About Hiranagar

Hiranagar is a small town located in Kathua district in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The town is situated on the western end of the district close to the international border with Pakistan and is the administrative headquarters of Hiranagar tehsil. It is one of the most picturesque cities in the area and is also a proud inheritor of a rich history.

According to 2011 census, Hiranagar has a total population of 8437 people. Among them, 2671 persons are engaged in different professions.  The city has 87.87% literacy rate, which is much higher than state average of 67.16%.

People here mostly speak in Dogra language. However, Pahari is also spoken by few. There is also sizeable population of Jats living in and around the town. They first settled in village of Kattal Gujran, located close to Hiranagar town during the 1971 war. now they are a flourishing community.

Geography of Hiranagar

Hiranagar is located 32.45° north latitude and 75.27° east longitude. It has an average altitude of 1010 feet (308 meters) above sea level. The terrain here is flat and the soil is deeply alluvial. This area, lying south of NH1 is well irrigated and provides a good yield. The area enjoys a subtropical climatic condition. The summer temperature in Hiranagar may rise as high as 48 degree Celsius. Monsoon  generally starts from the second week of July. .

History of Hiranagar

Hiranagar, earlier known as Jasmergarh, was part of the Dogra Kingdom until 1845. It was ruled by Jasrota kings, who initially had their headquarters at Jasrota,. At that time, the area enjoyed the status of a jagir. Jasmergarh came to prominence when King Hira Singh of Jasrota Dynasty built a fort here. It was known as Jandi Fort..


As Raja Hira Singh spent most of his time at Jandi Fort, a prosperous township began to grow around it. Its decline began when the Sikh forces under the Maharja Ranjit Singh attacked the fort in 1845. They destroyed the fort and plundered its wealth. Raja Hira Singh was killed in the ensuing war and with that Dogra supremacy over the region came to an end. For many years the whole area was engulfed in turmoil.

Harinagar after 1846

In 1846, the jagir of Jasrota along with Jasmergarh became a district under Jammu & Kashmir by the Treaty of Amritsar. Jasmergarh became the headquarters of the newly found district and thus the town once more came into prominence. Later in 1922, the district headquarters was shifted to Kathua town and the district was renamed as Kathua. Jasmergarh became a tehsil headquarters under Kathua district and remain so even to this day.

In 1947, the town was renamed as Hiranagar after its founder King Hari Singh.

Administration in Hiranagar

The Deputy Commissioner, posted at Kathua, is the administrative head of the district. He has multiple duties and acts also as the District Magistrate and District Development Commissioner. In case you need to contact him, you can do so at: 01922-234-007.

Since Hiranagar is the headquarters of Hiranagar Tehsil, the local administration is looked after a Tehsildar posted here. All local matters are first referred to him. He in turn refers such matters to the DC. If you need to contact him, you may do so at the following numbers:
Phone No: 01922-274-225
Mobile No: 95966-33820, 94191-84352

Municipality in Hiranagar

Hiranagar also has a Municipal Council to look after the needs of the residents and provide all kinds of civic amenities. For that purpose, the town has been divided into 13 wards; each of these wards are represented by an elected representative. According to 2011 census, there are 1723 houses in the town. MCH, not only supplies clean drinking water to those houses, but also collects garbage and provides all other facilities required for a healthy city life. The municipal office is located near Netaji Chowk.

Police in Hiranagar

The police force of Hiranagar functions under Kathua District Police. You can contact the local police station at 01922-274-222. However, if you want to contact the District Police office at the following number:
Phone No: 01922-234-010 (O)
E-mail: sspkathua-jk@nic.in

Business and Economy of Hiranagar

Economy of Hiranagar and its surrounding area depends as much on agriculture as on industries. Recently, an industrial estate has been inaugurated here under the aegis of directorate of Industries of Jammu. It is spread over 52.6 Kanals of land and 24 units operating from there. It may not be out of place to add that there are eight such industrial estates in whole of Kathua districts and the district authority is ready to provide all kinds of help to those interested in setting up units here.


Agriculture is another important source of livelihood to people living in and around Hiranagar. Wheat and paddy is the main crop grown here. Besides, the area grows good amount of oil seeds, pulses and other vegetable crops.

Apart from that, a large number of people here earn their living by working in different government offices. Trading is also a popular means of livelihood here.

Banks in Hiranagar

Hiranagar may be a small town right on the Pakistan border. However, that has not prevented the major names of the Indian banking industry from setting up their branches here. Following are two most important banks in Hiranagar town:

Jammu & Kashmir Bank:
Main Bazaar, Hiranagar
Phone Number- 951922-274238
IFSC Code- JAKA0HNAGAR

State Bank of India:
Opposite Forest Department
Main Chowk
Hiranagar
Kathua- 184142
IFSC Code: SBIN0011892.

NGOs in Hiranagar

Although Hiranagar is a small town, it has several nongovernmental organization working for the betterment of people of these regions. Following are few of them:

Kandi Shivalik Vikas Sangthan
Phone No: 01922-249-079

Beshahara Society
Phone No: 01922-230-252

Gramodyag Hastakala Kendra
Hone No: 01922-274-125

How to reach Hiranagar

Hiranagar is located on NH 1A at a distance of 309.4 km from the state capital of Srinagar, 29.1 Km from the district headquarters Kathua and 60 Km from Jammu. People wanting to visit Hiranagar are advised to travel via Jammu, which is the major railhead for the city. It takes around one hour to reach Hiranagar by road from Jammu.

Trains Passing through Hiranagar

However, Hiranagar also has its own railway station. Following are the trains that stops at Hira Nagar station. The station is coded HRHR.

Name of Train: Hemkunt Express
Number of the Train: 141609
Runs from Rishikesh to Jammu Tawai
Arrives at: 3.13 hrs
Departs at: 3.15 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Bhatinda Jammu Tawai Express
Number of the Train: 19225
Runs from Bhatinda Junction to Jammu Tawai
Arrives at: 4.52 hrs
Departs at: 4.54 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Jammu Tawai Express
Number of the Train: 13151
Runs from Kolkata to Jammu Tawai
Arrives at: 6.38 hrs
Departs at: 6.40 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Jammu Mail
Number of the Train: 14003
Runs from Delhi to Udhampur
Arrives at: 7.46 hrs
Departs at: 7.47
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Jhelum Express
Number of the Train: 11077
Runs from Pune Junction to Jammu Tawai
Arrives at: 8.07 hrs
Departs at: 8.09 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Jammu Tawai Ahmedabad Express
Number of the Train: 19224
Runs from Jammu Tawai to Ahmedabad Junction
Arrives at: 8.46 hrs
Departs at: 8.48 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Tatanagar – Jammu Tawai Express
Number of the Train: 18101
Runs from Tatanagar Junction to Jammu Tawai
Arrives at: 12.28 hrs
Departs at: 12.30 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Jammu Tawai Muri Rourkela Express
Number of the Train: 18110
Runs from Muri to Rourkela
Arrives at: 15.16 hrs
Departs at: 15.18
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Jammu Mail
Number of the Train: 14034
Runs from Udhampur to Delhi
Arrives at: 17.13 hrs
Departs at 17.15 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Ahmedabad - Jammu Tawai Express
Number of the Train: 19223
Runs from Ahmedabad Junction to Jammu Tawai
Arrives at: 17.44 hrs
Departs at: 17.46 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Hemkunt Express
Number of the Train: 14610
Runs from Jammu Tawai to Rishikesh
Arrives at: 19.26 hrs
Departs at: 19.28 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Sealdah Jammu Tawai Express
Number of the Train: 13152
Runs from Jammu Tawai to Kolkata
Arrives at: 19.45 hrs
Departs at: 19.46
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Jammu Tawai- Bhatinda Express
Number of the Train: 19226
Runs from Jammu Tawai to Bhatinda Junction
Arrives at: 22.16 hrs
Departs at: 22.18 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Name of Train: Jhelum Express
Number of the Train: 11078
Runs from Jammu Tawai to Pune Junction
Arrives at: 22.36 hrs
Departs at: 22.38 hrs
Schedule: 7 days a week

Important Facts about Hiranagar

Tehsil: Hiranagar
District: Kathua
State: Jammu & Kashmir
Elevation: 1010 feet (308 meters)
Pin Code: 184142
STD Code: 01922
Assembly Constituency: Hiranagar
Parliamentary Constituency: Udhampur