Kulgam

Kulgam
Town
Kulgam
Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
Kulgam
Kulgam (India)
Coordinates: 33°38′24″N 75°01′12″E / 33.64000°N 75.02000°E / 33.64000; 75.02000Coordinates: 33°38′24″N 75°01′12″E / 33.64000°N 75.02000°E / 33.64000; 75.02000
Country  India
State  Jammu and Kashmir
District Kulgam
Government
 • Type Democracy
 • Body Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir
Area
 • Total 1,067 km2 (412 sq mi)
Elevation 1,739 m (5,705 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 23,584
 • Density 22/km2 (57/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Urdu , Kashmiri
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PINCODE 192231 [1]
Telephone code 01931 [2]
Vehicle registration JK18 [3]
Website http://kulgam.gov.in

Kulgam is a town and a notified area committee in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Geography

Kulgam is located at 33°38'24" N 75°01'12" E. It has an average elevation of 1739 metres (5705 feet). Now it has become a separate district of Jammu and Kashmir. Kulgam is known for a religious saint (Sayed Simnan Sahib), who gave it the name "Kulgam" ("Kul" means "clan" in Sanskrit; "gram" in Sanskrit means "village"), because he lost something in the stream. Syed Simnan came from a place called Simnan in Iran. Travelling in the Kashmir valley, he came to Kulgam and liked the spot on a cliff overlooking the river Veshaw. He made Kulgam his permanent abode and was buried at the very spot which he had found fascinating. His 'aastan' is a draw from the population in and around Kulgam. The family of Syed Simnan is buried in a nearby village called Amun. Both the shrines have a masonry plinth and a wooden superstructure of deodars. He was known for his mystical powers and had devotees amongst Muslims as well as Hindus.

Shaikh Nur-ud-din also known as Nund Rishi, was a Kashmiri saint who belonged to the Rishi order and is also called Alamdar-e-Kashmir. Sheikh-ul-Alam as the patron saint of Kashmiris, revered by both Muslims and Hindus, was also born in a village called Kaimuh of the Kulgam distinct in 779 A.H. (AD 1377). The family of Shaikh Nur-ud-din is buried in Kaimuh. The Kulgam area is the birthplace of the ancestors of Allama Iqball (Supur village). Pandit Jawhar Lal Nehrus ancestors also are from Nadi Marag, a village in Kulgam. Ahrabal is a tourist spot in the district of Kulgam. It is a high waterfall, which is a source of the river Veshaw. Kulgam is known as the rice bowl of the valley and is known for its variety of fruit, especially apples.

This town is on the bank of river Veshaw across the spread of which are the foothills of the Pir Panchal mountains. Ahrabal has meadows and a waterfall. It has its origin from a spring called Kounser Naag located in the mountain range of peer panjaal.

Kulgam was in the news regarding the recent excavation of a new archaeological site in a nearby village called Kutbal which has yielded signs of having been home to a first-century civilization as some artifacts belonging to the period of Kushana kings appeared in Kulgam district. The plateau of Kutbal was once considered a scenic city in the Kushan period. The stamped tiles, which were excavated from the site, indicated the taste and living standard of the people of first century AD. These excavations speak of high culture, civic sense, social norms and art of the people living in first century AD.

The Kutbal site and its findings, which belong to the Kushana period, are more significant in view of several religious and artistic practices that had flourished then and had travelled to far off places in the subcontinent. Further excavation has been stopped due to prevailing political unrest in valley and is believed that further findings will reveal magnificent history of Kashmir.

The old Kulgam is situated on the banks of "Kaval". The topography of Kulgam is. The lower portion is situated on the banks of Kaval, offshoot of river Vashiv. Almost all offices are functioning in this area. A scenic nullaha Vashiv irrigates the fertile lands of Kulgam area. Kulgam is called the granery of Kashmir Vally, but unfortunately this area is almost converted into agriculture to horticulture. Kulgam is famous being the first seat of missionaries of Islam as before Hazrat Sayeed Ali Hamdani, he sent Sayeed Mohmmad Hussain SImnani to Kashmir to preach for Islam. Sayeed Simnani chose Kulgam as a permanent seat. It is the place where Salar Sanz father of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din wali embraced Islam and was renamed Salar ud-din, Salar resides at Khee Jogipora Mohmad pora 7 kilometres (4 mi) from Kulgam and was married to Sadder, a daughter of Kota rajas of Daderkot. It was due to the efforts of sayeed simnani this marriage took place. Kulgam is an important place in south Kashmir. Kulgam connects, and its boundaries touch, all the three districts Shopian, Pulwama, and Anantnag of south Kashmir. The topography of Kulgam is scenic, and it is surrounded on all sides by small streams 'orchards; paddy farms and a scenic Kerwaha with a big portion of plan area and fields.

Kulgam is also known for its production of Rice as well as Apples. It is also called as the "Rice Bowl Of Kashmir".

Habitation & Environment

  • The main source of livelihood in the district is Agriculture & Horticulture. The low-lying areas of Kulgam are very fertile for rice cultivation (known for best yield) so it is considered as 'Rice Bowl of Kashmir'. On the other hand, the upper areas are known for production of quality apple, Pears. Livestock and sheep rearing is a subsidiary occupation in rural population particularly in the upper areas.
  • The District Kulgam is covered by mighty & majestic Pir Panjal mountain range on the north west side acting as a massive topographical protection. The area is significantly covered in forestation.

Sight Seeing

Town Kulgam is situated at a distance of about 68 km from Srinagar and about 17 km from Anantnag. It has road connectivity with its neighboring districts like Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag and Ramban etc. and Town besides being linked with far flung areas of the District by a dependable road network. Besides places of spiritual interest the district has tourist spots like ‘’Ahrabal water fall’’ on Veshev Nallah,Amnoo Eid Gah which is a place of sight-seeing in the extreme south-west of district Kulgam. , Kongwattan and Gurwattan ahead of Ahrabal, Charenbal and Nandimarg high land pastures are also places of tourist attraction apart from virgin meadows in the area from Kund to Ladigasan (ahead of Aherbal clefts). The District also has super abundance of natural water resources in the shape of various famous springs such as, Kounsernag ( ahead of Aherbal ), Waseknag (Kund), Khee Nag( Khee Jogipora), etc.

Political Status

Kulgam district has 4 assembly constituencies: Noorabad, Kulgam, Homshailibugh, and Devsar.[3] The parties of the current members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) are: Indian National Congress (INC) for Devsar, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) for Homshailibugh, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Noorabad, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) for Kulgam. Senior PDP leader and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Nazir Ahmad Laway also belongs to Chawalgam Village of District Kulgam.

Homshallibugh j&K[clarification needed] 39th assembly segment has three municipal towns – Frisal, Yaripora, and Qaimoh – which are also tehsil headquarters. Yaripora is an education and health block, while Qaimoh is agriculture as well as education and health blocks. Frisal is a community development block.

Road facility

Kulgam has following roads connecting it to various assembly segments and with NH1A (Major District Roads)

  • Anantnag-Ashmuji-Kulgam Main Road
  • Kulgam-Muhammad Pra - Shopian Road
  • Wanpoh-Qaimoh-Kulgam Road
  • NH1A Mirbazar to Kulgam via Akhran, Hablishi, Kilam & Pirpora(via kilam)
  • Qaimoh-Kadder-Shopian Road
  • Arwani-Frisal-Yaripora-kulgam Road
  • Qazigund-Devsar-Pahloo-Kulgam Road
  • Kulgam-Shopian Road
  • Kulgam-Nehama-Aharabal Road
  • Kulgam-Damhal—Aharabal Road
  • Kulgam-Damhal- Aharabal Road
  • Kulgam-Ardigatnoo-Laisoo Road
  • Kulgam-Laisoo-Damhal Hanjipora Road

Health facilities

  • District Hospital at Kulgam
  • Sub district hospitals at Yaripora and Damhall.
  • 24x7 Emergency Hospital Qazigund [Medically some areas of Qazigund are under Kulgam]
  • PHCs at Frisal, Qaimoh, Bugam, Pahloo, Devsar, Behibagh Mohammad Pora, Katrsoo, Kilam, Akhran, GB Khalil, KB-pora etc.

Education establishments

  • Al Sarwat Convent School Khuribata-Pora
  • Alamdar Memorial institute
  • Al-Rashid Convent School Kilam
  • British Convent School Yaripora
  • Govt. Boys Higher Secondary school Ashmuji
  • Govt Higher Secondary school, Nehama kulgam
  • Govt Middle School, Checkpora
  • Govt Middle School, Laisoo Kulgam
  • Govt. degree college, Kulgam
  • Govt. High School, Behibagh
  • Govt Higher Secondary School, Manzgam and K. B. Pora
  • Govt. Higher Secondary School (Boys), Yaripora
  • Govt. Higher Secondary School (Girls), Yaripora
  • Govt. Middle School, Yaripora
  • GQ Public School, Upper Qaimoh Kulgam
  • Green Valley Educational Institute Yaripora
  • Haji Memorial Public school, Gudder Kulgam
  • Hanfiya high school,, Frisal
  • International Islamic Research School (IIRS), Muhammad Pora Pvt.
  • Islamia Public School Kilam
  • Islamiya Simnaniya Higher Secondary School
  • Islamiya Simnaniya Middle School, Amnoo
  • Govt. High School- Aahdipora,Amnoo
  • Jehlum Valley Educational Institute Yaripora
  • Leeds Convent School, Kulgam (Private School)
  • Little Angles Play Way School Yaripora
  • Maroofia Public English Medium School, Srandoo (MPEMS Srandoo)
  • Modern English Medium Secondary school Ashmuji
  • Mohammad Salfia Institute Manzgam
  • Msm Iqbal Educational Institute, Yarikhah
  • New Horizon Convent School Yaripora
  • Noor Study Circle, Hablishi ( Private High School)
  • Opinawaz kulgam
  • Public English Medium School, Bhan
  • Public Mission High School Yaripora
  • Red Jewels Educational Garden, Brazloo (Private School)
  • Rose Garden School Kilam
  • Salfia High School Yaripora
  • Sky Lark Public School Yaripora
  • Sunshine National School, Kulgam (Private School)
  • TIAI Kanipora

Important Institutes

  • Al-Hilal yateem trust, Chawalgam
  • Govt. Degree college Frisal
  • Govt. Degree college Kilam
  • Govt. Degree college Kulgam
  • Govt. Polytechnic College, Kulgam
  • Industrial ITI, Beg Complex Hum Shali Bugh Yaripora
  • Industrial ITI, Chawalgam
  • Industrial ITI, KB Pora Noorabad Kulgam

Govt.Girls Model Higher Secondary school Kulgam Modern English Medium Secondary school Ashmuji.

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  2. ↑ http://www.tracephonenumber.in/std-codes/kulgam
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-11-22. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.