Sopore

Sopore
Sopore Town
City
The Municipal Council Of Sopore
Nickname: 
Chota London (Mini London) Or Apple Town
Sopore is located in Jammu and Kashmir
Sopore
Sopore
Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
Sopore is located in India
Sopore
Sopore
Sopore (India)
Coordinates: 34°18′N 74°28′E / 34.30°N 74.47°E / 34.30; 74.47
CountryIndia
Union territoryJammu and Kashmir
DistrictBaramulla
Founded880CE
Incorporated as Tehsil1883
Founded byUtpala dynasty
Named forSuyya (Sun)
Government
 • TypeDemocratic (MLA)
 • BodyThe Sopore Municipal Council
Area
[1][2]
 • Total18.90 km2 (7.30 sq mi)
 • Rank5
Population
 (2011)[1][2]
 • Total71,292
 • Rank6
 • Density3,800/km2 (9,800/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Sopruk, Sopori, Soporian, Soporewale
Languages
 • OfficialKashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English[3][4]
 • SpokenKashmiri
Demographics
[1][2]
 • Literacy rate70.8%
 • Sex ratio897.6 ♀/ 1000 ♂
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Pin Code
193201 (Sopore City And Zaingair Block)
Telephone code01954
Vehicle registrationJK-05
A distant view of the Jamia Masjid Sopore
Clock Tower at Iqbal Market Sopore
Sopore main bus stand

Sopore is one of the largest subdivisions in Jammu and Kashmir, consisting of seven tehsils, and holding the distinction of being the oldest existing subdivision of the state. Recognized as an urban area right from the 1911 census.[5] Sopore has been a central business hub in North Kashmir. Its historical significance, coupled with its economic role, underscores its prominent position in the region.[5]

Sopore features Asia's second-largest fruit mandi, located at Nowpora Kalan Sopore approximately 2 kms away from the main town, boasting an annual turnover of over ₹3000 crore. This mandi facilitates around 40 percent of the apple production and sales in the Kashmir Valley, which has led to Sopore being known as the 'Apple Town of Kashmir'.[6][7] Additionally, Wular Lake, one of the Asia's largest freshwater lakes, lies between Sopore and the Bandipore district. Wular Lake is a major source of fish for the Kashmir Valley and is also distinguished for its production of water chestnuts, enhancing the region's economic and ecological significance.[5][8][9]

Municipal Council Sopore is a local urban body which administrates the city of Sopore. There are 21 wards in Sopore M.Cl (Municipal Council) and two OG's (Outgrowths) as Amargarh and Nowpora kalan.[10][11]

Old Sopur is settled on the both banks of the Jhelum River, lending it a picturesque and historically rich setting. This historic area is known for its densely packed network of 30-35 mohalla's.[12] Notable mohalla's include Hatishah, Jamia Qadeem, Khanqah, Chankhan, Untoo Hamam, Sofi Hamam, Now Hamam, Batpora, Ashpeer, Khushal Matoo, Muslim Peer, Kralteng, Sangrampora, Maharajpora and Takyabal. Each mohalla has its own unique character and history, together forming a diverse and culturally significant part of Old Sopur.[13][14]

New Sopore began to take shape in the mid-20th century, starting with its first planned colony, New Colony.[13] Over time, this development expanded to include a variety of other colonies, such as Noor Bagh, Iqbal Nagar, Badam Bagh, Baba Raza, Siddiq Colony, Model Town, Shah Kirman Colony and New Light Colony, among others. Each of these neighborhoods were designed with modern infrastructure and amenities, reflecting the region's growth and enhancement of urban living standards.[10][15][16]

Sopore division encompasses the city of Sopore, several surrounding villages, and a notable region known as the Zaingair belt. This belt includes a numerous villages such as Dangerpora, Dooru, Mundji, Hardshiva, Warpora, Botingoo, Wadoora, Tujar, Brath, Bomai, Seelo, Logripora, Zaloora etc. Each of these villages play a vital role in supporting and sustaining the economy of the Sopore region.[17][18]

  1. ^ a b c District Census Handbook Baramulla, Part B (PDF). Census of India 2011 (Report). 16 June 2014. pp. 28–29. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  2. ^ a b c 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 (Report).
    Class - II Population of 50,000 and 99,999 (Report).
  3. ^ "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  5. ^ a b c "Census of India 1971, A Pilot Town Study of Sopore" (PDF).
  6. ^ "Asia's second-largest fruit mandi in Kashmir abuzz with buyers from across India". WION. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Sopore Fruit Market", Wikipedia, 18 January 2024, retrieved 27 July 2024
  8. ^ Life, Kashmir (24 August 2022). "Singhara Harvest Strats In Wular Lake". Kashmir Life. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  9. ^ Raina, Sajid Maqbool (2024). "Wular Lake, once a fishing hub, loses sheen; fishermen seek alternative livelihoods | KNO". Kashmir News Observer. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Municipal Council Sopore" (PDF).
  11. ^ "Municipal Council Sopore Notified Area Council". localbodydata.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Census of India 1971, A Pilot Town Study of Sopore | Chapter 1, Page 3" (PDF).
  13. ^ a b "Census of India 1971, A Pilot Town Study of Sopore | Chapter 1, Page 1-2" (PDF).
  14. ^ National Mission on, Monuments and Antiquities. "National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities".
  15. ^ "MM College of Paramedical Science and Technology Sopore : Best Paramedical College in Kashmir". Kashmir Patriot. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Sopore Master Plan 2032" (PDF).
  17. ^ "'Zaingeer' The Spring Village of Sopore - The Web Story". 3 October 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Villages & Towns in Sopore Tehsil of Baramula, Jammu and Kashmir". www.census2011.co.in. Retrieved 27 July 2024.