Poonch District, Pakistan
| Poonch district, Kashmir | |
|---|---|
| District | |
| Poonch | |
 Map of Azad Kashmir with Poonch highlighted |
|
| Coordinates: 33°51′14″N 73°45′03″E / 33.8540°N 73.7507°ECoordinates: 33°51′14″N 73°45′03″E / 33.8540°N 73.7507°E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Headquarters | Rawalakot |
| Area | |
| • Total | 855 km2 (330 sq mi) |
| Population (1998) | |
| • Total | 459,000 |
| • Density | 548/km2 (1,420/sq mi) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
Poonch (Urdu: ضلع پونچھ ) is one of the 10 districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Poonch district borders Indian-administered Kashmir and is part of the greater dispute between India and Pakistan.
The capital of the district is Rawalakot with the Sudhan and Awan tribes being the dominant groups in the district. This region has produced numerous business, political and military leaders.
From the end of seventeenth century up to 1837 CE, Poonch was ruled by the Muslim Rajas of Loran in Tehsil Haveli. It then fell into the hands of Raja Faiztalab Khan of Rajouri to whom it was handed over by the Punjab Government. Poonch was included in the transfer of the hilly country to Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir in 1848. Before this transfer, Poonch was considered a district of Lahore. Maharaja Gulab Singh granted Chibal, Poonch and other areas to Jawahar Singh and Moiti Singh. The Raja of Poonch had to present to the Maharaja one horse with gold trappings. The Raja of Poonch was not to effect any administrative changes in the territory of Poonch without prior consultation with the Maharaja of Kashmir.
After independence in 1947, Pakistan and India fought a war over Kashmir. As a result of the war, Poonch was split between the two nations. Prior to the division of Poonch, the only high school in the district was in the city of Poonch; this city now forms the capital of Indian-controlled Poonch district.
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