Jammu and Kashmir — Culture,
Heritage & Language
Dal Lake, Vaishno Devi, Mughal Gardens, shawls
Introduction
Jammu and Kashmir, reorganized as a Union Territory in 2019, encompasses the Kashmir Valley's lakes and gardens, Jammu's temples and the Pir Panjal range. The land's beauty inspired Mughal poets to call it 'Paradise on Earth'.
Quick Facts
Capital
Srinagar (summer), Jammu (winter)
Largest City
Srinagar
Official Language
Urdu, Hindi
Formation Date
31 October 2019
Area
42,241 sq km
Population
13,600,000+
Region
North
Type
Union Territory
Language
Urdu and Hindi are official, along with English, Kashmiri and Dogri. Pahari, Gojri, Punjabi and Ladakhi are also spoken.
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Traditional Dress
Kashmiri men and women wear the Pheran, a long woollen cloak. Women add Kasaba headgear; bridal attire includes Tarang. Dogras wear suthan-kameez and turban.
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Festivals
Eid, Shab-e-Miraj, Hemis Festival (Buddhist), Lohri, Baisakhi, Navreh, Tulip Festival and the Amarnath Yatra in summer.
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Cuisine
Kashmiri Wazwan (a 36-course banquet), Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Gushtaba, Modur Pulav, Kahwa tea, Dogra Khatta Meat and Rajma Chawal of Jammu.
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Literature
Lal Ded (14th c. Kashmiri mystic poet), Habba Khatoon, Mahjoor, Agha Shahid Ali and Dogri's Padma Sachdev.
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Art Forms
Pashmina shawl weaving, Kani shawls, Papier Mache, Khatamband woodwork, Sozni embroidery, walnut-wood carving and the Rouf and Dumhal folk dances.
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Historical Importance
Ruled by Hindu and Muslim dynasties, Mughals, Afghans, Sikhs and Dogras; acceded to India in 1947; reorganized into the UTs of J&K and Ladakh in October 2019.
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