The existence of Kashmir starts with the decision taken by Hari Singh, the Dogra maharaja of Kashmir to join Kashmir to the Indian union.
The Maharaja signed the "Instrument of Accession" in October 1947 that allowed to establish the line of control in the region in July 1949.
India has to contest with China in Aksai Chin areas that India claimed as part of Hari Singh’s accession.
In August 2019, the national government suspended Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomous status and applied India’s constitution fully to the territory.
The kashmir region was split into two separate union territory, namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Jammu is the winter capital of the maharaja that was under control of the Dogra dynasty.
The majority of Sikhs in the union territory also live in the Jammu region.
In the northwest, the Muslims family living here increases, making a dominant majority in the area around the western town of Punch.
Kashmiri Homes varies from 2 House Storey To 4 House Storey. The authentic and decorated House Boats float in the Dal Lake in Kashmir.
Houses in the villages of Kashmir, are made by stones and coated with mud and wood. The houses have sloping roofs to drain snowfall.
Parts of Jammu is a mix of plane and hilly area. Normal houses at higher altitudes of Jammu has slooping roofs .
Architects of Kashmir have adapted new construction material, with most construction made of concrete, bricks, sand, and cement replacing mud-bricks, and wood.
Dhajji Diwari is used to make the attics of large mansions, while the lower floors are of Taq construction. A Kashmiri brick is special, both baked and unbaked.
Demographic Location
The vast majority of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory is mountainous.
The physiography of the province is divided into five zones that are closely associated with the structural components of the western Himalayas.
From west to east those zones consist of the plains, the foothills, the Pir Panjal Range, the Vale of Kashmir, and the Great Himalayan zone.
The climate varies from alpine on the eastern edge to subtropical in the southwest.
In the alpine area average annual precipitation is on the higher side but in the subtropical zone which is around Jammu, rainfall is much higher.
The entire region is prone to violent seismic activity, and light to moderate tremors are common.
The Great Himalayas lie along the eastern border with Ladakh.
The Great Himalayas contain ranges with numerous peaks reaching elevations of 20,000 feet or higher, between which are deeply entrenched remote valleys.
The region is covered with thick layers of glaciers existing since the Pleistocene Epoch, some snowfields are still present.
The zone receives some rain from the southwest monsoon in the summer months—and the lower slopes are forested.
Jammu and Kashmir contains only a small section of the Great Himalayas, but the highest peak in the union territory is at Bharanzar in the Kishtwar district.
In the Himalayas, outer zone consists of sandstones, clays, silts, and conglomerates, created due to folding movements to form long ridges and valleys called "duns".
The inner zone consists of more-massive sedimentary rocks, including red sandstones of Miocene age that has been folded, fractured, and eroded to form steep hieght and plateaus.
Mountain river valleys are deeply chiseled, and faulting has produced numerous alluvium basins.
People, Rituals and Language
Almost two-third of the population in the province follow Islam, Hindus constitute the remaining third portion. The small minorities are Sikhs and Buddhists.
The union territory’s official languages are Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi and English. The vast majority of the people are Muslims who speak Kashmiri or Urdu.
The Kashmiri language is influenced by Sanskrit and belongs to the Dardic branch of Indo-Aryan language, which is spoken by various hill people of region of Gilgit.
Kashmir has rich folklore and literary traditions. The great majority of the population resides in the lower reaches of the Vale.
Season and Climate
The narrow plain landscape in Jammu region is identifed by presence of interlocking sandy alluvial layers deposited by streams from the foothills since Pleistocene age.
Rainfall is quite low and it occurs as heavy but irregular downpours during monsoon season between June to September.
Due to limited rain, Jammu and Kashmir's countryside is entirely void of shady trees, they are filled with thorns, scrubs and coarse grass that form its dominant vegetation.
Precipitation increases with elevation, and the lower scrubland give way to pine forests in the higher reaches.
Culture & Education
The Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Buddhists people who make Kashmir beautiful by bringing their culture diversities in the valley state.
Education is free at all levels. Literacy rates are better than the national average, yet female literacy is lower than that for males.
The two major institutes of higher education are the University of Kashmir at Srinagar and the University of Jammu, both founded in 1969.
In addition, agricultural schools and medical institutes have been established in Srinagar.
The Kashmiri population group can be compared to the Indo-Greek clan for their racial structure.
Their language is highly influenced by the Sanskrit language. Their writing script has influence from Arabic style.
Wazwan and their culture is highly influenced by Central Asian and Persian culture.
The dance, music, cuisine, carpet weaving and Koshur Sufiana is part of Kashmiri identity.
Kashmiri culture is mainly followed by people living in Kashmir valley and Dodab of the Chenab region.
The valley is known for the fine arts found in traditional shikara and houseboats, handicrafts and poetry. Kashmir has its own dance style and music that is simple and fabulous.
Mask dance that is performed during the Hemis Festival. The dancers wear colorful costume, wear face mask and brocade robes and do ceremonial dances.
Some other folk dance forms are Chakri, Ladishah, Ruf dance and Dandaras dance. Roul, Dogri and Wuegi-Nachun.
Kashmiri people love folk music and tap their feet on the famous Rabab music.
The common instruments played in this music are Sitar, Dukra - Nagara. Wanawun, Ghazals, Sufi and Choral in Kashmir sung on wedding and festivals.
Kashmir has some mouth-watering cuisine in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
The popular dishes of meat are Kashmiri Kebag, Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Pasanda, Syun Alu and Methi Keema.
Some of the famous vegetarian dishes include Hak, Rajmah, Zarda, Tursh, Shree Pulao, Nadeir Yakhaen, and Ladyar Tsaman.
Guest in Kashmir are greeted with hot sheer tea and Kahwah. Kashmiri Pulao is a delicacy.
The majority of people wear traditional costume and women decorate themselves with gorgeous jewelry like nose ring, bangles, earrings, necklaces and lose salwar kamiz.
Men dress themselves in kurta pajama, shalwars, gurabi and skullcaps.
Pheran is kind of overcoat wore by Kashmiri people during winter which is decorated with colorful patches and embroidery work.
Some popularly celebrated festivals in Kashmir are Baishakhi, Lohri, Eid-ul-Fitr, Hemis festival, Tulip Festival, Shikara Festival, Gurez Festival, Sindu Darshan and Domoche.
Numerous fairs like Bahu Mela, Jhiri Mela and Craft Mela are also enjoyed in Kashmiri.
On the other hand, basketry, paper mache, wooden carving furniture made of walnut wood and silverware are one of the best handicrafts offered by Kashmiri people.
Famous Spots
Some of the places to Visit in Jammu & Kashmir:
Yusmarg - is a hill station in the western part of the valley of Kashmir.
Gulmarg - known for its snow capped mountains, lush greenery grasslands, fresh water lakes, pine & fir forests and numerous types of flowers in the Pir Panjal valley.
Sonmarg - This place is known as “meadow of gold”. Its landscape consists of a glacier, forests and snow capped mountains.
Pahalgam - Located in the Anantnag district, on the banks of the River Lidder with meadows, forests and pristine environment.
Gurez Valley - The oldest tribes in Kashmir called the Dard Shin Tribe and speak Shina live here. Snow capped mountain valley embraced by meadows, lindens and walnut trees.
Srinagar - The city is known as “Land of Gardens and Lakes.”. The floating vegetable market on Dal Lake and Tulip gardens makes Srinagar spectacular.
Vaishno Devi - The temple on the Trikuta Hills in Jammu is dedicated to the main deity Mother Goddess believed to fulfil the wishes of her devotees.
Patnitop - Known for for its meadows and gorgeous scenery views of the Himalayan peaks.
Aqualife, Flora & Fauna
The farmers of Jammu and Kashmir practice subsistence agriculture on terraced slopes.
Rice is the staple crop, planted in May and harvested in late September. Corn, millet, pulses, cotton, and tobacco are grown in the summer, wheat and barley are chief spring crops.
Many temperate fruits and vegetables are grown to meet urban demands. Sericulture (silk cultivation) is also widespread.
Large orchards are found in the Vale of Kashmir producing apples, pears, peaches, walnuts, almonds, and cherries. The vale is sole producer of saffron in the region.
Lake margins are suitable for cultivation. Vegetables and flowers are grown in the marshland or in artificial floating gardens.
The lakes and rivers are breeding spots of fresh water fish and water chestnuts.
Wild mammals like the rare hangul (or Kashmir stag) are found in Dachigam National Park.
The endangered Markhor (a large goat), black and brown bear live in the areas adjacent to the Pir Panjal Range.
There are many species of migrating birds, including vast numbers of ducks that live here.
