Jammu and Kashmir

Paradise on Earth

Union TerritoryNorth IndiaCapital: Srinagar (summer) / Jammu (winter)Est. 31 October 2019
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Overview

Quick facts at a glance

A Himalayan union territory known for the Kashmir Valley, Jammu's temple towns, and Mughal-era gardens along Dal Lake.

Capital
Srinagar (summer) / Jammu (winter)
Largest City
Srinagar
Region
North
Formed
31 October 2019
Area
42,241 km²
Population
12,267,032 (Census 2011, undivided)
Languages
Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi, English
Other Languages
Ladakhi, Gojri
Earlier Names
Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir
Districts
20
Lok Sabha
5
Assembly
90
Verification✅ VerifiedLast Verified02 July 2026Verified byIndia Atlas Editorial Desk
Sources: The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (2019)Government · Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of IndiaGovernment
Union Territory (with legislature) formed 31 October 2019 under the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019; twin capitals Srinagar (summer) and Jammu (winter). Population from undivided J&K Census 2011.
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History

How Jammu and Kashmir came to be

Ruled historically by Hindu and Buddhist dynasties, then the Mughals, Afghans, Sikhs and the Dogra dynasty before joining India in 1947. Reorganised into a Union Territory in 2019.

Earlier / Historical Names

  • Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir
Verification✅ VerifiedLast Verified02 July 2026Verified byIndia Atlas Editorial Desk
Source: Know India — National Portal of IndiaGovernment
Historical background compiled from the National Portal of India (Know India) and standard state gazetteers.
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Did You Know?

Surprising highlights

Did you know

Dal Lake's floating gardens (Raad) have been cultivated for centuries.

Did you know

Home to the Amarnath cave shrine, visited on a seasonal pilgrimage.

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State Symbols

Emblems of identity

Hangul (Kashmir stag)

State Animal

Black-necked crane

State Bird

Chinar

State Tree

Rouff, Dumhal

State Dance

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Culture & Festivals

Living traditions

Folk Dances

  • Rouff
  • Dumhal
  • Kud

Traditional Dress

Pheran (long woollen tunic) for both men and women

Festival Carousel

Amarnath Yatra

Annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine in the Himalayas.

Tulip Festival

Celebrates Asia's largest tulip garden blooming in Srinagar each spring.

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Cuisine

Flavours of Jammu and Kashmir

Wazwan, a multi-course feast, anchors Kashmiri cuisine alongside Dogri dishes from Jammu.

Popular Dishes

Rogan Josh

Yakhni

Dum Aloo

Popular Sweets

Kahwa (spiced tea)

Shufta

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Tourism & Attractions

Places to explore

Top Attractions

Dal Lake

Iconic lake in Srinagar known for houseboats and shikara rides.

Gulmarg

Hill resort and skiing destination with a high-altitude gondola.

Vaishno Devi Shrine

One of India's most visited pilgrimage sites, near Katra.

National Parks

  • Dachigam National Park

Wildlife Sanctuaries

  • Hokersar Wetland
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Geography & Nature

The lay of the land

Major Rivers

  • Jhelum
  • Chenab
  • Tawi

Mountain Ranges

  • Pir Panjal
  • Zanskar

Major Lakes

  • Dal Lake
  • Wular Lake
Highest Peak
Kolahoi Peak
Climate
Temperate with cold, snowy winters in the valley; subtropical in Jammu
Rainfall
Moderate, with heavy winter snowfall
Forests
Coniferous forests across the Pir Panjal foothills
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On the Map of India

Location & land neighbours

Neighbouring States & UTs

  • Ladakh
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Punjab
Verification✅ VerifiedLast Verified02 July 2026Verified byIndia Atlas Editorial Desk
Source: Survey of IndiaGovernment
Location and land neighbours as depicted on the Survey of India political map of India.
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Economy & Agriculture

How Jammu and Kashmir works

Horticulture (especially apples and saffron), handicrafts, and tourism anchor the economy.

Key Industries

  • Handicrafts
  • Horticulture
  • Tourism

Major Crops

  • Saffron
  • Rice
  • Maize

Largest Producer Of

Saffron in India

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Infrastructure & Connectivity

Getting around Jammu and Kashmir

Road Network
Jammu–Srinagar National Highway with the Banihal tunnel
Railways
Jammu Tawi is the main railhead; Kashmir Valley rail link under expansion

Airports

  • Srinagar Airport
  • Jammu Airport
Verification✅ VerifiedLast Verified02 July 2026Verified byIndia Atlas Editorial Desk
Sources: Ministry of Road Transport & HighwaysGovernment · Indian Railways (Ministry of Railways)Government · Airports Authority of IndiaGovernment
Road, rail and air connectivity per the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Indian Railways and the Airports Authority of India.
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Education & Research

Centres of learning

Major Universities

  • University of Kashmir
  • University of Jammu
Verification✅ VerifiedLast Verified02 July 2026Verified byIndia Atlas Editorial Desk
Source: University Grants CommissionGovernment
Major universities recognised by the University Grants Commission and state government listings.
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Heritage & GI Tags

Craft & legacy

GI-Tagged Treasures

Kashmir Pashmina

Kashmir Saffron

Monuments

Shalimar Bagh

Mubarak Mandi Palace

Handicrafts

Pashmina shawls

Papier-mâché

Walnut wood carving

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Prominent Personalities

Icons of Jammu and Kashmir

Habba Khatoon (poet)

Artist

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Interactive Timeline

Tap any milestone to expand

3rd century BCEBuddhism spreads under AshokaAncient
Kashmir becomes a centre of Buddhist learning.
14th–16th centurySultanate and Mughal ruleMedieval
Mughal emperors build gardens like Shalimar Bagh.
1846Treaty of AmritsarColonial
Dogra rule under the British paramountcy begins.
1947Accession to IndiaFormation
Maharaja Hari Singh signs the Instrument of Accession.
2019ReorganisationRecent
Split into the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
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Frequently Asked

Good to know

What is the capital of Jammu and Kashmir?+
Srinagar serves as the summer capital and Jammu as the winter capital.
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Sources & Verification

Authoritative references used to verify facts on this page

Sources

Last verified: 02 July 2026 · Facts without a listed source are marked “Verification Pending” and are being audited progressively via the CMS.

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