Coordinates: 34.1980°N 74.

3636°E

Baramulla district
Baramulla district or Varmul (in Kashmiri) is one of the 20
districts in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Baramulla district
Baramulla town is the administrative headquarters of this Varmul district
district. The district covered an area of 4,588  km2
(1,771  sq  mi) in 2001,[5] but it was reduced to 4,243  km2 District of Jammu and Kashmir
(1,638  sq  mi) at the time of 2011 census.[1] In 2016, the
district administration said that the area was 4,190  km2
(1,620 sq mi).[6]

Contents
Etymology
History
Ancient and medieval
Gulmarg ski resort in Baramulla district,
Pakistani tribal invasion (1947) Jammu and Kashmir, India
Recent years
Administration
Politics
Demographics
Geography and Climate
Healthcare
Tehsils
References
External links

Baramulla district in Jammu and

Etymology Kashmir, India
Coordinates: 34.1980°N 74.3636°E
The name Baramulla, meaning "Boar's Molar Place,"[7] is
Country  India
derived from two Sanskrit words Varaha (Boar) and Mula.
According to Hindu teaching, the Kashmir Valley was once a Headquarters Baramulla
lake called Satisaras, the lake of Parvati (consort of Shiva). Tehsils
1. Uri
Ancient Hindu texts state that the lake was occupied by a
2. Baramulla
demon, Jalodbhava, until Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a
boar and struck the mountain with his molar at Baramulla 3. Tangmarg
(ancient Varahamula). He bored an opening in it where the 4. Pattan
lake water flowed out.[8] 5. Boniyar
6. Wagoora
7. Zaingeer
History (Sopore)
Ancient and medieval 8. Rohama
9. Kreeri
The city of Baramulla, from which the district derives its 10. Watergam
name, was founded by Raja Bhimsina in 2306 BCE. 11. Sopore
12. Dangiwacha
A number of prominent visitors have travelled to Baramulla. 13. Dangerpora
These include the Chinese visitor Heiun T'Sang and the
14. Khoie
British historian, Moorcraft. Mughal emperors had a special (Panzipora)
fascination for Baramulla. As the gateway of the Kashmir
15. Kunzer
Valley, Baramulla was a stopping place for them during their
16. Kawarhama
visits to the valley. Jahangir also stayed at Baramulla during
his visit to Kashmir in 1620 CE. Government
 • District Bhupinder Kumar
From the very beginning, Baramulla has been a religious Magistrate (IAS)
center. The construction of Hindu Teerth and Buddhist Vihars Area[1]
made the city sacred to people of both religions. In the 15th
 • District of 4,243 km2
century, the noted Muslim saint, Syed Janbaz Wali, visited the Jammu and (1,638 sq mi)
valley along with his companions in 1421 CE. He chose Kashmir
Baramulla as the centre of his mission and was buried here  • Urban 63.56 km2
after death. His shrine attracts pilgrims from all over the (24.54 sq mi)
Valley. In 1620, the sixth Sikh Guru Shri Hargobind visited  • Rural 4,179.44 km2
the city. Baramulla thus became an abode of Hindus, (1,613.69 sq mi)
Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs living in harmony and Population (2011)[2]
contributing to a rich composite culture.[9]  • District of 1,008,039
Jammu and
It was the oldest and the most important town in the north of Kashmir
princely state of Kashmir and Jammu. In the later centuries,  • Density 240/km2
until 27 October 1947, it was the 'Gateway of Kashmir Valley' (620/sq mi)
by the Rawalpindi-Murree-Muzaffarabad-Baramulla Road. It  • Urban 825,539
became a part of Union of India when the Maharaja, under  • Rural 182,500
duress of invasion by Pakistani tribal forces, signed the
Languages
instrument of accession on 26 October 1947, which was
 • Official Kashmiri, Urdu,
accepted by India the next day.
Actual area of district
Hindi, Dogri,
Baramulla according to 2018 survey by the centre for remote English[3][4]
sensing and gis is 2204.06 km2 .  • Main spoken Kashmiri
 • Other spoken Pahari, Gujari
Pakistani tribal invasion (1947) Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle JK05
After the Partition of India in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh registration
chose to remain independent, not joining either India or Website baramulla.nic.in (htt
Pakistan. p://baramulla.nic.i
n/)
A large number of tribals from Pakistan attacked Kashmir
under the code name "Operation Gulmarg," intending to seize Kashmir. The invading tribals started
moving along Rawalpindi-Murree-Muzaffarabad-Baramulla Road on 22 October 1947 with Pakistani army
men in plain clothes. Muzaffarabad fell on 24 October 1947. They reached and captured Baramulla on 25
October. There they stayed for several days looting, raping, and killing residents; burning and plundering
homes and businesses; and desecrating and vandalising shrines and temples. They could have reached
Srinagar, just 50 km away, and captured its airfield, which was not defended at all. They raped and killed
European nuns (only one survived) at Baramulla's St. Joseph convent and Christian nurses at the
missionary hospital. This looting, raping, murder and abduction of girls continued for several days.[10] It is
said that the suffering of Baramulla saved the rest of Kashmir, because airplanes carrying Indian troops
airlifted from Delhi on the morning of 27 October could land at Srinagar airfield while the invaders were
still at Baramulla.

Charles Chevenix Trench writes in his The Frontier Scouts (1985):

In October 1947... tribal lashkars hastened in lorries - undoubtedly with official logistic support
- into Kashmir... at least one British Officer, Harvey-Kelly took part in the campaign. It seemed
that nothing could stop these hordes of tribesmen taking Srinagar with its vital airfield. Indeed
nothing did, but their own greed. The Mahsuds in particular stopped to loot, rape and murder;
Indian troops were flown in and the lashkars pushed out of the Vale of Kashmir into the
mountains. The Mahsuds returned home in a savage mood, having muffed an easy chance, lost
the loot of Srinagar and made fools of themselves.

Tom Cooper of Air Combat Information Group wrote:[11]

...the Pathans appeared foremost interested in looting, killing, ransacking and other crimes
against the inhabitants instead of a serious military action.

Biju Patnaik (who later became Chief Minister of Odisha) piloted the first plane to land at Srinagar airport
that morning. He brought 17 soldiers of 1-Sikh regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Dewan Ranjit Rai.

"...The pilot flew low on the airstrip twice to ensure that no raiders were around... Instructions
from PM Nehru’s office were clear: If the airport was taken over by the enemy, you are not to
land. Taking a full circle the DC-3 flew ground level. Anxious eye-balls peered from inside the
aircraft  – only to find the airstrip empty. Nary a soul was in sight. The raiders were busy
distributing the war booty amongst them in Baramulla."

In the words of Gen Mohammad Akbar Khan (Brigadier-in-Charge, Pakistan, in his book War for Kashmir
in 1947): "The uncouth raiders delayed in Baramulla for two (whole) days for some unknown reason."[12]

It took two weeks for the Indian army to evict the raiders from Baramulla. Joined by Pakistani regular
troops, they had become well-entrenched.

Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah spoke in the UN Security Council on 5 February 1948 thus: "...the raiders
came to our land, massacred thousands of people — mostly Hindus and Sikhs, but Muslims, too —
abducted thousands of girls, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims alike, looted our property and almost reached the
gates of our summer capital, Srinagar..."

Recent years

Roads have been improved and road network has grown considerably in Baramulla town since 1947. New
schools and colleges have started and better facilities for education have been created. More bridges on
Jhelum river have been constructed or planned to connect the old town on the north bank of the river with
the new town on the south bank. Decongestion of the old town has been attempted by moving some
residents to houses in the new town.
The most recent development has been creation of railway connectivity with Srinagar, Anantnag and
Qazigund and the planned connectivity with Banihal and Jammu.

Administration
Baramulla district comprises sixteen tehsils: Pattan, Uri, Kreeri, Boniyar, Tangmarg, Sopore, Watergam
Rafiabad, Rohama, Dangiwacha, Bomai, Dangerpora, Khoie(Panzipora), Wagoora, Kunzer, Kwarhama
and Baramulla.

This district consists of 26 blocks: Uri, Rohama, Rafiabad, Zaingeer, Sopore, Boniyar, Baramulla,
Tangmarg, Singhpora, Pattan, Wagoora, Kunzer, Paranpillian, Bijhama, Norkhah, Narwav, Nadihal, Kandi
Rafiabad, Hardchanum, Tujjar Sharief, Sangrama, Sherabad Khore, Lalpora, Wailoo, Khaipora and
Chandil Wanigam. Pattan tehsil is the largest tehsil of the district Baramulla and was later split to form a
separate Kreeri tehsil.

Pattan Town is situated in the centre of the district between Srinagar and Baramulla cities and is surrounded
by villages like Palhalan, Nihalpora Hanjiwera Zangam, Sherpora, Sonium and Yall.[13] Each block
consists of a number of panchayats.

Politics
Baramullah district has seven assembly constituencies: Uri, Rafiabad, Sopore, Sangrama, Baramulla,
Gulmarg and Pattan.[14]

Demographics
According to the 2011 census Baramulla district had a population of Historical population
1,008,039,[2][16][17] or 1,015,503,[18] roughly equal to the nation of Year Pop. ±%
Cyprus[19] or the US state of Montana.[20] This gives it a ranking of 1901 155,387 —    
443rd in India (out of a total of 640).[17] Of the total population, 1911 174,661 +12.4%
542,171 (53.4%) were males and 473,332 (46.6%) were females, 1921 193,132 +10.6%
the sex ratio being 885 females for every 1,000 males[17] (this 1931 215,286 +11.5%
varies with religion), a decrease from 905 in 2001 census, and much 1941 238,136 +10.6%
lower than the national average of 940. The sex ratio for children in 1951 261,935 +10.0%
0 to 6 year age group was even less at 866.
1961 285,734 +9.1%
The district has a population density of 305 inhabitants per square 1971 374,175 +31.0%
kilometre (790/sq  mi).[17] Its population growth rate over the 1981 490,057 +31.0%
decade 2001-2011 was 20.34%.[17] Baramula has a literacy rate of 1991 638,634 +30.3%
66.93%.[17] with male literacy 77.35% and female literacy 55.01%. 2001 843,892 +32.1%
Total literate in Baramula district were 571,348 of which males and 2011 1,008,039 +19.5%
females were 352,289 and 219,059 respectively. † 1951 and 1991 populations are
estimated
Source: Census of India [15]
Baramulla town is the largest town in the district and the fourth
most-populous town in the state, with a population
of 167,986 as per 2011 census. Religion in Baramulla district (2011)[2]
Religion Percent
Islam   95.15%
Hinduism   3.04%
Sikhism   1.47%
 Other or not stated   0.34%

Sex Ratio in Baramula District in 2011 Census.[2]

(no. females per 1,000 males)

Religion (and population) Sex Ratio
Muslim (pop 959,185) 936
Hindu (pop 30,621) 90
Sikh (pop 14,770) 627
Other (pop 3,463) 632
Total (pop 1,008,039) 885

Baramula district: religion, gender ratio, and % urban of population, according to the 2011 Census.[2]
Hindu Muslim Christian Sikh Buddhist Jain Other Not Total
stated
Total 30,621 959,185 1,497 14,770 140 29 7 1,790 1,008,039
3.04% 95.15% 0.15% 1.47% 0.01% 0.00% 0.00% 0.18% 100.00%

Male 28,099 495,434 965 9,078 115 17 4 1,021 534,733

Female 2,522 463,751 532 5,692 25 12 3 769 473,306
Gender ratio (% 8.2% 48.3% 35.5% 38.5% 17.9% 41.4% 42.9% 43.0% 47.0%
female)
Sex ratio 90 936 551 627 – – – 753 885
(no. of females per
1,000 males)

Urban 16,378 157,176 536 7,865 80 7 7 451 182,500

Rural 14,243 802,009 961 6,905 60 22 0 1,339 825,539
% Urban 53.5% 16.4% 35.8% 53.2% 57.1% 24.1% 100.0% 25.2% 18.1%

The most widely spoken language is Kashmiri (82.11% of the population according to the 2011 census),
but there are also speakers of Pahari (9.88%), Gujari (3.45%), Hindi (1.58%) and Punjabi (1.26%).[21][22]

Geography and Climate

The district is spread from Srinagar district and Ganderbal district in the east to the line of control in the
west, and from Kupwara district in the north and Bandipore district in the northwest to Poonch district in
the south and Badgam district in the southwest. Baramulla has cool climate under Köppen climate
classification. In winter, generally between December and February, snowfall occurs. Gulmurg is popular
destination for tourist all over world.

Baramulla city is located on the banks of Jhelum river at the highest point of the river. The old town lies on
the north (right) bank of the river and the new town lies on the south (left) bank. They are connected by
five bridges, including a suspension bridge connecting Gulnar park with Dewan Bagh.

Healthcare
Baramulla has a district civil hospital and a district veterinary hospital
with facilities such as radiology (x-ray) and ultrasonography. The
hospital has been shifted to a new building with 300 beds in
Kanthbagh in March 2013, ( In the Land of Ushkara Baramulla)
which was in construction for two decades. St.Joseph's Hospital &
Nursing School run by Christian Missionary Nuns[23] There are
smaller hospitals in other towns of the district and primary health
centres at villages in the district. Primary Health Center Ushkara near
Jamia Masjid Ushkara under Block Sheeri.

Tehsils
Boniyar Languages of Baramulla
district (2011 census)[21]
Dangerpora
Khoie Panzipora    Kashmiri (82.11%)
Kwarhama    Pahari (9.88%)
Watergam    Gojri (3.45%)
Baramulla    Hindi (1.58%)
Kreeri    Punjabi (1.26%)
Kunzer    Others (1.72%)
Pattan
Sopore
Tangmarg
Uri
Wagoora
Dangiwacha
Rohama
Zaingeer

References
1. District Census Handbook Baramulla, Part A (https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/D
CHB_A/01/0108_PART_A_DCHB_BARAMULA.pdf) (PDF). Census of India 2011 (Report).
July 2016. p. 11. Retrieved 21 November 2020.

District Census Handbook Baramulla, Part B (https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0

108_PART_B_DCHB_BARAMULA.pdf) (PDF). Census of India 2011 (Report). 16 June
2014. p. 22. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
2. C-1 Population By Religious Community – Jammu & Kashmir (https://censusindia.gov.in/20
11census/C-01/DDW01C-01%20MDDS.XLS) (Report). Office of the Registrar General &
Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
3. "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadDa
ta/2020/222037.pdf) (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved
27 September 2020.
4. "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020" (http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliam
ent-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020). Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Retrieved
23 September 2020.
5. "Divisions & Districts" (https://jk.gov.in/jammukashmir/?q=divisions), Jamu & Kashmir
Official Portal, 2012, retrieved 21 November 2020
 6. "About District Baramulla" (https://web.archive.org/web/20161220070227/http://baramulla.ni
c.in/WebPages/about/district_profile.html). Archived from the original (http://baramulla.nic.in/
WebPages/about/district_profile.html) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
7. The economy of Jammu & Kashmir (https://books.google.com/books?id=ROfsAAAAMAAJ&
q=Baramulla+boar). Radha Krishan Anand & Co., 2004. 2004. ISBN 9788188256099.
Retrieved 1 July 2010. "... meaning in Sanskrit a boar's place. Foreigners who visited this
place pronounced ... The place was thus named as Baramulla meaning 12 bores."
8. Kashmir and its people: studies in the evolution of Kashmiri society (https://books.google.co
m/books?id=QpjKpK7ywPIC&q=Baramulla+boar&pg=PA6). A.P.H. Publishing Corporation.
2004. ISBN 9788176485371. Retrieved 1 July 2010. "That the valley of Kashmir was once a
vast lake, known as "Satisaras," the lake of Parvati (consort of Shiva), is enshrined in our
traditions. There are many mythological stories connected with the desiccation of the lake,
before the valley was fit for habitation. The narratives make it out that it was occupied by a
demon 'Jalodbhava,' till Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a boar and struck the mountain at
Baramulla (ancient Varahamula) boring an opening in it for the water to flow out."
9. Baramulla: District Profile (http://baramulla.nic.in/intro/intro.htm) Archived (https://web.archiv
e.org/web/20120223204737/http://baramulla.nic.in/intro/intro.htm) 23 February 2012 at the
Wayback Machine
10. The Story of Kashmir Affairs - A Peep into the Past (http://www.kashmir-information.com/Kos
hSam/Kashmir_Affairs.html) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20140618193757/http://k
ashmir-information.com/KoshSam/Kashmir_Affairs.html) 2014-06-18 at the Wayback
Machine
11. Tom Cooper (29 October 2003), Indo-Pakistani War, 1947-1949 (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20060613025308/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_321.shtml), Air Combat
Information Group, archived from the original (http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_32
1.shtml) on 13 June 2006, retrieved 11 April 2012
12. 27 October 1947: Dakota in my dell ~ FRONTLINE KASHMIR (http://www.frontlinekashmir.o
rg/2011/10/october-27-1947-dakota-in-my-dell.html) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2
0120425132919/http://www.frontlinekashmir.org/2011/10/october-27-1947-dakota-in-my-del
l.html) 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
13. Statement showing the number of blocks in respect of 22 Districts of Jammu and Kashmir
State including newly Created Districts (http://jkrd.nic.in/listAllDistricts.pdf) Archived (https://
web.archive.org/web/20080910092544/http://jkrd.nic.in/listAllDistricts.pdf) 10 September
2008 at the Wayback Machine dated 2008-03-13, accessed 2008-08-30
14. "ERO's and AERO's" (https://web.archive.org/web/20081022185235/http://ceojammukashmi
r.nic.in/eros_aeros.html). Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir. Archived from the
original (http://ceojammukashmir.nic.in/ERos_AERos.html) on 22 October 2008. Retrieved
28 August 2008.
15. "A-2 Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901" (http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011cens
us/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html). Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
16. Baramula Population Census 2011, Baramula, Jammu and Kashmir literacy sex ratio and
density (http://www.census2011.co.in/census/district/626-baramulla.html)
17. "District Census 2011" (http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php). Census2011.co.in. 2011.
Retrieved 30 September 2011.
18. Census of India 2011, Provisional Population Totals Paper 1 of 2011 : Jammu & Kashmir (htt
p://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_data_products_J&K.html). Office of the
Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India (Report).

Annexure V, Ranking of Districts by Population Size, 2001 - 2011 (https://www.censusindia.

gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/J&K/Annexure%20V.xls) (Report).
19. US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population" (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20070613004507/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/21
19rank.html). Archived from the original (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-fa
ctbook/rankorder/2119rank.html) on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. "Cyprus
1,120,489 July 2011 est."
20. "2010 Resident Population Data" (https://web.archive.org/web/20131019160532/http://2010.
census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived
from the original (http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php) on
19 October 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2011. "Montana 989,415"
21. C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Jammu & Kashmir (https://www.censusindia.gov.in/20
11census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-0100.XLSX) (Report). Office of the Registrar
General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
22. S.C. Bhatt; Gopal Bhargava (2005). Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories
(https://books.google.com/books?id=tuYsVSY44O0C&q=baramulla+hindi&pg=PA110).
ISBN 9788178353562. Retrieved 1 July 2010. "As most of these Hindi albeit Gujari
speakers have been shown as concentrated in Baramulla, Kupwara, Punch, Rajouri and
Doda districts, their Gujar identity becomes obvious. The number of Punjabi speakers in
1961, 1971 and 1981 Census Reports, actually reflects the number of Sikhs who have
maintained their language and culture, and who are concentrated mainly in Srinagar,
Badgam, Tral, Baramulla (all in Kashmir region), Udhampur and Jammu."
23. "Finally, Baramulla hospital to be shifted to new building" (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/
20130330/kashmir.htm#2). The Tribune. Kashmir. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2018.

External links
Baramulla district official website (http://baramulla.nic.in/)

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