Jammu

Jammu(/ˈdʒʌmuː/) is a city inIndian-administeredJammu and Kashmirin the disputedKashmirregion.It is thewinter capitalof Jammu and Kashmir, which is an Indian-administeredunion territory.  It is the headquarters and the largest city inJammu district. Lying on the banks of the riverTawi, the city of Jammu, with an area of 240 km(93 sq mi),is surrounded by theHimalayasin the north and thenorthern plainsin the south. Jammu is the second-most populous city of the union territory. Jammu is known as "City of Temples" for its ancient temples and Hindu shrines.
According to local tradition, Jammu is named after its founder, Raja Jambulochan, who is believed to have ruled the area in the 9th century.Local tradition holds the city to be 3000 years old but this is not supported by historians.
Jammu is located at32°44′N74°52′E﻿ / ﻿32.73°N 74.87°E﻿ /32.73; 74.87.It has an average elevation of 300 m (980 ft). Jammu city is situated on a series of uneven ridges of low heights in theShivalik hills. It is surrounded by the Shivalik range to the north, east, and southeast while the Trikuta Range borders it in the northwest. It is approximately 600 kilometres (370 mi) from the national capital,New Delhi.
The city straddles the Tawi river.  The old city overlooks the river from the north (right bank) while the new neighbourhoods are spread around the southern side (left bank) of the river. There are five bridges over the river.
According toTarikh-i-Azmi, Jammu came into existence around 900 CE. The state ofDurgara(modern forms "Duggar" and "Dogra)") is also attested from around this time.The capital of the Durgara state at that time is believed to have been Vallapura (identified with modernBillawar). Its rulers are repeatedly mentioned in Kalhana'sRajatarangini.Babbapura (modern Babor) is another state mentioned inRajatarangini, some of whose rulers also appear by in theVamshavali(family chronicles) of later Jammu rulers. These rulers are believed to have enjoyed almost independent status and allied themselves with theSultans of Delhi.
Jammu is mentioned by name in the chronicles ofTimur(r.1370–1406), who invaded Delhi in 1398 and returned toSamarkandvia Jammu. Raja Bhim Dev is prominently mentioned in the Delhi chronicles as a supporter ofMubarah Shah(r.1421–1434) againstJasrat.Between 1423 and 1442, Jammu came under control of Jasrat (r.1405–1442) whoconquered itafter killing his arch-enemy Bhim Dev in 1423. Later, Jasrat appointed Manik Dev (also known as Ajeo Dev) as vassal, and married his daughter.In the Mughal chronicles ofBaburin the early 16th century, Jammu is mentioned as a powerful state in the Punjab hills. It is said to have been ruled byManhasRajputs. EmperorAkbarbrought the hill kingdoms of the region under Mughal suzerainty, but the kings enjoyed considerable political autonomy. In addition to Jammu, other kingdoms of the region such asKishtwarandRajauriwere also prominently mentioned. It is evident that the Mughal empire treated these hill chiefs as allies and partners in the empire.
After the decline of the Mughal power in the 18th century, the Jammu state under Raja Dhruv Dev of theJamuwal(Jamwal) family asserted its supremacy among the Dugar states. Its ascent reached its peak under his successor, Raja Ranjit Dev (r. 1728–1780), who was widely respected among the hill states.Ranjit Dev promoted religious freedom and security, which attracted many craftsmen and traders to settle in Jammu, contributing to its economic prosperity.
Towards the end of Ranjit Dev's rule, the Sikh clans of Punjab (misls) gained ascendency, and Jammu began to be contested by theBhangi,KanhaiyaandSukerchakiamisls. Around 1770, the Bhangimislattacked Jammu and forced Ranjit Dev to become a tributary. Brij Lal Dev, Ranjit Dev's successor, was defeated by the Sukerchakia chief Mahan Singh, who sacked Jammu and plundered it. Thus Jammu lost its supremacy over the surrounding country. In the Battle of Rumal, the Jammu ruler was killed by Sikhs.
In 1808, Jammu itself was annexed to theSikh EmpirebyRanjit Singh, the son of Mahan Singh.
In 1818 Raja Kishore Singh, father of RajaGulab Singh, was appointed and anointed the ruler of Jammu principality, and hence started the Jamwal dynasty, akaDogra dynasty, which came to rule the princely state ofJammu and Kashmirunder British suzerainty. The rulers built large temples, renovated old shrines, built educational institutes and many more. A 43 km longrailway lineconnecting Jammu withSialkotwas laid in 1897
Jammu has historically been the capital ofJammu Provinceand the winter capital of the princely state ofJammu and Kashmir(1846–1952).
After the partition of India, Jammu continues as the winter capital of the Indian state ofJammu and Kashmir.
Jammu, like the rest of north-western India, features ahumid subtropical climate(KöppenCwa), with extreme summer highs reaching 46 °C (115 °F), and temperatures in the winter months occasionally falling below 4 °C (39 °F). June is the hottest month with average highs of 40.6 °C (105.1 °F), while January is the coldest month with average lows reaching 7 °C (45 °F). Average yearly precipitation is about 1,400 mm (55 in) with the bulk of the rainfall in the months from June to September, although the winters can also be rather wet. In winter dense smog causes much inconvenience and temperature even drops to 2 °C (36 °F). In summer, particularly in May and June, extremely intense sunlight or hot winds can raise the temperature to 46 °C (115 °F). Following the hot season, themonsoonlashes the city with heavy downpours along with thunderstorms; rainfall may total up to 669 mm (26.3 in) in the wettest months. The city is exposed to heatwaves.
Highest recorded temperature: 47.4 °C (117.3 °F) on 31 May 1988.
Lowest recorded temperature: 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) on 24 January 2016.
Jammu city has a railway station calledJammu Tawi(station code JAT) that is connected with major cities of India. The oldrailway linkto Sialkot was suspended by Pakistan in September 1947, and Jammu had no rail services until 1971, when theIndian Railwayslaid thePathankot-Jammu TawiBroad Gaugeline. The new Jammu Tawi station opened in October 1972 and is an origination point for express trains.
With the commencement of theJammu–Baramulla line, all trains to theKashmir Valleywill pass through Jammu Tawi. A part of the Jammu–Baramulla project has been executed and the track has been extended toKatra.Jalandhar-Pathankot-Jammu Tawi section has been doubled and electrified.
In January 2025, the Jammu Division ofIndian Railwayswas inaugurated. The new division will create employment opportunities, infrastructure development, promote tourism and lead to overall socio-economic development of the region.
National Highway 44which passes through Jammu connects it to theKashmir valley. National Highway 1B connects Jammu with Poonch town. Jammu is 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Kathua town, while it is 68 kilometres (42 mi) from Udhampur city. The famous pilgrimage town ofKatrais 49 kilometres (30 mi) from Jammu.
Jammu Airportis in the middle of Jammu. It has direct flights toSrinagar,Delhi,Amritsar,Chandigarh,Leh,MumbaiandBengaluru. Jammu Airport operates daily 30 arrival and departure of flights which are served byGo First,Air India,SpiceJet,IndiGoandVistara.
The city hasJKSRTCcity buses and minibusses for local transport which run on some defined routes. These minibusses are called "Matadors". Besides this auto-rickshaw and cycle-rickshaw service is also available. Local taxis are also available.
Jammu city serves as the winter capital ofJammu and Kashmirstate from November to April when all the offices move fromSrinagarto Jammu. Srinagar serves as the summer capital from May to October.Jammu was a municipal committee during 2001 census of India. With effect from 5 September 2003, it has upgraded status of a municipal corporation.
Jammu city is the main cultural and economic centre of the administrative division of Jammu. A famous localbasmati riceis produced in the RS Pura area near Jammu, and processed in rice mills in Jammu. The industrial estate atBari Brahamnahas a large presence of industrial units manufacturing a variety of products including carpets and electronic goods.
Tourism is the largest industry in Jammu city. It is also a focal point for the pilgrims going toVaishno Deviand Kashmir valley as it is second last railway terminal in North India. All the routes leading to Kashmir, Poonch, Doda and Laddakh start from Jammu city. So throughout the year, the city remains full of people from all the parts of India. Places of interest include old historic palaces likeMubarak Mandi Palace, Purani Mandi, Rani Park,Amar Mahal,Bahu Fort,Raghunath Temple, Ranbireshwar Temple, Karbala, Peer Meetha, Old city.
As of 2011 census,the population of Jammu city was 502,197. Males constituted 52.7% of the population; females numbered constituted 47.3% of the population. The sex ratio was 898 females per 1,000 males against the national average of 940. Jammu had an averageliteracyrate of 89.66%, much higher than the national average of 74.4%: male literacy was 93.13% and female literacy was 85.82%. 8.47% of the population were under 6 years of age. The urban agglomeration of Jammu had a population of 657,314.Most of Jammu and Kashmir's Hindus live in the Jammu region; many speakDogri.
The city of Jammu had a significant Muslim population prior to thePartition of India, 30.4 per cent by the 1941 census.During the1947 Jammu massacres, which preceded and continued during thePakistan tribal invasion of Kashmir, many Muslims were killed and many driven away to Pakistan. The estimates of the number killed in the whole province vary between 20,000 and 100,000. The killings were carried out by extremist Hindus and Sikhs, allegedly orchestrated by theRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and aided and abetted by the state forces and theMaharajaHari Singh.
As a result of the violence and migration, by 1961, about 17.2 per cent of the population in the city of Jammu was Muslim.The displaced Muslims took refuge in theSialkot Districtand other parts of Pakistani Punjab. Many prominent Punjabi residents in Pakistan, including politicianChaudhry Amir Hussain, economistMahbub ul Haq, Air MarshalAsghar Khan, journalistKhalid Hasanand singerMalika Pukhrajwere from Jammu.A large number of these refugees also returned and resettled in the territory.
In the 2014–2015General Budget of India,Arun Jaitley, theFinance Minister of India, proposed anIndian Institute of Technologyand anIndian Institute of Managementfor the division. List of some educational institutions is provided below.
Jammu is known for itssund panjeeri,patisa,rajmawith rice andKalari cheese. Dogri food specialties include ambal, khatta meat,kulthein di dal, dal patt, maa da madra,rajma, andauriya. Pickles typical of Jammu are made ofkasrod,girgle, mango withsaunf,jimikand,tyaoo,seyoo, and potatoes. Auriya is a dish made with potatoes. Jammu cuisine features variouschaats, especiallygol gappas, kachalu,Chole bhature, gulgule,rajmakulcheanddahi palla, among various others.
Being comparatively safe from terrorism, Jammu city has become a hub of refugees. These primarily includeKashmiri Hinduswho migrated from Kashmir Valley in 1989. Hindus fromPakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmirwho migrated to India have also settled in Jammu city. According to records, approximately 31,619 Hindu families had migrated from Pakistan administered Jammu and Kashmir to India. Of these 26,319 families are settled in Jammu.
Rohingyaswho fledMyanmar during 2016have also currently settled in Jammu.Some believes the settlements of Rohingya Muslims have also raised security threats in Jammu.During the2018 Sunjuwan attack, intelligence agencies suspected but did not prove involvement of Rohingya Muslims in the attack.