The University of Kashmir is located on the western side of the Dal Lake in the city of Srinagar which lies in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It was Awarded grade "A" by the NAAC.
Situated at Hazratbal, an idyllic area on the western side of the fabulous Dal Lake of Srinagar and held in the veneration by the Muslims for the mosque that enshrines the relic of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, the university is spread over 263 acres (1.06 km2) of lush green land with three adjacent campuses of exquisite beauty, Amar Singh Bagh, Naseem Bagh and Mirza Bagh. Amar Singh Bagh is located on the bank of the Dal Lake having on its other sides a background of mountainous amphitheater rising to a great above its crystal clear water. Naseem Bagh, or "the garden of breeze", laid originally by Mughal Emperor Akbar, is a magnificent grove of Chinar Trees, facing the artificially formed island, Sona Lank or the "Golden Island", in the centre of the northern portion of the Dal Lake. Mirza Bagh, now the "University Town", housing the staff quarters of the university, is situated on the bank of the famous, Nageen Lake. The unique combination of lake & mountain scenery, and the impressive calm and serene ambiance provide a highly congenial atmosphere for the philosopher's contemplation and the scientist's research.
The University arose of humble origins immediately after Independence when in 1948 A.D. the State Government established an institute for conduct of examinations with its headquarters at Srinagar, Justice J.N. Wazir being its Honorary Vice-Chancellor. This was followed by a noble effort by the authorities to revive the old tradition of learning and teaching, an essential feature of ancient Kashmir, through the establishment of three postgraduate departments in 1956 A.D.- English at Srinagar, And Economics & Geology at Jammu. Thus came into being a full-fledged University, then christened the University of Jammu & Kashmir, With A.A.A. Fyzee appointed as its first whole-time Vice-Chancellor in 1957 A.D. The University was shifted to the present campus, known as Amar Singh Bagh, when the land was donated by Dr. Karan Singh, the second Chancellor of the University. A lay-out plan was prepared by Mr. Fayaz-ud-Din, Chief Town Planner from what is now Andhra Pradesh and Mr. G.B. Mhatre, an eminent architect of Mumbai. With the financial assistance provided by the University Grants Commission and State Government, a series of construction works began at the campus in 1959 A.D., with the foundation stone laid for the Arts Faculty by Bakhshi Ghulam Mohammad, the then Prime Minister of the State, on 5 June 1959 A.D. The faculty was commissioned on 01 August 1960 A.D. by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the then Vice-President of the country. |
