| |
Distinct from the rest of the country, Jammu
and Kashmir sports a multifaceted, multicolored and unique cultural blend. Not
only the geographical conditions of the state are different but it can also be
set apart demographically with varied ethical and social entities, diversity of
religions flourishing in the area, different language and cultural forms and
heritage albeit with an over-reigning harmony that blends in with the serenity
and beauty of the region. One gets dazed by the sheer diversity and richness of
art and architecture, fairs and festivals, rites and rituals, seers and sagas,
languages and mountains that thrive amongst the unparalleled cultural cohesion,
which is exemplary.
Kashmir has been the highest learning centre of Sanskrit and Persian as Indo-Aryanic
civilization has originated and flourished here. It also embraced the advent of
Islam along with the virtues of Persian civilization such as tolerance,
brotherhood and sacrifice.
The population living in the Valley of Kashmir is primarily homogeneous, despite
the religious divide between Muslims (94%), Hindus (4%), and Sikhs (2%). The
people of the Valley, share common ethnicity, culture, language and customs,
which is no doubt the basis of "Kashmiriyat".
The people living in Jammu that profess Hindu and Muslim faiths are ethnically
different from those living in the Valley in terms of ethnicity, language and
culture. The people living in Azad Kashmir, share common religion with their
counterparts along the line of control, but are not ethnically and culturally
similar to the people living in the Valley who are Dardic. The predominant
language of Azad Kashmir is Pahari and the people of Azad Kashmir are ethnic
Punjabis. Kashmiri is only spoken in a few border areas of Neelum District. The
people living in Ladakh are primarily Buddhist and are of Tibetan origins. The
Muslim minority in Ladakh belongs to the Shia sect. The Kashmir Valley is
ethnically homogeneous with ethnic Kashmiris of all religions residing mainly in
the Kashmir Valley, with Srinagar as its capital.
|
|
