Handwara


Handwara is a town in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located on Baramulla-Handwara National Highway NH-701 and is governed by a municipal committee.

History

Sikh rule

During Sikh rule, Raja Zabardast Khan, chieftain of the Bomba tribe, led guerrilla warfare against the forces of the Sikh Empire, targeting their garrisons and posts in Handwara.

Geography

Handwara is located at at an average elevation of 1,582 metres above sea level. The region boasts breathtaking natural beauty, with the Pohru River —a tributary of the Jhelum—flowing through the town.
Famous volcanic peak, 'Soyamji', locally known as 'Paput' is situated in North Machhipura. It is known for its unique conical shape. It continued eruption of lava for about 13 months during 1934 and has been dormant since then.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Indian census, Handwara has a population of 13,600. Males constitute 54.26% of the population and females 45.74%. Handwara has an average literacy rate of 64.39%. The dominant religion in the town is Islam.

Literacy

The Census of 2011 showed the literacy rate of Handwara at 64.39%, lower than the national average of 67.16%. There is a gender difference in literacy, with a male literacy rate of 75.62% and a much lower female literacy rate of 51.88%.

Educational Institutions

Handwara is a region of considerable strategic significance, primarily due to its proximity to the Line of Control. This geographical positioning renders it a critical and sensitive zone in military and security discussions. Handwara was the home constituency of the late separatist leader Abdul Ghani Lone. The current MLA of Handwara is Sajjad Gani Lone of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference, who defeated Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzaan of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference by over 600 votes in the 2024 assembly elections.
Municipal Committee Handwara is an Urban Local Body with 13 elected members, which administers the town.
#NameMunicipal WardReservation StatusParty
1Iram Amin BandayBanday MohallaWomen OpenIndependent
2Farooq Ahmad BhatHerporaOpenIndependent
3Masroor Ah. BandayJamia JadeedOpenIndependent
4Dilshada JanJamia QadeemWomen OpenIndependent
5Gh. Mohd. GanieKhunabal MaqboolabadOpenIndependent
6Bashir Ah. KhanKhunabal UmerabadOpenIndependent
7Zoona BehumDurishporaWomen OpenIndependent
8Mumtaza BegumBaghatporaOpenIndependent
9Ateeqa BegumKachiwariOpenIndependent
10Zamrooda BegumChotiporaWomen OpenIndependent
11Mushtaq Ahmad HanjiTootigundOpenIndependent
12Nazir Ahmed BhatZaliporaOpenIndependent
13Ab. Majid PandithWani MohallaOpenIndependent

Notable people