| Bashohli | |
| — city — | |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District(s) | Kathua |
| Population | 5,865 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 460 metres (1,510 ft) |
Bashohli (Basoli) is a town and a notified area committee in Kathua district in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India. It is situated on the right bank of River Ravi at an altitude of 1876 ft. It is founded by Raja Bhupat Pal sometimes in 1635. It was known for magnificent places which are now in ruins and miniatures paintings (Basohli Paintings).
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Bashohli is located at .[2] It has an average elevation of 460 metres (1509 feet). Basoli is situated in the uneven lofty hills of Shiwaliks. It is situated in the right bank of Ravi river. Basoli has become popular for the Thein dam which has made it almost landlocked and hence it is about 72 km from Kathua city.
At the 2001 India census,[3] Bashohli had a population of 5865. Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. Bashohli had an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 57% of the males and 43% of females literate. 12% of the population was under 6 years of age.
Basohli is widely known for its paintings called Basohli Paintings, which are considered the first school of Pahari paintings, and which evolved into the much prolific Kangra paintings school by mid-eighteenth century.[4]
Immortalised by its artistic eminences and its connoisseur patrons, Basohli today is a metaphor for a vigorous, bold and imaginative artistic style, rich, stylish and unconventional. A style of painting characterized by vigorous use of primary colours and a peculiar facial formula prevailed in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries in the foothills of the Western Himalayas in the Jammu and Punjab States. The earliest paintings in this style have been dated to the time of Raja Kirpal Pal (1678–93).[5]
Originating in Basohli, the style spread to the Hill States of Mankot, Nurpur, Kulu, Mandi, Suket, Bilaspur, Nalagarh, Chamba, Guler and Kangra. The first mention of Basohli painting is in the annual report of the Archaeological Survey of India for the year published in 1921. Referring to the acquisitions of the Archaeological Section of the Central Museum, Lahore, the report states that "a series of old paintings of the Basohli School were purchased, and the Curator concludes that the Basohli Schools is possibly of pre-Moghul origin, and so called Tibeti pictures are nothing but late productions of this school".
DHAR MAHANPUR
It is new emerging tourist spot in middle Himalayas. It is 27 km from Basohli (Tehsil HQ) and 87 km from Kathua. It is a ridge blanked with thick CHIR, DEODHAR and SHRUBS. It experiences temperate type of climate. It receives winter rainfall from wetern disturbances and summer rainfall from mansoons. Cold winter and pleasant summer are the main attractinns of this place. Many Tourist Melas are organized by the Tourist Department of J&K Govt to promote tourism in the area. Tourist Huts are also proposed to be constructed. Bus service available from Basohli (tehsil HQ).
SANAN GHAT A small town on Basohli-Dhar mahanpurIt is situated at a height of 3700 ft. It is a ridge flanked with thick CHIR, DEODAR and SHRUBS. It experiences temperate type of climate . Cold winter and pleasant summer are the main attractinns of this place.
RANJIT SAGAR (THEIN) DAM Hydro electric Project (Thein Dam) being constructed at the west bank of river Ravi by the Govt of Punjab and Himachal Paradesh. It as 6 turbines. It is 600 MW Hydel project. The Govt of Punjab, Himachal Paradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are the beneficiaries of this Project. Jammu & Kashmir has 20% share in this project.Prime Minister Sh Atal Behari Bajpayee has inaugurated the project . At present only one turbine is working (producing 150 MW). The Officers Colony is at Chaper Kandi (Pathankote), 25 km from Kathua.
SEWA HYDEL PROJECT The 135 MW Sewa Hydel Project is being constructed on the Sewa river, tributary of Ravi River between Ghatti and Maska village in Basohli Tehsil of Kathua District.
Second Phase of Rs 672 Crore SEWA HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECT Was launched by Minister for Power Mr Surjit Singh Slathia at Mashka in Basohli Tehsil of Kathua District. The Project will be completed by the NHPC in five years and will generate electric-potential of 120 MWs. The Power generated by this Project will go in the pool of National Grid of India. The J&K will get due power share from pool.
CHAMUNDA DEVI Chamunda Devi Temple is located near the main chowk in Basohli town. The goddess is worshiped here in the shape of Natural rock. It is highly venerated by the people.