Srinagar

Template:Infobox Indian urban area Srinagar (Hindi: श्रीनगर, Urdu: سرینگ, Kashmiri: سِرېنَگَ सिरीनगर) , is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, and is situated in the valley of Kashmir. The city lies on both banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus River. The city is famous for its lakes and houseboats floating over them. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits. Srinagar is 876 km north of Delhi. The headquarters of the Srinagar District are situated in the city.

Origin of name

Etymologically Srinagar is composed of two Sanskrit words, namely, Sri (meaning abundance and wealth) and Nagar, which means a city. Thus, the word Srinagar signifies a place of wealth and abundance. Sri is also the name of a goddess of Hindus.

A legend, as incorporated in Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, states that the Kashmir valley was a vast lake. A Hindu sage named Kashyapa drained out the water, and there emerged the beautiful valley of Kashmir.

History

The city was founded by the King Pravarasena-II over 2,000 years ago, and the city of Srinagar has a long history, dating back at least to the 3rd century BC. The city was then a part of the Maurya Empire, one of the largest empires of the Indian subcontinent. Ashoka introduced Buddhism to the Kashmir valley, and the adjoining regions around the city became a centre of Buddhism. In the 1st century, the region was under the control of Kushans and several rulers of this dynasty strengthened the Buddhist tradition. Vikramaditya (of Ujjain) and his successors probably ruled the regions just before the city fell to the control of the Huns in the 6th century, and Mihirkula was the most dreaded ruler of the city and the valley.

The Hindu and the Buddhist rule of Srinagar lasted until the 14th century, when the Kashmir valley, including the city, came under the control of the several Muslim rulers, including the Mughals. It was also the capital during the reign of Yusuf Shah Chak, a ruler who was tricked by Akbar when he failed to conquer Kashmir by force. Yusuf Shah Chak remains buried in Bihar in India. Akbar established Mughal rule in Srinagar and Kashmir valley.

When the disintegration of the Mughal Empire set forth after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, infiltrations to the valley from the Pathan tribes increased, and they ruled the city for several decades. Raja Ranjit Singh in the year 1814 annexed a major part of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, to his kingdom, and the city came under the influence of the Sikhs. Subsequent to the signing of a treaty between the Sikh rulers and the British in Lahore in 1846, known as the Treaty of Lahore. The treaty, inter alia, provided British de-facto suzerainty over the Kashmir Valley, and British installed Gulab Singh as an independent and sovereign ruler of the regions, and Srinagar became part of his Kingdome, and remained for long one like one of the several princely states of undivided India.

Srinagar city and its vicinity in 1959

After, India’s independence, certain tribes, mostly Pathans, actively supported by elements of the Pakistani forces, invaded the valley to wrestle control, by armed force, of the city of Srinagar and the Valley. This was done in spite of the-then ruler Maharaja Hari Singh having a solemn and sovereign assurance (of the British government) backed by the international law that all rulers of such states were free to remain as independent entities, or to choose to annex either to India or to Pakistan. In view of infiltration by armed forces and the possibility of his kingdom, including the city of Srinagar falling into the hands of the forces inimical to him, his kingdom and to the people the valley, Hari Singh air-dashed to New Delhi, the capital of India, and signed a covenant in 1948 with the Government of India, which ensured integration of his kingdom into the newly formed Republic of India.

The Government of India, in view of its obligation enjoined upon it subsequent to this covenant, immediately air-lifted Indian troops to Srinagar, and the city was flushed clean of the invading forces. In the meanwhile, the matter had been escalated to the United Nations, and a cease fire was imposed under its authority, resulting into certain parts of Hari Singh’s kingdom going out of his hands, which is now called POK by India and Azad Kashmir by Pakistan.

The city of Srinagar has thereafter remained an integral part of India. The Shimla agreement (signed in 1972 after the defeat of Pakistan in the eastern and the western sectors, and emergence of Bangladesh as a sovereign state) superseded, in view of the mutual agreement between the sovereign states of India and Pakistan, most of the terms and conditions of the order of the cease fire imposed by the United Nations. Currently, the issue of Srinagar, having become an integral part of India, stand in doubt as it has been for all these years, this has led to increase in insurgent elements operating from the soil of India, as also from outside the borders of India.

Geography

A closer map of Kashmir

• Location: 34°5′23″N 74°47′24″E
• Highest temperature: 41 °C; lowest −20 °C [1]

The weather of Srinagar may be generally described as alpine. The city has mild summers during the months of April-June, and cold winters of November-February. The city generally gets heavy snowfall from December to February.

The city is located on both the sides of the river Jhelum, which is called Vyath in Kashmir. The river passes through the city and meandering through the valley, moves onward and deepens in the Wular Lake. The city is famous for its nine old bridges, connecting the two parts of the city.

Economy

File:A Bihar Girl in Kashmiri Dress.jpg

A tourist girl in traditional Kashmiri Dress

Srinagar is the most pivotal centre of the economy of the Kashmir Valley, and it has remained a tourist destination for centuries. The valley has attracted rulers from the plains of India for centuries, and they traveled to the valley and the city to avoid hot summers of the Indo-Gangetic plains. The city remained on the itinerary of the Mughal ruling elite, and several Mughal emperors and their consorts had visited the city, and several Mughal gardens in and around the city indicate their close association with Srinagar.

With the colonization of India by the Europeans, particularly the British, the ruling elite as well as the rich Indians used to visit the city and the nearby locations during summers to avoid heat of the plains; and during winters to enjoy the snowfall.

The hinterland of Srinagar is the most populous part of the Kashmir valley, and crops like wheat and paddy are cultivated for local consumption. Orchids produce a number of fruits, particularly apples. Another significant segment of the economy include handicrafts, weaving of woolen shawls and dress materials, and woodcarving. Srinagar and the surrounding areas serve as collecting points from where fruits and handicraft products are taken to several parts of the Indian subcontinent.

Tourism

View of Dal Lake and Srinagar city

Tourism is the most significant segment of the city's economy. The city of Srinagar has been serving as a gateway to some of the most scenic and beautiful places of the Indian subcontinent. For decades, tourism has been contributing massively to the economy of the city for last several decades, but it has been adversely affected on account of insurgent activities by certain elements.

Dal Lake, going from the Mughal Gardens side back to Srinagar

Srinagar is well known for its lakes. Dal Lake with its houseboats is famous all over the world. Srinagar is a small and beautiful city with a wonderful climate in the summer. Just outside the city are found the beautiful Shalimar Gardens created by Jehangir, the Mughal emperor, in 1619.

Houseboats were introduced accidentally to Kashmir: members of the Indian Civil Service serving in the plains who vacationed in Kashmir were not permitted to build permanent homes because of the then Maharaja's suspicion of a British presence in Srinagar. They thus chose to live in houseboats. The first such, named Victory, was designed by Mr. M.T. Kenhard in 1888. There are now about five hundred on the Lake.

Srinagar has several gardens which are part of the several such gardens laid by the Mughal emperors across the Indian subcontinent, and which are known as Mughal gardens. The Mughal Gardens located in Srinagar and its close vicinity include Chasma Shahi (the royal fountains); Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring); Sahlimar Bagh; and the Nashim Bagh.

Market boats on Mal Canal in Srinagar

Government and politics

The city is run by the Srinagar Municipal Committee (SMC). The Srinagar district contributes 2 parliamentary seats - Srinagar city and Badgam.

Transport

The intra-city transport relies on auto-rickshaws and mini-buses.

External transport:

• Air: Srinagar is linked with New Delhi through Jammu, Chandigarh and Amritsar. It is also connected to Leh.
• Railway: The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi (293 km).
• Road: Srinagar is linked by roads to Chandigarh, Jammu, Sonamarg (87 km), Pahalgam (86 km), Delhi (903 km), Leh (434 km), Kargil and Gulmarg (56 km). The main bus station is at Lal Chowk.

Demographics

As of 2001, Srinagar city had a population of 894,940. The population density in the city is 556 per km² while the overall population density is 99 per km². The languages spoken are mainly, Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English.

Culture

Like the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar too has a distinctive blend of cultural heritage. Holy places in and around the city depict the historical cultural and religious diversity of the city as well as the Kashmir valley.

Holy places

Holy places of the city include:

• According to Kalhan’s Rajtarangini, a temple dedicated to Shiva was constructed in 371 BC by Gopadatya, on the top of a hillock (1100 ft). The temple is currently called Shankaracharya temple, and Shanakra is believed to have visited the place and meditated there. Local muslim people call the place by the name of Takht-e-Suleiman, that is, the seat of Suleiman.
• Hazaratbal shrine, located on the left bank of the Dal Lake in Srinagar, is one of the most revered places of the Muslims. In the shrine Moi-e-Muggadas (that is, the sacred hair) of Prophet Mohammad is preserved.
• A mosque named Jama Masjid, located in the old city and spacious enough for 30,000 people, and was built in 1398 by Sultan Sikandar.

Performing arts

Main article: Music of Kashmir

Performing arts of the city include:

• Bhand Pather, a form of traditional folk theatre art form of play and dance, is performed by a group of about ten to fifteen artists. They depict in a satirical style social evils. Performance is accompanied by light music.
• Chakri is a major and popular form of Kashmiri folk music.
• Another form of Kashmiri genre of music called Sufiana music is also practiced in the city. It was introduced in the valley in the 15th century from Iran. Over centuries, it has assimilated a number of Indian Ragas, and has established itself as a classical music of the region. The instruments used in the music include Santoor, Sitar, Kashmiri Saz, Tabla, and Wasool.
• Hafiz Nagma, a form of dance, is performed to the accompaniment of Sufiana music. The dancer is a female while males play different instruments used in Sufiana music.

Education

• National Institute of Technology, Srinagar
• Kashmir University
• Sheri Kashmir university of agrigcultural science and technology (SKUAST)
• Government Women's Polytechnic
• Boys Polytechnic
• Melanson School
• Biscoe School
• Presentation Convent
• Greenland School
• SP College
• Goverment Womens College
• Burn Hall School
• Jhelum Valley medical college

Media

• Greater Kashmir, daily newspaper

Four FM frequencies are available in the city. However, only two bids were received by the government. Adlabs is the only FM radio operator in Srinagar (its bid was Rs. 61 lakh). The second bidder South Asia FM did not qualify because its bid was less than 25 per cent of the highest bidder, the minimum amount to be eligible for bidding.^[2]

Sports

Adventure sports are popular among tourists. Dal Lake has potential for canoeing and water skiing. Water trekking is local name for three to four day trip along the river Jhelum to various lakes in a shikara with camping gear. Dachigam National Park (22 km) and Pahalgam (95km) are popular destinations for hikers, trekkers and fishers.

Sports like football and rugby are popular among schoolchildren.

References

• ^ Census India
• ^ Indiainfo - Ghulam Mustafa Bhat elected 1st Mayor of Srinagar
• ^ JKTourism - Srinagar – The Lake City
• ^ Statoids
• ^ National Informatics Centre District Unit - Population density
• ^ FM radio: Govt to garner Rs 84 cr

External links

• Srinagar district administration
• Official website of Jammu and Kashmir
• Images of Srinagar