Kulgam (Urdu pronunciation:[kʊlɡɑːm]), known as Kolgom[10] (Kashmiri pronunciation:[kɔlɨɡoːm]) in Kashmiri, is a town, an administrative division and capital of the Kulgam district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located at a distance of 67 km (42 mi) from the summer state capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar. The city is divided into 16 electoral wards that has a population of 23,584, of which 12,605 are males while 10,979 are females.[11]
Geography
The partial excavation of an archaeological site in a nearby village called Kutbal has yielded cultural material from the period of Kushan rule in the region.[12][13] Stamped tiles, which were excavated from the site, indicated the taste and living standard of the population.[14][15] "These excavations speak of high culture, civic sense, social norms and art of the people living in first century AD."[16]
Demographics
As of the 2011[update]Indian census, Kulgam had a population of 23,584.[17][2][3] There were 12,605 males (53%) and 10,979 females (47%).[2] Of the population, 3,353 (14.2%) were age 0-6: 1,787 males (53%) and 1,566 females (47%).[2] The literacy rate for the people over six was 69.2% (males 80.7%, females 56.1%).[2]
Kulgam is located about 68 km from Srinagar and about 17 km from Anantnag.[18] It is connected with its neighboring districts like Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Ramban etc. through roads besides being linked with far flung areas of the District by a dependable road network. In addition to places of spiritual interest, the district also has tourist spots such as the Aharbal waterfall on the Veshaw River, Amnoo Eidgah, which is a place for sightseeing in the extreme southwest of Kulgam district, Kongwattan and Gurwattan beyond Aharbal, Charenbal and Nadimarg highland pastures, as well as virgin meadows in the area from Kund to Ladigasan (beyond Aharbal clefts). The district also boasts an abundance of natural water resources in the form of various famous springs, including Kausar Nag (beyond Aharbal), Waseknag (Kund), Khee Nag (Khee Jogipura), and Qaimoh Nag (Qaimoh).
