Sopore

Sopore
سوپور
City
Sopore
Sopore

Location in Indian Jammu and Kashmir

Coordinates: 34°18′N 74°28′E / 34.30°N 74.47°E / 34.30; 74.47Coordinates: 34°18′N 74°28′E / 34.30°N 74.47°E / 34.30; 74.47
Country  India
State Jammu and Kashmir
District Baramulla
Languages
  Official Urdu
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)

Sopore known as Suyyapur in antiquity,[1] is a town in the Baramulla district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is 35 km (22 mi) north-west of Srinagar, and 16 km (10 mi) south-west from the city of Baramulla.

History

Sopore was founded by Utpala engineer and irrigation minister Suyya during the reign of king Avantivarman in 880 CE. As such the name of the city is Suyya-pur, which has been shortened to Sopore. When the engineer Suyya was working in Sopore no people were coming forth to plunge themselves in gushing water. The king, Avantiverman, thereupon ordered that a part of treasury may be thrown into the water; consequently, a large number of people plunged into the river to get as many coins as they could.[2] It was engineer Suyya's idea to trow coins into flooded land not the king.

Pashtun tribesmen such as Mehsud and Afridi from mountainous region of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) of the newly formed state of Pakistan invaded Sopore on 22 October 1947.[3] In 1989, Sopore became a focus of the separatist activities and violence with frequent protests and strikes. On 6 January 1993, a group of 7–8 armed JKLF militants attacked a platoon of Border Security Force soldiers at Baba Yousuf Lane near Sopore, killing at least one before being gunned down.[4][5] After the firing, violence erupted with allegations of Indian troops firing at local residents and setting fire to homes and businesses.[6]

Demographics

As of 2011 census, Sopore had a population of 118,608 and area of 61 square kilometres (24 sq mi).[7]

Administration

Sopore is one of the largest subdivisions of the state with 7 tehsils. And it is also the oldest existing subdivision of the state. [8] Bashir Ahmad Bhat (KAS) who is an illustrious administrator, is the current Sub-Divisional Magistrate.[9]

Education

The main public educational institutions in Sopore are the government run boys and girls Higher secondary schools and degree colleges.[10][11] The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology is located in Wadoora.[12] Muslim Educational Trust and Islamia School are two other important institutions providing quality education for last more than three decades.

References

  1. Jyoteeshwar Pathik. Glimpses of History of Jammu & Kashmir. Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd. Retrieved 2010-12-02. Suyya who was a great engineer is said to have drained a large chunk of wasteland during his regime. His memory is commemorated by Suyyapur or Sopore, a township in Baramulla district. The original name of Pulwama was Panwangam, which comprised four local namely, Malikpora, Dangerpora, Chatpora, Dullpora.
  2. Raina, Mohini Qasba (2013). Kashur The Kashmiri Speaking People: Analytical Perspective. Partridge Publishing Singapore. p. 9. ISBN 978-1482-899-47-4.
  3. "The Story of Kashmir Affairs - A Peep into the Past". Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  4. "India – Human Rights Developments". Human Rights Watch.
  5. "Blood Tide Rising". TIME Magazine. 18 January 1993.
  6. McGirk, Tim (8 January 1993). "Outcry in Delhi over Kashmir massacre". The Independent. UK. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  7. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0108_PART_B_DCHB_BARAMULA.pdf
  8. http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/briefs/clamour-for-district-status-to-sopore-goes-louder/164029.html
  9. http://jkrevenue.nic.in/SRO.html
  10. "Govt degree college boys sopore". Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  11. "Govt. Degree College for Women". Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  12. "Faculty of Agriculture". Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
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