Kotli

History

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

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" reached Kotli in November 1947. They expelled the Dogra garrison at the town after a night of fighting. 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. It has been under Pakistani control ever since.

Education

Kotil is home to the University of Kotli () (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.

Tourism

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. Sarda Point View is great place to see kotli City

References

References

1. Rahman, Tariq. (1996). "Language and politics in Pakistan". Oxford University Press.
2. Hutchison, J. (John). (1994). "History of the Panjab hill states". Asian Educational Services.
3. (1998). "The times and trial of the Rawalpindi conspiracy 1951: the first coup attempt in Pakistan". Oxford University Press.
4. Effendi, M. Y.. (2007). "Punjab cavalry : evolution, role, organisation, and tactical doctrine : 11 Cavalry (Frontier Force), 1849-1971". Oxford University Press.
5. "University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir".