Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state (presently, UT) of the Union of India. The state shares international border with China and Afghanistan in the north, Tibet in the east and Pakistan in the west. The states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh form its southern border. Major parts of the Jammu & Kashmir state represent high and rugged mountainous terrain. There are many legends on Kashmir. According to Hindu mythology, Kashmir was created by Kashyap Rishi (Nilmat Purana & Rajtarangini). Emperor Ashok ruled this state in 3rd century B.C. and introduced Buddhism in this valley. Later Kushan king Kanishka ruled this state. In the 6th century Kashmir came under the control of Huns and regained freedom in 530 AD. Thereafter Gupta dynasty ruled this state until the period of Vikramaditya. After the decline of Vikramaditya, Lalitaditya ruled this state in 697-738 A.D. He was a famous builder. Muslims came to this area during 13th century A.D. Famous Muslim ruler Zain-ul-Abedin was a noted patron of music and dance. He ruled this state in 1420-70 and his successor ruled till 1586. Kashmir passed into the hands of Mughals in the period of Akbar. Mughal rulers were strong in this region prior to 1752, when Afgan ruler Ahmed-Shah Abdali took control of this state. Within a month of partition of India into India and Pakistan in August 1947 Pakistan sent the raiders, later to be identified as Pakistan's own troops, into Kashmir valley. But after October 26 1947 Kashmir valley's accession to India, the Indian army went into action. The Indian army pushed back the raiders until the UN-enforced cease fire stopped fighting on January 1, 1949 when two-thirds of the state was cleared of the invaders. The history of Jammu is quite old. It finds a mention in the epic Mahabharata. This region was ruled by Dogra rulers. Raja Maldev and Raja Ranjit Dev are the famous Dogra rulers. After Raja Ranjit Dev the Jammu's Dogra regime became weak and Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab took over the state. Ranjit Singh handed over this state to one of his strongest governors and a scion of Dogra ruling family. His successors ruled the state till 1947. The Dogra King Hari Singh merged the state with the Indian Union. The climate of the state ranges from the scorching heat of the plains of (Jammu Division) to the snow-capped heights of Gulmarg (Kashmir) and the mud peak of Mount Godwin Austin (Ladakh) 21,265 feet above sea level. Broadly, the state of Jammu and Kashmir comprises of three distinct climatic regions: cold arid desert areas of Ladakh, temperate Kashmir Valley, and the humid sub-tropical region of Jammu. The mean annual rainfall in cold arid zone (Ladakh region) varies from 100 mm to 300 mm received by western disturbance. The annual rainfall in temperate region (Kashmir valley & Pir Panjal) varies from 600 – 900 mm and added with snowfall. State of Jammu and Kashmir is home to several Himalayan glaciers. Jhelum, Indus, Tawi, Ravi and Chenab are major rivers flowing through the state. Economy depends on mainly Agriculture and Industry. Agriculture is the mainstay of more than 80 per cent people in Jammu & Kashmir. Major food crops are wheat, paddy and maize. Barley, jowar and bajra are cultivated in some parts of the state.Agro-climatic condition of this state supports horticulture. About 5 lakh families directly or indirectly related with horticulture activities. Handicrafts, the traditional industry, are receiving top priority in view of employment potential and demand for wood carving, paper-machine, carpets, shawls, embroidery etc Carpets earn a substantial foreign exchange. Infrastructural bases are Irrigation, Power, Transport, Education and Telecommunication. Special initiative has taken for flood control, drinking water supply and irrigation of Jammu & Kashmir. At present there are railway connection upto Jammu. Jammu to Udhampur railway connection line works is in progress. Extension of railway line upto Srinagar and beyond and the old Mughal route is approved. The major airports of the state are Srinagar, Jammu and Leh. Education has always received the utmost attention in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Education is totally free. Terrorist activities have hampered the education system of this state. They have a special fondness for burning down schools as though destruction of such facilities redound to their glory. Kashmir valley is described as a paradise on earth. Major tourist places are Chashma Shahi springs, Shalimar Bagh, Dal Lake, etc in Srinagar; Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, etc. In the Valley, various ancient temple, Buddhist rites, scenic beauty in Ladakh, Vaishno Devi temple and Panitop near Jammu etc. When the heat in the plains of India become oppressive the people's thoughts turn to the hills and many thus used to visit the Kashmir valley. They often lived in the house boat. The famous shrine of Mother Goddess Vaishnodevi is visited by thousands of pilgrimage on foot or horseback. There are many general problems and agricultural problems especially, these problems must be solved to bring acceleration in overall development process of this area. Major emphasis will be given to education, HRD, road and rail line construction, agriculture, health, available resource based industries, hydroelectricity, efficient marketing, tourism and eradication of terrorism completely.
