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Downtown, Srinagar
Downtown, Srinagar
	Downtown, Srinagar Location in Jammu and Kashmir Downtown, Srinagar Location in India
	Coordinates: 34°5′N 74°47′E / 34.083°N 74.783°E
Country	India
Union territory	Jammu and Kashmir
District	Srinagar district
Settled	Ancient
Elevation	1,585 m (5,200 ft)
Languages
• Official	Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Distance from Delhi	837.4 kilometres (520.3 mi)
Distance from Mumbai	2,192.6 kilometres (1,362.4 mi)

Downtown, popularly known as Shahar-e-Khaas, is the largest and the most densely populated area of the city of Srinagar in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The area is mostly located on the banks of Jhelum river about five km (3.1 mi) from city center.^[5] The area is considered as the core point in the city as the first inhabitants of the Srinagar lived there. In general, the whole area to the north of city centre Lal Chowk is considered a part of downtown although some areas hold high significance. The Jamia Masjid, Srinagar and many other shrines are located here, which makes it the central spiritual, religious, political and moral center of whole Kashmir.

The historical buildings and monuments found in the area reflect the design of old times. The residential homes are depicted to be constructed from late-19th century to early-20th century. Many key monuments like Jamia Masjid, Khanqah-e-Moula, Maharaj Gunj and shrines have been built by famous rulers of Kashmir.

History

The area was settled more than 2000 years ago in 3rd century BC by Raja Pravarsena. The area is the hub of the historical monuments made by the famous rulers of Kashmir.^[6] The historical monuments include Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, Khanqah-e- Moula in Zana Kadal Aali Masjid in Eidgah, Maharaj Ganj tomb in Maharaj Ganj, Pathar (stone) Masjid in Nawabazar, and Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani's shrine in Khanyar. Moreover, the Roza Bal shrine is also situated in the area.

Geography

The area is located at 34°05′00″N 74°47′00″E / 34.0833°N 74.7833°E / 34.0833; 74.7833 at an elevation of 1585 meters above mean sea level in Srinagar.

Demographics

Kashmiri is the mother tongue of the people in the area. People also use Urdu, Arabic, Hindi and English as secondary languages. It is estimated that the downtown has the population of half a million which is about 47% of the total population of Srinagar district.^[7]

Flood

In September 2014 the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir was hit by floods caused by torrential rainfall. The area of Downtown was least affected as compared to the rest of Srinagar, though close to the river, the people from other parts of Srinagar shifted to downtown for safety. Commercial buildings and residential homes and Government offices were shattered to nothing in the adjoining areas. People lost their lives and properties and the whole area was set on the economic back-foot. Schools, hospitals and other places of significant importance were damaged by the floods.^[8]

Education

There are a number of school and colleges in downtown Srinagar, including Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Women's College and Gandhi Memorial College.

Sub divisions

The areas which comprising Downtown Srinagar include:-

S.No	Name	Popularity
1	Navyut	High
2	Raze Kadal	High
3	Göjwör	High
4	Kawdör	Medium
5	Saraf Kadal	Medium
6	Buhri Kadal	High
7	Nov Kadal	High
8	Naid Kadal	Medium
9	Safa Kadal	High
10	Khanyar	High
11	Seki Dafar	High
12	Ael Kadal	Medium
13	Habba Kadal	High
14	Fateh Kadal	High
15	Kani Kadal	Medium
16	Kaed Kadal	Medium
17	Dumb Kadal	Low
18	Watal Kadal	Low
19	Nawab Bazaar	High
20	Maharaj Gunj	High
21	Zaena Kadal	High
22	Khanqah-e-Mohalla	High
23	Gratabal	Low
24	Tarabal	Low
25	Braripoor	Medium
26	Bul bul lankar	Low
27	Narparistan	Low
28	Khoji Baazar	Medium
29	Roonwor	High
30	Bab Demb	Low
31	Zaldagar	Low
32	Malarath	Medium
33	Lal Bazaar	High
34	Narwor	Medium
35	Hawal	High
36	Eidgah	High
37	Noor bagh	High
38	Hazratbal	High
39	Zadibal	High

References

^ "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
^ "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
^ "distance from New Delhi". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
^ "distance from Mumbai". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
^ "Location of Downtown". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
^ "greater kashmir .com". Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
^ "Doing up downtown Srinagar". The Times of India. 21 June 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
^ "hindustantimes.com". Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.