Kishtwar

Kishtwar
किश्तवाड़ کشتواڑ
city
Kishtwar

Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Coordinates: 33°19′N 75°46′E / 33.32°N 75.77°ECoordinates: 33°19′N 75°46′E / 33.32°N 75.77°E
Country  India
State Jammu and Kashmir
District Kishtwar
Founded by Sh
Named for High mountains
Government
 • Type Democracy
 • Body NCP
Elevation 1,638 m (5,374 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 60,000 including 34,982 native and 25,000 from adjoining Tehsils.
Languages
 • Official Urdu
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)

Kishtwar is a municipality in the Kishtwar District of the Jammu region in J&K. As the seat of district administration, it houses governmental offices including the Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Chief Medical, Education, Horticulture, Agriculture, Sheep Husbandry, Animal Husbandry, DFO, ACD and D.E.

Attractions

The Chenab River flows through the district and is the site of the hydroelectric power projects of Dul Hasti 390 MW, Ratle 850 MW, Kirthai 1400 MW, Pakal Dool 1,000 MW, Lower Kalnai 200 MW and Chaudhary 150 MW with the highest per capita wattage production in world for such a small area. Kashmir sapphire was mined at Padder valley. And gypsum is mined at Trigam. The famous Synthan and Margan tops are high motorable road passes. The Steep Brahma mountain peak is situated at Dachhan. Saffron of purest quality is produced in the iron rich soil at Pochhal, Matta, Lachdayaram and Hidyal. Kishtwar National Park, in the northeast region of the district, has a large number of peaks and glaciers. Kishtwar is endowed with dense forests of deodar, pine and fir. There are high altitude mountains ranging between 20,000 feet to 21,000 feet like Num Kum, Burmah and Barnag. Pilgrims and tourists visit shrines in the area including Ziarat Zain-Shah-Sahib, Farid-ud-Din Sahib, Hazrat Asrar-ud-Din Sahib, Athara Bhuja Devi temple, Chandi Mata temple and Hatta Wali Matta.

Mi-8 of Indian Air Force in Kishtwar, taking relief cargo to remote areas of J&K State.

History

Kishtwar is first referred to in the Rajatarangini by the ancient name Kashthavata, during the reign of Raja Kalsa of Kashmir (1063–1089), when "Uttamaraja", the ruler of Kashthavata visited the court of the Kashmir King in company with several other hill chiefs to pay their respects to the Raja. The Mehta Family was given the lands of Kishtwar by the King of Kashmir. Their family temple "Hatta Wali Mata" and their heritage can still be tracked back to Kishtwar. The founder of this family was the Commander-in-Chief of the Kashmir Army "Sip-E-Salar Sri Jiya Lal Mehta". Known for his bravery and valour he fought the Mughals and northern raiders who invaded the land.

The current name, Kishtwar, is a combination of the earlier name Kishaswar and "Kishat Rishi", who stayed there.

Kishtwar merged with the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1821, A.D. With the passage of time Kishtwar became a Tehsil of District Udhampur and remained so until 1948, when it became part of the newly created District Doda in the wake of first re-organization of the state during the post-independence period.

Demographics

In 1941, Kishtwar had a population of 3,235.[1] As of 2011 India census,[2] Kishtwar had a population of 34,982. Males constitute 63% of the population and females 37%. Kishtwar has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the Indian national average: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 42%. In Kishtwar, 11% of the population is under six years of age. The main language spoken here is called Kishtwari (related to kashmiri) by locals.

Inter Community relations

Kishtwar has a mixed history of communal unity and disharmony.

Schools

* Kendriya Vidyalaya (only CBSE board school in kishtwar) : Completed 50 years in 2013. Constructed by NHPC. Also abbreviated as KV DPS Kishtwar.

and several other schools upto eighth standard.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Columbia-Lippincott Gazeteer, p. 956
  2. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.