Kathua
Encyclopedia
Kathua is the largest city of the Kathua district
in Jammu and Kashmir
. It is the third largest city in the Jammu region and the sixth largest in the state. The word "Kathua" is derived from the word "Thuan" in Dogri which means "Scorpios". The city was the land of Scorpios before the settling of the Dogras who arrived and made the city. Some believe that its name is derived from the name of Rishi Kashyap who disguised himself as a tortoise (kashua) for strong meditation.
, Kathua lies just 88 kilometres south of the state's winter capital of Jammu
. The city is situated along the banks of a khad (river) dividing it into two parts: Parliwand, meaning the other side; and Urliwand, meaning this side. Both parts are connected by three bridges.
Greek historians, who provide an insight into the ancient history of Jammu hills, prominently record the existence in this area of two powerful empires - Abhisara (present day Poonch) and Kathaioi - at the time of invasion of India by Alexander. Strabo describes Kathaioi as a mighty republic of that era, located in the foothills along the Ravi River. The topography of Kathaioi corresponds with the present day Kathua. Strabo describes the people of this republic as the epitome of bravery and courage, and records that they gave a tough fight to invading army of Alexander.
There are many places which commemorate a visit to Kathua Pandavas. Lord Krishna is also said to have come to this area, in order to get back from Jamabant the same diamond which is now known as Koh-i-Noor, part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.
, Kathua District had a population of 550,084. Men constitute 54% of the population and women 46%. Kathua has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the Indian national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 67%. In Kathua, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. The Kathua district is overwhelmingly Hindu
, the religion practiced by 91% of its population, another 7% is Muslim
, and 2% Sikh
.While Kathua city had a population of about 51,206 in 2001.Most of the people are of Dogra race and Dogri is the principal language.
. The district has a number of government and private schools.
Since 2000, Kathua has seen a number of teaching colleges starting up to offer Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degrees to residents of neighboring states, particularly Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. These colleges have mushroomed in parts of Jammu as well.At present there are about 73 small and big ETT and B.Ed colleges.There is also a campus of Jammu University at Kathua.
and Pathankot
from Kathua. Kathua Railway station at Gobindsar is just 4 km from city centre. Kathua has two bus stops. The smaller at Nagri Road for buses to Nagri-Parole town which is 17 km from Kathua. The larger one is for other destinations. The old busstand at Parliwand is no longer in use and is generally used for parking matadors. Buses for long route do not come inside Kathua. They are available from Lakhanpora which is 6 km from Kathua.
According to the agricultural census of 1991-92, the district had 69508 number of land holding of different sizes. Out of these 60.15% were of below one Hectt and only 39.85% were of the sizes of one hectts and above which indicates that large number of land holding are very small.
Major crops of the district are Paddy, Maize and Wheat. Wheat and Paddy constitutes the staple food in plain tehsils Viz. Kathua and Hiranagar where as Maize for Hilly Tehsils Basohli and Billawar. Wheat being main crop in whole of the district had covered 50 thousands hectars of area followed by paddy grown over an area of 36 thousand hectar and rest 38 thousand hectars were covered under maize, millets, oil seeds, pulses and vegetable crop during 1999-2000.
669 millimetres (26.3 in) in the wettest months.
Dogri is the main language spoken by the people of the district. Though the dogri spoken in some parts of the district has the influence of Punjabi tone also but the rural areas specially the Hilly areas are free from Punjabi. Their main language is DOGRI/PAHARI. The language is the rural and hilly areas has maintained its native purity, accent and sweetness. However, a very small section of the population residing in Lohai-Malhar and Bani Blocks also speaks Kashmiri. GOJRI is also spoken by the Gujjar Community settled here and there. However, Dogri is main language spoken in the district.
The district is culturally an integrated part of Jammu region and all important religious fairs like Lohri, Maha Shivratri, Id-ul-Fitr, Holi, Ramnavmi, Baisakhi, Basantpanchami, Martyr's day of Guru Arjun Dev, Raksha Bandhan, Janam Ashtami, Mahanavami, Dussehra, Diwali, id-ul-zuha, Guru Ravi Dass's b’day, Mahatama gandhi's b’day Guru Govind Singh's b’day, Chacha Nehru's birthday. Above all, the Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Holy Navratras also provide special occasion for worship and pilgrimage to holy places culminating into small to big fairs. Ram Lilas are organized in every town as well as in every village of the district. The most famous Ram Lila is performed in BASOHLI.Among teens Christmas,New year,Valentine's Day are also observed.
One of the main temple of Mata Baal-kanya is situated at village CHANGRAN just 2 km from the city centre. Other temples and shrines include Mata Ashapurni Temple in Down Town bazaar, Mata Jasrota,Peer Chattar Shaw on Nagri road,Peer Lakhdata ji in Jawahar nagar and many others.
Movie Theatre(s): Moon light multiplex, dolby digital, fully A.C.
,Sports Stadium: ONE near police lines. There are also some parks viz- Dream Land which is most popular situated on banks of Kashmir Canal,Green city park near Ambedkar Bridge and Bhagat Singh Park.The market is also very large and generally all the things are available. There are a number of showrooms for branded articles. Kathua has its own Main Bazaar called "Down Town Bazaar".
Kathua district
Kathua district is one of 22 administrative districts that comprise the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is surrounded by Jammu to the northwest, the Doda and Udhampur districts to the north, the state of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Punjab to the south, and Pakistan's working boundary to...
in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the...
. It is the third largest city in the Jammu region and the sixth largest in the state. The word "Kathua" is derived from the word "Thuan" in Dogri which means "Scorpios". The city was the land of Scorpios before the settling of the Dogras who arrived and made the city. Some believe that its name is derived from the name of Rishi Kashyap who disguised himself as a tortoise (kashua) for strong meditation.
Geography
Kathua is located at 32.37°N 75.52°E. It has an average elevation of 307 metres (1,007.2 ft). Many parts of the district and the city itself lie on plains while the tehsils of Basoli and Billawar are very hilly. The Kandi region - the barren lowlands at shiwalik foothills constitute it. A gateway to the northernmost state of Jammu and KashmirJammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the...
, Kathua lies just 88 kilometres south of the state's winter capital of Jammu
Jammu
Jammu , also known as Duggar, is one of the three administrative divisions within Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state in India.Jammu city is the largest city in Jammu and the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir...
. The city is situated along the banks of a khad (river) dividing it into two parts: Parliwand, meaning the other side; and Urliwand, meaning this side. Both parts are connected by three bridges.
Tehsils of Kathua
Kathua District comprises 5 tehsils:- Basohli
- BillawarBillawarBillawar is a town and a notified area committee in Kathua district in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India.Billawar is Tehsil HQ. It is also known as BALAUR. Billawar was founded by Raja Bhopat Pal in 1598-1614 and it remained capital of Basohli Rajas. The descendants of the Royal family are known...
- HiranagarHiranagarHiranagar is a town and a notified area committee in Kathua district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.It is a Tehsil HQ. Raja Hari Singh is believed to have founded Hiranagar Town after his name when he was bestowed with the Jagir of Jasrota by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab . He also...
- Kathua
- BaniBaniGurbani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to any compositions of the Sikh Gurus. Gurbani is composed of two words: 'Gur' meaning 'the Guru's' and 'bani' meaning 'word'....
History
Though there is no detailed and fully documented history of Kathua district, there is a tradition[by whom?] that Jodh Singh, a Rajput of the Andotra clan migrated from Hastinapur to Kathua nearly 2,000 years ago and settled here. The three hamlets of Taraf Tajwal, Taraf Manjali and Taraf Bhajwal were by the same account established by his three sons Teju, Kindal and Bhaju. Tracing their ancestry to these three are the groups now known respectively as Tajwalia, Bhajwalia and Khanwalia Rajputs, of the Andotra sub-caste. The conglomeration of these three hamlets was loosely called “Kathai” in earlier times which with the passage of time came to be called as Kathua.Greek historians, who provide an insight into the ancient history of Jammu hills, prominently record the existence in this area of two powerful empires - Abhisara (present day Poonch) and Kathaioi - at the time of invasion of India by Alexander. Strabo describes Kathaioi as a mighty republic of that era, located in the foothills along the Ravi River. The topography of Kathaioi corresponds with the present day Kathua. Strabo describes the people of this republic as the epitome of bravery and courage, and records that they gave a tough fight to invading army of Alexander.
There are many places which commemorate a visit to Kathua Pandavas. Lord Krishna is also said to have come to this area, in order to get back from Jamabant the same diamond which is now known as Koh-i-Noor, part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.
Demographics
As of the 2001 Indian censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Kathua District had a population of 550,084. Men constitute 54% of the population and women 46%. Kathua has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the Indian national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 67%. In Kathua, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. The Kathua district is overwhelmingly Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, the religion practiced by 91% of its population, another 7% is Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
, and 2% Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
.While Kathua city had a population of about 51,206 in 2001.Most of the people are of Dogra race and Dogri is the principal language.
Education
Kathua has its own Government Degree College (for men and women) and one Women's college known as Government Degree College, KathuaGovernment Degree College Kathua
Government Degree College is the co-ed college in Kathua and serves to the people of Kathua district and its adjoining areas. It is about 3 km from the heart of the Kathua city. It runs courses in Sciences, Arts, Firshries, Computer Sciences for three years degree courses. The college is...
. The district has a number of government and private schools.
Since 2000, Kathua has seen a number of teaching colleges starting up to offer Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degrees to residents of neighboring states, particularly Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. These colleges have mushroomed in parts of Jammu as well.At present there are about 73 small and big ETT and B.Ed colleges.There is also a campus of Jammu University at Kathua.
Transportation
Kathua is just 80 km away from Jammu Tawi and 120 km from Katra. Basoli is just 72 km from it. Buses for longer distances and matadors (small buses) for shorter distances are the main sources of transportation in Kathua. Mostly two wheeler are used for commuting. Matadors(small buses) run on major roads of the city. They also connect city with nearby villages. Within the city, people also use bikes and cars. The bus journey from Kathua to Jammu is approximately 2.5 hours. Video Coach AC buses from Kathua to Jammu is available from morning 05:00 am to evening 10 :00 pm. There are also railway links to JammuJammu
Jammu , also known as Duggar, is one of the three administrative divisions within Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state in India.Jammu city is the largest city in Jammu and the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir...
and Pathankot
Pathankot
Pathankot became 22nd district on 28th July 2011 and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Punjab. It was a part of the Nurpur princely state ruled by the Rajputs prior to 1849 AD. It is a meeting point of the three northern states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir...
from Kathua. Kathua Railway station at Gobindsar is just 4 km from city centre. Kathua has two bus stops. The smaller at Nagri Road for buses to Nagri-Parole town which is 17 km from Kathua. The larger one is for other destinations. The old busstand at Parliwand is no longer in use and is generally used for parking matadors. Buses for long route do not come inside Kathua. They are available from Lakhanpora which is 6 km from Kathua.
Industrial estate
On the outskirts of Kathua, there is a well-developed industrial estate, SICOP (State industrial cooperation), including the Nirmal Industries, Chenab Textile Mill (CTM). This venture of Birla Group, established in the 1970s, contributed greatly to the development of today's Kathua. In addition to CTM, there are several other factories, manufacturing cement, iron, and other products. There is a unit Celine Health Care Pvt. Ltd. that is in the manufacturing of cosmetic products.Agriculture And Land Holdings
The district has a reporting area of 2.65 lacs Hectt as per revenue records out of which 0.45 lacs Hectt is agricultural use, 0.36 lacs Hectt constitutes barren and uncultivable land excluding follow land, 0.12 lacs Hectt accounts for culturable waste, 0.13 lacs Hectt is under misc. trees, 0.10 lacs Hectt forms permanent pastures, 0.01 lacs Hectt is fallow land other than current fallows, 0.14 lacs is the area under current fallows and 0.61 Hectt is net area sown. The total cropped area of the district during 1999-2000 was 1.24 lacs Hectt of which 0.63 lacs hectt represents the area sown more than once.According to the agricultural census of 1991-92, the district had 69508 number of land holding of different sizes. Out of these 60.15% were of below one Hectt and only 39.85% were of the sizes of one hectts and above which indicates that large number of land holding are very small.
Major crops of the district are Paddy, Maize and Wheat. Wheat and Paddy constitutes the staple food in plain tehsils Viz. Kathua and Hiranagar where as Maize for Hilly Tehsils Basohli and Billawar. Wheat being main crop in whole of the district had covered 50 thousands hectars of area followed by paddy grown over an area of 36 thousand hectar and rest 38 thousand hectars were covered under maize, millets, oil seeds, pulses and vegetable crop during 1999-2000.
Climate
Talking of Kathua city in particular the climate is sub tropical. According to common Hindu belief there are six seasons experienced in the region. Summer temperatures may shoot up to 48 degrees while in winters mercury generally dips to 4 degrees or even sometimes to zero. Heavy downpour is also experienced. The annual rainfall is 700 cm mainly in monsoons and winters due to Western Disturbances. Kathua city does not experience snow while there may be snow in upper reaches of district like Bani Tehsil. Heavy hailstorms with piles of hail can be experienced in February and March but are very few.669 millimetres (26.3 in) in the wettest months.
Culture
Kathua District broadly comprises three distinct zones viz. Border, Kandi and Hilly. Billawar, Bani, Basohli and Lohai–Malhar Blocks of the district comes under HILLY Area. The culture of this area is PAHARI which resembles the culture of Himachal Paradesh. The other part of the district has Dogra culture.Dogri is the main language spoken by the people of the district. Though the dogri spoken in some parts of the district has the influence of Punjabi tone also but the rural areas specially the Hilly areas are free from Punjabi. Their main language is DOGRI/PAHARI. The language is the rural and hilly areas has maintained its native purity, accent and sweetness. However, a very small section of the population residing in Lohai-Malhar and Bani Blocks also speaks Kashmiri. GOJRI is also spoken by the Gujjar Community settled here and there. However, Dogri is main language spoken in the district.
The district is culturally an integrated part of Jammu region and all important religious fairs like Lohri, Maha Shivratri, Id-ul-Fitr, Holi, Ramnavmi, Baisakhi, Basantpanchami, Martyr's day of Guru Arjun Dev, Raksha Bandhan, Janam Ashtami, Mahanavami, Dussehra, Diwali, id-ul-zuha, Guru Ravi Dass's b’day, Mahatama gandhi's b’day Guru Govind Singh's b’day, Chacha Nehru's birthday. Above all, the Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Holy Navratras also provide special occasion for worship and pilgrimage to holy places culminating into small to big fairs. Ram Lilas are organized in every town as well as in every village of the district. The most famous Ram Lila is performed in BASOHLI.Among teens Christmas,New year,Valentine's Day are also observed.
One of the main temple of Mata Baal-kanya is situated at village CHANGRAN just 2 km from the city centre. Other temples and shrines include Mata Ashapurni Temple in Down Town bazaar, Mata Jasrota,Peer Chattar Shaw on Nagri road,Peer Lakhdata ji in Jawahar nagar and many others.
Army presence
Because of its close proximity to the Pakistan border, Kathua has a significant Indian Army presence in the surrounding areas. The Army was sheltered at Kathua during militancy in the state when the ultras used to cross the border and attacked innocent people. There have been many attacks in the region. During the summers of 2001, four terrorists attacked a matadoor at Hiranagar killing 5 people. In 2003, three terrorists attacked a C.R.P.F camp in front of District Hospital killing 2 people. With the change in time conditions have improved and army is being recalled from the city.Sources of public entertainment
In spite of being a developing city Kathua has lagged behind in many aspects. Corruption and wrong policies of both Government and people have worsened the conditions. Roads are not in a good condition, there are no traffic lights, no sign boards etc. There is aMovie Theatre(s): Moon light multiplex, dolby digital, fully A.C.
,Sports Stadium: ONE near police lines. There are also some parks viz- Dream Land which is most popular situated on banks of Kashmir Canal,Green city park near Ambedkar Bridge and Bhagat Singh Park.The market is also very large and generally all the things are available. There are a number of showrooms for branded articles. Kathua has its own Main Bazaar called "Down Town Bazaar".
See also
- JammuJammuJammu , also known as Duggar, is one of the three administrative divisions within Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state in India.Jammu city is the largest city in Jammu and the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir...
- Jammu taviJammu taviJammu tawi is a town located in Jammu and Kashmir, India.-See also:* Jammu* Nagrota* Talab Tillo* Samba, Jammu* Kathua* Jammu Cantonment* Hiranagar* Akhnoor...
- Talab TilloTalab TilloTalab Tillo is a suburban area of Jammu City in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and is situated in Jammu Province. It derived its name from a Saint 'Tilloo' and from a pond which was situated here. In Hindi "talab" means pond...
- Samba, JammuSamba, JammuSee Samba for other meaningsSamba is a town in Samba district in the Indian state Jammu and Kashmir. Before the formation of Samba district, this town was part of Jammu district...
- NagrotaNagrotaNagrota is a town located in the Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir state in India. It is located on National Highway 1A between Jammu city and Udhampur...
- Jammu CantonmentJammu CantonmentJammu Cantonment is a cantonment town in Jammu District in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.-Demographics: India census, Jammu Cantonment had a population of 30,107. Males constitute 61% of the population and females 39%. Jammu Cantonment has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the...
- HiranagarHiranagarHiranagar is a town and a notified area committee in Kathua district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.It is a Tehsil HQ. Raja Hari Singh is believed to have founded Hiranagar Town after his name when he was bestowed with the Jagir of Jasrota by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab . He also...
- AkhnoorAkhnoorAkhnoor is a town in Jammu district in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India.Located from Jammu, Akhnoor is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is an extremely beautiful town...