Jammu and Kashmir, Union Territory of India located in the Northern part of the Indian subcontinent in the vicinity of Himalayas.
Jammu and Kashmir was the second-largest princely state under British India. Maharaja Gulab Singh was the founder of Dogra dynasty and the first Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Initially, Maharaja Gulab Singh's rule was limited to Jammu but later he merged vast areas of Kashmir and Ladakh to shape the current state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mostly people from outside the UT believe that all the residents of Jammu and Kashmir are fair-skinned.
Jammu and Kashmir like the rest of India has a very unique and diverse Culture. There are various spoken languages in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. The various ethnic groups are Kashmiris, Dogras, Gujjars, Kistwaris, Paharis, Baltis, Ladakhis, Gadhis.
Likewise, there are various dialects, Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri, ladhi, Pahari, Bhoti are common.
The real Jammu and Kashmir are somewhat different than what we used to perceive, though all the territories belong to India, some areas are currently under Pakistan (POK) and China (Aksai Chin).
Darbar move is the bi-annual shift of the secretariat and other government offices between Jammu and Srinagar.
The tradition was started during the reign of Dogra ruler Maharaja Ranbir Singh, who used to shift his capital between Srinagar in Summer and Jammu in winter to escape the harsh weather conditions of these places.
Although Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its lush green valleys and snowy white mountains but there's a twist in your eutopia.
The whole J&K do not experience snowfall. Kashmir and Ladakh are famous for snowfall while there's no snowfall in the winter capital of the UT.
Some areas of the Jammu region Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri experience heavy snowfall. Patnitop in Udhampur district is a very famous Hill station.
You can check more from here
The physical division of state can be done by
1. Sub-Himalayan Jammu
2. Himalayan Kashmir
3. Trans-Himalayan Ladakh
The three provinces of Jammu and Kashmir was divided based on these Mountain Ranges.
River Ravi separates the Jammu and Kashmir state by Himachal and Punjab.
Moreover, the Jammu division also comprises of Plains which are the extensions of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
Jammu has its own unique transportation system which is locally known as Matadors. These Mini Buses are the Lifeline of the city, convenient yet cheap and can be compared with the sharing Autos.
The fares are generally 1 Rs/km and sitting capacity is around 25 but accommodating more than 70 passengers per drive is very common.
There is no doubt that these minibuses play a very important role in being the lifeline of the city of temples. Jammuites can't imagine Jammu city without Matadors on the road of Jammu.
Every Indian wants to visit Jammu and Kashmir once in a lifetime.
Do we really know about Jammu and Kashmir?
10 things you should know about Jammu and Kashmir.
1. The 3 Province State
Jammu and Kashmir before downgrading its statehood and splitting off a part of it, Ladakh, was divided into three major provinces or divisions JAMMU, KASHMIR and LADAKH.
Ladakh being the least populated while having largest landmass.
Ladakh being the least populated while having largest landmass.
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| Jammu and Kashmir Map |
2. The Dogra History of J&K
Jammu and Kashmir was the second-largest princely state under British India. Maharaja Gulab Singh was the founder of Dogra dynasty and the first Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Initially, Maharaja Gulab Singh's rule was limited to Jammu but later he merged vast areas of Kashmir and Ladakh to shape the current state of Jammu and Kashmir.
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| J&K during Dogra Raj |
3. Not all are fair-skinned
Mostly people from outside the UT believe that all the residents of Jammu and Kashmir are fair-skinned.
Some may also have the misconception that this is due to the Apples and the Saffron.
Jammu and Kashmir like the rest of India has a very diverse culture.
Jammu and Kashmir like the rest of India has a very diverse culture.
People from the Jammu region are more identical to the North Indians while the Kashmiris are more likely to give Indo-Persian features though it's not always true.
Ladakhis, on the other hand, have Tibetan features. It is believed that the original population came from an Indo-Aryan race: Dards.
Ladakhis, on the other hand, have Tibetan features. It is believed that the original population came from an Indo-Aryan race: Dards.
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| Vidyut Jamwal |
4. Not all are Kashmiris
Jammu and Kashmir like the rest of India has a very unique and diverse Culture. There are various spoken languages in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. The various ethnic groups are Kashmiris, Dogras, Gujjars, Kistwaris, Paharis, Baltis, Ladakhis, Gadhis.
Likewise, there are various dialects, Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri, ladhi, Pahari, Bhoti are common.
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| Kashmiri Pandits |
5. The real picture of J&K
The real Jammu and Kashmir are somewhat different than what we used to perceive, though all the territories belong to India, some areas are currently under Pakistan (POK) and China (Aksai Chin).
 |
| Jammu and Kashmir Map |
6. Two Capitals (Darbar Move)
Darbar move is the bi-annual shift of the secretariat and other government offices between Jammu and Srinagar.
 |
| Secretariat Jammu and Kashmir |
7. Snowfall in J&K
Although Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its lush green valleys and snowy white mountains but there's a twist in your eutopia.
The whole J&K do not experience snowfall. Kashmir and Ladakh are famous for snowfall while there's no snowfall in the winter capital of the UT.
Some areas of the Jammu region Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri experience heavy snowfall. Patnitop in Udhampur district is a very famous Hill station.
You can check more from here
 |
| Patnitop |
8. The Truth about Mountains
The physical division of state can be done by
1. Sub-Himalayan Jammu
2. Himalayan Kashmir
3. Trans-Himalayan Ladakh
The three provinces of Jammu and Kashmir was divided based on these Mountain Ranges.
River Ravi separates the Jammu and Kashmir state by Himachal and Punjab.
| Jammu | Ravi to Pir Panjal (including the Shivaliks) |
| Kashmir | Pir Panjal to Greater Himalayas |
| Ladakh | Greater Himalayas to Trans Himalayas |
Moreover, the Jammu division also comprises of Plains which are the extensions of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
 |
| Pir Panjal Range |
9. Mini Buses
Jammu has its own unique transportation system which is locally known as Matadors. These Mini Buses are the Lifeline of the city, convenient yet cheap and can be compared with the sharing Autos.
The fares are generally 1 Rs/km and sitting capacity is around 25 but accommodating more than 70 passengers per drive is very common.
There is no doubt that these minibuses play a very important role in being the lifeline of the city of temples. Jammuites can't imagine Jammu city without Matadors on the road of Jammu.
10. Is it Safe?
Every Indian wants to visit Jammu and Kashmir once in a lifetime.
Among the bikers, those who had made it to Ladakh has unique respect among the community. This single trip to Ladakh had made careers of many.
So, Is it safe to travel to Jammu and Kashmir?
Jammu and the Kashmir is no different than any other state of India though there were some tensions in the past but you can travel without any security concern in the State. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are Welcoming.
There's a saying in Kashmir - " Kashmir, the warmest place on Earth "
Also,
There's a saying about the people of Jammu - " Khand Mithe Log Dogre "
which means that the people of Jammu are sweet as sugar,
& you have to visit to experience that.
So, Is it safe to travel to Jammu and Kashmir?
Jammu and the Kashmir is no different than any other state of India though there were some tensions in the past but you can travel without any security concern in the State. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are Welcoming.
There's a saying in Kashmir - " Kashmir, the warmest place on Earth "
Also,
There's a saying about the people of Jammu - " Khand Mithe Log Dogre "
which means that the people of Jammu are sweet as sugar,
& you have to visit to experience that.
Conclusion
Jammu and Kashmir is heaven on Earth, one of the most beautiful places of the face of planet earth. However, I have seen most of the Indians have prejudice about Jammu and Kashmir due to the constant negative propaganda of the News Channel and from various other sources.
My intention of writing this to aware our fellow Indians about Jammu and Kashmir.
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