kasmir

Kasmir, sometimes spelled Kashmir, is a name that commonly refers to the Kashmir region in the northern Indian subcontinent. The area sits in the easternmost part of the Hindu Kush–Himalaya region and encompasses the Kashmir Valley and surrounding mountain ranges such as the Pir Panjal and parts of the Karakoram.

Politically, the Kashmir region is divided and administered by three countries: the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in India; Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan; and portions controlled by China, including the Aksai Chin area. The exact borders are disputed and have been a focal point of bilateral tensions since 1947.

Historically, the region has seen successive rule by Hindu and Buddhist dynasties, followed by Muslim dynasties and the Mughal Empire, then the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir under Sikh and British suzerainty. After the partition of British India in 1947, the Maharaja acceded to India under a temporary line of control that has since evolved into a complex status. In the late 20th century, armed conflict and insurgency affected large parts of Indian-administered Kashmir. The legal status of the state changed in 2019 when the Government of India reorganized it into two union territories, altering its autonomy provisions.

Economy in the region has traditionally relied on agriculture (notably saffron, apples), horticulture, and handicrafts like pashmina shawls. Tourism has been a major component, with attractions such as lakes, gardens, and mountainous scenery, though it is influenced by security conditions and weather. The culture of Kashmir features distinctive crafts, music, cuisine, and languages, including Kashmiri, Urdu, and Hindi, with English widely used in administration and education.