In the second century, Kashmir was known to have been annexed by emperor Kanishka and became a part of the Kushan Empire, though reliable sources trace the history of Kashmir only to the seventh century. For a thousand years after, the country flourished, maintaining its culture. Converting peacefully to Islam in the 14th century, the state was later subdued by Akbar in 1585, followed by a period of brutal Afghan rule, which was replaced by neighbouring Punjab's Sikh rule. Following the treaty of Amritsar in 1846, Kashmir and the adjoining regions of Jammu, Baltistan and Ladakh became part of the Maharaja's state of Jammu and Kashmir with the British assuming control over the state's external affairs, while the Maharajas determined their own domestic policy. A Hindu maharaja in a predominantly Muslim state, attacked by Pathan tribals, appealed to India for protection. In the ensuing conflict, 64,000 sq. kms in Ladakh were occupied by China, one third of Kashmir's territory was occupied by Pakistan and the rest was claimed by India. Though there was a formal ratification of Kashmir's accession to India in 1954, the state has continued to witness bloody wars, territorial disputes and terrorism.

J & K is divided into three broad segments : Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Kashmir has the maximum population at 53%, Jammu has 45%, while remote and difficult to access Ladakh is a stark, sparsely populated moonscape of incredible rough-hewn beauty. The state has been in the glare of international interest because of the constant disputes over territorial rights.

The state has several pilgrim destinations for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists.

The state has several pilgrim destinations for Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. The Amarnath temple and the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine are among the most revered and sacred of Hindu pilgrimage sites and hundreds of devotees pay homage every year at these places. The Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar where the Moi-e-Muqqadus, or sacred hair of Prophet Mohaamad is preserved, is a Muslim pilgrim site where the faithful come to pay homage. The Shahdara Sharief in Rajouri district is a symbol of communal harmony. Baba Ghulam Shah, born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, made Shahdara his home and Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs visit the shrine to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the Pir. Ladakh, remote and isolated, has a fascinating barren landscape and attracts tourists keen to experience the stark atmosphere that forms the backdrop to the many monasteries and monastic festivals here.

The state has several diverse locations, which are enthralling, indeed. These include Srinagar, the land of Mughal gardens, enchanting houseboats and the summer capital; Pahalgam with its soaring mountains, icy glaciers and cascading streams, the base for the famous Amarnath yatra; Gulmarg with its pretty landscapes, highest golf course in the world and ski slopes that tempt the daring; Sonamarg the land of the golden meadows and religious Jammu- the winter capital. Buddhist populated Ladakh has its own special enduring charm with the isolated plateau of Leh, Kargil the second largest town of Ladakh, the enchanting Suru Valley and mountainous Zanskar.

Compiled by Puneet Sachdeva