Samba, a newly formed district in the state of Jammu and Kahmir, was earlier a part of jammu district. It covers Samba town and adjoining tehsils namely, Vijaypur and village Supwal, Gahwal. In ancient times, Samba consisted of 22 native towns, known as Mandi, each consisting of a separate family.  The majority of the people here join Defense forces due to their Rajput descents. The district is mainly Rajput dominated, mainly the Sambyals. "Purmandal Bridge" separates the district from Jammu district. According  to the census of 2001, Muslims account for 6% of the total population.

It is situated at an elevation of 384 meters. The Samba town is located on Shivalik hills range alongside the National Highway 1-A on the bank of river Basantar. Jammu city is about 40 km from Samba. It shares boundaries with Udhampur district in the North, Kathua district  in the East and Jammu district  in the west. It shares international border with Pakistan in the south. About two third of the area of Tehsil Samba is fed by Kandi and rain. Ravi Tawi Irrigation canal network irrigates the area on the southern side along the national highway, hence boosting the cultivation of major cereals and vegetables. 

Samba History

Samba was established in 1400 A.D. It is said that the city was founded by Malh Dev, the younger son of Rai Saidu of Lakhanpur . He is said to have married in the family of Ghotar, which is a local tribesman. After his marriage He stayed at Samba after his marriage ruled the region by making Samba as his capital. During the period of Hari Dev, in the year 1816, the city came under Jammu province. Ultimately, in the year 1846, it was merged in the state of J&K.

Samba Climate

The climate of the district is sub tropical. The weather is hot and dry in summer season and cold in winter season. As it is situated in the foot hills of the mountains, nights are a bit cooler than that of neighboring areas of Punjab. The average temperature ranges between 6 degree Celsius and 47 degree Celsius.

Samba Tourism

Mansar Lake, surrounded by small hills with different Hindu Gods and Goddesses Temples, is situated on the Samba - Udhampur Road at a distance of twenty two kms from Samba. It attracts huge number of tourists and pilgrims in the area. The accommodation to the tourists is provided by a tourist complex comprising five tourist huts and rooms located on the bank of the Lake . Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority, set up by the State Government, is responsible for implementation of tourism developmental projects in all the four tourist places.

Situated at a distance of thirty nine kms from Jammu, Purmandal is a religious place, also known as Chotta Kashi, which is connected  with Samba via Purmandal-Utterbani Vijaypur road. It has old Shiva temples having significant religious importance. It is surrounded by the Shivalik Hills that holds a natural beauty. Utterbani, situated at a distance of five kms from Purmandal on the banks of Devica, is another place of religious importance.

Tourist places in Samba
Chichi Mata Temple Samba
Narsinghdev Temple Ghagwal
Shiv Mandir Purmandal Utterbeni
Swankha Temple
Harmander Temple
Main Gurudwara
District Gurudwara at Barian
Main Mosque
Mosque Thalori