‘Suyya’s Town’ [Suyyapur] City/District, Jammu & Kashmir
From Suyya and Skt: pur, ‘(fortified) town, ‘settlement’
Sopore was founded by King Avantivarman of the Utpala dynasty in the 9th century CE. His minister, Suyya, was instrumental in reclaiming marshy lands in the region by building a series of embankments and canals to control the flow of the Jhelum River. Suyya’s efforts led to the creation of fertile agricultural lands, enabling the establishment of settlements, including the town of Suyyapur, which evolved into Sopore.
Under Dogra rule and later during British influence, Sopore developed further as a commercial center for agricultural produce, especially apples and walnuts.
Sopore has retained its reputation as the fruit basket of Kashmir. Often referred to as the Apple Town of Kashmir it is renowned for its apple orchards and industry, which produce some of the finest varieties of apples in India with large-scale production and export of apples.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Jammu & Kashmir place names.
Video: Sopore: Apple Town of Kashmir
