Watlab is a village located in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Situated in the Kashmir Valley. Watlab is situated on the Sopore-Bandipore road, about 56 km from Srinagar and 8 km from Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir .
History
Ancient and Medieval Periods:
The Kashmir Valley, including the region around Watlab, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The valley was a part of the great Mauryan Empire., ruled by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. It subsequently came under the control of various dynasties, including the Kushans, Guptas, and the early medieval period saw the advent of Islamic rule with the arrival of Muslim rulers from Central Asia.
Mughal Era
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mughal Empire, under Emperor Akbar and his successors, extended its control over the Kashmir region. The Mughals had a significant impact on the art, architecture, and culture of the region. It is likely that Watlab and its surrounding areas were part of the Mughal administration during this time.
Sikh and Dogra Rule
In the early 19th century, the
Sikh Empire
The Sikh Empire was a regional power based in the Punjab, Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. It existed from 1799, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured Lahore, to 1849, when it was defeated and conquered by the East India Company, Br ...
, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, annexed Kashmir and brought the region under Sikh rule. However, the Sikhs lost control of Kashmir in 1846 after the signing of the
Treaty of Amritsar
A treaty is a formal, legally binding written agreement between sovereign states and/or international organizations that is governed by international law. A treaty may also be known as an international agreement, protocol, covenant, convention ...
, which transferred the region to the
Dogra dynasty
The Dogra dynasty of Dogra Rajputs from the Shivalik hills created Jammu and Kashmir through the treaties with the East India Company following the First Anglo-Sikh war. Events led the Sikh Empire to recognise Jammu as a vassal state in 1820, ...
. The Dogra rulers, who were Hindu, continued to govern Kashmir until the partition of India in 1947.
Post-Independence and Conflict
Following India's independence from British colonial rule in 1947, the princely states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan. The then ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, initially chose to remain independent. However, due to a series of events, including an invasion by Pakistani tribesmen, the ruler acceded to India, leading to the Indo-Pakistani conflict over Kashmir.
The region of Watlab, like many other parts of Kashmir, has been affected by the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan over the territorial dispute. The area has witnessed occasional unrest and has been subject to security concerns.
Geography
Watlab is on the
Jhelum River
The Jhelum River is a major river in South Asia, flowing through India and Pakistan, and is the westernmost of the five major rivers of the Punjab region. It originates at Verinag and flows through the Indian-administered territory of Jammu ...
, at its highest point. Watlab town is stretched from Kehnoosa Village in North and Hardusho village in South .There are few Bridges on Jhelum in Watlab and good connectivity roads.Watlab is located at 34.40° N 74.41° E . It has an average elevation of 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) above sea level.
Climate
Watlab has a humid subtropical climate, with cold, snowy winters and hot summers.
References
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Villages in Baramulla district