Srinagar district, after the creation of new districts that carved district Ganderbal in its vicinity, comprises of only two tehsils – Srinagar North and Srinagar South, divided by river Jhelum. Srinagar North is the portion falling on the right side of river Jehlum while Srinagar South comprises of the area falling on the left side of the river.
It is said that emperor Ashoka laid the foundation of his capital of the region near the present Srinagar city and named it ‘Srinagari’. Various rulers from time to time changed their capitals from place to place in the neighborhood and gave their own names to the city. In 1223 A D, famous ruler Sadru-din-Rinchan Shah named the city as Rinchanpora. Ultimately, the original name Srinagar was restored and it continues to be called by that name ever since.