KashmirKashmir is derived from the Sanskrit Kashyapa + Mira, which means the mountain range of sage Kashyapa. Srinagar, the ancient capital, lies alongside Dal Lake and is famous for its canals and houseboats. Srinagar (alt. 1,600 m. or 5,200 ft.) served as a favoured summer capital for many foreign conquerors who found the heat of the Northern Indian plains in the summer season to be oppressive. Just outside the city are the beautiful Shalimar, Nishat and Chashmashahi gardens created by Mughal emperors. Jammu & Kashmir is the most diverse state in India from a cultural and linguistic point of view. Six major languages are spoken on the Indian side of Kashmir. The Kashmiri Language accounts for only 37 per cent of the total population and is to be found almost exclusively on the Indian side of Kashmir. In the northern sector, however, Balti is the major language on both sides of the Line of Control in the Kargil area and the Shina linguistic area spills over the line to include a small pocket on the Indian side. On the Pakistan side of the Line of Control the population consists almost entirely of Muslims. On the Indian side, Muslims constitute a majority in a mixed population which also includes a substantial minority of Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists The term Kashmiri is all too frequently used to refer to any subject of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, without appreciating the distinction between the Kashmirispeaking people of the Valley and other ethnic groups in the state. |