flanked
by Kargil,in the South by Pulwama,in the north-west by Budgam. The capital
city of Srinagar,is located 1730 metres above sea level.The district with
a population of around 9,00,000 souls(1991- census), is sperad over an
area of 2228 Sq.Kms.It comprises three tehsils/ towns viz Srinagar, Ganderbal
and Kangan, four blocks (Srinagar, Ganderbal, Kangan and Leh), besides
175 villages.The population density in the district Srinagar is 401 per
Square Kilometer which is highest in the state. The literacy rate of the
district was 33.80%in 1981. According to a popular legend which is mentioned in Kalhana's Rajtaringini Kashmir valley was a vast lake. Kashyap Rishi drained out the water and made it habitable. It is said that originally Yakshas, and Pisacas tribes inhabited the valley at the higher reaches and did not allow the inhabitants of the valley to live in peace. King Ashok brought Budhism to Kashmir which was strenthened by Kanishka. In 6th century Huns came to rule the valley and Mihirkul was one of the infamous Hun ruler. The area attained freedom in 530 AD which was shortlived.
According to Sir Aurel Stein the famous interpretor of Kalhana the chronicler of Kashmir the city of Srinagar had big market and mansions made of wood touching the clouds. Hieun-tsang the famous Chinese traveller visited Srinagar and has described it his memoirs.
Various
capitals were established by the latter kings but ultimately the city
of Srinagar was destined to be the capital of the State. These capitals
are now found only in ruins or history. Some of the famous capitals are
Prvaerpora of Praversen, Prihaspora of Lalitaditya, Jayapida's Jayapora,
Avantivarman's Avantipur and cities of Kanishkapura and Juskapura. During muslim rule Sultan Sadar-ud-din founded Rinchenpur and Ala-ud-din founded Alauddinpura near Hariparbat Hill. ZainulAbideen founded Nowshera as the capital while Akbar founded Naagar Nagar and raised 28ft tall wall around it.
