Srinagar

Srinagar, city, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir unionterritory (Jammu is the winter capital), northern India, situated in theKashmir region of the Indian subcontinent. The city lies along the banks of theJhelum River at an elevation of 5,200 feet (1,600 metres) in the Vale ofKashmir.

Nishat gardensNishat gardens, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir,India.

Situated amid clear lakes and lofty forested mountains,Srinagar has long had a considerable tourist economy. Along its course through thecity, the Jhelum River is spanned by several wooden bridges, and numerousadjacent canals and waterways abound with shikara, the gondolas of Kashmir.Srinagar is well known for its many mosques and temples; the Hazratbal Mosquecontains a hair that reportedly belonged to the Prophet Muhammad, and the Jami?Masjid (Congregational Mosque), built in the 15th century, is said to be thelargest mosque in Kashmir. Dal Lake, with its “floating gardens,” is awell-known attraction, as are the nearby Shalimar and Nishat gardens.

Srinagar’s industries include carpet and silk mills,silverware and copperware manufacture, leatherworking, and wood carving. TheUniversity of Kashmir (1948) is in the city, as is the Sher-e-KashmirUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir (1982). Regularflights connect Srinagar with Delhi and Amritsar. Not far from Srinagar is thetown of Gulmarg, the “Meadow of Flowers,” at an elevation of about 8,500 feet(2,600 metres). It affords magnificent views of the Vale of Kashmir and ofNanga Parbat, which at 26,660 feet (8,126 metres) is one of the highest peaksin the Himalayas. The Vale of Kashmir contains the area’s most fertileagricultural land and is one of the most densely populated parts of the Kashmirregion. Pop. (2001) 898,440; (2011) 1,180,570.