Travelling to Jammu and Kashmir — except the city of Jammu — is unsafe due to insurgent activity. The Indian army has a large presence in the region. In some places, making loud noises, standing together in groups, taking part in demonstrations or possessing any form of arms will get you in serious trouble (you might even get shot). Since August 2019, when the Indian government restricted the region's autonomy, there has been unrest.
Jammu and Kashmir (dead link: January 2023) (Dogri: जम्मु और कश्मीर; Urdu: جموں و کشمیر) is a union territory in northern India. It is a mountainous region of great beauty and diversity offering much in the way of outdoor activities and sights for the tourist.
Although Jammu and Kashmir is claimed by Pakistan as its territory, it is under the effective control of the Indian government. As visitors wishing to visit have to obtain Indian visas, permits and so on, we treat it as a part of India here. This does not represent a political endorsement of the claims made by either side of the dispute.
Known for its temples, shrines, palaces and forts.
Some say it is the Paradise on Earth, friendly people, beautiful gardens, vast lakes and pristine streams and stunning landscapes.
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Here are nine of the most notable cities.
Jammu and Kashmir has a very rich and vibrant history, and is a melting pot of different cultures and religions. The region has served as a major centre for Hinduism and it has been a part of numerous empires, such as the Sikh Empire, the Mughal Empire, the Durrani Empire, and more recently, the British Empire.
During the 14th century, the spread of Islam rapidly intensified under the Shamiri Dynasty, and as a result, the region has the distinction of being one of the few areas in India with a Muslim-majority population, along with Ladakh and Lakshadweep.
As with all of the princely states that formed India during the partition of India in the late-1940s, Kashmir was given one of three choices: join India, join Pakistan or become independent. This presented a major political issue in Kashmir at the time, and there was no clear consensus on what was the correct choice.
Shortly thereafter, the city of Poonch faced an uprising sponsored by Pakistan, which eventually resulted in Kashmir losing control of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Given the deteriorating situation, the ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, requested assistance from India. India agreed to provide military aid under the condition that Kashmir joined India. The maharaja then signed an agreement that made Kashmir a part of India, whereupon Indian troops entered the region and summarily defeated the Pakistani forces. To this date, a large portion of Kashmir is now administered by India, the rest being administered by Pakistan and China.
Since the 1980s, insurgent violence has ravaged the region, and the unrest has adversely affected what was one a thriving tourist industry. Perhaps one of the darkest periods of Kashmiri history was when one of the minority groups, the Kashmiri Pandits, were forcefully expelled from Kashmir. To this day, some 300,000 to 600,000 Kashmiri Pandits remain displaced, internally and externally.
Both India and Pakistan have been accused of committing grave human rights violations in Kashmir, with scholars repeatedly condemning India for refusing to prosecute perpetrators of abuses in the region and Pakistan for sheltering and aiding terror groups which operate in the region.
In August 2019, the Indian government revoked the state's autonomy. While some claim that the move is geared towards integrating the territory into the rest of India, others feel that the Indian government is doing something incredibly risky. The move evoked a strong response from many political parties in the region, and it even prompted Pakistan to downgrade relations and suspend bilateral trade with India.
The irony, however, is that since November 2020, Pakistan has been making moves towards converting Gilgit-Baltistan into a full-fledged province, a move which political experts believe will lead to further tensions and chaos. Some believe the move comes from Pakistan wanting to hit back at India over India revoking Kashmir's autonomy.
While some Kashmiris hope for an independent and unified Kashmir, the majority seem to simply want peace.
Jammu and Kashmir has an area of 101,473 km. The region is home to several valleys, including the much-visited Kashmir Valley. The Himalayas divide the region from Ladakh while the Pir Panjal Range separates the Kashmir Valley from Jammu Division.
The official languages of the union territory are Dogri, English, Kashmiri, Hindi and Urdu. However, the main languages spoken are Kashmiri in the Kashmir Valley and Dogri in Jammu. Most people speak at least a little Hindi and you may even hear Punjabi.
Jammu and Kashmir has two civil airports. Both of them receive direct flights to Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.
As of 2022, the last stop on the railway line north is Udhampur, where you can catch onward buses and hire sport utility or multiple utility vehicles. However, it is better to get down in Jammu and catch a taxi from there as these are more readily available.
The Kashmir Railway to connect Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country is to be opened, as of 2022. The project called USBRL (Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link) will connect the city of Udhampur, 55 km north of Jammu, the city of Baramulla on the northwestern edge of the Kashmir Valley, 290 km away. The route will cross inhospitable terrain, traverse major earthquake zones and be subject to extreme temperatures of cold and heat.
There are two ways to get in by land - via Jammu and up to Srinagar or via Leh in Ladakh.
Government buses are run by Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) to most points around Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. They offer package tours to Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Yusmarg, Wular Lake, Iity tour, etc. There are tourist information centres, which offer tickets and information.
4WD terrain vehicles are quicker, a little more expensive and reach more locations. Private hire terrain vehicles are also available.
Srinagar serves as a base for many trekking expeditions which lead to Himalayan alpine high altitude lakes of Kashmir valley which has a great scope for adventure tourism. These high altitude alpine lakes have no access by any transport, they include Vishansar Lake, Nundkol Lake, Tarsar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Satsar Lake and so on. Many trekking units organise and operate trekking packages to these mountain lakes.
Shikaras are the limousines of the Dal lake. Lay comfortably in soft cushions and while the shikara cruises around the lake while vendors come along in their boats selling handicrafts. Also look for a jetski ride in summers.
Two local specialities are kehwa, which is a special beverage prepared with saffron and dry fruits, and nun chai, which is a pink, salty tea.
Due to insurgent activities, the situation in the union territory is far from stable. Outbursts of politically motivated violence and civil disobedience are common, especially around Srinagar. Demonstrations and rallies can rapidly turn violent.
Some parts of Azad Kashmir are off-limits to tourists, particularly the Line of Control that separates the union territory from Azad Kashmir. Clashes across the LoC between India and Pakistan are also common. Check on current conditions before you go.
Don't take photographs of military installations or you'll be in very serious trouble.
As with many people in Kashmir, people are divided into three opposing camps - Some who advocate for full independence, some who advocate for integration with Pakistan, and some who advocate for integration with India. Given the sensitive situation in the region, the main thing to avoid is pontificating about the situation. Such discussions could make many feel uncomfortable.
Some may voice their support for certain Kashmiri militant groups and may react with anger if you call them terrorist organisations.