Kashmir

Kashmir is the northernmost part of the Indian subcontinent. It is a beautiful and important region that has been known for its snowy mountains and calm lakes. For a long time, the name "Kashmir" only meant the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. But now, it includes many areas that were once part of a princely state called Jammu and Kashmir.

In 1819, the Sikh Empire, led by Ranjit Singh, took control of the Kashmir valley. Later, in 1846, after losing a war to the British, the region was sold to Gulab Singh, the Raja of Jammu, who became its ruler. His family ruled under British supervision until 1947, when India was divided. Since then, Kashmir has been a place where three countries—China, India, and Pakistan—have different areas they control.

Etymology

The word Kashmir comes from an old language called Sanskrit, where it was known as káśmīra. One idea is that the name means "land dried up from water." Another idea links it to an ancient wise person named Kashyapa, suggesting the name could mean "Kashyapa's Lake" or "Kashyapa's Mountain."

Ancient writings, like Hindu prayers and stories, mention a place called kashmira. Greek writers used names like Kasperia for the area. The earliest known text that uses the name Kashmir directly is from a book written around 500 BC by a Sanskrit expert named Pāṇini. Chinese travelers also had different names for Kashmir, such as kia-shi-milo.

Different languages have their own ways to say Kashmir: it is Cachemire in French, Cachemira in Spanish, and Kasheer in the Kashmiri language.

History

For a history of the region including the pre-19th century period, see History of Kashmir, History of Gilgit-Baltistan, and History of Ladakh.

In the early years, the Kashmir region grew to be an important place for Hinduism and later for Buddhism. From the 7th to the 14th centuries, Hindu rulers governed the area, and a special type of Kashmir Shaivism developed. In 1320, Rinchan Shah became the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir, starting the Kashmir Sultanate. The region was later part of the Mughal Empire from 1586 to 1751, and then of the Afghan Durrani Empire until 1820.

Sikh rule

In 1819, the Kashmir Valley came under the control of the Sikhs led by Ranjit Singh of the Punjab, ending rule by the Afghans and Muslim leaders from the Mughals. At first, many Kashmiri people welcomed the new Sikh leaders, but later found them strict and unfair. The Sikh leaders made many difficult rules for Muslim people and placed heavy taxes on the land. Over time, however, the Sikh rulers lightened some taxes and helped farmers with loans. During this time, Kashmir shawls became famous around the world.

The state of Jammu grew stronger after the Mughal Empire weakened, and came under Sikh control in 1770. In 1808, Maharaja Ranjit Singh fully took over Jammu. A young man named Gulab Singh joined the Sikh army and became very important. In 1822, he became the leader of Jammu. With his general Zorawar Singh Kahluria, he led armies that took control of many areas around the Kashmir Valley, including Rajouri, Kishtwar, Kargil, Ladakh, and Baltistan. He became a respected and powerful leader in the Sikh empire.

Kashmir dispute

Princely state

Main article: Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)

In 1845, a war began between Britain and the Sikhs. During this time, a leader named Gulab Singh helped the British and was rewarded with land. This land included many different groups of people with various cultures and beliefs. Some practiced Buddhism, others were Hindu, Muslim, or Sikh, and each area had its own traditions.

1947 and 1948

In 1947, when British rule ended, the leader of Kashmir had to decide whether to join India or Pakistan. Because most people in Kashmir were Muslim and the land shared a border with Pakistan, many thought Kashmir would join Pakistan. However, the leader chose to join India after help was offered. This led to conflicts between India and Pakistan, with both sides wanting control of Kashmir.

Current status and political divisions

India controls parts of the region called Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Pakistan controls areas named Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. China also controls some areas, leading to ongoing disagreements between the three countries. The land is divided, and each nation administers the part it holds, but there is still no agreement on who owns what.

Geography

The Kashmir region is located between 32° and 36° N and 74° and 80° E. It covers an area of 68,000 square miles (180,000 square kilometers). It is bordered by China to the north and east, Afghanistan to the northwest, Pakistan to the west, and India to the south.

Kashmir is mostly mountainous, with the Western Himalayas running through it. Three main rivers—the Indus, the Jhelum, and the Chenab—flow through the region, dividing it into three valleys separated by high mountains. The area includes many high-altitude lakes and, in the lower valleys, several freshwater lakes and swamplands, such as Wular Lake, Dal Lake, and Hokersar near Srinagar.

To the north and northeast, the Karakoram mountains stretch across the region. The Karakoram is known for its many glaciers, including the Siachen Glacier and the Biafo Glacier, which are among the longest glaciers outside the polar regions. It is also home to very tall mountains, including K2, the second-highest mountain in the world.

The climate in Kashmir varies widely due to its different heights. Some areas have warm summers, while others remain very cold year-round, with snow covering the mountains. Different parts of Kashmir experience different weather patterns, influenced by monsoons and mountain ranges. These changes sometimes cause flooding in the valleys.

Flora and fauna

Kashmir is a beautiful place with many plants and animals. The forests there change depending on the height and weather. You can find different types of trees and plants, from warm lowland forests to cold high mountain grasses.

The area is home to many special animals, such as the Kashmir stag, black bears, and snow leopards. There are also many birds and smaller animals living in the region. Some of these animals are protected in special parks and reserves to keep them safe.

Demographics

Colonial era

In 1901, the population of the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu was about 2.9 million people. Most of them were Muslim, making up around 74% of the group. Hindus made up about 24%, with smaller groups of Sikhs and Buddhists.

In the Kashmir Valley, Muslims were the majority, with over 93% of the people. Hindus were a small part of the group here, making up just over 5%. In Jammu, Hindus were more common, making up nearly 60% of the people there.

Modern era

Today, people in different parts of Kashmir speak various languages. In Jammu, people speak Hindi, Punjabi, and Dogri. In the Kashmir Valley, the main language is Kashmiri. In the less crowded area of Ladakh, people speak Tibetan and Balti.

The number of people living in the parts of Kashmir controlled by India is about 12.5 million. In the parts controlled by Pakistan, the numbers are smaller, with around 4 million in Azad Kashmir and about 1.5 million in Gilgit-Baltistan.

A Muslim shawl-making family shown in _Cashmere shawl manufactory_, 1867, chromolithograph, William Simpson

A group of Pandits, or Brahmin priests, in Kashmir, photographed by an unknown photographer in the 1890s

[Brokpa](/wiki/Brokpa) women from [Kargil](/wiki/Kargil_town), northern [Ladakh](/wiki/Ladakh), in local costumes

Economy

Further information: Azad Kashmir § Economy, and Jammu and Kashmir (state) § Economy

The economy of Kashmir is mainly based on agriculture. The most important crop in the valley has traditionally been rice, which is the main food for the people. Other crops like Indian corn, wheat, barley, and oats are also grown. Because of its temperate climate, Kashmir is good for growing vegetables such as asparagus, artichoke, seakale, broad beans, scarletrunners, beetroot, cauliflower, and cabbage. Fruit trees are common, and orchards produce pears, apples, peaches, and cherries. Common trees include deodar, firs, pines, chinar, maple, birch, and walnut trees, as well as apple and cherry trees.

Historically, Kashmir became famous for its Cashmere wool, which was exported to many places. People in Kashmir are skilled at knitting and making Pashmina shawls, silk carpets, rugs, kurtas, and pottery. Saffron is also grown there. Srinagar is known for its silver-work, papier-mâché, wood-carving, and silk weaving.

Transport

Transport in Kashmir is mostly by air or road. The region has a modern railway line that is 135 km (84 mi) long. It started in October 2009 and was last extended in 2013. The railway connects Baramulla in western Kashmir to Srinagar and Banihal. It is expected to connect Kashmir to the rest of India once the line from Katra to Banihal is finished.

Srinagar, the largest city of Kashmir

In culture

See also: Kashmiri handicrafts

The Irish poet Thomas Moore wrote a famous poem in 1817 called Lalla Rookh. This poem helped people in English-speaking countries learn about Kashmir, which was called Cashmere in the poem. The poem made Kashmir seem like a beautiful and peaceful place, almost like a paradise.