Kotli

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.

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. 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.

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.

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

Media related to Kotli City at Wikimedia Commons