Abounding in charm and splendour, the Valley of Kashmir is an ultimate destination where travelers visit to discover a dream. In the past, Great Mughals and the British resided in Kashmir to escape the scorching heat of the plains. With the growing short holidaying culture among tourists, the Valley is an ideal destination to spend 5 to 15 days. Staying over a month has been the choice of foreign visitors who trek where no one stands between the glory of nature and mankind.

Perched at an average height of 1515 meters above sea level, this northernmost area of the Indian subcontinent is separated from the plains by the Pirpanjal Range and surrounded by Karakoram Range on the north.

People of Kashmir speak 'Kashmiri' with a slight variation in the dialect in various districts of the Valley. In distant and peripheral areas, 'Gojri' is spoken by Gujjars or nomads. Urdu is widely understood and spoken in most parts of the Valley. English too is not unknown, particularly at tourist destinations. Large round silver ornaments known as Kalhana's 'Rajtarangini' written in the 11th century is the earliest record available on the history of Kashmir. According to Kalhana, Gonanda I came to the throne of Kashmir about 2448 BC. His descendants ruled for many centuries. King Ashoka conquered Kashmir in 250 BC and made Srinagar the capital of his empire.

1st century AD saw the arrival of Kushan dynasty. Emperor Kanishka organised the 3rd great council of Buddhists at Harwan. From the Karakota dynasty, the great ruler Lalitaditya Muktapida is mentioned as ruler in 8th century. The 9th century witnessed the rule of Utpal dynasty that produced the great ruler Avanti Verman during whose reign Avantipur was the capital. In the 10th century, the Lohara dynasty ruled in Kashmir.

11th century saw the rule of King Harsha, a poet and lover of art & music. 12th century witnessed the rule of Kinghough Islam was earlier spread by the famous saint Bulbul Shah, it was in mid-14th Century that Muslim rule started with Shah Mir's arrival from Central Asia. The arrival of great Islamic preacher Syed Ali Hamdani RH (Shah Hamdan) from Persia during the rule of Sultan Qutab-ud-din (AD 1395) witnessed wide-spread development of Islam in the Valley. The Sultan was succeeded by his son Sultan Sikandar, 'The Idol Breaker'. He was followed by his son Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (AD 1421 - 1474), an exceptionally peaceful ruler. He was reputed for being enlightened and restructuring Kashmir and was deservedly surnamed as Budshah 'The Great King'.

In 16th century, 'Chaks' gained power. Yousuf Khan, commonly known as 'Yousuf Shahi Chak', ruled in AD 1580. He fell in love and married a peasant woman, Haba Khatoun, the famous poetess of Kashmir. His son Yakub Khan took over the reins in AD 1582.

After consolidating the Mughal Empire in northern India, Emperor Akbar's forces conquered Kashmir in AD 1586. The Mughal rule lasted for 166 years. The Afghans ruled Kashmir from 1756 to 1818 In 19th century, Sikhs ruled Kashmir, who further installed Dogras as the rulers. On 16th March 1846, Raja Gulab Singh secured the sovereignty of Kashmir from the British under the Treaty of Amritsar. In 1947 when India became independent, Maharaja Hari Singh annexed Kashmir into the Indian Dominion.

Getting There

By Road
From Jammu, book a seat in the daily bus service of J&K State Road Transport Corporation to Srinagar for Rs. 215 for 'A class' coach,Rs 299 for Tempo Traveller or Mazda coach and Rs. 155 for semi-deluxe coach per seat starting from Jammu Railway Station and Tourist Reception Centre (6km from Railway Station). Or hire a taxi from the nearby taxi stand for Srinagar where the rates are approved by State transport authority for every vehicle. Although Jammu - Srinagar road offers full adventure, it can be quite tiring at times being a single approach road into the valley, which has huge columns of traffic both heavy & light and gets blocked due to landslides during the Winter season. Travel sickness is common on this 9 - 12 hours journey. Proper medicines


By Air
Srinagar Airport is connected with Indira Gandhi Airport, New Delhi by daily direct flights via Jammu operated by Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Kingfisher, Spice Jet, Air Deccan and GoAir. All these airlines offer online reservation with fares as low as Re.1. This has brought a dramatic change in the tourism market. Soon international flights will be operating from this airport for developing tourism.
One can hire a taxi from the airport taxi stand at reasonable charges. The 14 km journey from airport to the city provides a view of modern Srinagar city full of daytime hustle bustle.

By Rail
Jammu Tawi Railway Station connects J&K State with rest of the country by a of number of regular and special holiday trains starting from all major cities of India. At the railway station, buses and taxis are available daily for Srinagar, particularly in the morning. The rail engine will soon hoot in the valley as the construction of railway line is on from Jammu to Srinagar via Udhampur & Qazigund.