چڪار
Town
CHIKAR
CountryPakistan Pakistan
StateAzad Kashmir
DistrictMuzaffarabad District
Area
 • Total150 km2 (60 sq mi)
Elevation
1,607 m (5,272 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total5,196
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)
Postal code span
51800
Area code13170

Chikar (Urdu: چکار ) is a small town and hill station in Jhelum valley District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located 46 kilometers (29 mi) from Muzaffarabad at the altitude of 1,607 meters (5,272 ft).[1] It is the headquarters of Tehsil Chikar.

Beautiful Chikar valley

The town is accessible from Muzaffarabad by Muzaffarabad-Chakothi road branches off at sarran bypass road link(named seri Ramsir chikar by pass) & Dhanni Baqallan. It is also accessible from Sudhan Gali.

the beautiful Jehlum valley from Bandi Chikar

Before partition of Indian subcontinent Chikar was very important town and was the biggest local trade centre. People from adjoining areas like Prem Kot used to trade over here. Government School in Chikar was famous before 1947,many students used to study over here. Chikar can be considered as the most historically place of the jehlum valley region. It was the main trading centres of Hindus and Sikhs of Kashmir. Many villages in Chikar have the names which show Hindu roots like Ramsar, indrasari and Nagni etc. Census record of 1941 showed that considerable amount of non-Muslim were present in Chikar's adjoining areas.[2]

The earth quake of 2005 Created a lake near to Chikar which is known as zalzaal lake.[3]

A rest house of AJK Tourism & Archeology Department is under construction in village. Some private hotels with basic facilities are available here for tourists to stay.

Notable caste families in this area are Dogras, Sheikh,Khawajas, Shal, Thakiyal Rajpoot, Gujjars, Chohan, Dar, Khawaja, Syed, Awaan, Chaudhary, Kayani, Siyal, Tezyal, Bakkal, Hatmaal are living here.

References

  1. ↑ "Hattian". AJK Tourism & Archeology Department. Archived from the original on 18 November 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  2. ↑ Wreford, R. G. (1943). "Census of India, 1941. Vol. XXII: Jammu and Kashmir. Part I and II: Essay and Tables".
  3. ↑ "Book a tour to Zalzal Lake Chakkar through AJKTOURS". 27 February 2011.


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