A PROJECT REPORT ON

“CULTURE AND TOURIST

DESTINATIONS IN KASHMIR
VALLEY”

SUBMITTED BY

NAME: ANIKET KUMAR

ENROLLMENT NO: 178373010
COURSE CODE: PTS-4

PROGRAMME CODE: BTS

UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF

PRADYUMAN SINGH RATHORE

 TABLE OF CONTENT

 INTRODUCTION
 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
 TOOLS FOR DATA COLLECTION
 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
 KASHMIR HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
 CULTURAL ASPECTS OF KASHMIR
 TOURIST DESTINATIONS ADD
ACTIVITIES IN KASHMIR VALLY
 TERRORISM & ITS EFFECTS ON
TOURISM IN KASHMIR VALLY
 CONCLUSION

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 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India situated mostly in the Himalayan

Mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab

to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the

Pakistan-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, to the west and

northwest respectively. Formerly a part of the erstwhile Princely State of Kashmir and Jammu,

which governed the larger historic region of Kashmir, this territory is disputed among China,

India and Pakistan. Pakistan, which claims the territory as disputed pending a UN plebiscite,

refers to it alternatively as Indian-occupied Kashmir or Indian-held Kashmir, while some

international agencies such as the United Nations, and call it Indian-administered Kashmir. The

regions under the control of Pakistan are referred to as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or PoK within

India.

Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions: Jammu, the Kashmir valley and Ladakh. Srinagar

is the summer capital, and Jammu is the winter capital. While the Kashmir valley is famous for

its beautiful mountainous landscape, Jammu's numerous shrines attract tens of thousands of

Hindu pilgrims every year. Ladakh, also known as "Little Tibet", is renowned for its remote

mountain beauty and Buddhist culture. Culture of Jammu and Kashmir is distinct and diverse,

encompassing the various habits and lifestyles of the people inhabiting the regions of Jammu,

Kashmir and Ladakh.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Following objectives are formulated for the proposed study:

 To present a conceptual overview about Kashmir Valley’s culture.

 To theoretically study the important aspects of Kashmir Valley.

 To locate various Tourist Destinations and activities in Kashmir Valley.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research methodology is a way to systematically investigate the research problem. It gives

various steps in conducting the research in a systematic and a logical way. It is essential to

define the problem, state objectives and hypothesis clearly. The research design provides the

details regarding what, where, when, how much and by what means enquiry is initiated.

This study was a descriptive study and the research was conducted by examining the secondary

data only. Various documents pertaining to the history and culture of Kashmir were deeply

explored and analyzed and a picture of the kashmiri culture was presented.

TOOLS FOR DATA COLLECTION

Secondary Data

Secondary data was collected from the following sources.

 Newspapers

 Brochures

 Magazines

 Journals

 Articles and seminary papers

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SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is limited in scope but it can definitely help in presenting a cultural overview of

Kashmiri culture. Various hidden and lesser known aspects of Kashmiri culture can be brought

to light in this study which will be quite helpful in understanding the Kashmiri culture. This

study also creates opportunities for the researchers to continue their research on the available

links of the study and future research can be done on the finding of some other linking tourism

links

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Due to time constraints, only important aspects of culture are dealt with. The material on the

culture of Kashmir is quite exhaustive and the whole literature cannot be explored.

The culture of Kashmir is only explored other sects of the state are not touched, hence their is

further scope for research on other sects in the other regions of the state.

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 CHAPTER 2

CULTURAL ASPECTS OF KASHMIR

KASHMIR – HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

The word Kashmir is an ancient Sanskrit word which literally means Land

of Kashyap Rishi. Kashyap Rishi was a Saraswat Brahmin and one of the Saptarshis, who was

key in formalizing the ancient Historical Vedic Religion. The Kashmiri Pandits are his

descendants and have named the valley after him, in his honour. According to the

"Nilmat Puran," the oldest book on Kashmir, in the Satisar, a former lake in the Kashmir Valley

meaning "lake of the Goddess Sati,"lived a demon called Jalodbhava (meaning "born of water"),

who tortured and devoured the people, who lived near mountain slopes. Hearing the suffering of

the people, Kashyap, a Saraswat Brahmin, came to the rescue of the people that lived there. After

performing penance for a long time, the saint was blessed, and therefore Lord Vishnu assumed

the form of a boar and struck the mountain at Varahamula, boring an opening in it for the water

to flow out into the plains below. The lake was drained, the land appeared, and the demon was

killed. The saint encouraged people from India to settle in the valley. As a result of the hero's

actions, the people named the valley as "Kashyap-Mar", meaning abode of Kashyap, and

"Kashyap-Pura", meaning city of Kashyap, in Sanskrit. The name "Kashmir," in Sanskrit,

implies land desiccated from water: "ka" (the water) and shimeera. The ancient Greeks began

referring to the region as "Kasperia" and the Chinese pilgrim Hien-Tsang who visited the valley

around 631 AD called it "KaShi-Mi-Lo". In modern times the people of Kashmir have shortened

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the full Sanskrit name into "Kasheer," which is the colloquial Koshur name of the valley, as

noted in Aurel Stein's introduction to the Rajatarangini metrical chronicle.

The "Rajatarangini," a history of Kashmir written by Kalhana in the 12th century, concurs with

Nilmat Puran, stating that the valley of Kashmir was formerly a lake. This lake was drained by

the great rishi or sage, Kashyap, son of Marichi, son of Brahma, by cutting the gap in the hills at

Baramulla (Varaha-mula).Cashmere is a variant spelling of Kashmir, especially within the

English language. Kashmir —is at the center of an age-old dispute between Pakistan and India

that has dragged on from the independence of both nations over fifty years ago to the present

time, with no resolution in sight. The combined population of the two nation totals over a billion,

so no conflict between them is of passing importance, especially when nuclear weapons are

involved. Pakistan and India share a common heritage, language, and traditions, yet the subject

of Kashmir can push them to the brink of annihilation. Kashmir by culture, language and

ethnicity is closer to Central Asia. Jammu and Azad Kashmir are South Asian in culture, but

unlike these two districts, Kashmir on the other hand, has had centuries of influence from Central

Asia.

Ancient Kashmir is steeped in legend. It is said that the Kashmir Valley was once the great lake

Satisar (the Lake of the goddess Sati, also known as Durga), home to ferocious demons.

Responding to the penances of the great sage Kashyapa, the grandson of Brahma himself, the

gods destroyed the demon of the lake, with a pebble divinely caste, which today stands as the hill

upon which towers the fortress built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and known today as Hari

Parbat. The water of Satisar was drained through a breach in the mountains at what is now the

mouth of the Valley, beyond the northern town of Baramulla (or the Sanskrit name of Varaha

Mukh, the visage of the boar). From then on the Valley has carried the name of its founder. Like

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that of the rest of India, the ancient history of the State lacks detailed documentation although

stuff and legend have been indistinguishably mired in the work of Rajatarangini by Kalhan

whose identity remains a source of conjecture. In the 3rd Century BC, the state was incorporated

into the Maurya Empire under Asoka, founder of the city of Srinagar. Buddhism became the

principal religion which continued into the times of the Kushanas (1st and 2nd centuries AD), the

names of many of whose rulers several towns in the Valley were named and continue to be borne

by several towns in the Valley, such as Kanispora after Kanishka, and Hushkora after Huvishka.

It was in Kanishka’s time that the 3rd Great Buddhist Council was held in Srinagar, formalising

the split between the schools of Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism. Thereafter Buddhism

declined in the Valley though it retained its vibrancy and continues to thrive in Ladakh.

In the 8th century, Kashmir rose to become the centre of a great kingdom, spanning much of

North India and parts of Central Asia under Lalitaditya Muktapida, who was builder of the

Martand (sun) Temple, and founder of the Valley’s irrigation canal irrigation system which has

survived for centuries, helping water rich harvests of the finest rice, a variety of temperate fruit

and exotic crops such as saffron.

Islam came to India through traders, warriors and missionaries from the eighth to the twelfth

centuries. The faith came to Kashmir through the Sufi saint Bulbul Shah in the early fourteenth

century, finding wide acceptance. The ruling monarch Rinchen Shah converted to Islam and

assumed the name of Sadruddin in 1327 AD. Thereafter, beginning with his former general

Shahmir, a series of Muslim dynasties ruled the State with brief interludes of annexation into

neighbouring States, to become a part of the Mughal Empire in the late 16th century, under its

greatest ruler Akbar. The State was fully incorporated into the systems of administration and land

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settlement which long remained a legacy of that Empire in India, well after its own

disintegration.

CULTURAL ASPECTS OF KASHMIR

Culture

The culture of Jammu and Kashmir is a comprehensive mingling of customs and practices of its

three distinct regions, Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh. Apart from its demographical variations,

specific cultural diversions of its elements are what make the culture of Jammu and Kashmir

remarkable. Music, dance, cuisine, lifestyle, festivals all these only highlight the diversities

prevalent in these provinces. Unity is restored when a common thread of cultural tradition binds

them together thus making it a part of Jammu and Kashmir as a whole. Culture of Jammu and

Kashmir is therefore an interesting reflection of color, zest, harmony and concord which makes

Jammu and Kashmir to stand apart with its distinct features of age old tradition and deep

ethnicity.

Religion

The population of Kashmir, estimated at about 8,00,000 at the beginning of the Sikh rule, was

almost entirely Muslim, except for a few thousands of Hindus and Sikhs. The Muslim population

consisted of two main sects, Sunnis and shias, the former being in an overwhelming majority.

Kashmiri Muslims retained many of the beliefs and practices of their Hindu ancestors and as

such were very superstitious. The Punjabis often referred to the Kashmiri pirs, present and

worshipped and made offerings at their shrines, Sikhs were secular and liberal in their political

and religious affairs, Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s himself went to the shrines of Muslims saints and

Hindu temples and also gave liberal donations and assigned Jagirs for their maintenance and to

support free Kitchens.

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Current census figures for religious affiliation in Kashmir:

Religious groups:

Region Buddhist Hindu Muslim Other

Kashmir Valley - 4% 95% -

Jammu - 66% 30% 4%

Ladakh 50% - 46% 3%

Economy

Tourism forms an integral part of the state's economy. Shown here is the Shalimar Gardens. In a

famous incident, a Persian Emperor claimed it to be a paradise on Earth. The Udhampur -

Qazigund section is currently under construction, the route crosses major earthquake zones, and

is subjected to extreme temperatures of cold and heat, as well as inhospitable terrain, making it

an extremely challenging engineering project. It is expected to increase tourism and travel to

Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir's economy is predominantly dependent on agriculture and allied

activities.

The Kashmir valley is also known for its sericulture and cold-water fisheries. Wood from

Kashmir is used to make high-quality cricket bats, popularly known as Kashmir Willow.

Kashmiri saffron is also very famous and brings the state a handsome amount of foreign

exchange. Agricultural exports from Jammu and Kashmir include apples, barley, cherries, corn,

millet, oranges, rice, peaches, pears, saffron, sorghum, vegetables, and wheat, while

manufactured exports include handicrafts, rugs, and shawls.

Horticulture plays a vital role in the economic development of the state. With an annual turnover

of over Rs. 300 crore, apart from foreign exchange of over Rs. 80 crore, this sector is the next

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biggest source of income in the state’s economy.[63] The region of Kashmir is known for its

horticulture industry[64] and is the wealthiest region in the state.[65] Horticultural produce from

the state includes apples, apricots, cherries, pears, plums, almonds and walnuts.

The Doda district has deposits of high-grade sapphire. Though small, the manufacturing and

services sector is growing rapidly, especially in the Jammu division. In recent years, several

consumer goods companies have opened manufacturing units in the region. The Associated

Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has identified several industrial

sectors which can attract investment in the state, and accordingly, it is working with the union

and the state government to set up industrial parks and special economic zones. In the fiscal year

2005–06, exports from the state amounted to Rs. 1,150 crore. However, industrial development

in the state faces several major constraints including extreme mountainous landscape and power

shortage.

The Government of India has been keen to economically integrate Jammu and Kashmir with the

rest of India. The state is one of the largest recipients of grants from New Delhi, totaling $ 812

million per year. It also has a mere 4% incidence of poverty, one of the lowest in the country. In

an attempt to improve the infrastructure in the state, the Indian government has commenced work

on the ambitious Kashmir Railway project which is being constructed by Konkan Railway

Corporation and IRCON at a cost of more than US$2.5 billion. The Jammu & Kashmir Bank,

which is listed as a S&P CNX 500 conglomerate, is based in the state. It reported a net profit of

Rs. 598 million in 2008.

CHAPTER 3

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 TOURIST DESTINATIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN

KASHMIR VALLEY
HAZRATBAL SHRINE

The Hazratbal Shrine is dedicated to Muslims. It is situated at the left bank of the Dal Lake.

Hazratbal Shrine is holy place for the Muslims in the Kashmir Region. It is called with numerous

names as Hazratbal, Assar-e-Sharief, Madinat-us-Sani, or Dargah Sharif.

SHANKARACHARYA

The Shankaracharya Temple is dedicated to the Lord shiva situated in the Srinagar. The mandir

dated back to 200 BC, although the present structure probably dates back to the 9th century AD.

This temple was visited by the Adishankaracharya after that is associated with him. The

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Shankaracharya Temple is regarded as sacred by Buddhists too; they call this mandir “Pas-

Pahar.”

DAL LAKE

We can call the Dal Lake the Focal point of the Srinagar city. We can see the beautiful

houseboats at the Dalgate, create good scenery for the tourist. Tourist prefer to stay in the

houseboats instead of the Hotels, it is really a good experience by staying in these houseboats.

People enjoy Shikara in the Dal Lake, most of the major tourist attraction such as Mugal garden

Nishat Bagh, The Hazratbal Shrine etc are situated on the bank of the Dal Lake. We can not

imagine the beautiful city in absence of the Dal lake.

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PAHALGAM

Pahalgam is the most popular hill resort in the Kashmir valley. Traveling through meandering

roads of north Kashmir, Pahalgam opens up with a fresh cool breeze of the river. It has an

astounding 9 hole gold course open for tourists now being extended into an 18 hole. Pahalgam is

situated at the junction of the Aru and Sheshnag Rivers and surrounded by soaring, fir-covered

mountains with bare, snow-capped peaks rising behind them. The Aru flows down from the

Kolahoi glacier beyond Lidderwat while the Sheshnag from glaciers along the great Himalayan.

Since it is rather lower than Gulmarg the nighttime temperatures do not drop so low and it has

the further advantage of the beautiful Lidder River running right through the town.

Chandanwadi, Aru Valley, Baisaran Valley, Betaab Valley, Mamleshwar temple, etc are the

famous tourist attractions of Pahalgam.

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GULMARG

Gulmarg is just 52 km away from Srinagar, it on the height of 2690 meters No body stays here in

the night. only tourist and hotel staff stay here at night. It was a resort for the kings like Yousuf

Shah Chak and Jahangir who used to visit frequently. In winters, we will find hardly any place

without snow. It is really beautiful place in India, it is major tourist attraction of India in winters

and summer both. Gulmarg is also popular for the winter games due to the thick snow peaks,

people come to learn and practice snow skating and other snow sports. The main activity for a

tourist in Gulmarg is snow skiing. One can enjoy skiing in the long and high slopes of the snowy

mountain ranges and experience a difference. As it lies in the line of control, identity checking is

a big and time consuming process for a tourist. The whether is cold and it is necessary for the

tourist to wear woollen clothes. Golfing, Sledging, and horse riding are other activities. Gulmarg

is likely to host the 2010 winter Olympics.

ALPATHER LAKE

Alpather Lake is a triangular lake under the shadow of Apharwat hill. This is an example of

visual fantasy. This lake is 13 km away from Gulmarg. The lake is fully frozen or partly frozen

with logs of ice depending upon the season. For tourists interested in horse riding, Alpather Lake

will be an excellent place of interest as one can go in the morning and return in the evening to

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have a day filled with adventure and fun. The lake is connected to the town through a small

ridge. As the lake is frozen one cannot expect activities like boating in the lake.

BABA RESHI SHRINE

This sufi shrine is situated at an altitude of 2133 m above sea level in the slopes of Gulmarg. This

is the shrine of a Muslim saint called Baba Reshi. The shrine is noted for its splendid wooden

architecture. Baba Reshi was a courtier of king Zain ul abiding and became famous for giving up

the worldly pleasures. The roads leading to the shrine are closed due to traffic. Other modes of

hill transport (sledges, filed chutes, etc...) can be availed. Expert riders come to the rescue of

travellers when the weather whites out. Presently safe modes of transport are available.

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GONDOLA

Gulmarg gondola is a unit of Jammu and Kashmir state cable car corporation. It operates in two

phases. The first phase is from Gulmarg to Kongdoor and the second phase is from Kongdoor to

Apharwat. RS 200/- per person for the first phase and RS 500/- per person for the second phase

is charged as travel tariff. The Jammu and Kashmir government is receiving a revenue of six to

eight Crores through the operation of these gondolas. The gondola operation also has promoted

tourism growth and winter sports and adventure activities in the valley. Gondola service is a

blessing to the town.

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GULMARG GOLD GOLF

Golf is a very popular activity in Gulmarg. The Gulmarg Golf Club was started in the year 1911

by the English during their rule in India. Since then it has become a Golf course for

professionals, amateurs, women and children. In the beginning it was only a six holes course, but

now it is updated. Now we could find, two eighteen hole courses also called as the upper and

lower courses, one nine whole course called as the middle course and one six hole course called

as the rabbits course. The rabbits course is exclusively reserved for children as it is a small

course.

KHILANMARG

Khilanmarg a highland meadow is a popular destination among golfers. It is just 4 km away

from Gulmarg. One can reach by walk or pony or through dandi. This is an exciting scenic

attraction. One can have a picturesque view of the snow capped mountains, the Wulur Lake, the

Alpather Lake and rice fields. Horse riding is one other popular activity here. One can view Mt.
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Naga Parbat during days when the skies are clear. The meadow is carpeted with flowers during

spring season. It is a place of natural beauty. A few minutes spent on viewing this landscape is

mind blowing.

MAHARANI TEMPLE

This is located on a small rock in the central part of the town. This is a unique temple dedicated

to Lord Shiva. This was the royal temple for the Dogra kings of Jammu and Kashmir. The temple

can be seen from all parts of the town. It was built by Mohini Bai Sisodhia, the wife of the King

of Kashmir Maharaja Hari Singh (last ruler of Kashmir) in 1915. In the year 1998, the Dagger

Division, renovated the temple. Presently, the temple is managed by the Jammu & Kashmir

Dharmarth Trust. Maharani Temple is open on all days from 6 am to 9 pm. Aarti is performed

twice a day for devotees.

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SKIING

Skiing is the most popular sporting activity here. Mountain skiing is undertaken in the Apharwat

hill and Pirpanjal ranges. Skiing equipments are available on rent basis. Normally it takes 30

minutes to ski from Apharwat peak to Gulmarg town. The ski slopes are long in distance and are

very high in altitude. The slopes run between 200 m to 3 km. Snow Skiing has become a popular

cultural and adventurous activity in Gulmarg. The Gulmarg ski slopes are the longest and highest

in Asia and have found notes in the Guinness book of world records. Training for skiing is also

given here.

ST MARYS CHURCH

The St Marys church is a monument depicting English influence in Gulmarg and is 100 plus

years old and was built in the year 1902. The 18th hole of Gulmarg Golf Club, a par five, is a

downhill travel from St. Marys Church to the club house. This is a catholic church located in the

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valley of shepherds in Gulmarg. It is known for its multi colored lightings. After the imposition

of militancy the church stopped functioning. But close by Christian missionaries and institutions

are still associated with the church. The church is recently renovated. Atourist can enjoy the

lights and lightings in the church.

TREKKING

Trekking is another popular sporting and adventure activity in gulmarg. Pir Panjal range, Nanga

parbat, Khilinmarg are excellent choices for trekking in Gulmarg. Trekking in Gulmarg is easier

as the walk is smoother and the steepness also increases gradually. One can enjoy the scenic

view of the valley while walking. Trekking here is popular among close by residential schools.

Trekking equipments and requirements are available on rent basis. Long treks include a walk to

Ferozpur Nala, Tejjan, and Samaidan. Taking a walk to Tosamaiden will be much longer. Group

trekking and short trips are very common. Gulmarg is also called as trekkers paradise.

CUISINE AND LIFESTYLE

Wazwan Cuisine is a salient element, which denotes the typical culture of Jammu and Kashmir.

The traditional green tea with spices and almond known as Kawa is consumed during poise

winters of Kashmir. Rice constitutes the staple food of Kashmir. Thanks to the contribution of

skilled cooks from Smarkhand, amouthwatering banquet called Wazwan has been popularized in

Kashmir. It includes thirty-six meal made from mutton and these are really very tasty. All the

Kashmiris love non-vegetarian meals especially those prepared from meat and lamb. However,

polao is a common dish for Kashmiri veggies. These are namely meat balls and red gravy (Rista),

Minced lamb patties(Shami kabab), Lamb koftas (Kashmiri Gustaba),spicylamb steaks (Pasande

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kabob). Also spices, curd and condiments are common ingredients of Kashmiri cuisine. Mustard

oil is used as cooking medium. The odour ofcostly kesar or saffron increases the craving of

locales for classy foods. However, different religious communities of Kashmir maintained

unique style of cooking meal. Muslims desist asafetida (hing) and curds and Kashmiri Pandits

abstain from using onions and garlic in their meals. Phirni is a sweet delicacy of Jammu and

Kashmir.

The culture of Kashmir nicely incorporates within its domain the lifestyle of the people of this

region. Kashmir is a place of beautiful mosques and the Hazratbal mosque is frequently visited

by several pilgrims. To add to it the spectacular celestial-like natural beauty of the region has

drawn the tourists to this region. Thus a tourism industry has expanded in leaps and bounds over

the years. Hotels of Jammu and Kashmir are noted for their first-class cordial reception. Most of

these are in floating houseboats, providing a splendid experience for the tourists. The California

group of Houseboats in Srinagar falls in this category of spectacular hotels. Famous hotels

namely Centaur Lake View Hotel Srinagar, Hotel Broadway Srinagar provide panoramic views

of the picturesque landscape. There is a heritage hotel called Intercontinental The Grand Palace,

overlooks the famous dal lake. The hotel is a `heritage` property 15 kms from the airport, is

located adjacent to the Governor`s House and just minutes from the city`s other historic

attractions like Shankaracharya Temple, Nishat and Shalimar Bagh, Chashmashahi, Pari Mahal.

Like its scenic beauty, Kashmir valley is even famous for its cultural heritage.

The valley of Kashmir is very rich as far as different aspects of its culture are concerned. Right

through ages, it has adopted and assimilated components of various civilizations and religions.

The amalgamation of Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist Philosophies has added colour and fragrance

to the Kashmiri culture resulting into a composite culture based on humanism, secularism and

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tolerance. Besides, it has borrowed certain features from its adjacent regions like Central Asia

also. Arts and crafts of Jammu Kashmir are very classy. Woven carpets, silk carpets, rugs,

woolen shawls, pottery and Kurtas are nicely embroidered. Well -decorated traditional boats are

made of wooden and they are called Shikaras. It is style mark of the region and they are watched

in lakes and rivers across the region. To sum up, the valley of Kashmir has a unique and peculiar

culture, which is reflected in different walks of life. Some aspects of Kashmiri culture are given

below:

LANGUAGE

The Kashmiri language itself has a Dardic base, modified considerably by the superstructure of

Sanskrit and Persian vocabulary acquired through hundreds of years of interaction with

immigrants from other cultures, though it did not have a script of its own, from the fourteenth

century onward it had a lively oral poetic tradition.

The earliest mystic poets, Lal Ded and Nund Rishi, used the four line stanza without rhyme

called the vaakh and the shrukh. But the poetess who broke new groundand transposed Kashmiri

poetry from mystical heights to the human level, lending a tragic dimension to it, was Habba-

Khatoon (1551-1606), the village girl from Pampora who became the queen of thelast king of

Kashmir, Yusuf Shah.

When Akbar defeated Yusuf Shah and had him exiled to Patna(Bihar), Habba suffered the

torments of separation. Not only did the content of poetry change with her, but she also gave it a

new verse form: the vatsun, which is like a ghazal in its exquisite lyrical quality and therefore

perfect for love poetry. The charm of these vatsuns is that they can be sung very effectively,

music enhancing the inherent melody of their alliterative and repetitive rhymes.

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 CHAPTER 4

TERRORISM & ITS EFFECTS ON TOURISM IN

KASHMIR VALLEY
Kashmir is a stunning and captivating land that abounds with natural beauty. Adorned by snow-

cappedmountains, wildflower meadows, immense glaciers, and sparkling lakes, Kashmir has

often been compared to heaven on earth. However, this pristine image of Kashmir has been

replaced by a much more frightening one. India and Pakistan both claim ownership of Kashmir

and this dispute has resulted in two major wars as well as thousands of deaths, human rights

violations, and atrocious acts of aggression. The conditions of violence in Kashmir are beyond

the minds of people. Suicide bombings, attacks by militant groups and open fire by security

forces are the main reasons for hostility. Civilians are killed on a daily basis. Every year, there

are countless reported cases of torture, rape, deaths in custody, extrajudicial executions, and

disappearances. Indiscriminate violence has marked the area since 1989. During the turmoil it is

not only the expensive and valuable lives that have been lost but it has also affected

theeconomic condition of Kashmir very badly. Reluctance of businessmen to set up business

and decline in the number of tourist count has very drastically affected the economy of the

Jammu and Kashmir. During the Pre-militancy era the favorite destination was the beautiful

Kashmir valley, but with the eruption of violence the tourist lands were deserted and also the

people who used to visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and Amarnath also diminished. From

last few years jammu and kashmir has witnessed increase in number of the tourists to Vaishno

Devi shrine, in Jammu region and to Leh in Ladakh Though the number of tourists to Srinagar

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has increased with the launch of the peace process, their specific targeting by the militants have

led to decline in their numbers. The local people bemoan this tragedy befalling on them. In

Kashmireconomy has been completely shattered due to ongoing turmoil. While earlier thousands

of outsiders thronged to the city, now only hundreds visit the valley. The count of the tourists

has fallen from millions in 1980,s to thousands during the peak of the turmoil. Violence has also

directly affected other important sources of livelihood such as agriculture, horticulture, and the

handicraft industry. These sectors have become the survival mechanisms for the local people but

are not flourishing. The state is known for wide variety of agricultural and horticulture products.

However, the conflict environment has prevented people from maximally utilizing this gift of

the nature. The horticulture industry has also suffered directly as well as indirectly due to

conflict situation. These issues are discussed in detail in the section on challenges

andopportunities. In this study we have tried to identify the impact of the turmoil on the overall

economy of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and also on the tourism sector. We found a

significant relationship between the change in the armed conflict and the economy and tourist

count of the state.

Since ancient times, Jammu & Kashmir was among the most popular travel destinations of India

due to its natural beauty and being “a seat of great learning” (Mohammad, 2006, p.42). However,

with the increase of violence the number of tourists dramatically decreased which caused serious

problems for the locals who heavily depended on the revenues of tourism. When we look from

the psychological point of view of the decision making process of travelers, the decline of tourist

arrivals is a logical consequence of rising terrorist activities since people choose their holiday

destination according to the most benefits and least costs, i.e. risks (Sonmez& Graefe, 1998)

whereby a destination with frequent terrorist attacks are usually perceived as high cost.

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The Kashmir dispute has always been seen as a fight for freedom and the right of self

determination by Pakistan who “pledged moral, political, and diplomatic support to the Kashmir

cause” which also “included material support to the fighters of Kashmir” (Akhtar, 2007).

Contrarily India perceives the Kashmir issue as a matter of terrorism in the first place and

accuses Pakistan to be at fault by “sponsoring and supporting cross- border terrorism” (Akther,

2007,). Moreover the occurrence of 9/11 gave India the opportunity to involve the Kashmir issue

in the current War on Terrorism and “to draw maximum benefit from the changed international

opinion in favor of fighting terrorism lock stock and barrel” (Akther 2007). Most of the top

scholars believed that the Kashmir conflict which is always perceived as a religious conflict is

basically not a religious conflict but a political one. It is only to give it a shape of terrorism it has

been framed into that situation. As we can easily draw conclusions from the above mentioned

statements and there is a gr eat amount of studies (Poland 1988; Toman 1991; Schmid &

Jongman 1988 cited in Sönmez & Graefe 1998) that support the argument that the actual

definition of terrorism cannot be used in the case of Jammu and Kashmir. So taking the context

further the impact of the conflict has not only taken the thousand and lakhs of lives it has also

frozen the economic development of the state. The state which is very rich in all the natural

resources and other things is lagging very much on their economic front. The main reason is the

economic conflict. So in this study we have tried to identify the impact of armed conflict on the

economy of state of Jammu and Kashmir and also on the tourism sector.

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 CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSIONS
Distinct from the rest of the country, Jammu and Kashmir sports a multifaceted, multicolored and

unique cultural blend. Not only the geographical conditions of the state are different but it can

also be set apart demographically with varied ethical and social entities, diversity of religions

flourishing in the area, different language and cultural forms and heritage albeit with an over-

reigning harmony that blends in with the serenity and beauty of the region. One gets dazed by the

sheer diversity and richness of art and architecture, fairs and festivals, rites and rituals, seers and

sagas, languages and mountains that thrive amongst the unparalleled cultural cohesion, which is

exemplary.

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REFERENCES

 Chari, P. R., Chandran, D. S., and Akthar, S. (2011). Tourism and Peacebuilding in

Jammu and Kashmir, United States Institute of Peace, July (Special Report), 1-15.

 Ancient Kashmir: A Historical Perspective – Rabbani, G. M., Saujanya Books: Srinagar,

2009.

 Culture and Political History of Kashmir –Bamzai, PNK.

 Cultural Heritage of India - Kashmiri Pandit Contribution" The Publication of Kashmir

Sabha,Kashmir Bhawan, Calcutta, vol XXXII.

 Kashmiri Culture and Literature – Prof. G. R. Malik.

 Kulla ,K.L, Cultural Heritage of Kashmir, Jammu, 1996.

 Kilam, J.J, History of Kashmiri Pandits.

 News updates from Jammu and Kashmir, http://kashmirnow.com.

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