Must know information before you travel to Jammu and Kashmir

Situated in the northern part of India, Jammu & Kashmir is the essence of everything that is Indian-its culture, history, custom, individuals, and natural elegance. The state has a long history encompassing around 4,000 years and there are many prehistoric sites, which give sign of human settlement in this area in those times.

The state was incorporated as a part of India in 1948, when the then ruler of Jammu & Kashmir agreed to sign up with the Indian federation and the state was provided an unique status under short article 370 of the Indian constitution.

Location

Positioned in the northernmost part of India, Jammu and Kashmir is bordered by Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan from West to East. From South to East, the border of the state touches Punjab and Himachal. The state extends in between the latitudes 32 ° 17 cents N to 36 ° 58 'N and longitudes 37 ° 26 cents E to

80 ° 30 cents E. The state can be divided into 4 major areas: the sub-mountain and semi-mountain plain called kandi or dry belt; the Shivalik ranges, the high mountain zone making up the Kashmir Valley; Pir Panchal range and its off-shoots including Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts and part of Kathua and Udhampur districts; and the middle run of the Indus River making up Leh and Kargil.

The history of Jammu & Kashmir is quite old. Kashmir is discussed in the impressive Mahabharata. In 250 BC, Ashoka, the great Mauryan king, established the city of Pandrethan and built many viharas and chaityas. This says much about the tactical importance that this region hadd even in that time. Some sources declare that Buddha likewise visited this area, though no evidence is offered to validate this theory. Kanishka, the great Kushana king, called the Third Buddhist Council at Harwan, near Srinagar, in the first century AD. This Council saw the department of Buddhism in two unique streams called Hinayana and Mahayana.

Kalhana, the first Indian history writer, gave a vivid account of the history of Kashmir prior to the 10th century AD. Regional kingdoms ruled thoroughly in this area till the 12th century ADVERTISEMENT when Muslims invaded the area. The biggest Muslim king of early middle ages age in Kashmir was Zain-ul-Abidin, who ascended the throne in AD 1420 and ruled up to 1470. His long guideline contributed thoroughly to the spread of art, culture, music, and every other sphere in the life of Kashmir individuals. He also produced a strong army and annexed many regions close-by Kashmir. These were the time of principle in Kashmir when peace and harmony prevailed. After the death of King Zain-ul-Abidin, a duration of damage came contacting us to Kashmir and many raiders from outside looted the state and made individuals and local rulers their slave.

In 1587, Akbar annexed Kashmir into his vast empire. Jahangir, son of Akbar and next Mughal ruler, checked out Kashmir 13 times and created 2 beautiful gardens on the bank of Dal Lake, specifically, the Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh. After two centuries of peace and development, Kashmir came into the hands of the Pathans in 1752, when the Afghan ruler Abdul Shah Abdali attacked this area on the request of regional noblemen. The Pathans developed a guideline of terror here, no much better than that of Aurangzeb, the last essential Mughal ruler.

In 1819, the Sikhs under Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed this area, however their empire remained in place only for 27 years. From 1846 to 1957, the Dogras ruled over this region when British beat Ranjit Singh and turned over the administration of this area to Maharaja Gulab Singh. The Dogra rule likewise for the first time put in truth the contemporary state of Jammu & Kashmir. Throughout India's liberty struggle, people from this state got involved thoroughly under the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah and decided to choose India in 1948 after the nation ended up being independent.

For more information on Kashmir tours from Delhi, India and any other holiday packages in India contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in Delhi India.