Akhnoor is an archeological site and a municipal committee in the Jammu District of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located at a distance of 28 km from Jammu on the banks of Chenab River. Akhnoor is divided in three administrative sub-divisions namely Akhnoor, Chowki Choura & Khour and in seven Tehsils- Akhnoor Khaas, Chowki Choura, Maira Mandrian, Jourian, Kharah Balli, Khour & Pargwal etc. It is also divided in three Education Zones which are Akhnoor, Khour and Chowki Choura. Climate of Akhnoor is of subtropical humid.
Etymology of Akhnoor
It is believed that Mughal Emperor Jahagir named this place by Akhnoor who once came to visit this place and the Akhnoor Fort here on the advice of a saint when Jahangir"s eyes got infected while returning from Kashmir. His eyes got completely cured by the fresh air of Akhnoor, as a result of which Jahangor called it "Ankho-ka-Noor" (light of the eyes) and since then this place came to be known as Akhnoor.
History of Akhnoor
According to the historians, it was an ancient city of Virat Nagar, which was mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. Excavations done by the Archeological Survey of India stated that Akhnoor was one of the last bastions of the Harappan Civilization. Terracotta figures and other anthropological objects belonging to the later Harappan period have been found during the excavations.
Geography of Akhnoor
Akhnoor is located at 32.87 degrees north and 74.73 degrees east. It is situated at an elevation of 301 meters above mean sea level. On the north it has Rajouri District, Reasi District on the east and the Chenab tehsil on the west.
Demography of Akhnoor
According to the 2011 census, Akhnoor has a population of 11,225 among which 54% are male and 46% are female. It has an average literacy rate of 78%, which is higher than the national average rate of 74% with 56% male literacy and 47% female. Languages spoken here are Dogri, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi and English.
Tourism in Akhnoor
Akhnoor is mainly popular for the Akhnoor Fort, built by Jahangir for tourism. Apart from that there are some other places to visit as well namely Sumah Devta Dogra Shrine, Jia Pota Ghat, Akhnoor and Indus Valley Civilization, historical sites of Ambaran – Akhnoor etc:
Akhnoor Fort: Akhnoor Fort is located on the right banks of the Chenab River. It was constructed by Mian Tej Singh in the year 1762 CE and completed by his successor Raja Alum Singh in 1802. The fort was perched on an ancient site, which is locally known as Manda. Akhnoor Fort was built with high fortification wall and bastions and was crowned with battlements. The palaces inside the fort are decorated with arches and mural paintings.
Jia Pota Ghat: Jia Pota Ghat is one of the most popular tourist spots located on the right banks of Chenab River. The ghat has been named after the Jia Pota tree.
Visiting Information to Akhnoor
Jammu Tawi Railway Station (25.28 km) and Jammu Airport (32.8 km) are the nearest to reach this city. Akhnoor lies on National Highway 144A which runs between Jammu and Poonch.