Srinagar

Srinagar, the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is the pride of the beautiful valley of Kashmir. It lies in the Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus, and Dal and Anchar lakes.
The city is known for its natural environment, gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts like Kashmir shawls and also dried fruits.
Srinagar is one of several places that have been called the "Venice of the East". Lakes around the city include the Dal Lake – noted for its houseboats – and Nigeen Lake. Apart from Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake, Wular Lake and Manasbal Lake both lie to the north of Srinagar. Wular Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia.
It also has some Mughal gardens, forming a part of those laid by the Mughal emperors across the Indian subcontinent. Those of Srinagar and its close vicinity include Chashma Shahi (the royal fountains); Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring); Shalimar Bagh; the Naseem Bagh.
Like the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar too has a distinctive blend of cultural heritage. Holy places in and around the city depict the historical cultural and religious diversity of the city as well as the Kashmir valley.
The crown of the nation is not just soothing to the eyes but also does wonders to your tastebuds. People of Srinagar prefer eating a lot of Non veg which includes Mutton, chicken or fish Srinagar also hosts many bakeries serving delicious varieties of breads and pastries. You can find many bakeries at Shervani Road and Dalgate. 'Sheermal' and 'Baqerkhani', are varieties of bread without which no Kashmiri breakfast is complete.
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According to Kalhana's 12th century text Rajatarangini, a king named Pravarasena II established a new capital named Pravarapura. Based on topographical details, Pravarapura appears to be same as the modern city of Srinagar. Aurel Stein dates the king to 6th century.
The independent Hindu and Buddhist rule of Srinagar lasted until the 14th century when the Kashmir valley, including the city, came under the control of Mughals. It was also the capital during the reign of Yusuf Shah Chak.
Kashmir came under Mughal rule, when it was conquered by the third Mughal emperor Akbar in 1586 CE. Akbar established Mughal rule in Srinagar and Kashmir valley.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh ruler from the Punjab region annexed a major part of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, to his kingdom in the year 1814 and the city came under the influence of the Sikhs. In 1846, the Treaty of Lahore was signed between the Sikh rulers and the British in Lahore.
The treaty inter alia provided British de facto suzerainty over the Kashmir Valley and Maharaja Gulab Singh became a semi-independent ruler of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar became part of his kingdom. The Maharajas choose Sher Garhi Palace as their main Srinagar residence.
In 1989, Srinagar became the focus of the insurgency against Indian rule. The area continues to be a highly politicised hotbed of separatist activity with frequent spontaneous protests and strikes ("bandhs" in local parlance).
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The valley comprises of rich flora and fauna that not only impresses but also mesmerizes.
In Jammu, the flora ranges from the thorn bush type of the arid plain to the temperate and alpine flora of the higher altitudes. Of the broad-leaf trees, there are maple, horse chestnuts, silver fir, etc. At the higher altitudes, there are birch, rhododendron, and a large number of herbal plants.
Kashmir is also resplendent with many hues of wood and game. The most magnificent of the Kashmir trees is the chinar which is found throughout the valley. Mountain ranges in the valley have dense deodar, pine and fir. Walnut, willow, almond and cider also add to the rich flora of Kashmir.
The mountain sides below the tree line are wooded. Most of this coniferous forest consists of broad leaf species. Interspersed between these are alpine pastures, meadows, waterfalls and scrub vegetation with deep gullies, locally known as Nars, running down the mountain face.
Most of the grasslands and meadows, except in the harsh winters, are covered with coloured flowers. Located high among its interiors is the Marsar lake from which flows the Dagwan river.
The plants of the western Himalayas are well known for their medicinal properties.
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The fauna of Jammu and Kashmir is diverse due to its unique location and climatic condition.
About 16% of the Indian mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies are presented in the state. Birds contribute much to the chordate diversity following by mammals, reptiles, fishes and amphibians.
The state is home to about 75 species of mammals, besides several sub-species, belonging to 54 genera, 21 families and 8 orders. Carnivores represent 32% of the total mammalian fauna in the state. Of the 19 species of the ungulates reported from the state, 13 have been listed as globally threatened.
In the hilly regions of Doda, Udhampur, Poonch and Rajouri, there is a large and varied fauna including leopard, cheetah and deer, wild sheep, bear, brown musk shrew, and muskrat. Varieties of snakes, bats, lizards and frogs are also found in the region.
The game birds in Jammu include chakor (Alectorisgrace), snow partridge, pheasants, and peacock. The dense forests of Kashmir are a delight to the sport lovers and adventurers for whom there are ibex, snow leopard, musk deer, wolf, red bear, black bear and leopard.
The winged game includes ducks, goose, partridge, chakor, pheasant, wagtails, herons, water pigeons, warblers, and doves.
Jammu and Kashmir is also home to number of species that are listed as endangered like the Kashmiri stag called 'Hangul' and snow leopard that has survived here from times unknown. You can see many more fascinating and exquisite forms of life in the many national parks and sanctuaries that are here in the state.
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