For other uses, see Kotli (disambiguation).
Kotli
کوٹلی
City
Administering countryPakistan
TerritoryAzad Jammu & Kashmir
DivisionMirpur
ConstructedMid 15th Century
Union Councils18
Government
 • TypeHealth Minister
 • Member of Legislative AssemblyDr Nisar Ansar Abdali (Ex, PTI Joint Government)
Population
 (2017 Census)
 • Total
46,907
Languages
 • OfficialUrdu[1]
 • Spoken
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)
Postal Code
11100
Area code0092-58264
WebsiteDistrict Website

Kotli (Pahari-Pothwari / Urdu: کوٹلی; pronounced [koːʈ.liː]) is a city and headquarters of the Kotli District in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir. The city lies along the Poonch River, which is known for its natural secenary and waterfalls. According to the 2017 Census of Pakistan, the city has a population of 46,907 people.[citation needed]

History

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The city of Kotli dates back to the twelfth century, when it was settled by a branch of the Royal Mangral family of Kashmir, descendants of Raja Mangar Pal. Originally known as Kohtali, literally meaning "under mountain" due to the surrounding landscape. Kotli remained as a semi-auntonomous state until it was finally subdued by Ranjit Singh in 1819 and incorporated into the Sikh Empire.[2]

After the independence of Pakistan and India from the British rule, "bands of deserters from the State Army, some serving soldiers of the Pakistan Army on leave, ex-servicemen, and other volunteers who had risen spontaneously"[3] reached Kotli in November 1947. They expelled the Dogra garrison at the town. India then sent its armed forces to Kashmir where they attacked Kotli in an attempt to recapture it. The Pakistan Army counter-attacked with the aid of the native tribesmen, winning a decisive victory in the Battle of Kotli.[4] It has been under Pakistani control ever since.

Education

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Kotil is home to the University of Kotli (Urdu:کوٹلی یونیورسٹی) (UoK), formerly a constituent college of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It became a university as a result of Presidential Ordinance VIII passed in 2014.[5]

Tourism

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Two well-known waterfalls in the area are the Lala Waterfall, close to Kotli town and the Gulpur Waterfalls, found in the village of Gulpur to the southwest.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Rahman, Tariq (1996). Language and politics in Pakistan. Oxford University Press. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-19-577692-8.
  2. ^ Hutchison, J. (John) (1994). History of the Panjab hill states. Vogel, J. Ph. (Jean Philippe), 1871-1958. New Delhi, India: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-0942-5. OCLC 34186922.
  3. ^ Ẓahīr, Ḥasan; Zaheer, Hasan (1998). The times and trial of the Rawalpindi conspiracy 1951: the first coup attempt in Pakistan. Karachi Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-577892-2.
  4. ^ Effendi, M. Y. (2007). Punjab cavalry : evolution, role, organisation, and tactical doctrine : 11 Cavalry (Frontier Force), 1849-1971. Karachi: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-547203-5. OCLC 212908145.
  5. ^ "University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir". www.uokajk.edu.pk. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
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Media related to Kotli City at Wikimedia Commons

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