Srinagar
About the city
The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar is a city sprawling over both sides of the river Jhelum. A city of lakes, waterways, gardens and wooden and stone architecture, it is connected by seven bridges. The idyllic Dal Lake and Nagin Lake with houseboats moored on it, the Chashmashahi, Nishat, Shalimar and Harwan gardens give you a feel of the "Paradise on earth." You may want to stay on a houseboat for only a couple of nights to say you've done it and then head off to somewhere quiet like Pahalgam or Ladakh. Away from the tourist areas, however, there is another and much more pleasing aspect. Kashmir is also an adventure sports destination. From water surfing, golfing, river rafting, boating to trekking and skiing, Kashmir has it all.Srinnagar is a city of water. Apart from the River Jhelum, there are lakes and canals, and old quarters, seen from land or water, are very picturesque. Many people live on houseboats on the smaller waterways. These were the inspiration for the tourist boats on the lakes, which were devised originally by ingenuious Englishmen wanting to escape the heat of the plains. Like other non- Kashmiris they were not allowed by the Maharaja to purchase land or property, and this was a convenient loophole.
A raised bank, the Bund, along the river Jhelum makes a pleasant walk. Shikaras run across the river from here to the museum. The collection is vast and varied, certainly worth seeing.
The building itself is interesting, being a former royal palace, and has a quiet, colourful garden.
In the old part of town, stands one of the largest mosques of Kashmir- the Jama Masjid. Built mainly of wood, with huge deodar pine pillars, the mosque was originally built by sultan Sikandar in 1400 AD. The current building is at least the fourth on this site, earlier ones having burned down. This is a good example of indo- Saracenic architecture.
Not too far away, on the river bank is the Shah Hamadan Mosque. This is the city's oldest mosque and is dedicated to the 14th century apostle of Kashmir- a Persian fakir- Shah Hamadan. A theologian and a Sufi, he did much to promote the arts, crafts and learning.
Richly decorated, the interior of this pagoda is not open to all. Beautiful carpets, chandeliers, lacquered pillars, walls and balconies with floral latticed windows welcome the devotees. The architecture and local scenes are fascinating.
The Hari Parbat Fort comes into view soon after. This fort atop the Sharika hill, is an ancient Hindu holy site. The Sharika temple With an interesting Yantra carved on a rock, is amazing. At the foot of the fort is the Sikh Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi and Muslims and Hindus flock the nearby shrine of , Makhdoom Sahib, a saint revered by people of all faiths.
You can get a marvelous view of the whole city by climbing the Shankaracharya Hill. The hill is surmounted by a magnificent Shiva temple dating back to 250 BC. A road runs up from The Boulevard. You could take a taxi here or walk up the hill on an easy pace. Another interesting temple, the Kheerbhawani temple, is located about 27 km from Srinagar. The sanctum is in the middle of a spring, whose waters change colours magically and each colour signifies the condition of the Kashmiri people. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Ragnya Devi.
Actually, most visitors to Srinagar are content just to relax (or try to) on their houseboats and take the occasional shikara ride round the lakes. Kashmir was the Mughal emperors' summer playground, and they have left four famous gardens around Dal Lake. The Shalimar Bagh, the largest, is accessible by shikara, and a sound and light show is held here on summer evenings. At Harwan, sit under a Chinar tree and get fascinating views of the Zabarwan Mountains. The Nishat and Shalimar gardens overlook the vast expanse of the Dal Lake. Watch the sunset in the lake, from the ramparts of the Park Mahalb, an observatory built by the Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh.
Shopping: Take a walk down the Residency Road and you will get a feel of the treasure house of handicrafts available here. Beautifully embroidered shawls and stoles, dresses, tapestry pieces, crewel work curtains etc are a must buy. Take a look at GM Sons or Nik Nax in Polo View. Carpets, silk fabric, walnut wood furniture, paper machie bric brac are found at all shops.
Srinagar is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is equally attractive to visitors around the year.
Kalhana, the author of 'Rajtarangini', states that Srinagri was founded by Emperor Ashoka (3rd Century BC). The present city of Srinagar was founded by Pravarasena-II, and Hiuen Tsang, who visited Kashmir in 631 AD, found it at the same site as it is today. Laltaditya Muktapida was the most illustrious ruler of Kashmir in the Hindu period, which ended in 1339 AD. King Zain-ul-Abidin (1420-70 AD), popularly known as 'Budshah', was a great patron of Sanskrit. Akbar captured Kashmir valley for the Mughals, who endowed Srinagar with beautiful mosques and gardens. The Sikhs overthrew the last Muslim ruler in the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1819. In 1846 the Dogras secured the sovereignty of Kashmir from the British under the Treaty of Amritsar, and in 1947 the state of Jammu and Kashmir with Srinagar as its capital, became part of the Indian Union.
Today Srinagar is a resort for the tourist who can experience, at first hand, the peculiar beauty of the valley that has attracted the Chinese, the Mughals and the British to it.
Its waterways with their own quaint lifestyle, the unique Houseboat, the blossoming gardens, water sports activities, shopping for lovingly handcrafted souvenirs and the nearby resorts make it a cherished spot among those looking for a memorable holiday.
Demography
The total population of the district is 5, 93,768, as per the latest 2001 census figures with a percentage decadal growth rate of 26.5. The only worrying factor is the low literacy rate of 39.54%. with a predominantely rural outlook, 86% of the population in the district lives in its villages, and are primarily in agricultural activities.Local Languages
Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, EnglishMoving Around
Taxis are available at the Tourist Reception centres for touring the city. The J&K Road Transport Corporation has buses plying through several vantage points in Srinagar. Bicycles are also relatively popular if you wish to explore the town on your own and are available at the several bicycle shops in the markets. A particularly interesting mode of travel is the traditional boats or shikaras that ply the length of the Dal Lake and Jhelum Lake. These can be hired at a nominal fee from around the lake itself.Fast Facts
Time Zone: GMT +0530 (Indian Standard Time) Latitude: 34.5N Longitude: 74.50E STD Code: 194 Area: 105 sq km / 41 sq miles Population: 900,000Orientation
Srinagar lies in the centre of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, at 1,730 m on the banks of the River Jhelum. It is 295 km from Jammu. The Jhelum loops around the town and a canal connects it with the Dal Lake, converting a part of the town into a little island. Along the south of this island is the Bund, a walkway lined by the GPO and the handicrafts centre. Old Srinagar occupies the northern part while the more modern parts lie to the south of the river.History
In the 3rd century BC, it was a part of the great Mauryan Empire. Later on this region flourished under the rule of the Kushans in the 1st century Ad. In the 6th century, it was a part of the kingdom of Vikramaditya, the ruler of Ujjain. Local Hindu rulers ruled it until the 14th century, after which Muslims invaded and ruled it. Srinagar was a part of the Mughal Empire in the medievel period. In 1814, it became a part of the Sikh empire, when Ranjit Singh defeated the Pathans. The descendents of Gulab Singh ruled Kashmir under the vigilance of the British till 1947. Hari Singh, the great grandson of Gulab Singh, merged this princely state into India in 1948, when the Pathan the marauders from Pakistan tried to overrun this state.According to popular legend, the Kashmir valley was a vast lake made habitable when its water was drained by the sage Kashyap Rishi. However, history records that the early tribes, the Yakshas and the Pisacas, had their hold over the valley until Ashoka brought Buddhism to Kashmir. In the 6th century the valley was attacked by the Huns. But it was the longest ruling dynasty of the Mughals that gave it the sobriquet of 'paradise on earth'. The Hindu and Buddhist rule of the kingdom came to an end in the 14th century when Kashmir, with Srinagar, came under the control of several Muslim rulers and the Mughals. Srinagar was the capital during the reign of Yusuf Shah Chak, until it was conquered by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The Mughal Empire began to crumble after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, encouraging infiltrations to the valley by the Pathan tribes who went on to rule Srinagar for several decades. In 1814, Raja Ranjit Singh annexed a major part of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, to his kingdom, and the city came under the influence of the Sikhs. Later, the Treaty of Lahore signed between the Sikhs and the British in 1846, gave the British de-facto suzerainty over the Kashmir Valley, and the latter installed Gulab Singh as an independent and sovereign ruler of the region. Srinagar became part of his kingdom, and was one of India's many princely states before Independence. Always under the watchful eye of the Raj, Srinagar became its summer capital in 1873.