In this article, we provide comprehensive information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist destinations of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is a region of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural diversity, and historical significance located in the northernmost part of India. Since October 31, 2019, it has been reorganized into two separate Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
| About: | Jammu and Kashmir (abbreviated J&K) is a region administered by India consisting of the southern portion of the larger Kashmir region, which has been the subject of an intractable dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947 and one between India and China since 1959. Its area is delimited from the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in the west and north by the Line of Control. It is situated to the north of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, two states in North India, and west of Ladakh, another union territory administered by India. Provisions for the formation of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir were contained within the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, which was passed by both houses of the Parliament of India in August 2019. The act re-constituted the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, one being Jammu and Kashmir and the other being Ladakh, with effect from 31 October 2019. |
| History: | Jammu and Kashmir was one of the 565 princely States of India on which the British paramountcy lapsed at the stroke of mid-night on August 15, 1947. On Independence from the British yoke, the State of Jammu and Kashmir, then ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh, elected to accede to the Union of India by signing an Instrument of Accession. The Instrument of Accession was executed and signed by the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh and the Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatton on October 26/27, 1947. The Maharaja announced a popular interim government on March 5, 1948 and appointed Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah as the Prime Minister. On June 20, 1949 when Maharaja Hari Singh had to leave the State for reasons of health, he appointed Yuvraj Karan Singh, his son, as Regent through a Proclamation issued on June 20, 1949. On January 26, 1950, when India became a Republic, Article 370 of the Constitution of India conferred a special status on the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Regent, as Head of the State, issued a Proclamation on May 1, 1951 directing formation of a Constituent Assembly of elected members. The Constituent Assembly after the Delhi Agreement elected the Regent, Yuvraj Karan Singh, as Sadar-i-Riyasat of the State on August 19, 1952. On May, 1954, the President of India issued the Constitution Order 1954-CO 48 dated 14-5-1954 under Article 370 extending the Constitution of India to the State with exception and modifications contained in the order. On November 17, 1956, the State Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir declaring the State to be an integral part of the Union of India. While the Constitution was adopted on January 26, 1957, Sections 3 & 4 of the Constitution came into force with immediate effect. By the 6th amendment to the State Constitution adopted on March 28, 1965, the Sadar-i-Riyasat was re-designated as the Governor and the Prime Minister of the State as the Chief Minister. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation act 2019 was passed on 9th of August 2019 and the state was reorganised into two Union Territories namely Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Ladakh. |
| Economy: | The economy of Jammu and Kashmir is services-based and agriculture-oriented. The gross domestic product of Jammu and Kashmir was estimated at ₹1.76 lakh crore (would be equal to ₹2.1 trillion or US$25 billion in 2023) for the year 2020-21. For the year 2023-24, the GDP of Jammu and Kashmir is expected to cross ₹2.30 lakh crores, with a percentage action of 10%. Along with horticulture and agriculture, tourism would also prove to be an important industry in Jammu and Kashmir, accounting for about 7% to the economy. |
| Geography: | The UT is bounded by Ladakh in the East and North and Pakistan in the West. The Southern boundry is contiguous with Himachal Pradesh and Gurdaspur District of Punjab. Its thre principal rivers are, the Jhelum, the Chenab and the Ravi.The J&K with its summer and winter capitals at Srinagar and Jammu, respectively, consists of 20 districts, 10 in Kashmir Valley and 10 in Jammu Division. It has three geographical zones of (i) Sub-mountain and semi-mountain plain known as kandi or dry belt, (ii) the Shivalik ranges, (iii) the high mountain zone constituting the Kashmir valley, Pir Panchal range and its off-shoots including Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts and part of Kathua and Udhampur districts.The climate varies from tropical in the Jammu plains to semi-arctic cold in Kashmir and Jammu mountainous tracts having temperate climate conditions. The annual rainfall also varies from region to region with 650.5 mm in Srinagar and 1115.9 mm in Jammu. The J&K is geologically constituted of rocks varying from the oldest period of the earth’s history to the youngest present day river and lake deposits. |
| Country : | India |
| Districts: | 20 |
| Union territory: | 31 October 2019 |
| Capitals : | Srinagar (May–October) Jammu (November–April) |
| Language: | Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, English (Official) |
| Population: | 12,267,013 (2011) |
| Literacy rate: | Literacy rate in Jammu and Kashmir has seen upward trend and is 67.16 percent as per latest population census. Of that, male literacy stands at 76.75 percent while female literacy is at 56.43 percent |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | Vaishno Devi Temple Raghunath Temple Bahu Fort and Bagh-e-Bahu Mansar Lake Patnitop Shivkhori Srinagar Dal Lake Gulmarg Pahalgam Sonamarg Mughal Gardens Betaab Valley Dachigam National Park Leh-Ladakh Pangong Lake Nubra Valley Magnetic Hill Khardung La Pass Hemis Monastery Tso Moriri Lake Amarnath Cave |
