Kathua [Kathai] City/District , Jammu & Kashmir
The name has a tale:
Jodh Singh, a famous Rajput of Hastinapur, had three sons, Kindal, Teju, and Bhaju. They settled their separate hamlets and named them as Taraf Tajwal, Taraj Bhajwal, and Taraf Manjali. These three villages were collectively called Kathai and over time they came to be called Kathua.
It is not ckear what katha(i)(r) is supposed to mean: possibly sages or storytellers in a region famed for its stories and sages [Skt: kathaka, story(teller), or maybe sons [Ksh: kạthar, ‘(like a) son’].
Kathua, located in the southern part of Jammu and Kashmir near the Punjab border, is often referred to as the “City of Sufis” because of its historical association with Sufi saints and their shrines.
It is situated on the banks of the Ujh River and is known for its scenic landscapes, fertile plains and historic forts.
The city is an important industrial hub with large companies in the textiles, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and cement sectors.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Jammu & Kashmir place names.
