Explore the Jammu and Kashmir district map showing the 20 districts of Jammu division and kashmir Division.
District of Jammu and Kashmir
S.N.
District Name
Headquarter Name
1
Doda district
Doda
2
Jammu district
Jammu
3
Kathua district
Kathua
4
Kishtwar district
Kishtwar
5
Poonch district
Poonch
6
Rajouri district
Rajouri
7
Ramban district
Ramban
8
Reasi district
Reasi
9
Samba district
Samba
10
Total for division
Jammu
11
Udhampur district
Udhampur
About Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is a region in the north of India renowned for its geographical variety, historical value and cultural heritage. Jammu and Kashmir was reconstituted as a union territory in 2019 and Ladakh was carved out of the state to form a separate union territory. The area of the region is about 55,538 square kilometers and it is surrounded by Himachal Pradesh and Punjab in the south and the international boundaries of Pakistan and China. The strategic position, together with the diverse terrain, has made it a historical, political and economic hub.
Geography and Climate
Jammu and Kashmir consists of a diverse geographical region and comprises of mountains, valleys, lakes and rivers. Ladakh region is mainly mountainous and the plains of Jammu and the beautiful Kashmir Valley can be distinguished as three major geographical zones. The Jhelum river and dense forests surround the lush green meadows of the Kashmir Valley and it is one of the most beautiful places in India. Jammu is located to the south of the valley and has a hilly terrain and is a gateway to the region.
The climate of Jammu and Kashmir is completely different from each other depending on the altitude. In Kashmir Valley it is mild in summer it usually between 15°C to 30°C (59°F - 86°F) whereas in winter it can be quite chilly with snowfall and temperature often below -10°C (14°F). The climate of Jammu is subtropical, which has very hot summer, temperatures rise above 40°C (104°F) and relatively cool winter. On the other hand, Ladakh has an extreme cold desert climate where the temperatures drop to as low as -30°C (-22°F) in the winter season.
Rivers and Water Bodies
Jammu and Kashmir is a region which has many rivers and lakes which are the main source of water for the region. The Jhelum River which is a tributary of the Indus River begins at Verinag in the Kashmir Valley and ends in Pakistan. The Chenab, Tawi and Ravi rivers are also other significant rivers of the region and play a very important role in irrigation and power generation. The region also has lakes such as Dal Lake, Wular Lake and Pangong Lake which increase the beauty of the area and the ecological diversity and hence support tourism and livelihood of the people local to the area.
Flora and Fauna
The terrain and climate of Jammu and Kashmir are diverse, and thus the region has rich flora and fauna. The forests of the area include deodar, pine and fir trees, especially on the higher altitude. The Hangul deer is on the verge of extinction and is found only in the Dachigam National Park which is situated nearby Srinagar. The Hemis National Park and Kishtwar National Park are also home to snow leopards, Himalayan black bears and musk deer, respectively. The wetlands of the region are a haven for migratory birds, and thus hold significance for biodiversity conservation.
Economy and Agriculture
Agriculture is also a very important economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir, and the area is famous for apples, saffron and walnuts. The Kashmir Valley is India’s one of the largest apple producing region and contributes significantly to the national output. The saffron is famous in Pampore, which produces some of the finest saffron in the world. Along with horticulture, the regulation is for rice, maize and wheat. The economy of the region depends on handicrafts to a large extent, and items like Pashmina shawls, Kashmiri carpets and paper-mâché products are in great demand in the domestic as well as the international market.
This region is also another major contributor to the economy through tourism and there are mainstream destinations which include Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg and Vaishno Devi. The area has beautiful scenery and religious sites, and the adventure tourism opportunities make it a destination that is visited at any time of the year. But political instability and security concerns have affected the tourism sector at different times in history.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir includes improvement in road, rail and air connectivity. The Jammu and Srinagar National Highway (NH44) is the primary link that connects the two major cities. The Banihal-Qazigund road tunnel has improved the connectivity throughout the year by overcoming the problems of snowfall during winter. The Indian Railways is also increasing its footprint in the area with the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link to create a robust transport network. The airfields in Srinagar, Jammu and Leh help in domestic as well as limited international flights, enhancing the accessibility.
Education and Research
There are several prestigious educational institutions in the region, including the University of Jammu, the University of Kashmir, and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST). They are contributing to higher education and research in fields like agriculture, medicine and environmental science at a regional level. NIT Srinagar and IIM Jammu also further enhance the academic landscape of the region. Efforts to boost literacy rates and education access go on, especially in remote regions.
Cultural Heritage
Jammu and Kashmir is a cultural melting pot, it has been influenced by Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic traditions. There are many significant religious and historical sites in the region include Shankaracharya Temple, Amarnath Cave, Hazratbal Shrine, and Martand Sun Temple. The Mughal Gardens in Srinagar were developed during the rule of Mughal emperors and depict Persian style landscaping and architectural greatness. The Kashmiri cuisine is also well known for its distinct flavours and there are some popular dishes which are Rogan Josh, Dum Aloo and Wazwan a traditional multi course meal.
Political and Administrative Structure
Ever since the reorganisation in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has been administered as a union territory, directly by the central government. It has a Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the President of India, and an assembly with elected representatives to form legislation. Article 370 granted it special status till August 2019 when it was scrapped and governance, economic policies and investment opportunities changed. The decision has been a debate not only in India but also overseas and it has its effect on the political scenario of the region.
Challenges and Development Initiatives
Jammu and Kashmir has many challenges, including political unrest, cross border tensions and economic disparities. The efforts are to improve security, boost economy and enhance social infrastructure. The Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy and Back to Village program are government efforts to encourage entrepreneurship and rural development. Renewable energy investment, tourism and agriculture are likely to be key drivers of long term growth and stability.
History of Jammu and Kashmir
Ancient History
Jammu and Kashmir has id for centuries one of the most intricate histories. Kalhana's Rajatarangini and the Nilamata Purana ancient Hindu texts mention the region for the first time. The father of Kashmir, Kashyapa, had, according to tradition, dried up a vast lake to create the Kashmir Valley. Hindu and Buddhist learning later made the region a significant center; Emperor Ashoka, who ruled around the 3rd century BCE, promoted Buddhism in Kashmir. The spread of the religion to Central Asia was also facilitated by the Kushan Empire, which ruled over Buddhist influence growing.
Medieval Period
During the early medieval period Hindu dynasties like Karkotas and Utpalas ruled over Kashmir and had economic and cultural prosperity. His kingdom extended up to central Asia and north India in 8th century CE. In the 14th century Islam was introduced in the region and the rule was seized by Shah Mir, a Muslim. The Shah Mir dynasty began with him as the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir. This period also witnessed the arrival of Sufi culture with the great saints like Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani and the arrival of the Persian influence.
Mughal and Afghan Rule
In 1586 Akbar the Mughal Emperor annexed Kashmir and incorporated it in the Mughal Empire. This era provided stability, better administration and architectural developments i.e. laying of the Shalimar and Nishat gardens in Srinagar. But after the Mughal Empire got weakened in early 18th century, it was captured by the Afghans in 1752 AD by Ahmed Shah Durrani. The Afghan rulers, who were very greedy, did a lot of harm to the people of the region by collecting heavy taxes from them and thus were not well liked by the people.
Sikh and Dogra Rule
In 1819, the Sikh Empire in the person of Maharaja Ranjit Singh deposed the Afghans and incorporated Kashmir into his empire. The Sikh rule continued till 1846 when the British defeated the Sikhs in the First Anglo Sikh War. The British had sold Kashmir to Gulab Singh, the Dogra ruler of Jammu, for 7.5 million rupees under the Treaty of Amritsar. Thus, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir came into being, with Maharaja Gulab Singh and his successors ruling the territory. The Dogra rulers, however, were able to annex Ladakh and Gilgit Baltistan and their rule only came to an end with the Indian Independence in 1947.
Partition and Accession to India
In 1947 India was partitioned and India and Pakistan were created. The last Dogra ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, at first wanted to remain independent. But when in October 1947, Pakistan backed tribal militias invaded him with arms, Hari Singh looked for military help from India. The Instrument of Accession was signed by him on October 26, 1947; Jammu and Kashmir had become part of India. It resulted in the first Indo-Pakistani war which was ended by a ceasefire in 1949 by the United Nations. The region was then divided into two parts, one was Jammu and Kashmir which came under Indian administration while Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir came under Pakistani administration.
Post-1947 Developments and Political Changes
Jammu and Kashmir was given special status under article 370 of the Indian constitution in 1950, states have their own constitution and autonomy in most matters except defence, foreign affairs and communications till last. The monarchy was abolished in 1952 and in 1956 it adopted its own constitution. But the tensions between India and Pakistan didn’t end and resulted in two more Indo-Pak wars in 1965 and 1971. Hostilities were further escalated by the Kargil conflict of 1999 between the two nations.
Revocation of Special Status and Reorganization (2019)
On 5th August 2019, India’s Government nullified Article 370 which granted Jammu and Kashmir (JK) special status. The state has been divided into two separate union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This was done to ensure that the region is further integrated with the main stream of India and to ensure that there is adequate focus on the economic and social development of the region. But it also realized political and security issues and restrictions were imposed on the region after the decision was made.
Modern Developments and Current Status
The government has since the reorganization paid much attention to infrastructure development, security enhancements and economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir. Tourism, hydroelectric projects and industrial sectors have been targeted for investment. The region still experiences political stability and cross border tensions, but ongoing initiatives are intended to foster development and integration over the long term. The history of Jammu and Kashmir is an essential part of India's story, a story of centuries of cultural diversity, of strategic importance and of political change.
