Kashmir

Kashmir is the northernmost part of the Indian subcontinent. It is a beautiful area with snowy mountains and calm lakes. Long ago, "Kashmir" only meant the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. Today, 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. In 1846, after a war with the British, the region was sold to Gulab Singh, the ruler of Jammu. His family ruled under British supervision until 1947, when India was divided. After that, Kashmir became an area where three countries—China, India, and Pakistan—have different parts they control.

Etymology

The word Kashmir comes from an old language called Sanskrit. It may mean "land dried up from water." Another idea is that it is named after an ancient wise person named Kashyapa.

Ancient writings, like Hindu prayers, mention a place called kashmira. Greek writers used names like Kasperia. The earliest known text using the name Kashmir is from around 500 BC by a writer named Pāṇini. Chinese travelers had different names for Kashmir, such as kia-shi-milo.

Different languages say Kashmir in their own ways: 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 became 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. The Sikh leaders made difficult rules for Muslim people and placed heavy taxes on the land. Over time, 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 started between Britain and the Sikhs. A leader named Gulab Singh helped the British and was given land as a reward. This land had many different kinds of people with their own cultures and beliefs. Some were Buddhist, others were Hindu, Muslim, or Sikh, and each place had its own traditions.

1947 and 1948

In 1947, British rule ended, and the leader of Kashmir had to choose whether to join India or Pakistan. Many thought Kashmir would join Pakistan because most people there were Muslim and the land bordered Pakistan. But the leader chose to join India after receiving help. This caused conflicts between India and Pakistan, as both countries wanted 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, which leads to ongoing disagreements between the three countries. The land is divided, and each country manages the part it controls, 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. The area includes many high-altitude lakes and 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. 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. These changes sometimes cause flooding in the valleys.

Flora and fauna

Kashmir is a beautiful place with many plants and animals. The forests change with the height and weather. You can find different 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, about 2.9 million people lived in the area of Kashmir and Jammu. Most of them were Muslim, about 74% of the group. Hindus made up about 24%, with smaller groups of Sikhs and Buddhists.

In the Kashmir Valley, most people were Muslim, over 93%. Hindus were a small part, just over 5%. In Jammu, Hindus were more common, about 60% of the people.

Modern era

Today, people in Kashmir speak many languages. In Jammu, people speak Hindi, Punjabi, and Dogri. In the Kashmir Valley, the main language is Kashmiri. In Ladakh, people speak Tibetan and Balti.

About 12.5 million people live in the parts of Kashmir controlled by India. In the parts controlled by Pakistan, there are fewer people—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 mostly based on agriculture. The most important crop is 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 sent 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 showed Kashmir as a beautiful and peaceful place, almost like a paradise.