Poonch (also referred to as Punch) is a town and a municipal council, which forms the capital of the Poonch district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The city is near the Line of Control - the de facto border with Pakistan's Azad Kashmir.
Geography
Poonch is located at 33.77¡ÆN 74.1¡ÆE.[5] It is on the bank of the Poonch River, which originates in the Pir Panjal range and flows west and southwest to drain into the Mangla Reservoir in Azad Kashmir.
History
Based on the Mahābhārata evidence,[8] and the evidence from the 7th-century Chinese traveller Xuanzang,[9] the districts of Poonch along with Rajauri and Abhisara were under the sway of the Republican Kambojas during epic times.
Poonch has witnessed many historical eras. Around 326 BC when Alexander the Great invaded the lower Jhelum belt to fight with Porus, this region was known as Dravabhisar. In the 6th Century AD, the famous Chinese traveller Huien Tsang passed through this area. According to his observation, this region was known as part of Kashmir also known as mini kashmir. Around 850 AD Poonch became a sovereign state ruled by Raja Nar, who was basically a horse trader. According to Rajtrangani, Raja Trilochan Pal of Poonch gave a tough fight to Mahmood Ghaznvi, who invaded this area in 1020 A.D.[citation needed]
In 1596, the Mughal emperor Jahangir made Raja Siraj-Ud-Din Rathore, the descendant of Rao Jodha and Rao Suraj Singh, the new ruler of Poonch. Siraj-Ud-Din and his descendants Raja Shahbaz Khan Rathore, Raja Abdul Razak Rathore, Raja Rustam Rathore and Raja Bahadur Rathore ruled this area up to 1798 AD. From 1819 A.D -1850 A.D Poonch remained a part of Khalsa Darbar, and it remained under the occupation of the Sikh Empire until 1850. In 1850 A.D Dogra Raja Moti Singh laid foundation of Dogra Raj in Poonch. Moti Singh who served as the Prime Minister to Sikh Emperor Ranjit Singh was gifted Poonch as a jagir by the Sikh Emperor. Poonch remained a Jagir which had its own jagirdar under the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from 1850 until the 1940s. on the recommendations of Glancy Commission, a 75-member Legislative Assembly had come into existence under the name of Praja Sabha. Two seats were allotted to the Poonch Muslim principality. Khansab Khan Muhammad Khan of Poonch was elected MLA 1934-1946 form Tehsil Bagh and Sudhanati. He was returned to the Tehsil Bagh and Sudhnoti seat in subsequent Legislative Assembly elections until 1946, when he stepped aside voluntarily in favour of Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan.
Tourist places in Poonch
Noori Chhamb:
This place is connected to the Mughal Queen Noor Jahan. It is 45 kilometers from Poonch Town. There is a waterfall which gives rise to dense clouds of water vapors. The place was much admired by Emperor Jahangir. He later named the place as ¡®Noori Chammb¡¯. The Mughal Queen enjoyed her baths here. A mirror was placed besides the fall the remnants of which are present till date.
Girgan Dhok and Lakes:
A total of seven lakes are found in this valley. It is 0 kilometers from Poonch. The seven lakes are the Sukhsar, Neelsar, Bhagsar, Katosar, Kaldachinasar and Nandansar. The valley has an elevation of 12000 feet.
Poonch Fort:
This is presently the headquarters of the Poonch district. It was built by Raja Abdul Razaq Khan in 1713 AD. Poonch was once known as Rustam Nagar. Even though the Raja belonged to the Rathore clan of Rajasthan, the architectural style is strictly Mughal. The central block of the building was added during the Sikh rule which lasted from 1819 to 1846.
Loran:
This village is situated 35 kilometers from Poonch. It is present near the beginning of the Pir Panjal mountain range. A small stream flows through this place called Loran Nollah. It adds beauty to this place. A fort which was earlier known as the Loran-Kote was once the capital of Poonch, the remains of which are found till date.
Nandishool:
This place is situated 12 kilometers from Loran. It is a mesmerizing waterfall with a height of 150 feet. The Rural Development Department has constructed a tourist hut near the place.
Surankote:
Situated on the banks of the River Suran, Surankote is a small village which offers breathtaking views. It has lofty peaks forming the background. The place derives its name from an old fort called Kote which was built in 1036 AD.
Behramgala:
Behramgala is a small plateau found on the historic Mughal Road. Mountains and forests surround this place. The confluence of two streams, Parnai and Thata Pani is found nearby. This place is about 40 kilometers from Poonch.
Dehra-Gali:
This place is 45 kilometers from Poonch. It has thick forests all around. It is situated at a height of 6300 feet.
