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 Jammu
is the second largest city of the northern Indian state of
Jammu and Kashmir and is also its winter capital. Divided
into two separate cities, the old town of Jammu is located
on a hilltop overlooking the river Tawi while the new town
is situated across the river, several kilometers away.
The city of Jammu is
named after Jambu Lochan, the brother of Bahu, a
powerful local chieftain who ruled during the ninth century.
It is said that on becoming king, Jambu Lochan went on a
hunt and, crossing the Tawi, found a deer and a tiger
drinking water from the same tank. His ministers explained
that this meant that the soil of the place was so virtuous
that no living creature bore enmity against another. Raja
Jambu Lochan, decided to build his capital, Jambupura, on
this soil, on the right bank of the Tawi overlooking his
brother king Bahu's fort. Jambupura later came to be known
as Jammu.
Through the middle ages, Jammu prospered. Changes of rule at
Delhi or Lahore passed over without disturbing the affluence
of the town. The fertile cultivable land around the town
constantly generated wealth and unlike many medieval towns,
Jammu was never depopulated. The town was also a major
stopover for caravans on the trade routes to Kashmir, Asia
Minor and beyond and was a base for the fabled Silk Route.
The state of Jammu & Kashmir, which was earlier under the
rule of Hindus and Muslims, came under the rule of Mughals
under emperor Akbar. After the period of Afghan rule from
1756, it was annexed to the Sikh kingdom of the Punjab in
1819. In 1846, Ranjit Singh made over the territory of Jammu
to Maharaja Gulab Singh and Jammu and Kashmir came into
being as a single political and geographical entity
following the Treaty of Amritsar between the British
Government and Gulab Singh signed on March 16, 1846.
Since then, the state remained under the Dogra rule till the
time India gained independence. At the time of independence,
like all the state, Jammu and Kashmir was also given the
option of either joining India or Pakistan. However, the
then ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh decided not to exercise the
option immediately but had to sign the instrument of
accession when Pakistan attacked the territory later the
same year.
Most of the tourists who come to the Jammu region have the
Mata Vaishno Devi shrine as their destination, which
is quite close by. However, the spirit of holiness permeates
through the entire city, so much so that Jammu is also known
as the 'City of Temples'. If Bahu Mata is the presiding
deity of Jammu, the dargah of Peer Budhan Ali Shah is the
other shrine that s believed to protect Jammuites. The other
major tourist attraction is the Ragunath Temple Complex,
which is the largest temple in North India devoted to Lord
Ram. The construction of this temple was begun by Maharaja
Gulab Singh in 1851 and completed by his son Ranbir Singh
six years later.
The temple of Maha Kali (better known as Bahu or
Bawey Wali Mata), located in the Bahu fort, is considered
second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power.
The present temple was built shortly after the coronation of
Maharaja Gulab Singh, in 1822. The existing fort, as well as
the Manasabdar's palace inside it, were constructed in 1820
and are major tourist attractions of the city.
Other temples in the city include the Gauri Kund temple,
Shudh Mahadev temple, Shiva temple, Peer Khoh Cave temple,
Ranbireshwar temple and the Parmandal temple complex.
The most stunning site in Jammu is the Sheesh Mahal.
The Pink Hall of the palace now houses the Dogra Art Museum,
which has miniature paintings of the various hill schools.
The museum also has the hand written Persian manuscripts of
the Shahnama and Sikandernama. The palace was once the royal
residence of the Dogra kings. Built as a group of buildings
around a courtyard, the palace has a commanding view of
river Tawi on one side and the city on the other.
The Amar Mahal Palace Museum is a beautiful palace of
red sandstone, which stands amidst the most picturesque
environs of Jammu. There is beautiful view of the Shivaliks
in the north and river Tawi flows to the south adding to the
grandeur. This was once the residential palace of Raja Amar
Singh but now has been converted into a museum and is looked
after by Hari-Tara Charitable trust. The museum has a golden
throne made of 120 kg of pure gold.
A treat for those interested in history is the town of
Akhnoor, 32 km southwest of Jammu. Standing on the banks of
the mighty river Chenab, the town tells the tragic tale of
the lovers Sohni and Mahiwal. Also along the riverbank are
the majestic ruins of the Indus-Valley Civilization that are
of great historical importance and command a beautiful view
of the area around.
The Jujjar Kotli Tourist Complex, built on the banks
of Jujjar rivulet, is at a distance of 35 km from Jammu. The
crystal clear, cool water of Jujjar attracts picnickers in
large numbers during the summer.
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