Rajouri district

Rajouri Distrrict shown within Jammu & Kashmir state

Rajouri town, in Rajouri District, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Rajouri (Template:Lang-hi) is a District in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Since it borders Pakistan, it is the site of infiltration and militant activity. For this reason, there is a large Indian Border Security Force deployment in the district. Rajouri is also notable for the presence of many Gujjar and Bakerwal villages, particularly towards the Pir Panjal mountain range. The District comprise of 6 Tehsils (towns) namely Rajouri, Nowshera, Sunderbani, Kalakote, Koteranka and Thannamandi and 7 Blocks of Rajouri, Manjakote, Darhal, Budhal, Kalakote, Sunderbani and Nowshera. There is diversity in the religious practices of the residents of these various towns with some being predominantly Hindu and others with Muslim majorities. The presence of militancy has affected the composition in most Muslim majority regions that are closer to the border. Overall,according to the 2001 (483,284) Population Census, the population as divided by religion is 60% Muslim (291,067), 37% Hindu, 2% Sikh and Buddhist. This composition has since likely changed dramatically due to militancy having forced substantial minority communities to the Hindu dominated districts near Jammu.

Administration

Rajouri district comprises these tehsils:

• Budhal Tehsil
• Kalakote Tehsil
• Nowshera Tehsil
• Rajouri Tehsil
• Sunderbani Tehsil(Darhal)
• Thanamandi Tehsil

This district consists of 9 blocks: Rajouri, Darhal, Sunderbani, Doonji, Nowshera, Kalakote, Manjakote, Thanamandi and Budhal. Each block consists of a number of panchayats. S.A Kohli

Raja Vari ... in contemporary Hindi means, a Raj Wrda, an estate Ruled by a Raja.

History

Early History

Rajouri, earlier known as Rajapura, was an area of importance in ancient times. Based on the Mahabharata evidence , and evidence from 7th c Chinese traveler Yuan Chawang , the districts of Rajouri, Poonch and Abhisara had been under the sway of Republican Kambojas during epic times . The epic name of Rajauri was Rajapuram and it was the metropolis of Republican Kambojas e.g. Karna-Rajapuram-gatva-Kambojah-nirjitastava.

Early records show that in 4th century BC there existed in the north west of India a federal type of political set up in Rajouri and it had Abhisar as its capital city. At the time of Alexander's invasion, Rajouri was at the height of its glory. In Mauryan period, the town of Rajouri was a great trade centre. Rajouri finds mention in the travelogue of Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang who visited the town in 632 AD and described it as a part of Kashmiri dominion. Little later, Laharkote in Poonch district and Rajouri had emerged as two powerful states of the area. During the Mughal rule, the rulers of Rajouri embraced Islam though they retained the title of Raja.

Al-Beruni visited Rajouri with Sultan Masud (Son of Sultan Mehmud) in 1036 AD. In his book "India" he wrote name of Rajouri as Raja Vari. Srivar, the writer of 'Raj Tirangini' written during the regime of Sultan Zain-Ul-Abdin, also named this area as Raja Vari. It appears that Raja Vari is the changed shape of Raj Puri. Praja Bhat another writer of Raj Tirangini of 16th century AD wrote this place as Raj-Vare in his book. Mirza Zafarulla Khan writer of ‘Tarikh Rajgan-E-Rajour’ described in his book that this place was originally known as Raj-Avar and then changed from Rajour to Rajouri. But the old people in the villages still call the place as Rajour. With the passage of time the name changed from Raja's Raj Avar to Raja Puri, Rajpuri to Raj Vari, Raj Vari to Raj Vara, Raj Vara to Raj Avar, Raj Avar to Rajour and then Rajour to Rajouri. As per Rajtirangini of Kalhan, Rajouri emerged as principality in about 1003 AD. The first ruler of this kingdom was Raja Prithvi Paul. From 1033 AD to 1194 AD these Pauls ruled this state. They were Raja Prithvipaul, Raja Janki Paul (1035 AD), Raja Sangram Paul (1063 AD), Raja Som Paul (1101 AD), Bahu Paul (1113 AD) and Amna Paul (1194 AD). Raja Prithvi Paul was defeated at the Pir Panchal Pass at the time of invasion of Sultan Mehmud in 1021 AD. Raja Sangram Paul defended his Principality Rajouri when Raja Harash of Kashmir assaulted his country in 1089 AD. Sangram Paul fought so bravely that Raja Harash was compelled to return from Prithvi Paul fort without capturing Rajouri.

Jarral Rule

As per ‘Tarikh-Rajgan-e-Rajour” Noor-Ud-Din who migrated from Punjab to Rajouri revolted against Raja Amna Paul. Raja Amna Paul was killed in the revolt and Noor-Ud-Din became the Raja of Rajouri. In this way Raja Noor-Ud-Din aid the foundation of Jarral Muslim rule in Rajouri in 1194 AD to 21 October 1846 AD. Rajouri Principality remained governed by Jarral Rajas. The renowned Rajas of this dynasty were Raja Noor-Ud-Din (1194 AD), Raja Anwar Khan (1252 AD), Raja Sardar Khan (1289 AD), Raja Shah-Ud-Din (1412 AD), Raja Mast Wali Khan (1565 AD), Raja Taj-Ud-Din (1604 AD), Raja Anayat Ullah Khan (1648 AD), Raja Azmat Ullah Khan (1683 AD), Raja Izzat Ullah Khan (1762 AD), Raja Karam Ullah Khan (1676 AD), Raja Aggar Ullah Khan (1808 AD) and Raja Raheem Ullah Khan (1819 AD). Raja Raheem Ullah Khan was the last Muslim Ruler of Rajouri who governed this principality up to 21 October 1846.

Jarral Muslim Rajas rebuilt Rajouri city during their rule. Number of Fort, Sarai, Mosque and Baradaries were constructed with the help of Mughals, on Mughal road. The area of Rajouri principality comprised proper Rajouri, Thanna, Bagla Azim Garh, Darhal, Behrote, Chingus, Nagrota and Phalyana etc. The total revenue of Rajouri was Rs.3.00 lacs in 1846. Raja Aggar Ullah Khan (1808–1819) fought bravely, first against Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1815 and then Raja Gulab Singh in 1819. These Muslim Rajas were very liberal and religiously tolerant. Raja Azmat Ullah had a Hindu Minister of the Mehta family of Rajouri. Hindu Rajputs were given preference at the time of employment in armed forces.

The successive Rulers were also responsible for the proper upkeep of Mughal route from Gujarat to Kashmir, dotted by a dozen stations in between. The town also called Rampur as per the revenue document, gained popularity during the Mughal period as the Mughal Ruler, during their movement from Delhi to Kashmir and back, used to stay at the station for some time.

Most importantly, Raja Faqir Ullah khan son of Raja Rahim Ullah Khan was one of the bravest who led many successful campaigns against the Sikhs and in particular against the Dogras. He would have continued fighting if his father had not died on his way to Rehlu in Kangra. Raja Faqir Ullah then decided to leave his kins and bought Musaman Burj in Wazirabad where his father was once given Rajgi by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. His descendants still live in Musaman Burj and enjoy great respect in the area.

In 1846 Amritsar pact was signed between British Government and Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu. In the light of this pact, Jammu and Kashmir State was handed over to Raja Gulab Singh and he was designated as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.

After taking the charge of Rajouri from Raja Faqir Ullah in 1846, Maharaja Gulab Singh changed the name of Rajouri to Rampur. He appointed Mian Hathu as Governor of Rajouri. Mian Hathu remained in Rajouri up to 1846 AD. He constructed a beautiful temple in between Thanna Nallah near Rajouri city. He also built Rajouri Fort at Dhannidhar village. After Mian Hathu, Rajouri was converted into a Tehsil and affiliated with Bhimber District. In 1904 AD, this Tehsil was bifurcated from Bhimber and affiliated with Reasi District. After Independence, Rajouri became part of the newly constituted Poonch-Rajouri District. On Ist January 1968, Rajouri emerged as a new District on the map of the State According to ASHISH DHAR NOWSHERA & RAJOURI is mini kashmir.

Politics

Rajouri District has 4 assembly constituencies: Nowshera, Darhal, Rajouri and Kalakote.

Tehsils

Rajouri,darhal, Koteranka,Nowshera,Thannamandi,Kalakot,

Mineral resources of Rajouri

Man's progress in civilization from the historic stage has been punctuated by his mastery over technology in extracting the mineral resources from different geological formations of diverse ages and in utilizing these mineral resources in various industries for the manufacture of essential products for human life. Economic edifice of any country depends upon is industrial growth, which in turn is dependable upon the availability of mineral resources of that country. Minerals are broadly grouped into two categories.

(1) Metallic

(2) Non-Metallic

Metallic minerals find their use in the manufacture of a small pin up to an aircraft and big vehicle. The non-metallic minerals are used in Tailoring trade, agriculture, and medicine and in big industries for the manufacture of various items of our daily use. Ever since man's emergence from the Neolithic, pursuit for metals and the development of metallurgy has been the keystone of his economic and industrial progress. Minerals thus form one of the modern world's important resource in support and fulfillment of human life. The wide range of their uses has made great exploitation on the world's stock of minerals and in some cases to such an extent that their accessibility stock in the Earth's crust is reaching depletion point. The diminishing resource of minerals have called forth warning note from geologist and industrial economists. Researchers and technologists have made exhaustive efforts to minimize the consumption of metals and to use non- mineral products such as plastic in place of metals so that the exponential rate at which our civilization is consuming the land based mineral resources be put off.

The state Jammu and Kashmir particularly the district Rajouri which is rounded by Riasi in east, Mirpur district (Occupied by Pakistan) in west and Kashmir valley in north and Poonch district in northwest is endowed with metallic, non- metallic minerals and solid fuel. The terrain of the Rajouri is mountainous having maximum altitude of 4535 m in Dhakiar-rupri area on the Pir Panjal Range, the southwestern flank of which forms the northern periphery of the area, whereas the Sivalik and murree hills from the southern part of the area. The Nowshera tawi and Ans rivers are the main rivers of the district Rajouri, which joins river Chenab at Arnas and Chamb respectively. Coal, Limestone, Bauxite and Iron ore. The main mineral resources present in this area are:

COAL

The basis source of energy for the industrial development is the coal, the solid or fossil fuel as it is called and the district Rajouri has Kalakote, Methka, Moghla, Chokkar the main coal. The coal is of semi-anthracite having fixed carbon for percentage from 79 to 80, which is related to Himalayan. The intense and complex tectonic movement has restricted the economical limits of these coalfields. However, these can meet the increasing demand of local consumption and industrial development of Jammu region.

LIMESTONE

Limestone is an important raw material used in the manufacture of cement and in chemical, metallurgical, paper making glass manufacture and sugar refining. It is also used in bleaching powder and caustic soda. Extensive deposits of limestone associated with carboniferous sequence of Kalakote, Methka and Thannamandi area of Rajouri district can be placed in any of its above industrial use only after conducting systematic geological investigation.

BAUXITE

It is good source of aluminium and can be used for extraction of aluminium metal. It can be used for refractory purposes and also for the extraction of gallium. It is a blanket type of deposit occurring unconformable over the great limestone of Kalakote, Methka, Moghla and Chakkar area. It is generally dark gray to cream in color and exhibited diasporic variety.

IRON ORE

Though district Rajouri is devoid of any significant occurrence of iron ores but in Gagrot-Khandli devi area iron ore occurs in a lenticular band associated with carbonaceous and fessuginous shake and slate.

BENTONITE

It is clay type of deposits usually shows whitish color and gives soapy touch. It is used in oil well drilling, oil refining, paints, sealing in reservoirs and irrigational canals. It also finds its use in agricultural spray insecticides. Thick bands of bentonite are located in three different places near Budhal. In addition to these minerals resources present in Rajouri district, the Panjal trap has a massive volcanic rock, which forms the northern and northwestern. Envisions of Rajouri city can be used in building purpose. With the increasing demand of the stone industry, polished slabs of Panjal traps can be manufactured after arriving at their physical mineralogical and textural properties.

MURREE

Murree formation supposed to be the main source of hydrocarbon is predominantly developed in this area. Unfortunately success in exploring the oil and natural gas commission workers have not achieved petroleum in saruinsar area due to certain technical problems, extensive efforts are being made by these workers in Rajouri district also to locate sports for exploration of petroleum in future.