K.D. Maini
Kishtwar District comprises of snow covered summits, meadows, green valleys, glens, rivers, streams, agriculture fields, saffron beds, apple gardens, people of various races, religions and sects. Due to its natural beauty Kishtwar is known as Kashmir-e- Sageer (Mini-Kashmir).
Kishtwar is the least populated district of J&K state after Kargil and Leh. It came into existence on 1st April 2007AD. The total geographical area of the district is 7737 Sqr. Km. Zanskar range of mountain bifurcates the district from Kargil in the northern side. LohalSapiti district of Himachal Pardesh is located on north eastern side, the district is bounded by Anantnag district of Kashmir valley in the north western side & Doda district is located in the western side. Administratively the district is divided into four tehsils namely tehsil Padder, Chatroo, Kishtwar and Marwah. Two assembly segments namely Kishtwar &Inderwal, 157 villages &134 Panchayats. The total population of the district as per census 2011 is 277976 souls. The growth rate between 2001 to 2011AD was 21.06% while the sex ratio was 938 females for every 1000 males. The district comprises of various religions, sects and races including Hindus and Muslims while there are some pockets in Padder tehsil which are inhabited by Buddhists. The main languages spoken in the district are Kishtawari, Kashmiri and Dogri while some Buddhist people also speak Bodhi language.
The main crops of the district are maize, paddy, wheat & saffron. Saffron of district Kishtwar is said to be of superior quality than of Kashmir. The district is also known for Neelam Ores which are located in Padder tehsil. Kishtwar is going to be one of the biggest powers generating area of the state. 350 megawatts Dhulhasti hydel project on ChinabRiver has started functioning while 850 megawatts Ratlay Hydel project is under construction. The survey of other three powers project has been completed. These power projects shall be the back bone of the economyof the people of Kishtwar in future. The district has vast potential of religious adventures and scenic tourism. Presently tourist reception center is available at Kishtwar town while guest houses and rest houses are being constructed at Senthon top and Chatroo area for the convenience of scenic tourist. Two important Yatras namely Machail Yatra and Sarthal Devi Yatra are organized in the district every year. Machail Yatra of Chari Mubarak starts from Chunot Temple in Badarwah, halts at Waski Nag Darbar and then leads towards Machail in Padder tehsil. The road is available up toGhulabGarh. Beyond that the Yatries have to travel on foot for two days to reach Machail temple. Sarthal Devi is about 20km from Kishtwar town. Large number of Yatries from Badarwah, Doda, Kishtwar and abroad participate in these yatras. There are two important Muslim Shirines in Kishtwar namely Shrine of Hazrat Shah Fareed-Ud-Din Baghdadi and Hazrat Shah Israr-Ud-Din. These two Shrines are located in Kishtwar town which are considered the most important Shrines of this region. The Muslim population of district Kishtwar and abroad assembles here on the eve of Urs Sharief and participate in Urs ceremonies. The Urs of Hazrat Shah Fareed-Ud-Din is celebrated on 21st June every year. Kishtwar Development Authority is engaged in creating infrastructural facilities for the connivances of yatries and pilgrims.
The principal town of the district is Kishtwar which is also the headquarter of the district. The town is situated on the left bank on Chander Bagha (Chinab) river on the elevation of 5300 feet above the sea level. The town is surrounded by Dhool Dhar range on the northern side. Nagnashvertop in the eastern side,Put Nag top in the western side while Kalash series of mountain is in the southern side.
Kishtwar is considered the most ancient civilization of this region. It is believed that this region was inhabited by Nag tribes who had migrated from Kashmir to Kishtwar. Later on Aryans, defeated them and established their principality and the original Nag tribes had taken refuge in remote area. With the passage of time Rajputs, Bhramans and other communities entered Kishtwar valley and settled there. As per Kalhana, Kalasha (1063 to 1089AD)the king of Kashmir had convened a meeting of the Rajas of eight outer hill states surrounding Kashmir valley to discuss the defense of this region from invaders. These Rajas includes the illustrious raja Uttam Raj of Kasthavata (the present hill district Kishtwar). Therefore in 11th century AD the name of this region was Kasthavata. With the passage of time this name changed from Kasthavata to Kartawar and then from Kartawar to Kishtwar. However in Kashmiri language the name Kartawar is still popular.
As per the historical facts from 11th century AD to 18th century AD Kishtwar principality was governed by 45 Raja’s. During the reign of Raja Jay Singh (1656 to 1763AD) a Muslim saint Hazarat Fareed Ud Din Qadri with his four disciples entered Kishtwar for spreading Islam. Raja Jay Singh was so influenced from Hazarat Fareed-Ud-Din Qadri that he embraced Islam with the name of Bukhtayar Khan. He and his descendants ruled Kishtwar up to 1821AD. Raja Mohd Teg Singh was the last Raja of this dynasty. In 1821 AD Ghulab Singh on the order of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh captured Kishtwar. He appointed Miyan Chand Singh as Kardar. Later on he was replaced by Mehta Basti Ram. In 1922AD Gulab Singh became the Raja of Jammu and in 1823 AD Raja Gulab Singh appointed Zorawar Singh as Governor of Kishtwar who remained in power up to 1841 AD. In 1836, Zorawar Singh decided to invade Ladakh and capture Padder area. He made four attempts from 1836 to 1841 AD to capture Ladakh. Finally, he captured Ladakh with the active supports of Kishtawaries and uprooted centuries old Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh. Then Zorawar Singh became more ambitious and marched towards Tibat but he faced tough resistance and unfavorable climatic conditions and was finally killed by Tibetinas on 12 December 1941 at Davo. In 1842 MiyanTiva Singh became the administrator of Kishtwar. When Ghulab Singh became the Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir in 1846 Kishtwar region became the part of new state. After independence Kishtwar remained firstly the part of Udhampur District and then Doda District for pretty long time as a tehsil. In 2007 Kisthwar emerged as a new district of J&K State.
Kishtwar remained the center of culture and literature for centuries together. The Sajada Nasheen of Asthan Sharief Hazaratsayed MohdIsrar-Ud-Din namely Hazaraat Nasir -Ud-Din who belongs to Qasmia family had translated the history of Kishtwar from Sanskrit to person. In 20th century AD, there were number of literary and cultural personalities which include Peer Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din, Peer Bahav-Ud-Din, Khawaja Ghulam Rasool Kangar, Ishrat Kashmiri, Ghulam Rasool Nishat, Kashmiri Lal Roop, Hans Raj Wazir, Wali Mohd Asheer Kishtwari, Ghulam Nabi Dhul Wall, Chander Parkash Chander. In 1935 AD Bazme-e-Adab Kishtwar was established under the president ship of Ghulam Hayder Qaiser. Khawaja Ghulam Nabi Dhull Wall was prominent cultural name of Kishtwar.
Presently Wali Mohd Asheer Kishtwari is a famous historian and author of number of Urdu and English Books. He is contribution towards history, culture and literature of Jammu province is remarkable.
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