Know your state Jammu and Kashmir GK Notes – Culture, Geography, Climate, and Govt. Policies (Part 1)

Today, we are going to discuss about the union territory of India which is popularly known as “Heaven of India”. Rightly guessed we are talking about Jammu and Kashmir. In this discourse, we will be discussing the cultural, geographical and political aspects of Jammu and Kashmir.

Where is the largest tulips garden in Asia? Where is India’s first floating post office? Where is India’s longest railway Tunnel?

So let’s start exploring the Land of Unimaginable Beauty.

Jammu & Kashmir is the northern most state of India and is also known as the crown of India. Due to the impeccable natural beauty, Kashmir is called the Paradise on Earth.

Before diving deeper into this union territory, let’s first take a glance over the State symbols of Jammu and Kashmir.

Let’s study about the culture of Jammu and Kashmir.

CULTURE Jammu and Kashmir GK Notes:

Jammu and Kashmir is a diverse blend of various cultures and people from different religious and social practices. The culture of Kashmir is a commingling of multiple customs that came from Northern India, Northern Pakistan and the Chinese territory of Aksai Chin.

• Outfit of J & K are well known for their embroidery and intricate designs, which reflect the richness of the culture and landscape of the region. Most of the garments are made of wool, silk designed with intricate embroideries and cotton.
• The Pheran is the prominent attire for Kashmiri women and man both.
• Kashmiri food is a blend of Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims, and Mughals styles. J &K has some mouth-watering cuisine in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
• The popular non-vegetarian dishes are Kashmiri Kebag, Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Pasanda, Syun Alu and Methi Keema etc.
• Some of the famous vegetarian dishes include Hak, Rajmah, Zarda, Tursh, Shree Pulao, Nadeir Yakhaen, and Ladyar Tsaman etc.
• Phirni is a sweet delicacy of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Dumhal is a famous dance in the Kashmir valley, performed by men. The women perform the Rouff, another traditional folk dance.
• The most important tourist places of J & K are the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar, the Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Jammu.
• J & K is a home to rich cultural heritage and it is easily reflected by the festival celebration by the Kashmiri people. 
• Some of the most famous festivals are Baishakhi, Lohri, Eid-ul-Fitr, Hemis festival, Tulip Festival, Shikara Festival, Gurez Festival, Sindu Darshan and Domoche.
• Kashmir is a popular place for its beautiful and unique Handicraft. The Pashmina Shawl is popular worldwide for its quality and fabric.
• Kashmiri, Dogri and Hindi in addition with Urdu and English are in the list of official languages in the Union Territory of J & K.

Let’s discuss the geographical attributes of J & K.

GEOGRAPHY Jammu and Kashmir GK Notes:

Jammu and Kashmir is situated in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent in the vicinity of the Karakoram and westernmost Himalayan mountain ranges.

Area: 42,241 km²

Population: 1.25 crores

Latitude: 33.2778° N

Longitude: 75.3412° E

• Jammu and Kashmir is surrounded to the northeast by China, to the east by the Tibet Region, China and the Chinese-administered portions of Kashmir, to the south by Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, to the southwest by Pakistan, and to the northwest by the Pakistani-administered portion of Kashmir.
• The important river systems of J & K are the Chenab, the Tawi and the Jhelum.
• Jammu and Kashmir has a total forest cover of 20230 km² accounting for 19.95% of the total Geographical area.
• There are total 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 3 National Parksand 29 Conservation Reserves in Jammu and Kashmir

Climate:

The climate of Jammu and Kashmir is to a large extent influenced by the mountains. The temperature is greatly moderated by these Himalayan Mountains. Jammu is a sub-tropical region. Kashmir’s climate is largely regulated by the Himalayas. The temperature in winters goes down to -15°C in the hilly areas, while the plains have a comparatively better temperature at 5 to 8°C. The average temperature during peak summer rises to 38°C. Autumn and spring have warm days and cool nights. The valley receives rains during the spring season.

Soil type:

In Jammu and Kashmir, mainly alluvial soils are found, which are loamy with little clay content and contain small quantity of lime with high magnesium content.

Let’s talk about the political aspects of Jammu and Kashmir.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Jammu and Kashmir GK Notes:

The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is administered under the provisions of Article 239 of the Constitution of India. The President of India appoints a Lieutenant Governor for the union territory. The legislative branch is of government is a unicameral legislative assembly, whose tenure is five years. The union territory is under the jurisdiction of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which also serves as the high court for Ladakh. Police services are provided by the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Representation of Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament:

• Lok sabha: 5
• Rajya sabha: 4
• Present lieutenant Governor of J & K: Manoj Sinha
• Present Chief Secretary of J & K: B. V. R. Subrahmanyam

Here comes SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT JAMMU&KASHMIR:

• The Banihal railway tunnel is India’s Longest Railway Tunnel. Banihal railway tunnel is India’s longest and Asia’s fourth longest railway tunnel.
• Dras, Jammu and Kashmir is the coldest inhabited place in India with temperatures reaching as low as -45°C. Dras is the second coldest inhabited place on earth.
• India’s first floating post office was built on a houseboat at the western edge of Dal Lake in Srinagar.
• Kashmir is the largest producer of saffron in India and the third largest producer in the world.
• Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia.

Hope this essay made most of your facts clear about J & K. In our upcoming write-up, we will be discussing about other important aspects of Jammu and Kashmir.

What is the economic background of Jammu and Kashmir? What are the historical aspects of the territory?

In our further disquisition, the factors corresponding to these questions will be answered surely. If you don’t want to miss it, click here – Know your State ‘Jammu and Kashmir’ – Part 2. We hope it will help you in the preparation of your competitive exams such SSC 10+2, SSC CGL, CDS, NDA, etc.

Thank You