Bio-diversity in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh: Cultural and Historical Background
(Created page with " {| class="wikitable" |- |colspan="0"|<div style="font-size:100%"> This article has been sourced from an authoritative, official <br/>publication. Therefore, it has been ‘l...") |
(→The source of this article) |
||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
By the Department of Forests, Government of Jammu and Kashmir | By the Department of Forests, Government of Jammu and Kashmir | ||
| − | |||
The three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were brought together under a single state in 1846. Kashmir has a very ancient history reflected in historical accounts and discussed in famous ‘Rajtarangni’. As part of Ashoka’s Empire and Kushan Empire, it was flourishing center of Buddhist culture for many centuries. The ruins of impressive temples at Martand, Pattan and Avantipora bear testimony to the great Hindu culture under the Hindu dynasties that flourished till 14th century. The most famous of the Hindu kings was Lalitaditya. | The three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were brought together under a single state in 1846. Kashmir has a very ancient history reflected in historical accounts and discussed in famous ‘Rajtarangni’. As part of Ashoka’s Empire and Kushan Empire, it was flourishing center of Buddhist culture for many centuries. The ruins of impressive temples at Martand, Pattan and Avantipora bear testimony to the great Hindu culture under the Hindu dynasties that flourished till 14th century. The most famous of the Hindu kings was Lalitaditya. | ||
Revision as of 18:57, 3 February 2014
This article has been sourced from an authoritative, official readers who wish to update or add further details can do so on a ‘Part II’ of this article. |
Contents |
The source of this article
Bio-diversity in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh
By the Department of Forests, Government of Jammu and Kashmir
The three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were brought together under a single state in 1846. Kashmir has a very ancient history reflected in historical accounts and discussed in famous ‘Rajtarangni’. As part of Ashoka’s Empire and Kushan Empire, it was flourishing center of Buddhist culture for many centuries. The ruins of impressive temples at Martand, Pattan and Avantipora bear testimony to the great Hindu culture under the Hindu dynasties that flourished till 14th century. The most famous of the Hindu kings was Lalitaditya.
Islam came to Kashmir much later when a series of preachers from Iran and Central Asia entered here. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin who ruled for the 1st half of the 15th century was tolerant towards Hindu religion, he is credited with the introduction of many arts and crafts including shawl and carpet weaving, wood carving and paper mache work. Akbar the great conquered Kashmir in 1585 and it became a favorite resort for the Emperor Jahanghir. It was during the empire of Jahanghir that foundation of World famous Mughal Gardens was laid and the grandeur persists to the present times.
Ladakh was an independent country before 10th century A.D. the ruling Tibetan dynasty remained preacher of Buddhism and Ladakhi culture developed on its own as an offshoot of that of Tibet. The Central Asian Merchants and other missionaries added Islamic culture in the area. By the 18th century the Drass and Purig areas of western Ladakh became Muslim dominated though central Ladakh, Nobra and Eastern Areas retained the older faith of Buddhism. Ladakh’s prosperity was based largely on trade which was carried out through the ancient silk route. It was the only channel for the supply of pashm (pashmina) produced on its own pastures.
The Jammu region was initially a cluster of small Himalayan kingdoms until these got consolidated under a single political unit by the Dogra Chief, Maharaja Gulab Singh and his brothers. Jammu town acquired importance for the trade in Kashmir Shawls and other commodities during 18th century which led to decay of Lahore – Delhi route. The Shawl merchants preferred to cross the Banihal-pass to enter into Jammu markets and reached as far as Moradabad. In 1834 Gulab Singh sent an army to invade Ladakh and he concurred Baltistan adjoining Ladakh down the Indus river. Four years later by the treaties of Lahore and Amritsar the British recognized Gulab Singh as ruler of Kashmir as well as of Jammu and Ladakh in consideration of his paying half of the indemnity of 1.5 crore Rupees. Thus the state of J&K as we know presently came into existence.
A century later and immediately after the independence and partition raiders from Pakistan invaded Kashmir in an attempt to take it by force but the then Maharaja Hari Singh of the state supported by the National Conference and the Government of India failed their evil designs and signed the Instrument of Accession with India. In 1957 the Kashmir Assembly confirmed the Instrument of Accession by declaring the State as an integral part of India. Pakistan has however never accepted this position and fought three major wars in 1947, 1965 & 1971 and has been badly defeated. Now Pakistan is engaged in proxy war by sending trained and armed militants who are killing innocent people and destroying property and assets of the state. Because of the prevalent disturbed conditions many of the developmental projects have suffered a set-back and economy of the state has also been badly affected.
Geographical Profile
Area & Location
The state of Jammu & Kashmir is located in the North-western part of Indian Republic and lies between 32°-17’ and 37°-5’ North latitude and 73°-26’ and 80°-30’ East longitude and holds an almost central position in the continent of Asia. It occupies about 6.74 percent of the total area of the country and has a total geographical area of 222236 square kilometers. Out of this total geographical area of the state 78114 sq. kilometers is under illegal occupation of Pakistan and 42735 square kilometers under China.
The state comprises of three administrative regions, i.e. Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh.
Physiography, Relief and Drainage
The J&K region consists of four great mountain ranges of Himalayas, the Karakoram, the Ladakh, the Zanskar and Pirpanjal. Between these ranges are the longitudinal valleys of Gilgit, Shyok, Indus and Jehlum. South of Pirpanjal is the Shivalik range comparatively much lower in elevation and known as Jammu hills. Further south there is a narrow strip of foot hill plains (25 kms vide) merging into Punjab plains.
The state is divided into 5 physiographic regions i.e. Trans Himalayas, Greater Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, Shivaliks and Plains which have been further divided into 9 land forms and they are enumerated below:
1. Glaciers
2. Hills and Plateaus of Trans-Himalayas
3. Hills of Greater Himalayas
4. Hills of Lesser Himalayas
5. Hills of Siwaliks
6. Narrow Valleys
7. Broad valleys
8. Piedmont Plains
9. Alluvial plain.
Ladakh region is drained by river Indus and its tributaries like Shyok, Shigar, Gilgit and Astor. Jhelum river drains out valley of Kashmir while the Chenab river drains the eastern section of southern slopes of the Pir Panjal, Jammu hills and the foothill plains. The parts of Jammu region adjoining Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are drained by river Ravi and its tributaries such as Tawi, Munawer Tawi etc. Drainage system of the state is given below:
