Explanation: In India, the concept of having different capitals for summer and winter is primarily seen in the northern Himalayan states, where the climate can be extremely harsh during the winter months. This practice is adopted to ensure that administrative functions can continue smoothly throughout the year, despite the challenging weather conditions.
Jammu and Kashmir is one such state that has adopted this system. Srinagar, located in the Kashmir Valley, serves as the summer capital due to its cooler climate during the summer months. Jammu, situated at a lower altitude, becomes the winter capital as it is more temperate and less prone to the extreme cold and snowfall that Srinagar experiences during the winter.
Similarly, Uttarakhand, another state in the Himalayan region, has Dehradun as its summer capital and Gairsain as its winter capital. Dehradun, located in the Doon Valley, is more suitable for administrative work during the summer due to its relatively cooler climate. Gairsain, situated in the Kumaon region, is chosen as the winter capital because it is less affected by the severe cold and snowfall that can disrupt administrative activities in Dehradun.
It is important to note that not all states in India have adopted this dual capital system. For example, Punjab, a state in the northwestern part of India, has Chandigarh as its capital, which is also the capital of Haryana. Chandigarh is a union territory and does not have a separate winter capital. Uttar Pradesh, another large state in northern India, has Lucknow as its capital and does not have a separate winter capital.
Lakshadweep, a union territory located in the Arabian Sea, does not have a dual capital system. It is a group of islands and does not face the same climatic challenges as the Himalayan states, making a dual capital system unnecessary.
In summary, the dual capital system is a unique administrative arrangement adopted by certain states in India to cope with extreme weather conditions. Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand are the two states that have implemented this system, with Jammu and Kashmir having Srinagar as its summer capital and Jammu as its winter capital, and Uttarakhand having Dehradun as its summer capital and Gairsain as its winter capital. This system ensures that administrative functions can continue without disruption throughout the year, despite the challenging weather conditions in these regions.