Kishtwar is first referred to in the Rajatarangini by the ancient name Kashthavata[8][9] during the reign of Raja Kalsa of Kashmir (1063–1089), when "Uttamaraja", the ruler of Kashthavata visited the court of the Kashmir King in company with several other hill chiefs to pay their respects to the Raja.

The local ruler of this place, Mohammed Tegh Singh, was sent to prison in Lahore jail, where he killed himself.

Following are the blocks: Marwah, Warwan, Dachhan, Kishtwar, Nagseni, Drabshalla, Inderwal, Mughal Maidan, Bunjwah, Machail, Palmar, Thakrie Trigham, and Paddar.

However, Sumantra Bose says it was repression by feudal class that drew people to the district of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar.

Languages of Kishtwar district (2011)[18] The economy of the area is not regularized with no visible investment from the government.

The area is although rich in natural mineral resources but poor infrastructure has posed difficulty in its extraction.

The Padder area produces world-class Pine nuts called chilgoza which is a delicacy and costly dry fruit.

Besides walnut, Marwah tehsil produces thousands of tons of Rajma (kidney beans) which is the cash crop of the area.

Rural households are also abundantly gifted by nature through cash crops of edible mushrooms and morchella called guchhi in the local language.

[tone] Many illustrations are found in the travelogue written by British writers including Otto Rothfield's With pen and Rifle in Kashmir.

The Warwan Valley has been rated among India's top ten trekking destinations with a wide range of landscapes.

Saffron of purest quality is produced in the iron-rich soil at Pochhal, Matta, Lachdayaram and Hidyal.

Kishtwar National Park, in the northeast region of the district, has a large number of peaks and glaciers.

The town has a small airstrip under the control and management of the Indian Army which caters to civil and military Helicopters.

The 33-hectare Chowgan is the largest natural ground located in the centre of the city and is used as a venue for recreation and religious and political gatherings.

Mini Secretariat housing all the offices of Kishtwar district administration is located 3 km from the main bus stand in Kuleed area.