Jammu and Kashmir : Geo-Political Overview

Jammu and Kashmir : Geo-Political Overview

Jammu and Kashmir is strategically and geographically important due do its sensitive and central location. It was very difficult to demarcate the absolute geographical boundaries of the state due to mountainous topography. Credit goes to the Maharaja Gulab Singh" - the first Dogra King - who took initiative to demarcate the territories, extending them from the river Ravi in the East to the river Indus in the West, as laid down by the Treaty of Amritsar on 16th of March, 1846 A.D. between the British government and Gulab Singh, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. Before 1846, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were three separate regions and were under the control of different rulers.  

Historical Background

(A) Jammu

    The name of Jammu city has been derived from the ruler of the are - Jambu Lochan. He was the ruler of the Bahu State across rive Tawi along with his brother Bahu Lochan. Once, Raja Jambu Lochan came for hunting in the are west of river Tawi, he saw a Lion and Lamb drinking water together at a water tank. King was surprised and gave up the idea of hunting. he realised the importance and piousness of the place where the lion and the lamb took water together. he built a city around the tank. the city of Jammu was developed and named Jambu Nagar. Later on it was known as 'Jammu". After the construction of Jammu city, the king Bahu Lochan constructed a fort on the eastern bank of the river Tawi and became the ruler of that area. It is said that Jammu city was founded about three thousand years ago.

(B) Kashmir