Shrouded in a mist of hostility lies the enchanting region of Kashmir; a kingdom of evergreen beauty deprived of its rightful place in world tourism. This land of breathtaking rapture was once the most attractive star in the universe of natural beauty and elegance within India. Set within the most fertile region of the nation, Kashmir is surrounded by the great Himalayan Range and the mountain range of Pir Panjal. With snow capped mountains peeping through the clouds and gushing river valleys flourishing the rich gardens and fields, the land is easily one of the best tourist regions within the country.

The boundaries of the Kashmir valleys have been subjected to a dramatic history through the years, which dates back to the rule of the Durrani Empire of Afghanistan. By the mid-nineteenth century, the Mughals established their reign within the region of Kashmir. It was the Mughals who discovered the true beauty of Kashmir and used the place as their favorite summer retreat. They are also responsible for the valley’s fine gardens, which take on a new form with every season. And, it was the Mughals who established and garnered the city of Srinagar and made it the magnum opus it is today. However, the Sikh empire of the Dogra’s finally established their empire over the entire region and after buying the region from the British government, ruled the nation by a way of a “Dual Monarchy.”

Ever since the partition of India in 1947, Kashmir has been the main issue of controversy between the two neighboring countries of India and Pakistan, which has resulted in a number of desecrating wars. While both claim their superior control over the region, a separate section of its inhabitant’s desire total independence. As a consequence, there has been an emergence of several militant groups within the region that fight for this cause, engulfing the entire valley into a nightmarish state of terrorism and violence. Over the years, measures have been made to reduce cross-border terrorism between the two nations. The terror that had surmounted the valley since 1989 has now considerably decreased. Yet, a majority of the areas are still plagued and it is extremely essential for visitors to make prior inquires and limit their visits to the regions declared as “safe.”