![]() The chairlift installed as a part of Phase 3 of the project began its operations in 2011. In May 2005, Phase 2 of the project was also inaugurated, making it one of the longest and highest ropeways of Asia. In May 1998, Phase 1 of the project, between Gulmarg and Kongdori, began its commercial operation. Work on the cable car project between Gulmarg and Apharwat Peak, which was commissioned in 1988 by Government of Jammu and Kashmir but was subsequently abandoned due to militancy in 1990, was resumed in 1998. With the abatement of terrorism in the area, tourism started to recover in late 1990s. In the 1990s, the rise of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir affected tourism in Gulmarg. In mid-1980s, heli-skiing was introduced in Gulmarg in collaboration with the Swiss skier Sylvain Saudan of Himalaya Heli-Ski Club of France. Gulmarg became a centre for skiers from Asian nations. Over the next decade, Indian planners invested ₹30 million (US$380,000) to transform Gulmarg into a world-class ski destination. In 1968, the Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering was established in Gulmarg to train ski instructors. Matt zeroed in on Gulmarg as a suitable location for the development of a winter sports destination in India. The Department of Tourism of the Government of India invited Rudolph Matt, in 1960 to select a suitable location for such purpose. Īfter Indian Independence, Indian planners sought to develop a destination for Winter sports in India. On 1 January 1949, the war ended under UN supervision and a Ceasefire line (CFL), which was rechristened the Line of Control (LOC) by the Shimla Agreement of 1972, came into being close to Gulmarg. ![]() In 1948, Indian Army established a ski school in Gulmarg which later became the High Altitude Warfare School of the Indian army specializing in snow–craft and winter warfare. Thereafter, Indian counterattacks pushed the tribesmen back and many towns including Gulmarg were recaptured. Gulmarg fell to the invading army, but the Indian army led by the 1 Sikh Regiment, which had been airlifted to Srinagar only after the Dogra ruler of the state Maharaja Hari Singh had signed an Instrument of Accession with India on 26 October 1947, successfully defended the outskirts of Srinagar. One of the routes used by the invading militia of Pathan tribesmen, armed and supported by Pakistani regular troops, passed through the Haji Pir pass and Gulmarg onto the state capital Srinagar. Pakistan planned an invasion of the state called Operation Gulmarg. Īfter the end of British rule in India, Gulmarg became a part of the independent princely state of Kashmir and Jammu. Central Asian explorer Aurel Stein also visited Gulmarg during this period. In 1927, British established a ski club in Gulmarg and two annual ski events were hosted one each during Christmas and Easter. One of the golf courses survives and at an altitude of 2,650 metres (8,690 ft) is the world's highest golf course. Hunting and golfing were their favorite pastime and three golf courses were established in Gulmarg including one exclusively for women. In the 19th century, British civil servants started using Gulmarg as a retreat to escape summers in North Indian plains. Wild flowers of 21 different varieties were collected by the Mughal emperor Jahangir for his gardens in Gulmarg. Yousuf Shah Chak, who ruled Kashmir from 1579 to 1586, frequented the place with his queen Habba Khatoon and renamed it 'Gulmarg' ("meadow of flowers"). The credit for discovering the charms of Gulmarg first time in history has been given to Yousuf Shah Chak, the last Chak ruler who reigned from 1579 to 1586 AD. Gulmarg is a compound word or portmanteau of two Persian words Gul and Marg. Gulmarg is one of the Margs that has historical importance for Kashmiris. Kashmir has many summer retreats suffixed with the word -marg: Sonamarg, Tangmarg, Gulmarg, Khilanmarg, Youmarg, and Nagmarg. The town is situated in the Pir Panjal Range in the Western Himalayas and lies within the boundaries of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located at a distance of 31 km (19 mi) from Baramulla and 49 km (30 mi) from Srinagar. 'meadow of flowers') in Kashmiri, is a town, hill station, popular tourist destination, popular skiing destination and a notified area committee in Baramulla district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg ( Urdu pronunciation: ), known as Gulmarag ( Kashmiri pronunciation: lit.
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