Srinagar District is situated in the centre of Kashmir Valley in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar District has 8 assembly constituencies like Hazratbal Shrine, Zadibal, Eidgah, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Amirakadal, Sonwar and Batmaloo, which are now the tourists" delight while visiting Srinagar District. The area of the district is 294 Sq. Kms. Srinagar District is famous for its lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits. Srinagar is the headquarters of Srinagar district.
Location of Srinagar District
Srinagar District is surrounded by five districts. In the north it is flanked by Kargil District and Ganderbal District in the South by Pulwama District, in the north-west by Budgam District. The capital city of Srinagar is located 1585 meters above sea level. The geographical location of Srinagar district is 34 degree 5 minutes 23 seconds North latitude and 74 degree 47 minutes 24 seconds East longitude.
History of Srinagar District
Srinagar District was once a part of the Maurya Empire, the city was founded by King Pravarasena-II more than 2000 years ago. Ashoka introduced Buddhism in Kashmir valley and the adjoining regions around the city became centers of Buddhism. The Hindu and Buddhist rulers lasted till 14th century after which Kashmir valley and city came under the control of several Muslim Sultans including Mughal Dynasty. Akbar established Mughal rule in the valley and city. When the disintegration of the Mughal Empire set forth in 1707, infiltrations to the valley from the Pathan tribes increased and they ruled over for several decades. In the year 1846 the British East India Company and later the British Government in India established their suzerainty over the Kashmir valley.
Geography of Srinagar District
Srinagar lies between two hills, the Hari Parbat and the Shankaracharya (also known as Takht-i-Suleiman). The city had experienced several natural disasters. Before the nineteenth century, Srinagar had been destroyed and rebuilt six times. Two major fires, in 1892 and 1899, devastated large portions of the city. There have been eleven major earthquakes in the city since the fifteenth century. The city has mild summers during the months April-June and cold winters of November-February. The city generally gets heavy snowfall from December to February. Temperature lies within 29.5 degree centigrade to -1.9 degree centigrade. Best time to visit is the months from April to June.
Demography of Srinagar District
According to the Population Census in the year 2011, Srinagar district has a population of 1,269,751. This gives it a ranking of 381st in India (out of a total of 640). Srinagar district has a population density of 703 inhabitants per square kilometer (1,820/sq mi). The population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 in Srinagar district was 23.56%. Srinagar district has a sex ratio of 879 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 71.21%.
Administration of Srinagar District
Srinagar District comprises two tehsils or towns viz Srinagar North and Srinagar South, one block (Srinagar), besides 136 Revenue villages. Srinagar Municipal Committee runs the city. The district contributes 2 parliamentary seats-Srinagar city and Badgam.
Economy of Srinagar District
Srinagar District is the main centre of the economy of the Kashmir Valley, and has remained tourist destination for centuries. Significant segment of the economy include handicrafts, weaving of woollen shawls and dress material and woodcarving. Srinagar serves as one of the collecting point from where fruits and handicraft products are taken to several parts of Indian subcontinent. Srinagar also has specialised markets and retail shops. The hinterland of Srinagar is the most populous part of the Kashmir valley, and crops like wheat and paddy are cultivated for local consumption. Orchards produce a number of fruits, particularly apples.
Education in Srinagar District
There are around two hundred and forty two primary schools, one hundred and thirty six middle schools and seventy three higher secondary schools. Mainly there are army and air force schools. Apart from them main well-known schools are D.P.S, J&K Public school and Kendriya Vidyalaya. The education boards in the city are J&K state board, C.B.S.E and ICSE. There are six degree college and five professional colleges in this district.
Culture of Srinagar District
Srinagar District has a distinctive blend of cultural heritage. Holy places in and around the city depict the historical cultural and religious diversity of the city as well as Kashmir valley. Bhand Pather is a form of traditional folk theatre art form of play and dance. The artists depict in a satirical style social evils. Chakri is a form of Kashmiri folk music and is the most popular in the district. Another very well known form of Kashmiri music is Sufiana music. The instruments used in the music include Santoor, Sitar, Kashmiri Saz, Tabla and Wasool. Hafiz Nagma is a form of Dance that is performed to the accompaniment of Sufiana music.
Cuisine of Srinagar District
Cuisine of Srinagar District is redolent with the flavour of the spices used -cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, saffron, etc. The staple diet of people in the district is rice; the most preferred being the dense, slightly sticky grained Kashmir variety, which is prized in the Valley. Mutton, chicken or fish are of prime importance in Kashmiri meal and everyday cooking often combines vegetable and meat in the same dish. Mutton and turnips, chicken and spinach, fish and lotus root are also very popular combinations. Pure vegetarian dishes include dum-aloo, i.e. roasted potatoes in curd-based gravy, and chaman- fried paneer (cottage cheese), in a thick sauce.
Tourism in Srinagar District
Srinagar District houses some of the most beautiful and scenic places of Indian subcontinent. The hill station and skiing resort-Gulmarg is 50 km from the district. Tourism has been contributing extremely to the economy of the district for many years. The areas on the outskirts of Srinagar are also famous for their natural exquisiteness. Srinagar is well known for its lakes. Dal Lake is well known for its houseboats. Nagin Lake is another prominent lake in the region. Srinagar has several gardens which are part of the several such gardens laid by the Mughal emperors across the Indian subcontinent, and which are known as Mughal gardens. The Mughal Gardens situated in Srinagar and its close vicinity includes Chasma Shahi (the royal fountains); Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring); Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies); Shalimar Garden; and the Nashim Bagh.
Visiting Information
Srinagar is linked with New Delhi through Jammu. It is also connected to Leh District, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru. The nearest railway station is Udhampur (230 km). The roads to Chandigarh, Jammu, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Delhi, Leh, Kargil and Gulmarg links Srinagar. The main Bus Station is at Lal Chowk.
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