Poonch पुंछ
—  city  —
Poonch as seen from the hills
Poonch पुंछ Location of Poonch पुंछ in Jammu and Kashmir and India
Coordinates	33°46′N 74°06′E / 33.77°N 74.1°E / 33.77; 74.1Coordinates: 33°46′N 74°06′E / 33.77°N 74.1°E / 33.77; 74.1
Country	India
State	Jammu and Kashmir
District(s)	Poonch
Population	23,442 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 981 metres (3,219 ft)

Poonch (also referred to as Punch) is a town and a municipal committee in Poonch District in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Based on the Mahābhārata evidence,^[1] and the evidence from 7th Chinese traveler Xuanzang,^[2] the districts of Poonch along with Rajauri and Abhisara had been under the sway of the Republican Kambojas during epic times.^{[3][4][5][6][7]}

Geography[link]

Poonch is located at 33°46′N 74°06′E / 33.77°N 74.1°E / 33.77; 74.1.^[8] It has an average elevation of 981 metres (3218 feet). Pir Panjal range of mountains separates Poonch valley from Kashmir valley. For a long time the only road connection between the two valleys was from Jammu. But now with the completion of Mughal Road (connecting Bufliaz in Poonch to Shopian in Kashmir) there will be a direct connectivity between the two. It consist of 4 tehsils viz Haveli, Mendhar Surankote and Mandi.

Climate[link]

The Climate of Poonch is somewhat cooler than rest of the areas of Duggardesh plains.Summers are short and pleasant while sometimes they may be irritating.The summer temperature generally doesnot cross 31 degrees.Winters are cool and chilly characterized with rainfall due to western disturbances.Snowfall is uncommon but may occur in cool months like that of Dec 2012.Rainfall is 669 millimetres (26.3 in) in the wettest months. ‎

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[9] Poonch had a population of 23,442. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Poonch has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 72%. In Poonch, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.Poonch town has a Hindu Majority accounting 65% of population, while district is dominated by muslims which form 87% of population on the whole.

History[link]

Poonch has witnessed many historical era. Around 326 BC when Alexander the Great invaded the lower Jhelum belt to fight with Porus, this region was known as Dravabhisar. In 6th Century AD, the famous Chinese traveller Huien Tsang passed through this area. According to his observation, this region was known as Part of Kashmir. Around 850 AD Poonch became a sovereign state ruled by Raja Nar, who was basically a horse trader. According to Rajtrangani Raja Trilochan Pal of Poonch gave a tough fight to Mahmood Ghaznvi who invaded this area in 1020 A.D.

In 1596, the Mughal emperor Jahangir made Raja Siraj-Ud-Din Rathore, the descendant of Rao Jodha and Rao Suraj Singh, new ruler of Poonch. Siraj-Ud-Din and his descendent Raja Shahbaz Khan Rathore, Raja Abdul Razak Rathore, Raja Rustam Rathore and Raja Bahadur Rathore ruled this area up to 1798 AD. In 1819 this area was captured by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and it remained under the occupation of Sikh Empire until 1850.

Transport[link]

There is a small airport. In addition, a railway is under construction.

A bus across the LOC, the Poonch-Rawalakot bus has helped to re-establish ties across the border.

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Poonch

• Poonch District (J&K), a district of Jammu and Kashmir, India
• Poonch District (AJK), a district of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
• Poonch Airport

References[link]

Kallai Poonch

Further reading[link]

• Hutchinson, J. & J. PH Vogel (1933). History of the Panjab Hill States, Vol. I. 1st edition: Govt. Printing, Pujab, Lahore, 1933. Reprint 2000. Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh. Chapter XXIII Punch State, pp. 698–724.

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Sarfraz Ahmed (born May 22, 1987) is a Pakistani cricketer who captained Pakistan to victory at the Under 19 World Cup in 2006. He is a wicket-keeper and a right-handed batsman. He had played just 5 games for the Pakistan Under 19 cricket team before being selected as captain for the Under 19 Cricket World Cup. He plays first class cricket for Karachi.

International career[link]

One Day International[link]

Sarfraz Ahmed was called up by Pakistan as cover for Kamran Akmal who had a finger injury in the one-day series between India and Pakistan in November 2007. He made his one day international debut in the final match of the series, on 18 November 2007. He kept well but didn't get a chance to bat as Pakistan had won the match before he was needed to bat.

In 2008, Sarfraz Ahmed was selected ahead of Kamran Akmal for the Asia Cup. During the Asia Cup he impressed with his keeping skills but didn't get a chance to show his batting skills.

Test[link]

He made his test match debut in Hobart on 14 January 2010, in the third test match against Australia, replacing Kamran Akmal who suffered an "error-ridden performance" in the second test.^[1] After an unimpressive debut with the bat, he was dropped again after one match.

Return to the International Team (2011)[link]

Sarfraz Ahmed returned to the international team for the ODI series against Sri Lanka in November 2011. His impressive keeping and small cameos kept him in the team for the subsequent series against Bangladesh and the 2012 Asia Cup. He proved his worth with the bat during the 2012 Asia Cup final where he scored a crucial 46 not out (the highest score from his team) as Pakistan won the match by 2 runs. He was consequently rewarded a Category C contract and selected for Pakistan's next series against Sri Lanka, again for ODIs.

References[link]

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