District Rajouri jammu kashmir Notes for jkssb exam by home academy

 

District Rajouri – Overview

🏰 History of Rajouri

• Ancient Name: Rajapuri (means “the land of kings”).

• Mentions: Rajouri finds reference in Mahabharata and in Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang’s accounts (7th century).

• Ruled by Jaral Rajputs for centuries.

• Became part of Mughal Empire under Akbar.

• Later under Dogra rule during Maharaja Gulab Singh's period (mid-19th century).

• Post 1947, witnessed tribal invasion during Partition.

• Part of Jammu & Kashmir UT

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🗺️ Geography

• Region: Jammu Division

• Latitude: 33° 25′ N to 34° 15′ N

• Longitude: 73° 55′ E to 74° 45′ E

• Altitude: 1,000–5,000 ft above sea level

• Borders:

  • North: Poonch

  • East: Reasi

  • South: Jammu

  • West: Pakistan (LoC)

• Terrain: Hilly, with Pir Panjal ranges

• Climate: Moderate summers, cold winters, occasional snowfall in upper reaches

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🪷 Lakes in Rajouri

• Samote Sar

• Manawar Sar (Seasonal high-altitude lakes)

• No large natural lakes; mostly seasonal water bodies in high altitude

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🏯 Forts and Heritage

• Rajouri Fort (Rajouri Palace Ruins) – Remnants of ancient rule

• Dhanidhar Fort – Built by Dogras, used as a garrison

• Thanna Mandi Palace – Historical site of Dogra rulers

DHANIDHAR FORT - RAJOURI

1. Location

Detail	Description
Situated At	Hillock near Dhanidhar village, Rajouri
Distance from Town	~2 km from Rajouri town
District	Rajouri, Jammu & Kashmir UT
Accessibility	Via road (NH 144A) from Jammu (160 km)

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2. Historical Timeline

Period/Year	Event
Mughal Era (Possibly)	Original fort existed during Jahangir’s time
1819	Rajouri annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh
1846	Rajouri given to Maharaja Gulab Singh (Treaty of Amritsar)
1846–1856	Mian Hathu (Governor) rebuilt the fort
1855	Reconstruction of Dhanidhar Fort completed

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3. Construction Details

Feature	Details
Materials Used	Stone (reused from destroyed Rajput forts)
Style	Dogra architecture with military elements
Structures Inside	Chambers, thick fortification walls, open courtyards

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4. Purpose of the Fort

Usage	Explanation
Military Use	Strategic Dogra military outpost
Surveillance Post	Due to its high elevation, used to monitor the valley
Grain Storage	Stored grains collected as tax/revenue
Troop Quarters	Shelter for stationed soldiers

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5. Strategic Importance

• Located on elevated terrain with panoramic view of Rajouri valley.

• Designed to monitor and defend the surrounding area.

• Key part of Dogra military and administrative control in western Jammu region.

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6. Current Condition

Aspect	Description
Preservation	Partially in ruins; some walls still intact
Tourist Access	Open to visitors; no official entry ticket
Restoration Status	Some initiatives for preservation underway
Surroundings	Greenery, flowering plants, quiet hilltop environment

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7. Tourism Information

Factor	Details
Best Time to Visit	April–June (summer), October–November
Nearest Airport	Jammu Airport
Nearest Railway	Jammu Tawi
Distance from Jammu	~160 km
Local Transport	Easily reachable by taxi or bus from Rajouri town

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8. Important Personalities Related

Name	Role
Mian Hathu	Dogra governor who rebuilt the fort
Maharaja Gulab Singh	Received Rajouri region in 1846
Maharaja Ranjit Singh	Original annexation of Rajouri (1819)

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🧠 Important Exam Points

• Dhanidhar Fort is located in Rajouri district of J&K.

• Rebuilt in 1855 by Mian Hathu under Dogra rule.

• Originally may date back to Mughal times (Jahangir).

• Used for military and grain storage purposes.

• Situated on an elevated hillock ~2 km from Rajouri town.

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📚 MCQs for Practice

1. Dhanidhar Fort is located in which district of Jammu & Kashmir?
   A) Poonch
   B) Rajouri
   C) Udhampur
   D) Reasi
   ✅ Answer: B) Rajouri

2. Who is credited with rebuilding the Dhanidhar Fort in 1855?
   A) Gulab Singh
   B) Mian Hathu
   C) Maharaja Hari Singh
   D) Aurangzeb
   ✅ Answer: B) Mian Hathu

3. What was the primary use of Dhanidhar Fort during Dogra rule?
   A) Royal Palace
   B) Prison
   C) Grain Storage and Military Base
   D) Religious Shrine
   ✅ Answer: C) Grain Storage and Military Base

4. The fort was rebuilt using stones from the ruins of which local dynasty’s forts?
   A) Dogras
   B) Jaral Rajputs
   C) Mughals
   D) Chaks
   ✅ Answer: B) Jaral Rajputs

5. Under which treaty was Rajouri transferred to Maharaja Gulab Singh?
   A) Treaty of Rajouri
   B) Treaty of Lahore
   C) Treaty of Amritsar
   D) Treaty of Jammu
   ✅ Answer: C) Treaty of Amritsar

Economy

• Agriculture based:

  • Crops: Wheat, maize, paddy

  • Fruits: Apple, walnut, apricot in upper belts

• Livestock and dairy farming

• Handicrafts and shawl weaving

• Trade: Local markets in Sunderbani, Thanna Mandi

• Border trade potential (LOC trade)

• Government employment is a major source of income

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👨‍👩‍👧 Census 2011 Data

• Population: 642,415

  • Male: 340,306

  • Female: 302,109

• Sex Ratio: 888 females per 1000 males

• Literacy Rate: 68.17%

  • Male: 79.47%

  • Female: 55.87%

• Area: 2,630 sq. km

• Tehsils: Rajouri, Thanna Mandi, Nowshera, Kalakote, Sunderbani, Darhal, Manjakote, Budhal

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🏞️ Tourist Places

• Shahdara Sharief – Shrine of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah

• Thanamandi – Historical town with Mughal-era architecture

• Dhanidhar Fort – Historical Dogra fort

• Panjpeer – Sacred site with natural caves and waterfalls

• Kotranka – Scenic valley area

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📘 MCQ Questions on District Rajouri

✅ Geography & History MCQs

1. What is the ancient name of Rajouri?
   a) Rajpura
   b) Rajapuri ✅
   c) Rajgad
   d) Rajanpur

2. Rajouri lies in which division of Jammu & Kashmir?
   a) Kashmir
   b) Chenab
   c) Jammu ✅
   d) Ladakh

3. Which river flows through Rajouri district?
   a) Jhelum
   b) Tawi ✅
   c) Lidder
   d) Sindh

4. Who ruled Rajouri before Mughal period?
   a) Pathans
   b) Jaral Rajputs ✅
   c) Mauryas
   d) Sikhs

5. Which traveler mentioned Rajouri in his accounts?
   a) Ibn Battuta
   b) Al-Biruni
   c) Hiuen Tsang ✅
   d) Fa-Hien

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✅ Economy & Census MCQs

6. Major source of income in Rajouri district is:
   a) IT industry
   b) Mining
   c) Government employment ✅
   d) Fishing

7. Literacy rate of Rajouri district as per Census 2011 is:
   a) 78%
   b) 68.17% ✅
   c) 61%
   d) 72.5%

8. Which town in Rajouri is known for border trade potential?
   a) Kalakote
   b) Sunderbani
   c) Rajouri
   d) Thanna Mandi ✅

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✅ Tourism & Culture MCQs

9. Shahdara Sharief is associated with which saint?
   a) Baba Rishi
   b) Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah ✅
   c) Sheikh Nooruddin
   d) Peer Mitha

10. Which fort in Rajouri was built by Dogra rulers?
    a) Hari Parbat
    b) Dhanidhar Fort ✅
    c) Bhimgarh Fort
    d) Shankaracharya Fort 

Shahdara Sharief – Rajouri, Jammu & Kashmir

🔹 1. Location & Geography

• Located in Thanamandi Tehsil, Rajouri District, Jammu & Kashmir.

• Altitude: ~5,807 ft (1,770 m).

• Lies in the Pir Panjal mountain range.

• ~35 km from Rajouri town, ~6 km from Thanamandi.

• Connected by Mughal Road; nearest airport/railway is in Jammu (160–180 km).

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🔹 2. Historical Background

• Originally called Sein Dara ("Lion’s Abode").

• Renamed after Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, a famous Sufi saint who settled here around 1765 CE.

• Baba Ghulam Shah meditated and preached peace, love, and harmony.

• Shrine construction completed around 1804–1806 CE.

• Gulab Singh, future Maharaja of J&K, is said to have visited Baba and later constructed the shrine in his honor.

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🔹 3. Religious Significance

• One of the most revered Sufi shrines in Jammu & Kashmir.

• Symbol of communal harmony – visited by people from all religions.

• Celebrated for its spiritual energy, peaceful environment, and miracles.

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🔹 4. Shrine Features

Component	Details
Ziyarat (Shrine)	Tomb of Baba Ghulam Shah with beautiful Islamic architecture.
Jamia Masjid	Large mosque within the complex.
Terraced Garden	Inspired by Mughal design.
Baitul Zaireen	Pilgrims' rest house with dormitories and guest rooms (established 2016).
Langar Hall	Free meal service for ~3,000+ people daily.
Miracle Orange Tree	A tree said to bear fruit throughout the year miraculously.

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🔹 5. Festivals and Events

• Annual Urs: Held in the Islamic month of Muharram, commemorating the death anniversary of the saint.

• Thousands gather to offer duas, distribute langar, and present offerings.

• The shrine becomes a hub of religious and social unity.

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🔹 6. Recent Developments

• March 2025: Inauguration of new facilities by J&K Waqf Board:

  • Automated roti maker, utensil cleaning machines.

  • Renovated kitchen, new carpet for prayer halls.

  • Enhanced infrastructure for cleanliness and hygiene.

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🔹 7. Climate

• Summer: Pleasant, 15°C to 30°C.

• Winter: Cold, sometimes with snowfall.

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🔹 8. Why Visit?

1. Spiritual Peace – Meditative environment and a saintly legacy.

2. Natural Beauty – Surrounded by forests, hills, and cool climate.

3. Cultural Harmony – Unity in diversity.

4. Modern Facilities – Free meals, lodging, improved infrastructure.

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📝 Important MCQs (for JKSSB/JKPSC/JKAS)

1. Q: Shahdara Sharief is associated with which Sufi saint?
   A: Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah

2. Q: Shahdara Sharief is located in which tehsil?
   A: Thanamandi

3. Q: What was the earlier name of Shahdara Sharief?
   A: Sein Dara

4. Q: Which Maharaja visited the saint Baba Ghulam Shah?
   A: Gulab Singh

Mountain Ranges in Rajouri:

Mountain Range	Location in Rajouri	Key Features
Pir Panjal	Northern Rajouri	High elevation, snow, Mughal Road passes
Trikuta Hills	South-eastern edge	Partially extends, not dominant
Shiwalik Hills	Southern Rajouri	Low elevation, fertile valleys, erosion-prone

• Important Points for Exam

• Mughal Road passes through Pir Panjal Range.

• Pir Panjal is the most dominant range in Rajouri.

• Shiwalik range forms the outermost Himalayas and affects southern Rajouri.

• Trikuta Hills influence southeastern terrain near Nowshera–Sunderbani.

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❓MCQ Questions

1. Which mountain range is most prominent in Rajouri district?
   A) Zanskar
   B) Pir Panjal
   C) Dhauladhar
   D) Karakoram
   ✅ Answer: B) Pir Panjal

2. Mughal Road in Rajouri district passes through which mountain pass?
   A) Rohtang La
   B) Zojila
   C) Banihal
   D) Pir Ki Gali
   ✅ Answer: D) Pir Ki Gali

3. Which range affects the southern part of Rajouri district?
   A) Zabarwan Range
   B) Pir Panjal
   C) Shiwalik Hills
   D) Ladakh Range
   ✅ Answer: C) Shiwalik Hills

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