Jammu

Jammu is a major city in the northern Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It serves as the winter capital and administrative center of the Jammu region. The city is located on the banks of the Tawi River at the foothills of the Shivalik range, and it acts as a gateway to the Jammu region and its surrounding foothill belt.

Historically, Jammu was the capital of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir under the Dogra dynasty, and it remains an important cultural and political center. Notable historic sites in the city include the Raghunath Temple complex, the Bahu Fort, and the Mubarak Mandi Palace complex, a former royal residence. The nearby Vaishno Devi shrine near Katra is a major pilgrimage site that draws visitors and contributes to the region’s religious tourism.

Demographically and culturally, the city is a center of the Dogri language and Dogra culture, with a mix of Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh residents. The economy relies on trade, small-scale manufacturing, handicrafts, and tourism, with services focused on pilgrims, government administration, and education.

In terms of infrastructure, Jammu is served by the Jammu Tawi railway station and Jammu Airport, with road links to Srinagar and other parts of the region. The University of Jammu and several colleges provide higher education in the city, making it an important educational hub in the union territory.