From The Hindu · The Hindu Bureau · · 1m 50s
Kashmir's 150-year capital shuffle returns
Jammu and Kashmir revives the Darbar Move, shifting its government between two cities twice yearly after a four-year halt.
In brief
Jammu and Kashmir revives the Darbar Move, shifting its government between two cities twice yearly after a four-year halt. Jammu and Kashmir has resumed the Darbar Move, a 150-year-old practice of shifting the state capital between Srinagar and Jammu twice yearly, after it was halted in 2021. Originally reported by…
A 150-year tradition returns
Jammu and Kashmir has resumed the Darbar Move, an over 150-year-old Dogra-era practice of shifting the state capital biannually between Srinagar and Jammu.
How the Darbar Move works
The state's civil secretariat and around 151 government departments shuttle between summer capital Srinagar and winter capital Jammu, with more than ten thousand employees changing locations.
Why the Dogras started it
The Dogra Maharajas began shifting top offices to avoid the summer heat of Jammu and the bitter winter cold in the Valley, a practice that continued after 1947.
The move was halted in 2021
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stopped the Darbar Move in June 2021, citing the administration's transition to e-office, which would save around 200 crore rupees annually.
The High Court's criticism
In May 2020, the J&K High Court said the Darbar Move results in wastage of time and energy and taxes security forces, nurturing inefficiency and lack of governance.
“results in wastage of tremendous amount of time, efforts, and energy on inefficient and unnecessary activity”
Jammu's business community objected
Jammu's business community termed the halt a blow to trade and the traditional bond between the two regions, pressing for revival of the practice.
Omar Abdullah revived the practice
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah restored the Darbar Move in 2025, a year after assuming office, fulfilling a key election promise and receiving a grand welcome in Jammu.
The move to Jammu begins
The J&K government will move to winter capital Jammu in the first week of November 2026, with offices closing in Srinagar on October 30 and 31 and reopening in Jammu on November 2.
The one thing
Jammu and Kashmir has resumed the Darbar Move, a 150-year-old practice of shifting the state capital between Srinagar and Jammu twice yearly, after it was halted in 2021.
