Downtown (Srinagar)

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Downtown, Srinagar
Downtown, Srinagar is located in Jammu and Kashmir
Downtown, Srinagar
Downtown, Srinagar
Location in Jammu and Kashmir
Show map of Jammu and Kashmir
Downtown, Srinagar is located in India
Downtown, Srinagar
Downtown, Srinagar
Location in India
Show map of India
Coordinates: 34°5′N 74°47′E / 34.083°N 74.783°E / 34.083; 74.783
Country India
Union territoryJammu and Kashmir
DistrictSrinagar district
SettledAncient
Elevation
1,585 m (5,200 ft)
Languages
 • OfficialKashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, English[1][2]
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Distance from Delhi837.4 kilometres (520.3 mi)[3]
Distance from Mumbai2,192.6 kilometres (1,362.4 mi)[4]

Downtown, popularly known as Shahar-e-Khaas,[5] is the largest and the most densely populated area of the city of Srinagar in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The area is mostly located on the banks of Jhelum River about five km (3.1 mi) from city center.[6] The area is considered as the core point in the city as the first inhabitants of the Srinagar lived there. In general, the whole area to the north of city centre Lal Chowk is considered a part of downtown although some areas hold high significance. The Jamia Masjid, Srinagar and many other shrines are located here, which makes it the central spiritual, religious, political and moral center of whole Kashmir.

The historical buildings and monuments found in the area reflect the design of old times. The residential homes are depicted to be constructed from late-19th century to early-20th century. Many key monuments like Jamia Masjid, Khanqah-e-Moula, Maharaj Gunj and shrines have been built by famous rulers of Kashmir.

History

The area was settled more than 2000 years ago in 3rd century BC by Raja Pravarsena. The area is the hub of the historical monuments made by the famous rulers of Kashmir.[7] The historical monuments include Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, Khanqah-e- Moula in Zana Kadal Aali Masjid in Eidgah, Maharaj Ganj tomb in Maharaj Ganj, Pathar (stone) Masjid in Nawabazar, and Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani's shrine in Khanyar. Moreover, the Roza Bal shrine is also situated in the area.

Climate

Climate data for Downtown, Srinagar
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.2
(46.8)		 11.5
(52.7)		 16.3
(61.3)		 21.4
(70.5)		 25.7
(78.3)		 29.6
(85.3)		 31.7
(89.1)		 31.4
(88.5)		 29.1
(84.4)		 24.3
(75.7)		 17.4
(63.3)		 11.3
(52.3)		 21.5
(70.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −1.2
(29.8)		 1.3
(34.3)		 5.2
(41.4)		 8.7
(47.7)		 12.8
(55.0)		 16.5
(61.7)		 20.1
(68.2)		 19.7
(67.5)		 15.6
(60.1)		 7.5
(45.5)		 2.8
(37.0)		 −1.0
(30.2)		 9.0
(48.2)
Source: India Meteorological Department[8][9]

2014 flood

In September 2014 the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir was hit by floods caused by torrential rainfall. The area of Downtown was least affected as compared to the rest of Srinagar, though close to the river, the people from other parts of Srinagar shifted to downtown for safety. Commercial buildings and residential homes and Government offices were shattered to nothing in the adjoining areas. People lost their lives and properties and the whole area was set on the economic back-foot. Schools, hospitals and other places of significant importance were damaged by the floods.[10]

Geography

The area is located at 34°05′00″N 74°47′00″E / 34.0833°N 74.7833°E / 34.0833; 74.7833 at an elevation of 1585 meters above mean sea level in Srinagar.

Demographics

Kashmiri is the mother tongue of the people in the area. People also use Urdu, Arabic, Hindi and English as secondary languages. It is estimated that the downtown has the population of half a million which is about 47% of the total population of Srinagar district.[11]

Education

There are a number of school and colleges in downtown Srinagar, including Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Women's College and Gandhi Memorial College.

Sub divisions

The areas which comprising Downtown Srinagar include:

S.NoName
1Navyut
2Raze Kadal
3Göjwör
4Kawdör
5Saraf Kadal
6Buhri Kadal
7Nov Kadal
8Naid Kadal
9Safa Kadal
10Khanyar
11Seki Dafar
12Ael Kadal
13Habba Kadal
14Fateh Kadal
15Kani Kadal
16Kaed Kadal
17Dumb Kadal
18Watal Kadal
19Nawab Bazaar
20Maharaj Gunj
21Zaena Kadal
22Khanqah-e-Mohalla
23Gratabal
24Tarabal
25Braripoor
26Bul bul lankar
27Narparistan
28Khoji Baazar
29Roonwor
30Bab Demb
31Zaldagar
32Malarath
33Lal Bazaar
34Narwor
35Hawal
36Eidgah
37Noor bagh
38Hazratbal
39 Zadibal

See also

References

  1. "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  2. "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  3. "distance from New Delhi". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  4. "distance from Mumbai". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  5. Hameed, Sajad; Mir, Rehan Qayoom (28 February 2026). "Cricket in the Crossfire of Politics". Jacobin. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  6. "Location of Downtown". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  7. Ahmad, Mushtaq (22 October 2011). "Sharpening uptown-downtown divide?". Greater Kashmir. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  8. "Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  9. "Station: Quazigund Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 637–638. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  10. Mir, Hilal (16 September 2014). "Residents of flood-hit Srinagar hit out at govt apathy". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  11. Pandit, M Saleem (21 June 2009). "Doing up downtown Srinagar". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 November 2014.