Shopian

Quality 0.50 · 0 views · Updated 2 months ago

title: "Shopian" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cities-and-towns-in-shopian-district", "tehsils-of-jammu-and-kashmir-(union-territory)"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shopian" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameShopian
native_nameShupyan
native_name_langks
settlement_typeTown
image_skyline{{photomontage
photo1aJamia masjid shopian.jpg
photo3bAliabad Sarai Mughal Road.jpg
photo4aHirpora WLS Shopian Kashmir.jpg
border0
spacing2
size220
foot_montageFrom the top:
Historical Jamia Masjid in Shopian, Historical Aliabad Saria and Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary}}
pushpin_mapIndia Jammu and Kashmir#India
pushpin_label_positionright
pushpin_map_captionLocation in Jammu and Kashmir, India
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameIndia
subdivision_type1Union territory
subdivision_name1Jammu and Kashmir
subdivision_type2District
subdivision_name2Shopian
established_title
established_date2007
government_typeDistrict Magistrate - Presidential Rule
unit_prefMetric
area_footnotes
area_total_km2312
elevation_m2057
population_total266215
population_as_of2011
population_density_km2853
population_demonymShopianites, Shopiani
population_footnotes
demographics_type1Languages
demographics1_title1Official
demographics1_info1Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English
demographics_type2Demographics
demographics2_title1Literacy rate
demographics2_info178.6%
demographics2_footnotes
demographics2_title2Sex ratio
demographics2_info2755.6 ♀/ 1000 ♂
timezone1IST
utc_offset1+5:30
postal_code_typePIN
postal_code192303
registration_plateJK22
website
area_code01933
::

| name = Shopian | native_name = Shupyan | native_name_lang = ks | nickname = | settlement_type = Town | image_skyline = {{photomontage | photo1a = Jamia masjid shopian.jpg | photo2a = | photo2b = | photo3a = | photo3b = Aliabad Sarai Mughal Road.jpg | photo4a = Hirpora WLS Shopian Kashmir.jpg | color = | border = 0 | spacing = 2 | size = 220 | image_alt = | foot_montage = From the top: Historical Jamia Masjid in Shopian, Historical Aliabad Saria and Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary}} | pushpin_map = India Jammu and Kashmir#India | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = India | subdivision_type1 = Union territory | subdivision_name1 = Jammu and Kashmir | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Shopian | established_title = | established_date = 2007 | government_type = District Magistrate - Presidential Rule | governing_body = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = 312 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 2057 | population_total = 266215 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = 853 | population_demonym = Shopianites, Shopiani | population_footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English | demographics_type2 = Demographics | demographics2_title1 = Literacy rate | demographics2_info1 = 78.6% | demographics2_footnotes = | demographics2_title2 = Sex ratio | demographics2_info2 = 755.6 ♀/ 1000 ♂ | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = 192303 | registration_plate = JK22 | website = | footnotes = | official_name = | area_code = 01933 | other_name =

Shopian (), known as Shupyan () in Kashmiri, is an administrative division of the Shopian district. It is located in southern part of Kashmir Valley, of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Shopian is called the Apple town of Kashmir as majority of the population engages in apple growing practices. It also provides employment to more than 60% of the population. It is 2nd richest district in Kashmir region after Srinagar.

Etymology

The geologist Frederic Drew stated that Shopian derived its name from a distortion of word shah-payan, i.e. “royal stay”. However, the local people hold the view that Shopian was earlier named as “Shin-Van” meaning “snow forest”.

Shopian is an ancient town of Kashmir and had importance due to it being situated on the ancient imperial route, commonly known as Mughal Road, which connects Lahore and Srinagar. Shopian was one out of six Wazarat Headquarters in Kashmir from 1872 to 1892 A.D.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Plate_22.Fort_of_Shupayan-_Part_2.Recollections_of_India(FIRST_EDITION)5588_022(cropped).jpg" caption="Charles Hardinge"] ::

The famous Battle of Shopian was fought in which Sikh forces defeated Afghan forces and captured Kashmir in 1819.

Geography

Shupiyan is located at . It has an average elevation of 2057 metres. It is 45 km from Srinagar.

Demographics

|thumb = right |caption = Religion in Shopian City (2011) |label1 = Islam |value1 = 95.94 |color1 = Green |label2 = Hinduism |value2 = 3.12 |color2 = DarkOrange |label3 = Sikhism |value3 = 0.34 |color3 = Yellow |label4 = Christianity |value4 = 0.41 |color4 = Blue |label5 = Buddhism |value5 = 0.01 |color5 = Gold |label6 = Jainism |value6 = 0.00 |color6 = Maroon |label7 = Not Stated |value7 = 0.18 |color7 = Black

India census, Shopian Municipal Committee had a population of 16,360. |source = |percentages=pagr | cols = 1 | 1911 | 2,114 | 1921 | 2,236 | 1931 | 2,217 | 1941 | 4,359 | 1951 | 5,182 | 1961 | 6,005 | 1971 | 7,836 | 1981 | 9,653 | 2001 | 12,246 | 2011 | 16,360

Education

In 1988, The Government of Jammu and Kashmir established a college namely Government Degree College, Shopian which provides higher education infrastructure to the people of Shopian district. The Government Polytechnic college was established recently in the Shopian town, which provides technical engineering diploma level education.

Tourism

People from all around the globe visit the tourist places like Peer Ki Gali which is on a mountain top of Mughal road. Mughal Sarai - this palace is situated on the bank of river which flows on the side of Mughal road. This palace was used by Mughal rulers as their resting place during their travels. Dabjan forests - this place is another tourist place of Shopian, where a spring is present in the middle of Dabjan forest. Famous national park Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the district. The Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary is an abode to many species of animals including the Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, leopard, Tibetan wolf, Himalayan palm civet and also critically endangered Pir Panjal markhor. Besides, 130 species of birds including the spotted forktail, western tragopan, rock bunting, rufous-breasted accentor, Himalayan woodpecker, blue rock thrush, white-capped redstart, Himalayan griffon, common stonechat and grey wagtail are found in the Sanctuary.

Economy

Shopian, located in the southern part of Jammu & Kashmir, has an economy predominantly based on agriculture, with apple cultivation as its mainstay. Often referred to as the "Apple Bowl of Kashmir," Shopian's fertile lands make it one of the top producers of apples in India. The district has seen a remarkable increase in apple production, with a 20% surge reported in recent years, contributing significantly to both the regional and national fruit markets.

The apple industry in Shopian is further boosted by government initiatives, such as the recently approved Rs 135 crore "Apple Cluster" project. This initiative, under the Cluster Development Programme, aims to enhance apple production, improve post-harvest management, and strengthen logistics, marketing, and branding of Shopian apples to make them globally competitive. The project is designed to be implemented over four years, with substantial funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers WelfareIn addition to apples, the district's economy also benefits from walnut cultivation and other horticultural activities. The region's topography, with its location in the foothills of the Pir Panjal Range, provides an ideal climate for these crops. Other sectors like sheep rearing, small-scale industries, and government schemes like the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) also contribute to the local economy.

Shopian's strategic location along the historic Mughal Road has also made it a commercial hub for trade, linking it with the rest of Kashmir and northern India. However, the district's economic potential continues to face challenges related to infrastructure, political instability, and climatic conditions, which periodically affect productivity and livelihoods.

References

References

  1. Excelsior, Daily. (9 January 2020). "Advisor Khan visits Shopian, takes stock of people's grievances".
  2. "A-4 Towns And Urban Agglomerations Classified By Population Size Class In 2011 With Variation Since 1901". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India}}
    {{cite report    .
  3. (16 June 2014). "District Census Handbook Shupiyan, Part B". Census of India 2011.
  4. (27 September 2020). "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020". The Gazette of India.
  5. (23 September 2020). "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir.
  6. (1989). "Kashir Encyclopedia". Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Arts Culture and Languages.
  7. "Snowfall in south Kashmir's Shopian". Greater Kashmir.
  8. "Shopian - Dc Msme". Development Commissioner Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
  9. "Apple town".
  10. Bloeria, Sudhir S.. (2000). "Pakistan's Insurgency vs India's Security: Tackling Militancy in Kashmir". Manas Publications.
  11. "Jammu and Kashmir(UT) | DISTRICTS OF INDIA".
  12. Nalwa, Vanit. (2009). "Hari Singh Nalwa - Champion of the Khalsaji". Manohar Books.
  13. Gupta, Hari Ram. (1991). "The History of the Sikhs Volume 5". Munshiram Manoharlal.
  14. "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Shupiyan, India".
  15. "Shupiyan City Population". Census India.
  16. "Shupiyan Population Census 2011 - 2018". 2011 Census of India.
  17. Team, Ziraat Times Web. (2024-07-30). "Shopian, Kashmir records 20% surge in apple production: Economic Survey".
  18. (Jan 19, 2023). "Centre approves 'Apple Cluster' for Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district".
  19. "About District {{!}} Shopian District, Government of Jammu and Kashmir {{!}} India".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

cities-and-towns-in-shopian-districttehsils-of-jammu-and-kashmir-(union-territory)