The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is now a Union Territory, has two capitals – Srinagar in summer and Jammu in winter. While this is a fact known to almost every citizen of the country, many wonder why J & K has two capitals, when every other state in India has only one. To answer this question, we’ll have to look back into the region’s history, which involves the Treaty of Amritsar (1846) and the Darbar Move.
Winter and Summer Movement in Jammu and Kashmir
Every year, Jammu and Kashmir observes a shift between its capitals. So, while Srinagar becomes the capital during summers, Jammu holds the position during the cold season. As a result, the secretariat and government offices move from Srinagar to Jammu for six months and then from Jammu and Srinagar for the rest.
So, from May to October, when the weather turns pleasant and becomes bearable, all government offices operate in Srinagar and then they move to Jammu from November to April to escape Srinagar’s chilling weather. This move is termed Darbar Move, the beginning of which dates back to the 19th century. The Dogra Kingdom had made Srinagar the second capital of Jammu and Kashmir, while keeping the first one as Jammu.
History behind Appointing Two Capitals
After the Treaty of Amritsar was signed in 1846, the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir fell into the hands of the Dogra Kingdom. To please the people of Kashmir, the kingdom made Srinagar the second capital of Jammu and Kashmir for six months and retained Jammu as the capital for the other six. Of course, as indicated earlier, weather was one of the prominent reasons for this decision, the other being the interests and sentiments of the kingdom’s Kashmir-based subjects.
Besides, working in Srinagar, which remained relatively cool and pleasant during the summers, was convenient for everyone. It also served as the summer destination of the royal family.
The Difference in Opinion between Srinagar and Jammu as Individual Capitals
Of course, amidst many other conflicts and disputes, the difference in opinion between Srinagar and Jammu as individual capitals doesn’t come as a surprise! Patrons of Srinagar have been trying to leverage Srinagar’s geographical and therefore its strategic advantage as a means to make it the sole capital of Jammu and Kashmir. According to them, Srinagar is geographically located in the heart of Kashmir and therefore it should be made the sole capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, there’s a different school of thought to this dual capital thing. Many people oppose this opinion. It is because Srinagar’s temperatures during winters plummet below the freezing point. They feel the decision to move everything from Srinagar to Jammu during winters is right, as Jammu is relatively warm and therefore more hospitable in terms of weather. Besides, traders and businessmen native to Jammu have been used to this shift for years. During winters, with every office shifted to Jammu, they witness a surge in their business.
There have been attempts to make Srinagar the sole capital of Jammu and Kashmir in the past few decades. However, Jammu’s residents have opposed the attempts, thus retaining Jammu as the region’s winter capital. Nevertheless, the bi-annual shift has been costing the government crores of rupees spent in making logistical arrangements to shift vital documents. But on the other hand, the logistical arrangements made during this period give the region’s transport providers a bit of a boost, albeit temporarily.
Conclusion – Whether to have One Capital or Two!
Honestly, we cannot give an opinion whether to have a single capital or retain the dual capital system. As, if Srinagar is made the capital, it will displease Jammu’s residents. And, if the same system is continued, the government will continue spending the costs it has been doing for over hundreds of years. What happens in the future, though, is something that we can only wait and watch.
