RAJAURI

town, in northwestern Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir state, in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. It was referred to as Rajpuri in Kalhana's Rajatarangini (12th century AD). In the Pashtun intervention of 1947, almost the entire population of the town was massacred. Tatta Pani, hot sulfur springs noted for their medicinal properties, and Shahdra Sharif, a Muslim pilgrimage centre, are located near the town. Rajauri is located on the road connecting Punch in the Indian-held sector in the north and Jammu in the south. The surrounding region is composed largely of the northwestsoutheast-trending Pir Panjal Ranges (with an average elevation of 9,000 feet ) of the Middle Himalayas. The Chen ab is the principal river. Hill slopes are covered with temperate forests of pine, spruce, and fir. Agriculture, mining, and forestry form the basis of the region's economy. Rice, corn (maize), ragi, jowar (sorghum), and barley are grown on the terraced hill slopes and in the river valleys. Pop. (1981) 8,690.