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Baramulla

Baramulla is a city and municipal council in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Baramulla is a city and municipal council in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It serves as the district headquarters and lies on the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley, northwest of Srinagar. The city is an important regional centre for trade, business, and education.

Geography

Baramulla is situated in northwestern Jammu and Kashmir on the Jhelum River, west of Srinagar. It lies within the Kashmir Valley near the Pir Panjal Range and has an average elevation of about 1,593 metres.

History

District sources state that the city of Baramulla was founded by Raja Bhimsina in 2306 BC, though this traditional dating is not independently verified in the provided sources. The city later became known as a gateway to the valley on the Srinagar–Muzaffarabad route.

Administration

Baramulla is the headquarters of Baramulla district and a municipal council. It is part of the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Economy and role

The city is described as a major regional centre for trade, business, and education. It has long served as a commercial point for movement into and out of the Kashmir Valley.

Key facts

  • Baramulla is a city and municipal council in Jammu and Kashmir, India, and the district headquarters.
  • It is located on the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley, northwest of Srinagar.
  • The city has an elevation of about 1,593 metres and is near the Pir Panjal Range.
  • Baramulla is a major centre for trade, business, and education in northern Kashmir.
  • The city was historically a gateway to the Kashmir Valley from the west.

Frequently asked questions

What is Baramulla?
Baramulla is a city and municipal council in Jammu and Kashmir, India, and the administrative headquarters of Baramulla district.
Where is Baramulla located?
It is in the Kashmir Valley on the Jhelum River, northwest of Srinagar.
What is the population of Baramulla?
The 2011 census population listed in the sources is 58,053.
What is Baramulla known for?
It is known as a regional centre for trade, business, and education, and historically as a gateway to the Kashmir Valley.
What is another name for Baramulla?
Kashmiri sources also refer to it as Varmul.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baramulla
    Supports: General description, location, district headquarters, and role as a business and education centre.
  2. District Baramulla official website — https://baramulla.nic.in/
    Supports: District headquarters, traditional founding claim, gateway-to-valley history, and accession note.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Baramulla
    Supports: Location on the Jhelum River, relation to Srinagar, surrounding geography, and 2011 population.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baramulla_district
    Supports: District headquarters and district context, including 2011 town population figure.