Rajauri

Rajauri is a district in the State of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is located at between 33°23′N 74°18′E and 33.38°N 74.3°E . It has an average elevation of 915 metres (3001 feet).The District has an area of 2,630 sq km. Rajouri had a population of 20,874 as per census 2001.

The District comprise of 6 Tehsils namely Rajouri, Nowshera, Sunderbani, Kalakote, Koteranka and Thannamandi and 7 Blocks of Rajouri, Manjakote, Darhal, Budhal, Kalakote, Sunderbani and Nowshera.

History

Rajouri, earlier known as Rajapura, was an area of importance in ancient times. Based on the Mahabharata the epic name of Rajauri was Rajapuram under Kamboja rule.

In 4th century BC there existed in the north west of India a federal type of political set up in Rajouri and it had Abhisar as its capital city. Rajouri was at the height of its glory at the time of Alexander's invasion. In Mauryan period it was a great trade centre.

Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang who visited the town in 632 AD had also described it as a part of Kashmiri dominion.

Later Laharkote in Poonch district and Rajouri emerged as two powerful states. During the Mughal rule, the rulers of Rajouri embraced Islam.

As per Rajtirangini of Kalhan, Rajouri emerged as principality in about 1003 A.D. The first ruler of this kingdom was Raja Prithvi Paul. Al-Beruni visited Rajouri with Sultan Masud (Son of Sultan Mehmud) in 1036 A.D. In his book "India" he wrote name of Rajouri as Raja Vari.

Raja Prithvi Paul was defeated at the Pir Panchal Pass at the time of invasion of Sultan Mehmud in 1021 A.D. From 1033 A.D. to 1194 A.D. these Pauls ruled this state. They were Raja Prithvipaul, Raja Janki Paul (1035 A.D.), Raja Sangram Paul (1063 A.D.), Raja Som Paul (1101 A.D.), Bahu Paul (1113 A.D.) and Amna Paul (1194 A.D.).

Srivar, the writer of 'Raj Tirangini' written during the regime of Sultan Zain-Ul-Abdin, also named this area as Raja Vari. It appears that Raja Vari is the changed shape of Raj Puri. Praja Bhat another writer of Raj Tirangini of 16th century A.D. wrote this place as Raj-Vare in his book. Mirza Zafarulla Khan writer of ‘Tarikh Rajgan-E-Rajour’ described in his book that this place was originally known as Raj-Avar and then changed from Rajour to Rajouri. But the old people in the villages still call the place as Rajour. With the passage of time the name changed from Raja's Raj Avar to Raja Puri, Rajpuri to Raj Vari, Raj Vari to Raj Vara, Raj Vara to Raj Avar, Raj Avar to Rajour and then Rajour to Rajouri.

Raja Noor-Ud-Din laid the foundation of Jarral Muslim rule in Rajouri in 1194 A.D. which continued till 21 October 1846 A.D. The renowned rulers of this dynasty were Raja Noor-Ud-Din (1194 A.D.), Raja Anwar Khan (1252 A.D.), Raja Sardar Khan (1289 A.D.), Raja Shah-Ud-Din (1412 A.D.), Raja Mast Wali Khan (1565 A.D.), Raja Taj-Ud-Din (1604 A.D.), Raja Anayat Ullah Khan (1648 A.D.), Raja Azmat Ullah Khan (1683 A.D.), Raja Izzat Ullah Khan (1762 A.D.), Raja Karam Ullah Khan (1676 A.D.), Raja Aggar Ullah Khan (1808 A.D.) and Raja Raheem Ullah Khan (1819 A.D.) who was the last Muslim Ruler of Rajouri who governed this principality up to 21 October, 1846.

In 1846 Amritsar pact was signed between British Government and Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu and the state Jammu and Kashmir was handed over to Raja Gulab Singh. He thus became Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.

After taking the charge of Rajouri from Raja Faqir Ullah in 1846, Maharaja Gulab Singh changed the name of Rajouri to Rampur.

In 1904, this Tehsil was bifurcated from Bhimber and affiliated with Reasi District. After Independence, Rajouri became part of the newly constituted Poonch-Rajouri District. On Ist January 1968, Rajouri emerged as a new District.

Politics

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.

81 Nowshera Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs of tehsil Nowshera except 11-Narian and all PCs of tehsil Sunderbani.

82 Darhal Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs of tehsil Budhal except 3-Khawas, 6-Kotechalwal and following PCs of tehsil Thanamandi :- 5-Darhal, 6-Chowdian, 7-Nadian, 8-Ujhan; and PC 4-Nagrota in tehsil Rajouri.

83 Rajouri Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Following PCs of tehsil Rajouri:- 1.Gambir Muglan, 2-Dani-Dhar, 7-Bathooni, 8-Sarola, 9-Sohana, 10-Doongi Brahmana, 11-Katarmal, 12-Deri Delote, 13-Panj Grain, 14-Galhoti, 15-Fatehpur, 17-Bagla, 19-Rampur with NAC Rajouri with following PCs of Thanamandi tehsil :- 1-Dodassan Balla, 2-Saaj, 3-Shahdara Sharief, 4-Hosplote, 10-Thanamandi with NAC and 9-Bharote.

84 Kalakote Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs of tehsil Kalakote and following PCs of tehsil Rajouri:- 2-Dalhari, 3-Dhangri, 6-Potha Grlana, 16-Khanpur Chingus, 18-Bhadoon and PC 11- Narian of tehsil Nowshera ; and 3-Khaskote Chalwal of Budhal tehsil.

Places of interest

Dhandidhar Fort, Shahdara Sharief, Nao Gazi Ziarat, Grave of Qutab Shah Wali, Mangla Goddess, Chingus Sarai, Sukh Sar, Akal Darshni, Nandar Sar, Chandan Sar, Katori Sar, Ravi Walli Marg, Bhag Sar, Diya Sar, Padyaran Sar, Katori Sar in Bela Marg, Gum Sar, Samot Sar