Jammu & Kashmir

.Overview of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is a state in northern India, often denoted by the acronym J&K. It is located mostly in the Himalayan mountains, and shares borders with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south. The Line of Control separates it from the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in the west and north, respectively. A part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, the region is the subject of a territorial conflict between India and Pakistan. The western districts of the former princely state known as Azad Kashmir and the northern territories known as Gilgit-Baltistan have been under Pakistani control since 1947.

The Aksai Chin region in the east, bordering Tibet, has been under Chinese control since 1962. Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions: Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. Srinagar is the summer capital, and Jammu is the winter capital. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India with a Muslim-majority population. The Kashmir valley is famous for its beautiful landscape, and Jammu’s numerous shrines attract tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year.

Ladakh, also known as “Little Tibet”, is the highest and most sparsely populated region in the state. The Himalayan region of Ladakh has some of the world’s most spectacular and beautiful scenery. It is also home to the world’s second highest mountain, K2.

The Vale of Kashmir is a valley in the greater Kashmir region and is the largest city in the Kashmir Valley. The valley is about 15 by 20 miles in extent and is drained by the Jhelum River. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The Pir Panjal range forms the southern wall of the valley and the Himalayas form the northern wall. The valley has an elevation of 5,200 feet above sea level.

The climate of the Kashmir valley is generally temperate. However, the climate can vary depending on the time of year and altitude. The valley is prone to heavy snowfall in the winter and temperatures can drop to -20°C. In the summer, the temperature can rise

2.History of Jammu and Kashmir

The history of Jammu and Kashmir can be traced back to the time of the Rig Veda, which is the earliest of the four Hindu religious texts. In the Rig Veda, Kashmir is mentioned as being part of the region of India known as Gandhara. Gandhara was a region that encompassed parts of present-day Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.

The name “Jammu and Kashmir” is derived from the two main regions that make up the state: Jammu and the Kashmir Valley. The name “Jammu” is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word “jambu,” meaning “fruit.” The name “Kashmir” is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word “kashyapa,” meaning “lion.”

The history of Jammu and Kashmir as a distinct political entity began in the 14th century. Prior to that, the region was ruled by a number of different dynasties, including the Mauryas, the Kushans, the Guptas, and the Huns. In the 14th century, the Muslim ruler of Delhi, Sultan Shahabuddin, conquered the region and renamed it “Shahabad.”

In 1586, the region was annexed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar renamed the region “Jammu and Kashmir” and made it a province of the Mughal Empire. Akbar’s grandson, Shah Jahan, who is best known for building the Taj Mahal, ruled Jammu and Kashmir from 1628 to 1658.

In 1752, the Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, conquered Jammu and Kashmir and made it a part of the Sikh Empire. The Sikhs ruled the region until 1846, when the British defeated them in the First Anglo-Sikh War.

In 1846, the British annexed Jammu and Kashmir and made it a part of the British Raj. The British administered the region through a governor, who was based in the capital city of Srinagar.

The history of Jammu and Kashmir as an independent political entity began in 1947, when the British Raj was dissolved and the region was partitioned between India and Pakistan