannot increase or reduce the borders
and Kashmir, and the other Ladakh, on 31 October of the state.
2019. A bill for the act was introduced by the  The Jurisdiction of the Parliament of
Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, in the Rajya India in relation to Jammu and Kashmir is confined
Sabha, on 5 August 2019 under the leadership of to the matters enumerated in the Union List, and
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The bill was passed also the concurrent list. There is no State list for the
in Rajya Sabha the same day and was passed by the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lok Sabha on 6 August 2019. It received the  At the same time, while in relation to
President's assent on 9 August 2019. The the other States, the residuary power of legislation
introduction of the bill was preceded by a belongs to Parliament, in the case of Jammu and
presidential order under Article 370 of the Indian Kashmir, the residuary powers belong to the
constitution that revoked Jammu and Kashmir's Legislature of the State, except certain matters to
special status, and mandating that all the provisions which Parliament has exclusive powers such as
of the Indian Constitution would be applicable to preventing the activities relating to cession or
Jammu and Kashmir. This enabled the parliament to secession, or disrupting the sovereignty or integrity
enact the legislation. of India.
 The power to make laws related to
ABOUT ARTICLE 370 : preventive detention in Jammu and Kashmir belong
to the Legislature of J&K and not the Indian
 Article 370 of the Indian Constitution Parliament. Thus, no preventive detention law
is a 'temporary provision' which grants special made in India extends to Jammu & Kashmir.
autonomous status to Jammu & Kashmir.  Part IV (Directive Principles of the
 Under Part XXI of the Constitution of State Policy) and Part IVA (Fundamental Duties) of
India, which deals with "Temporary, Transitional the constitution are not applicable to J&K.
and Special provisions", the state of Jammu &
Kashmir has been accorded special status under REORGANISATION ACT 2019 :
Article 370. All the provisions of the Constitution
which are applicable to other states are not The act reorganises the state into two union
applicable to J&K. territories, namely the eponymous union territory
 According to this article, except for of Jammu and Kashmir, and that of Ladakh. J&K will
defence, foreign affairs, finance and have a legislative assembly, Ladakh will be
communications, Parliament needs the state administered by a lieutenant governor alone. The
government's concurrence for applying all other union territory of Ladakh will include the districts of
laws. Thus the state's residents live under a Leh and Kargil, while all other districts will be
separate set of laws, including those related to accorded to Jammu and Kashmir. Out of the six
citizenship, ownership of property, and seats allocated to the state of Jammu and Kashmir,
fundamental rights, as compared to other Indians. one will be allocated to Ladakh and five will be
 Indian citizens from other states accorded to the Jammu and Kashmir union territory.
cannot purchase land or property in J&K. The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir will function
 Under Article 370, the Centre has no as the High Court for both the union territories. The
power to declare financial emergency under Article act provides that the administration of the Jammu
360 in the state. It can declare emergency in the and Kashmir will be as per Article 239 of the Indian
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 J&K REORGANISATION ACT 2019 2

constitution. Article 239A, originally formulated for THIRD SCHEDULE : Assembly constituencies of
the union territory of Puduchery, will also be J&K UT.
applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. A lieutenant
governor appointed by the President will administer FOURTH SCHEDULE : Deals with the oath and
the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which affirmation of Members of the legislative assembly
will have a legislative assembly of 107 members, and council of ministers.
which wiil be enhanced to 114 after a delimitation
exercise and out of these 107 seats 24 seats will FIFTH SCHEDULE : Deals with Central laws made
remain vacant for PoK, with tenure of five years. applicable to the UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh.
Seats will be reserved for SCs and STs in proportion
of their population and 2 women members will be IMPORTANT SECTIONS TO REMEMBER :
nominated by the Lt. Governor. The legislative
assembly may make laws for any of the matters in SECTION 1 & 2 : Preliminary information (Short
the state list except "public order" and "police", title and definition of the State or UT)
which will remain as the law-making powers of the
union government. A Council of Ministers including SECTION 3 : Ladakh as Ut without legislature will
a Chief Minister will be appointed by the lieutenant be formed with 2 districts(leh and Kargil).
governor from the members of the legislative
assembly, with the role to advise the lieutenant Section 4: J&K as a UT with legislature
governor in the exercise of functions in matters
under the legislative assembly's jurisdiction. In Section 5: There shall be the Lieutenant
other matters, the lieutenant governor is Governors for the UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh.
empowered to act in his own capacity, who will also
have the power to promulgate ordinances having Section 10: There shall be five seats to the
the same force as acts enacted by the legislature. successor of UT of J&K and One seat to UT of
Ladakh in the house of people.
Under this act the special status of J&K state was
revoked by Presidential order superseding the 1954 Section 14: Legislative assembly for UT of J&K
presidential order. As per this act J&K state is and its composition
divided into two UT’s: J&k and Ladakh. The UT of
J&K has 20 districts and Ladakh has two districts. Section 14(6): ST/SC reservation
The reorganization act contains 14 parts, 103
sections and 5 schedules. Out of 354 State laws in Section 15: LG may nominate two members to
the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir, 164 laws have the legislative assembly to give representation to
been repealed, 138 laws modified while 170 central women, if in his openion, women are not
laws have been made applicable. adequately represented in the Legislative Assembly.

SCHEDULES OF REORGANISATION ACT 2019 : Section 16: Qualification for membership of LA.

FIRST SCHEDULE : It deals with the strength of  Must be a Citizen of India

Members of council of state i-e 10% of total  Is not less than 25 years of age.
strength of the Legislative assembly.  Possess such other qualification as
may be prescribed in that behalf by or under any
SECOND SCHEDULE : Parliamentary law made by the Parliament.
constituencies of J&K (Baramulla, Srinagar,
Anantnag, Udhampur and Jammu) and Section 17: Duration of LA i-e 5 years.
parliamentary constituencies of Ladakh i-e Ladakh.
Section 24: Oath or Affirmation every member of
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 J&K REORGANISATION ACT 2019 3

Legislative Assembly.

Section 27: Disqualification of members of

legislative assembly.

Section 30: Power & privileges of members of

legislative assembly.

Section 31 : Salary of the members of the

legislative assembly.

Section 47: official language of the UT of J&K.

Section 53: There shall be a council of ministers

consisting of not more than 10% of the total
number of members in the legislative Assembly,
with the Chief Minister as the head to aid and
advise the LG in relation to matters with respect to
which the Legislative Assembly has power to make
laws.

Section 57: Abolition of legislative council.

J&K MAP BEFORE THE REVOCATION OF ARTICLE
Section 61: Powers of election commission. 370:

Section 75: The high court of J&K shall be the

Common high court for UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh.

Section 93: Provisions as to State public service

commission.

J&K BEFORE AND AFTER THE REVOCATION OF

ARTICLE 370 :

 Before the J&K had bicameral

legislature i-e Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad
and now it has Unicameral legislature i-e Vidhan
Sabha with 107 seats.
 Before there were 90 seats in Vidhan
Sabha but now there are 107 seats and out of these
107 seats 24 seats are vacant for PoK.

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 J&K REORGANISATION ACT 2019 4

J&K MAP AFTER THE REVOCATION OF ARTICLE d) None of these

370: 6. The act was assented by president of
India on :
a) 6th Aug, 2019
b) 9th Aug, 2019
c) 5th Aug, 2019
d) None of these
7. Number of members of parliament
who voted against the reorganization of Jammu and
Kashmir are :
a) 370
b) 360
c) 303
d) 70
8. Number of members of parliament
who voted in favour of reorganization of J&K are :
a) 370
b) 360
MCQs (MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS) :- c) 303
d) 70
1. How many seats of members of 9. Number of districts included in J&K UT
legislative assembly will remain reserved for will be :
Pakistan occupied Kashmir (Pok)? a) 22
a) 24 b) 18
b) 30 c) 20
c) 20 d) 16
d) 28 10. What shall be the size of the council of
2. The number of members of Legislative the minister of the total number of members in the
assembly (MLA) will increase to assembly?
a) 101 a) 15%
b) 107 b) 12%
c) 114 c) 10%
d) 83 d) 20%
3. The union territory of J&K is similar to 11. High court of J&K will function as
a) Delhi a) High Court of Jammu
b) Chandigarh b) High court of Kashmir
c) Puducherry c) High court of J&K and Ladakh
d) Andaman and Nicobar d) All of these
4. The UT of Ladakh is similar to 12. The UT of Ladakh will include the
a) Delhi districts :
b) Puducherry a) Leh and Kargil
c) Chandigarh b) Jammu and Srinagar
d) Dadar Haveli c) Doda and Kishtwar
5. The new UT of J&K and Ladakh came d) Aksai chin
into effect from 13. The Lok Sabha member who was not
a) 31st Oct, 2019 present in the house during the bill regarding
b) 9th Aug, 2019 reorganization of J&K :
c) 1 Jan, 2019 a) Dr. Farooq Abdullah

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 J&K REORGANISATION ACT 2019 5

b) Rahul Gandhi ANSWERS

c) Jugal Kishore 1. A 2. C 3. A
d) Dr. Jitendra Singh 4. B 5. A 6. B
14. Number of women to be nominated in 7. D 8. A 9. C
Legislative assembly by LG of J&K will be : 10. C 11. C 12. A
a) 4 13. A 14. C 15. C
b) 3 16. B 17. C 18. D
c) 2 19. B 20. A
d) 5
15. Members of legislative Assembly with
effect from 31st October 2019 will be :
a) 114
b) 87
c) 107
d) 90
16. LG of J&K will be appointed by :
a) PM of India
b) President of India
c) Governor of J&K
d) None of these
17. Which UT will have Legislative
Assembly after bifurcation of J&K State :
a) Jammu
b) Ladakh
c) J&K
d) Kashmir
18. What measures were taken before the
introduction of J&K reorganization bill :
a) Imposition of section 144
b) House Arrest of Political Leaders and
separatist.
c) 35000 paramilitary troops deployed to
Indian Administered Kashmir.
d) All of the above
19. On which date the J&K reorganization
bill discussed in Rajya Sabha :
a) 6th August, 2019
b) 5th August, 2019
c) 9th August, 2019
d) None of these
20. Members of which party walked out of
the House of Rajya Sabha?
a) T.M.C
b) JDU
c) PDP
d) None of these

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