Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory in the far north of India, renowned for its stunning Himalayan and valley scenery, often called paradise on earth. Its largest cities are Srinagar and Jammu, which serve as summer and winter capitals. The region has a complex history and is at the center of a long-standing territorial dispute.

The territory ranges from the plains around Jammu to the lush Kashmir Valley, ringed by the Pir Panjal and Himalayan ranges, with lakes such as Dal Lake and alpine meadows. The climate spans subtropical lowlands to cold mountain highlands.

Kashmiri culture is famed for its handicrafts, including pashmina shawls and carpets, its cuisine, and a syncretic heritage blending Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Houseboats on Dal Lake and Mughal gardens are iconic.

Once a princely state, Jammu and Kashmir became a flashpoint between India and Pakistan after the 1947 partition, and remains divided and disputed. In 2019 India revoked its special autonomous status and reorganised it into a union territory.