Kashmiris
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 India
|
5,527,698 (2001)* |
 Pakistan
|
132,450 (1998)* |
| Languages | |
|
Kashmiri Hindi, Urdu, also spoken widely as second language |
|
| Religion | |
|
Predominantly: Islam Minorities: |
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Dard people | |
|
*The population figures are only for the number of speakers of the Kashmiri language. May not include ethnic Kashmiris who no longer speak Kashmiri language. |
|
The Kashmiris (Kashmiri: کٲشُر لُکھ / कॉशुर लुख) are an ethnic group native to the Kashmir Valley, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, who speak Kashmiri, an Indo-Aryan Dardic language. The bulk of Kashmiri people predominantly live in the Kashmir Valley–which is the 'actual' Kashmir and does not include the other territories of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir (Jammu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Ladakh)–and speak Kashmiri. Other ethnic groups living in the Jammu and Kashmir state include Gujjars, Dogras,Paharis, Baltis and Ladakhis. Although some residents of Azad Kashmir call themselves 'Kashmiri', most residents of Azad Kashmir are not actually ethnic Kashmiris.
Whilst Kashmiris are native to the Kashmir Valley, smaller populations of Kashmiris also live in the remaining districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Ethnic Kashmiris can be found in the Chenab region's Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts. There are also ethnic Kashmiri populations inhabiting the Neelam Valley and Leepa Valley of northern Azad Kashmir. Since 1947, many ethnic Kashmiris and their descendants are also found in Pakistan. Many ethnic Kashmiris from the Kashmir Valley also migrated to the Punjab region during Dogra and Sikh rule. Most Kashmiris today are Sunni Muslim but a sizable Hindu community also exists. Pure ethnic Kashmiri Muslims are descended from Kashmiri Hindus and are also known as 'Sheikhs'. Common surnames among these people include Butt, Dar,Lone etc.
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