Handwara

Handwara (Urdu pronunciation: [ɦənd̪ʋɑːɽɑː] ; Kashmiri pronunciation: [hand̪ʋoːr]) is a town in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located on Baramulla-Handwara National Highway NH-701 and is governed by a municipal committee. Handwara is known for its high-quality walnuts, which are a major agricultural product of the region. The area's climate and soil are ideal for walnut cultivation. Handwara is also famous for its apple orchards alongside walnut production.

Handwara
Town
Handwara Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India Show map of Jammu and Kashmir Handwara Handwara (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 34°23′59″N 74°16′54″E[1]
Country	India
Union Territory	Jammu and Kashmir
District	Kupwara
Government
• Type	Municipal Committee
• Body	Government of Jammu and Kashmir
Area
• Total	291.47 km2 (112.54 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	13,600[2]
Demographics
• Literacy[3]	64.39%
• Sex ratio[3]	843 ♀/ 1000 ♂
Languages
• Official	Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English[4][5]
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	193221
Vehicle registration	JK-09
Website	kupwara.nic.in

History

Sikh rule

During Sikh rule, Raja Zabardast Khan, chieftain of the Bomba tribe, led guerrilla warfare against the forces of the Sikh Empire, targeting their garrisons and posts in Handwara.^[6][7]

Geography

Handwara is located at 34.40°N 74.28°E / 34.40; 74.28 at an average elevation of 1,582 metres (5,190 feet) above sea level. The region boasts breathtaking natural beauty, with the Pohru River (locally called 'Talri river')—a tributary of the Jhelum—flowing through the town.

Famous volcanic peak, 'Soyamji' (1860 metres), locally known as 'Paput' is situated in North Machhipura (Handwara). It is know for its unique conical shape. It continued eruption of lava for about 13 months during 1934 and has been dormant since then.^[8]

Demographics

Religion in Handwara Town (2011)^[9]

1. Islam (90.29%)
2. Hinduism (8.25%)
3. Sikhism (0.54%)
4. Christianity (0.51%)
5. Buddhism (0.02%)
6. Jainism (0.01%)
7. Others (0.04%)
8. Not stated (0.34%)

According to the 2011 Indian census, Handwara has a population of 13,600.^[9] Males constitute 54.26% of the population and females 45.74%.^[9] Handwara has an average literacy rate of 64.39%.^[2] The dominant religion in the town is Islam.

Historical population Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1911 792 —     1971 5,025 +3.13% 1981 6,616 +2.79% 2001 10,638 +2.40% 2011 13,600 +2.49% Source: [10]

Literacy

The Census of 2011 showed the literacy rate of Handwara at 64.39%, lower than the national average of 67.16%.^[2] There is a gender difference in literacy, with a male literacy rate of 75.62% and a much lower female literacy rate of 51.88%.

Educational Institutions

• Government Medical College, Handwara
• Government Degree College, Handwara
• Shaheen Public Secondary School, Handwara
• New Millennium Public School
• AIIMS School of Learning
• Monarch Secondary School of Education
• Sunrise Public School
• Hill Grange Public School
• GD Goenka Public School
• Government Higher Secondary School Boys
• Government Higher Secondary School Girls
• Industrial Training Institute
• Sheikh-ul-Alam Public School, Handwara
• Webcom Industrial Training Institute, Handwara

Politics

Handwara is a region of considerable strategic significance, primarily due to its proximity to the Line of Control (LoC). This geographical positioning renders it a critical and sensitive zone in military and security discussions. Handwara was the home constituency of the late separatist leader Abdul Ghani Lone. The current MLA of Handwara is Sajjad Gani Lone of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference, who defeated Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzaan of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference by over 600 votes in the 2024 assembly elections.^[11]

Municipal Committee Handwara is an Urban Local Body with 13 elected members, which administers the town.^[12]

#	Name	Municipal Ward	Reservation Status	Party
1	Iram Amin Banday	Banday Mohalla	Women Open	Independent
2	Farooq Ahmad Bhat	Herpora	Open	Independent
3	Masroor Ah. Banday	Jamia Jadeed	Open	Independent
4	Dilshada Jan	Jamia Qadeem	Women Open	Independent
5	Gh. Mohd. Ganie	Khunabal Maqboolabad	Open	Independent
6	Bashir Ah. Khan	Khunabal Umerabad	Open	Independent
7	Zoona Behum	Durishpora	Women Open	Independent
8	Mumtaza Begum	Baghatpora	Open	Independent
9	Ateeqa Begum	Kachiwari	Open	Independent
10	Zamrooda Begum	Chotipora	Women Open	Independent
11	Mushtaq Ahmad Hanji	Tootigund	Open	Independent
12	Nazir Ahmed Bhat	Zalipora	Open	Independent
13	Ab. Majid Pandith	Wani Mohalla	Open	Independent

Transportation

Air

The nearest airport is Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar located 78.8 kilometres from Handwara. There are plans to construct an airport in Panzgam near Kupwara.^[13]

Rail

Handwara is not yet connected to railways. The nearest railway station is Baramulla railway station located 30 kilometres from Handwara.

Road

Handwara is well-connected with roads and highways. The NH 701 passes through Handwara alongside other intra-town roads.

Tourist Spots

• Bungus Valley^[14]
• Reshwari
• Nagarwari
• Poshnaar

Notable People

• Ali Mohammad Shahbaz (Poet)
• Abdul Gani Lone (Politician)
• Sajad Lone (Politician)
• Engineer Rashid (Politician)
• Noor Mohammad (Singer)