Sushmita Dutta
Kashmir is rightly said to be Nature`s grand finale of beauty. In this masterpiece of Earth`s creation seasons in strong individuality vie with one another in putting up exquisite patterns of charm and loveliness. If there is one place on Earth that can be given the title of `Paradise on Earth`, it is perhaps Jammu and Kashmir. It is like the jewel in India’s crown; but for the past few decades this state is being torn apart by militancy.
Geography
Jammu & Kashmir is divided basically into four zones; the mountainous and semi-mountainous plain commonly known as the Kandi belt; hills including the Siwalik ranges, mountains of the Kashmir valley, and Pir Panjal range; Tibetan tract of Ladakh and Kargil. One of the largest states of the Indian subcontinent, Jammu & Kashmir covers an area of 2,22,236 sq km. This includes PoK land around 78,114 sq km, land handed over to China by Pakistan around 37,555 sq km and China occupied 37555 sq km of land.
History
Kashmir was ruled by the Kambojas during epic times and there was a Republican system of government as described in Mahabharata. The last Hindu ruler of Kashmir was Udyan Dev. His chief Queen Kota Rani was the de facto ruler of the kingdom. The famous poet Kalhan jotted everything about the history of Kashmir in his magnum opus Rajtarangini. With the death of Queen Kota Rani in 1339 the Hindu rule in Kashmir came to an end and thus was established the Muslim rule in Kashmir under Sultan Shamas-ud-din whose dynasty ruled the valley for 222 years.
The greatest ruler of this dynasty was undoubtedly Sultan Zain-ul-Abdin. Under his rule Kashmir was culturally and politically at its zenith. The state of Jammu and Kashmir after an array of Hindu and Muslim rulers, was taken over by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1586. It was annexed to the Sikh kingdom of Punjab in 1819. Before this it was ruled for a considerable time by the Afghans.
In 1846, the great Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh gave the state of Jammu and its neighbouring areas to Gulab Singh, his Dogra General. Gulab Singh brought large areas including Ladakh, Zanskar, Gilgit and Baltistan under his control. In 1846, after the Treaty of Amritsar between the British Government and Gulab Singh, Jammu and Kashmir became a single political and geographical entity. Thus, a new State comprising three distinct regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh was formed with Maharaja Gulab Singh as its founder ruler.
During the British era, as it was happening everywhere in India, people revolted against the autocratic rule. This movement was headed by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, often called Sher-i-Kashmir.
Jammu & Kashmir in the year 1947 was an independent country for all practical purposes. The Maharaja who ruled the State had signed agreements with both Pakistan and India to remain neutral and not be part of either country. India honoured that agreement but Pakistan did not. Pakistani raiders and soldiers attacked the state in 1947 forcing the Maharaja to flee to India. The Maharaja asked India to help his people who were being killed and looted by the Pakistani raiders. He also agreed to make Jammu & Kashmir part of India.
Article 370 of the Constitution of India
Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, specifies that apart from Defence, Foreign Affairs and Communications, (matters specified in the instrument of accession) the Indian Parliament would require the State Government`s conformation for applying other laws. Thus the state`s residents have lived under a separate set of laws, including those related to citizenship, ownership of property, and fundamental rights, as compared to other Indians.
The Indira-Sheikh accord of 1974 committed itself to keeping the relationship between the Union and Jammu and Kashmir State within the range of this Article.
The 1974 Indira-Sheikh accord also states that: “The State of Jammu and Kashmir which is a constituent unit of the Union of India, shall, in its relation with the Union, continue to be governed by Article 370 of the Constitution of India.”
Cultural Background
Jammu and Kashmir is quite unique in its multi-cultural forms and heritage from the rest of the country. The three regions of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh give it a variety of religions, language and culture. The intermingling of such variety of cultural identities give Jammu and Kashmir its vibrancy. Unity in diversity can clearly be seen in this Paradise on Earth. Its richness of art and architecture, fairs and festivals, rites and rituals, languages and mountains, everything reflects it diverse culture and multi-ethnicity.
Occupation
The staple food of the state is rice and majority of the population is engaged in its cultivation. Saffron, the costly spice, is grown only in Kashmir. A vital feature of the economy is cattle breeding. Lots of Kashmiris also breed goat for cashmere or pashmina textiles.
Festivals
The main festivals of Jammu and Kashmir are Lohri and Baisakhi. Every year a 3-day Jammu Crafts Mela is also organised during Baisakhi at the picturesque Mansar Lake, 60-km from Jammu. Bahu Mela, a major festival of Jammu region is held at the Kali temple in Bahu Fort, twice a year during March-April and September-October. In Srinagar, besides Id other important Muslim festivals are Urs at Khaneka in downtown Srinagar and Urs at Chrar-e-Sharif. The annual Ladakh festival is held in September.
Tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir include
Srinagar
Jammu
Leh
Amarnath
Vaishno Devi
Cuisines of Kashmir
Kashmir is famous for its mouth-watering cuisines. Kabargah, Kofta, Dum Alu, Methi Chaman and Firni are some of the delicacies of the region known for Kashmiri`s sheer flavor and richness.
In the olden times, almost every Kashmiri home in the plains had a professional Kashmiri cook in residence, who were the masters of their art. These professional cooks and masters of the art are known as `wazas`. One can frequently taste the delicacies mastered by the chefs at Kashmiri weddings. Kashmiri cuisine that evolved in the Valley several centuries ago acquired some of the scrumptious elements of the Mughal art of cooking.
Demography
Area: 2,22,236 sq. km.(sixth largest state in India)
Languages: Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi, Dogri, Pahari, Ladakhi,
Sex Ratio: 923 (Females per 1000 males)
Capital: Summer (May-October)-Srinagar
Winters (November-April)-Jammu
J&K elections (2002)
The National Conference, after the 2002 Assembly Elections of J&K were voted out of power. Dr. Farooq Abdullah`s decision to hand over the reins to his son Omar Abdullah, proved to be his Achilles heal. This young leader just failed to grasp the pulse of the most politically disturbed state of India and could not live up to the expectations of the people of Kashmir. Omar Abdullah was also accused of not taking active part in rallies and campaigns. Many felt he was spending too much time in New Delhi instead of J&K. Omar Abdullah could not even win his seat in Ganderbal and lost it to PDP`s Qazi Afzal. National Conference after being in power for more than 2 decades finally fell.
J&K elections (2008)
Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls in seven phases from 17th November to 24th December, 2008 in 87 constituencies. The hobnobbing for a new government will start after the results on December 28. In the 87-member Assembly, the Kashmir valley chooses 46 MLAs, the Jammu province elects 37 MLAs and the Ladakh region elects only four MLAs.
During the seven phases of elections in the state, Centre is stationing 452 para-military companies.
The elections will take place in 8109 polling stations.The sensitive places will given a three-tier security.
