Baramulla

Baramulla is a district in the State of Jammu and Kashmir in India. The district derived its name from its headquarter town Baramulla. This is the largest District in entire Kashmir valley both in terms of population and area. The District is spread over an area of 4588 Sq. Km and its population according to 2001 projections is 11.51 lakhs. This district is bounded by Kupwara in the North, Budgam and Poonch in the South, parts of Srinagar and Ladakh in the East and has the line of control between India and Pakistan in the west. This district has been considered as a gateway to Kashmir Valley for years, perhaps from the ancient days. It is because of its location which is on route to the Valley from Muzaffarabad, now in (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) POK, and Rawalpindi, now in Pakistan.

There are 8 Tehsils and 16 Community Development (CD) Blocks. The eight tehsils of Baramulla are Uri, Sopore, Gurez, Tangmarg, Baramulla, Sumbal, Pattan and Bandipora. The Sixteen blocks of the district are Uri, Boniyar, Baramulla, Wagoora, Pattan, Rafiabad, Rohama, Tangmarg, Sopore, Zaingeer, Bandipora, Hajin, Sumbal, Gurez, Kunzer and Singhpora.

Baramulla district has severe cold climate in winter and a pleasant weather in summer. All parts of the district get snowfall during winter. Road to Gurez remains closed during winter due to snowfall. Snowfall in Gulmarg is known for winter sports. Average annual rainfall in District Baramulla has been recorded as 1270 mm. The district is worth visiting in the winters for enjoying the Snowfall and for winter sports, and also in the summers for enjoying the pleasant climate. Gulmarg, Tangmarg and Khilanmarg, being full with natural endowments, scenic splendor, places of tourist interest round the year, snow claded mountain peaks and challenging tracks; allure the tourists, adventurers and trekkers not only from all over the world.

Baramulla is the largest producer of Horticulture products in the state. There are vast apple orchids in District. World-class apples are grown here.

Out of the only two rabbit farms in Northern India, one is in Baramulla in Palhallan (Pattan) which is called Angoora Rabbit Farm Wussan.

Baramulla has a good Silk Worm breeding unit in Mir Gund, Pattan.

There are three powerhouses in the district. These are: Lower Jehlum Hydel Project at Gantamulla, Mohra Power House and Asthan Nallah.

Life pattern

The food habits, dress pattern, customs and traditions are the same as followed in other parts of the Kashmir valley. Kashmiri is the main language of the people in the District, Pahari and Gojari are also spoken in Uri and areas near foothills of Gulmarg and Bandipora, Sheena (Dard) is the local language in Gurez and Tilail areas. The people also speak Urdu.

History

The city of Baramulla was founded by Raja Bhimsina in 2306 BC. This gateway to India especially the Kashmir valley had been used by a number of prominent visitors from ancient days. These include the famous chinese traveller Heiun T'Sang and the British historian Moorcraft. Mughal Emperors had special fascination for Baramulla. It was a halting place for invaders and visitors.

In AD 1508, Emperor Akbar who entered the Valley via Pakhil spent a few days at Baramulla. According to "Tarikh-e-Hassan" the city during Akbar's stay was decorated like a bride. Jahangir also stayed at Baramulla during his visit to Kashmir in AD 1620.

From the very beginning Baramulla has been considered as a religious place. There are many Holy places for Hindus which are called teertha in local language. There are many Buddha Vihars too which are Holy places for Buddhists.

In the 15th Century, the place became important for muslims, as the famous muslim saint, Syed Janbaz Wali, who visited the valley alongwith his companions in AD 1421 chose Baramulla as the centre of his mission. He was burried there after his death. The place (the graveyard) became a Holy shrine afterwards attracting number of pilgrims from all over the Valley.

In 1894 the sixth Sikh Guru Shri Hargobind Ji visited the city. Gurdawara "Chatti Padshahi" was constructed in his memory.

Baramulla thus became an abode of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs.

Politics

Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitation order of 2008
The above Order for the State of Jammu and Kashmir is as per the details given in Order No. 1 of the Delimitation Commission, Jammu and Kashmir notified in the Central and the State Gazettes on 27th April, 1995.

6 Uri Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs in tehsil Uri.

7 Rafiabad Vidhan Sabha Constituency - PCs 11-Chakloo, 12-Nadihal, 13-Shitloo, 15-Biner Kahdoora in tehsil Baramulla ; and PCs 5-Nowpora Kalan, 8-Watergam, 9-Fidarpora, 10-Handipora, 11-Yarbug, 12-Riban– Ramhama, 13-Ladora, 14-Rehama, 15-Chijahama, 16-Wanpora, 17-Panzala-Gundabal, 18-Sailkoot, 19-Balhama-Thakanpora, 20-Chatoosa, 21-Dangiwacha, 22-Rawacha, 23-Harduchanam, 24-Bakshipora-Batapora, 25-Zithan, 36-Behrampora, 37-Chitlora, 38-Achabal in tehsil Sopore.

8 Sopore Vidhan Sabha Constituency - PCs 1-Sopore with NAC, 2-Warapora, 3-Arampora, 4-Dangerpora, 6-Watalab, 32-Seeloo, 33-Botingoo, 34-Mundji, 35-Duroo, 39-Hardu-Shiva, 41-Aadipora-Bomai, 42-Wadoora, 40-Tujar-Pahlihar, 43-Harwan, 44-Zaloora in tehsil Sopore.

9 Gurez Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs in tehsil Gurez.

10 Bandipora Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs in Tehsil Bandipora ; and PC 1-Ajas of Tehsil Sonawari.

11 Sonawari Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs in tehsil Sonawari excluding PC 1-Ajas.

12 Sangrama Vidhan Sabha Constituency - PCs 16-Kreeri, 17-Wizar, 18-Authora, 19-Shalakawara, 20-Nowpora-Jagir, 21-Wagoora, 22-Kachumuqam, 24-Manigam, 25-Kalantara-Balla, 26-Dandmoh, 27-Sultanpora-Kandi in tehsil Baramulla ; and 7-Tarzoo, 26-Hygam, 27-Seer-Jagir, 28-Bulagam, 29-Samgrama, 30-Krank-Shivan, 31-Wagub in tehsil Sopore.

13 Baramulla Vidhan Sabha Constituency - PCs 1-Laridora, 2-Heewan, 3-Malapora, 4-Kichhama, 5-Ushkara, 6-Khanpora with NAC, 7-Khaja-Bagh, 8-Taki-Sultan, 9-Khaitangan, 10-Delina, 14-Kansipora, 23-Chandoosa in tehsil Baramulla.

14 Gulmarg Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs in tehsil Gulmarg ; and 2- Wailoo Kralpora, 8-Sriwarapora, 9-Chokar, 10-Waripora-Bangil, 12-Malmoh, 13-Nowlari, 16-Yal in tehsil Pattan.

15 Pattan Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Tehsil Pattan excluding 2-Wailoo-Kralpora, 8-Sriwarapora, 9-Chokar, 10-Waripora Bangil, 12-Malmoh, 13-Nowlari and 16-Yal.

Places to visit

This district is adorned with beautiful lakes, torrential mountain streams and placid valleys, gigantic sun-tinted, snow capped mountain ranges glistening in pink and gold and rust, idyllic fun spots where the world is all too far away, and magical bubbling springs, magestic waterfalls, streams of trout.

Tourist Places

1. Gulmarg 2. Wular Lake 3. Manasbal Lake 4. Manimarg 5. Vijimarg 6. Mahalishamarg

Travelling on the way from Baramulla to Uri is an experience of great pleasure.

Historical Places

1. Archaeological Monument at Parihaspora Pattan
2. Archaeological Monument in Pattan Bazar

Religious Places

1. Zeyarat Baba Reshi, Tangmarg
2. Zeyarat Baba Shakoor-ud-din, Watlab
3. Zeyarat Ahim Sharief, Bandipora
4. Zeyarat Tujjar Sharief, Sopore
5. Zeyarat Janbaz Wali, Baramulla
6. Imambara Goom, Ahmadpora
7. Zeyarat Dastigeer Sahib, Baramulla