|
‘KULGAM’ ('Rice – Bowl’ of Kashmir), has been declared as one of the new Districts of the state- Jammu and Kashmir.
Tehsil Kulgam has the Districts of Anantnag and Pulwama in its
contiguity on its eastern and northern sides respectively. The Districts of Udhampur and
Rajouri fall on its south and south-west, though separated by majestic mountainous range
of Pir Panjal, acting as a massive topographical barrier but rich in vegetation and forests
with extensive pastures on its lower slopes.
Live stock and sheep rearing is a subsidiary occupation of the rural
population particularly in the upper areas of this Tehsil which also contributes towards the improvement of their socio-economic scenario. Because of the availability of summer pastures the tehsil abounds in improved quality of sheep and other animals.
About 89 percent of population lives in rural areas and the agriculture is
the mainstay of 80 percent population. Nature has gifted this whole area with agroclimatic conditions suited for agriculture in its lower belts and fruit culture in the upper areas. On account of fertile lands with better yield and productivity Kulgam is considered as ‘Rice – Bowl’ of Kashmir. Upper areas of Kulgam are known for the production of quality apple.
Town Kulgam is situated at a distance of about 70 kms from Srinagar and
about 17 kms from Anantnag. It has road connectivity with its neighbouring districts and
towns besides being linked with far flung areas of the Tehsil by a dependable road
network.
Due to conducive environment ‘Rice Seed Multiplication Farm’ spread over a large area stands established and is working under the aegis of Agriculture
University of Kashmir in Tehsil Kulgam at Khudwani.
The famous Shrine of Hazrat Mir Syed Hussain, who as a great saint and
preacher had come to this area from Central Asia ‘Simnan’ in 14th century, is located in the main Kulgam town.
Kulgam has the distinction of having at Quimoh the birth place
of most towering figure of Kashmir and the founder of Reshi cult Sheikh Noor-ud- Noorani
Ahrabal Water fall on Veshev Nallah which is a place of sight-seeing is in
the extreme south-west of Tehsil Kulgam and Kongwattan is tourist resort, ahead of Ahrabal
Almost whole of the Tehsil Kulgam has a network of Zamindari Kuls
thereby attributing it the name Kul – Gam (villages of Streams). Nallah Veshav which drains most of the northern face of Pir Panjal and which is the main left bank tributary of river Jehlum traverses through Tehsil Kulgam. Before confluence of Veshev with the Jehlum it gets broken off into a number of channels which provide drinking water facilities and irrigation to huge tracts of the land of this Tehsil.
Biblical Names in Kulgam District speak of a historical connection of Kulgam and Christ:
Name of Place and its location (in parenthesis)
Arah-bal (Kulgam)
Arah
Bahan (Kulgam)
Bohan
Dan-sok (Kulgam)
Dan
Kalkol (Kulgam)
Calcol (Hebrew: Kalcol)
Kir-gam (Kulgam)
Kir
Kirouth (Kulgam)
Kirjuth
Kashu (Kulgam)
Cush
Median-pura (Kulgam)
Midian
Nekanur-pura (Kulgam)
Nicanur
Phallu (Kulgam)
Phallu
Rei (Kulgam)
Rei
Shopeon (Kulgam)
Shopham
Taharan (Kulgam)
Tahan
Tema-pura (Kulgam)
Tema
Yus-Maidan (Kulgam)
Jesus
Yus-nag (Kulgam)
Jesus
Yus-para (Kulgam)
Jesus
(Contributed and Compiled by Mr. Anil Kumar by email on 16 Oct 2007)
If you have a valuable suggestion / Viewpoint, or Kulgam, Kashmir related article / written material / contribution or you have something to add on Kulgam, Kashmir, you can send it to us for publication. These observations will be published in this page with your name as contributor.
| 
