Jammu

Region of Jammu and Kashmir

Main languages: Punjabi and Urdu

 

History:

 

Jammu is one of the three regions comprising the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu borders Kashmir which is the disputed part of the state. The city is also known as the "City of Temples" since it has innumerable temples and shrines. The city has shrines like the Vaishno Devi temple. The city was once the home of the Dogra Rajput dynasty and came under the control of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19-century when it became a part of the Sikh Kingdom. The Sikh Kingdom was defeated by the British and was taken over by the East India Company. The region joined India after independence. The city has an individual administrative division within the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is said that Jammu was founded by Raja Jamboolochan in 14th century BC. The city was called Jambu Lochan after the brother of the founder and was later renamed as Jammu. There are also evidences of Jammu in the Mahabharata and the Harappa civilization. 

 

Geography:

 

Jammu is located at 32.73° N 74.87° E and has an average elevation of 327 meters. On the east of the city is Ladhak and Himachal Pradesh to the south. The city lies between the Vale of Kashmir to the north and the Daman Koh Plains to the south, the Shivalik Range comprises most of the region of Jammu.

 

Demographics:

 

This city has the highest population of Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir. As per the 2001 India census, Jammu had a population of 378,431. The city has an average literacy rate of 79%.

 

Climate:

 

The temperatures in Jammu are cool with subtropical climate. The summers are dry and warm while winters are cold. The maximum temperature in the summers is 45 degrees Celsius while the winter temperatures fall as low as 0 degree Celsius. 

 

Economy:

 

The main sources of income in the region are tourism along with agriculture. There are different kinds of crops grown here and the rajma or the kidney beans are the specialty of the region. Various small scale industries are here, but due to the risk of terrorism in the adjoining areas many big enterprises shy away from this area.

 

Touri sm:

The city is popular for its landscape, temples, Hindu shrines, castles, gardens and forts. The city is the stoppage for the Hindu holy shrines of Amarnath and Vaishno Devi.  The Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary, Mansar Lake, Bahu Fort, Raghunath Temple, Peer Kho Cave, Dargah of Ali Shah are some of the attractions of the city. 

 

Festivals and cultures:

 

In spite of the unrest in the areas of Kashmir, both Hindus and Muslims live peacefully in Jammu. Together they celebrate the popular Hindu and Muslim festivals. The popular festival of Lohri, Baisakhi, Bahu Mela, Jhiri Mela, Navratra Festival, Eid and other occasions are celebrated here. 

 

Transportation: 

 

Jammu has an airport and is well connected to different parts of India through the same. Even roads and railways are well connected to different parts of the country.