Srinagar is a city of great antiquity. Srinagar is the summer state capital of Jammu and Kashmir and is the pride of the beautiful valley of Kashmir. Srinagar is renowned for its simmering lakes and the charming rows of houseboats floating on them. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits. Located in the western part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the northern region of India Srinagar is about 876 kms north of Delhi. The river Jhelum passes through Srinagar city. The weather in Srinagar is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters are cold (November-February). It experiences heavy snowfall in December-February. Srinagar is the place for an aquatic sports enthusiast who are crazy for kayaking, canoeing, water surfing and angling.

The city lies on both banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus River. The city is famous for its lakes and houseboats floating over them. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits. Srinagar is 876 km north of Delhi. The headquarters of the Srinagar District are situated in the city.

The city was founded by the King Pravarasena-II over 2,000 years ago, and the city of Srinagar has a long history, dating back at least to the 3rd century BC. The city was then a part of the Maurya Empire, one of the largest empires of the Indian subcontinent. Ashoka introduced Buddhism to the Kashmir valley, and the adjoining regions around the city became a centre of Buddhism. In the 1st century, the region was under the control of Kushans and several rulers of this dynasty strengthened the Buddhist tradition. Vikramaditya (of Ujjain) and his successors probably ruled the regions just before the city fell to the control of the Huns in the 6th century, and Mihirkula was the most dreaded ruler of the city and the valley.

The Hindu and the Buddhist rule of Srinagar lasted until the 14th century, when the Kashmir valley, including the city, came under the control of the several Muslim rulers, including the Mughals. It was also the capital during the reign of Yusuf Shah Chak, a ruler who was tricked by Akbar when he failed to conquer Kashmir by force. Yusuf Shah Chak remains buried in Bihar in India. Akbar established Mughal rule in Srinagar and Kashmir valley.

When the disintegration of the Mughal Empire set forth after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, infiltrations to the valley from the Pathan tribes increased, and they ruled the city for several decades. Raja Ranjit Singh in the year 1814 annexed a major part of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, to his kingdom, and the city came under the influence of the Sikhs. Subsequent to the signing of a treaty between the Sikh rulers and the British in Lahore in 1846, known as the Treaty of Lahore. The treaty, inter alia, provided British de-facto suzerainty over the Kashmir Valley, and British installed Gulab Singh as an independent and sovereign ruler of the regions, and Srinagar became part of his Kingdome, and remained for long one like one of the several princely states of undivided India.

After, India’s independence, certain tribes, mostly Pathans, actively supported by elements of the Pakistani forces, invaded the valley to wrestle control, by armed force, of the city of Srinagar and the Valley. This was done in spite of the-then ruler Maharaja Hari Singh having a solemn and sovereign assurance (of the British government) backed by the international law that all rulers of such states were free to remain as independent entities, or to choose to annex either to India or to Pakistan. In view of infiltration by armed forces and the possibility of his kingdom, including the city of Srinagar falling into the hands of the forces inimical to him, his kingdom and to the people the valley, Hari Singh air-dashed to New Delhi, the capital of India, and signed a covenant in 1948 with the Government of India, which ensured integration of his kingdom into the newly formed Republic of India.

The Government of India, in view of its obligation enjoined upon it subsequent to this covenant, immediately air-lifted Indian troops to Srinagar, and the city was flushed clean of the invading forces. In the meanwhile, the matter had been escalated to the United Nations, and a cease fire was imposed under its authority, resulting into certain parts of Hari Singh’s kingdom going out of his hands, which is now called POK by India and Azad Kashmir by Pakistan.

The city of Srinagar has thereafter remained an integral part of India. The Shimla agreement (signed in 1972 after the defeat of Pakistan in the eastern and the western sectors, and emergence of Bangladesh as a sovereign state) superseded, in view of the mutual agreement between the sovereign states of India and Pakistan, most of the terms and conditions of the order of the cease fire imposed by the United Nations.

* Location: 34°5′23″N, 74°47′24″E.
* Highest temperature: 41 °C; lowest −20 °C [3]
The weather of Srinagar may be generally described as alpine. The city has mild summers during the months of April-June, and cold winters of November-February. The city generally gets heavy snowfall from December to February.

The city is located on both the sides of the river Jhelum, which is called Vyath in Kashmir. The river passes through the city and meandering through the valley, moves onward and deepens in the Wular Lake. The city is famous for its nine old bridges, connecting the two parts of the city.

The Valley of Kashmir

The valley of Kashmir, in which Srinagar is located, is also referred to as being a heaven on earth. It is beauty is so charming that the Mughal emperor Jahangir was so captivated by the beauty of this valley that he exclaimed "Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin asto", meaning - "If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here." Srinagar is one very loved tourist destination in India.

The Dal Lake

Dal Lake is a major tourist attraction in Srinagar. Located on the eastern end of the city, the Dal Lake comprises of a series of lakes, including the Nagin Lake some 8 kms from the city center. One can enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains dotting Srinagar from this lake. You can enjoy taking a ride on traditional Kashmiri boats or the Shikaras to discover the intricate network of waterways of this lake.

The Mughal Gardens

The other major attractions of Srinagar city are the well laid out Mughal styled gardens. The Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh are beautiful gardens set to the far eastern side of the Dal Lake. One can take a stroll through these green and attractive gardens and enjoy the waterworks within them.

The Temple of Shankaracharya

The temple of Shankaracharya is another important place to visit in Srinagar. Jaluka, the son of emperor Ashoka, built it in the 3rd century BC.

By Air

Srinagar is well connected by air with Delhi. There is a daily flight to Delhi via Jammu by Indian airlines. There are weekly flights operated by Indian Airlines for Leh from Srinagar.

By Rail

Srinagar does not have a railway station and the nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi, which is 305 km from Srinagar.

By Road

Srinagar is well connected by road to important places like Chandigarh (630 km), Delhi (876 km), Jammu (298 km), Leh, Kargil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. touristplacesinindia can arrange for you all types of land transport for your comfortable journey in Srinagar and throughout the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar in Kashmir is a handicraft lover's delight with a rich and distinct variety of crafts. There is great beauty in Kashmiri artifacts -which include - papier mache, lacquered and painted in floral designs; wood carvings and screens; fine carpets in typical oriental designs; silks and woollen shawls embroidered in traditional paisley and crewel work. The bazaars of Srinagar are packed with handicraft stores, street vendors there add their own charm. The J&K Handicrafts Corporation has a large display of handicraft items, carpets, etc. at the Government Arts Emporium.