Explore the rich history, stunning natural beauty and vibrant cultural heritage of this beautiful town

INTRODUCTION

Hajin town, a gem nestled in the scenic district of Bandipora, graces the left bank of the Vaeth (River Jhelum). Vast land tracts like Gandabal pasture, Bangipathar, Yachiguer, Anzkhod, Numbalhome, Jhelum, and Wular, along with its rich history, culture, natural beauty, rich past, and vibrant present, make it a unique place. Perhaps this land appeared in the dreams of a poet (Khwaja Mir Dard) who then said:

Sair Kar Dunia Ki Ghafil, Zindagani Phir Kahan

Zindagi Gar Kuch Rahi To Ye Jawani Phir Kahan

GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL BEAUTY

Hajin town is a 100% plain area with vast land tracts, supporting diverse populations of fauna and flora, apple orchards, paddy fields, herds of cattle, flocks of sheep, and poplar and willow nurseries, besides quality human resources second to none in talent, skill, and hard work.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE

Most people are Zamindars who are mainly engaged in farming professions, such as agriculture, horticulture, and silviculture. Some are engaged in business and others in government services. Inhabitants are educated, with a literacy rate of about 70%. Many graduates and postgraduates are working in both government and private sectors. A significant number of students have completed Ph.D. courses in various subjects from prestigious higher education institutions in the country. Many students now find themselves in reputed national-level medical and engineering colleges after qualifying for national-level entrance and eligibility tests conducted by the NTA. Many students are enrolled in leading universities inside as well as outside J&K, like the University of Kashmir, IUST, SKUAST, BGSBU, Jamia Millia, AMU, etc. (Salute them all—they are our pride and bright future).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Hajin town has a well-developed infrastructure in terms of well-equipped government institutions, a robust road network, a strong irrigation canal system, and lift irrigation pump stations. The town offers sound health and education facilities, a solid agriculture and horticulture sector, and quick and safe transportation and communication means. It also has sufficient water and electricity facilities, quality market availability, efficient banking facilities, and strong defence lines on the banks of Jhelum and Wular. Lastly, the town’s efficient and effective administrative setup for supervising and monitoring activities performed by different government departmental offices makes Hajin a vibrant and lively town in all respects.

Government department institutions/offices that provide smooth and fair living to inhabitants and are located in Hajin town are:

Tehsildar Hajin head office

Police Station Hajin headed by Dy. SP and SHO

Government Degree College Hajin headed by Principal

Government Model Hr. Sec. Institute Hajin headed by Principal

Zonal Education Office Hajin/Zonal Physical Education office headed by ZEO and ZPEO

Government Girls School Hajin headed by the Headmaster

A network of middle-level schools under the control of ZEO Hajin

CHC Hajin headed by BMO

Public Works Department office

JKPDCL Office

Municipality office headed by E.O. Offices of President and Dy. President Municipality Committee Hajin are also housed in the same building

Agriculture and Horticulture offices

Sheep and Animal Department offices

Social Welfare and ICDS Department offices

Forest Department office

Food and Supplies Department office

Fire and Emergency Department office

Hajin town has a Municipality Committee, which comprises thirteen municipal wards. These wards are:

Ward No. 01: Tundpora and Shah-i-Hamdancolony

Ward No. 02: Mainbazar Hajinghat, Mir Mohalla ghat, Batu Mohalla

Ward No. 03: Main Mir Mohalla, Bhagat Mohalla, Bonikhan, and Baghi Sideeq colonies

Ward No. 04: Khachar Mohalla, Hajam Mohalla, and Shah Mohalla

Ward No. 05: Khos Mohalla, Syed Mohalla, and Aalikhour Mohalla

Ward No. 06: Dangar Mohalla

Ward No. 07: Para Mohalla

Ward No. 08: Bon Mohalla and Shukurdin Mohalla

Ward No. 09: Wahab Parray Mohalla

Ward No. 10: Kocheck Mohalla and Kana Mohalla

Ward No. 11: Parray Mohalla

Ward No. 12: Bangar Mohalla and Gulshanabad

Ward No. 13: Mochi Mohalla

POPULATION AND LAND USE

Population: 23,240 (as per census-2011)

No. of Chulas: 2,250

Total townland: 36,000 kanals (including cultivating/state land/khahcharie)

Agricultural Land under Cultivation: Agricultural land under cultivation is divided into subunits/gunds, such as Anzkhud, Kharthal, Numbalhome, Bonikhour, Kundji, Agrun, Yachiguer, Humbthal, Panpau, Nasthal, Batachak, Nichkhour, Baribal, Guruswaan, Choudergund, Noor Shah, Jhangihome, Draggir, Gupanpathar, Ramdaschak, Thokurkoulchak, Shivjichak, Bangipathar, Khusarchak.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Language: 100% of inhabitants speak their mother tongue—Kashmiri

Dress pattern: Local culture-based—kurta/pyjama and pheran are used in cold periods.

Food items: People generally make use of food items like chawal, meat (both white meat and mutton), dals, locally grown vegetables (saag, brinjal, and tomato), and fruits like apple varieties, pomegranates, apricots, bananas, oranges, mangoes and melons. People use boiled and filtered water for drinking and cooking purposes. People’s personal, social, and community hygienic conditions are efficient.

Wedding pattern: Local culture-based—most simple but Kashmiri Wazwaan-based. Ladies add colour to wedding celebrations with traditional Kashmiri Wonwun, which is full of praise for the bride, bridegroom, and in-laws on both sides.

ROAD CONNECTIVITY

A macadamized internal network of roads gives the town a good look, besides a sound drainage system. The town is connected with Srinagar, Sopore, and Bandipora by macadamized roads with the best possible transport and communication means. Within municipal area limits, traditional Tonga (horse-driven cart), Gur, and Rada-Gur still make their presence and are still used as means of transport.

IRRIGATION SYSTEM

An efficient network of canals for irrigation purposes, along with lifting pump stations, is available and was established after the floods of 1957 and 1959.

Water and Electricity facilities: Quite satisfactory

Health and Education Facilities: Available and highly efficient, with quality teachers of high reputation

Mosques/Masjids: Twenty-three mosques/masjids are in town, in addition to one grand Jamia Masjid

PROMINENT LITERARY FIGURES

Some of the prominent literary figures who have given name and fame to this town and are no more are:

Jinab Wahab Parray

Jinab Moulvi Sideeq-Ullah

Jinab Assad Parray

Jinab Master Qazi Salam-u-din

Jinab Prof Mohi-ud-din Hajini

Jinab Maulvi Abdul Rasheed

Jinab Mohammad Ahsan Ahsan

Jinab Ali Mohammad Sheikh

Mtr Zaiba Zeenith

Jinab Dr Aziz Hajini

Jinab Dr Altaf Niyaz

Jinab Ghulam Nabi Khushdil

Jinab Abdul Kareem Khasta

LITERARY ORGANIZATIONS

To promote and propagate art, culture, the Kashmiri language, and literature, two prominent age-old organizations are working in the town and have completed more than fifty years of continuous existence. Both these organizations have celebrated their Golden Jubilees. These two organizations are:

Halqa-e-Adab Sonawari (Hajin)

Wahab Cultural Society Hajin

PLACES OF ATTRACTION

Grand and splendid Jamia Masjid and Darul Auloom on the banks of Jhelum

Eidgah full of age-old Chinar trees

Zoo—A land mass full of willow trees in front of Jamia Masjid

Model Hr. Sec. Institute

Modern CHC

Khankah Masjid

Hajin bridge

Jhelum ghats at Hajin market, Pandaboni, and at Gulshanabad

Middle School Gulshanabad under the shades of Chinar trees on the bank of Jhelum

Gandabal pasture

Large and quality apple orchards of Chak Gandabal, Kundiji, and Numbalhome

Anzkhod wetland

Conclusion

Hajin town is a natural jewel—a land rich in history, culture, and natural beauty with a rich past and vibrant present. Hajinis are talented and have a hard-working spirit. Hajinis have tremendous love for Hajin because of its rich culture and beautiful picturesque landscape. I love my Hajin, Hajinis, and the resources of Hajin. Proud to be Hajini.

The writer is a retired DIET Principal and senior member of Halqa-e-Adab Sonawari, Hajin and Wahab Cultural Society, Hajin