Kashmir Historical Archive

1960 postcard Kashmiri women by Mahatta. When smiles and happens engulfed the air and made it more pleasant..Life was full of simplicity, far from any worries..wish I lived in that time. Oldest photo of Hazratbal shrine taken between 1860 to 1870. Heritage in which so many pious people had prayed for centuries but was removed by the tallest leader of the time for reason known. Could have preserved and raised climatically unsuitable structure of Rajasthan marble somewhere adjacent to heritage. Sycophants around dare not tell. 1951 A village house in Kashmir. During earlier days most of the houses were made of unbaked bricks (called khaam seer in kashmiri) and had thatched roofs (made of straw) which were called "cheyy pashh" in kashmiri. Swedish caravan in Kashmir 1967. Caravan which came from Sweden to kashmir in 1967 and was driven by Mr. Nielsen who was posted here in the UNMOGIP office ( UN office) at Srinagar. River Scene In Srinagar 1910. It...

1980 Srinagar. Taking a break with tamok daam.. What a delightful view is this ! The way he is enjoying his jajeer. Contentment and simple joys of life . What a time it was ! A very contented look. very basic " Naav". Dry hay. Wonder for his cattle or just to keep his seating warm! And enjoyment at its Best! Simple folks with a even more Simple Happy Life! Perhaps a short break from work, and a quick tamok daam & then back to work. No time even to sit down & have a puff ! Or was the urge for a tamok daam too strong? And look how nicely balanced he is! 1980 Smiling faces of Kashmir. Where this smile has gone. Now everybody is becoming victim of tension. Is there any authority to return this smile back ? Kashmir has become a political den for all parties. Those were days. Love and humanity can be seen on there faces. The famed houseboat owners and their families are still very fondly remembered by all the visitors of the bygone Golden Era for their hospitality...

1970s Polo View Srinagar. Some state cultural programmes used be conducted here where in school kids used to participate besides the march-past. The Bakhshi stadium was not build then. The transport departments footballers besides other teams used to play there. Infact this field was a great motivating factor for many future footballers. Poplar Avenue near Rambagh, Srinagar 1880. This is the time when there was no flood/spill channel and Ram bagh bridge. This poplar avenue road was part of old Mughal road as it was leading to Pulwama and Shopian. The Bakarwals still use this road when they bring their herds to valley. Photograph taken by Francis Firth in 1870 showing children playing "AAREO MAAREO TAAREYO TICH" which was a popular means of selecting teams for other games of those days, in the middle of a dirt road near Rambagh. Barbar Shah Bridge Early 1900s. I do, almost, regularly cross this bridge, which has nowadays turned out to be a bottle neck for all...

1978 Srinagar. Window watching A usual activity during day to day life. window watching was quite prevalent even in modern times till the mobile phones took over! It was no poverty like now we see. Even these types of shackles. we used to be amazed at nice Kashmiri carpets with huge backrest, nice vessels, tea will come in samovars with local bakery . which was cheap and freshly made. 1894 River Jehlum at present day Lal ded hospital angle, On left side is river bank side of old high court building. Lal Mandi can be seen on Rt side, which was then state banquet hall. Photograph taken in early 1900's from down stream of Lal Mandi. One can see Present day SPS Museum which then used to be Royal Guest House & Ball Room. Part of it was converted to Museum during Lord & Lady Cursin's official visit to Kashmir in 1905. In the fore ground (on left ie on Right Bank of Veth) the court complex can be seen. Clear water, SPS museum bldg's reflection clearly seen on ...

1960s Flower seller at Nageen lake. Notice the few houseboats and no houses can be seen in the background. If you see the lake now, a large part of it has been filled up and residential houses built on it. The number of house boats has multiplied manifold. The filth from the adjoining localities and houseboats flows directly into it. What was once a beautiful lake with crystal clear water is now nothing more than a cesspool. The water stinks ! Nature will never forgive us . The flood in 2014 is natures way of getting its revenge. I fear much worse unless we give up our greed and mend our ways. God gave us paradise but we squandered everything by our evil ways. 1880s Hand-coloured photo of State barge on apple tree canal Kashmir. Photograph has been taken in 1885 by T.H.McAllister showing one of the fast moving large boats from Maharaja's fleet which used to be called "Parendh" It was pulled /rowed by 41 boatmen. This photograph is hand tinted one coloured from ...

1900 CE Nala Mar canal and a Bridge (Reported as per historical evidence to be Saraf Kadal). The Mar canal used to carry Dal waters from Present day Baba Demb to Jehlum (down the Present day Cement bridge) it used to relieve excess water of Dal lake during floods but Alas! it is no more. This canal was dream project of great king, Zain Al Abidin Budshah (1413-1463). But today, majority of our engineers and planners have degrees but no common sense. Great king laid foundation for those canals what we call Nallha maar. Beside many more small canals, it was his planning of water channels thus Kashmir being referred as Venice of East. Most would feel guilty..off-course for some elite class doing destruction meant harvesting riches..the people who made this construction and set up were visionary and ahead at least 100 years of their times. 1910 Mission hospital Drugjan Dalgate with far off PIr Panjal mountains ( Present day chest disease Hospital ). There have been such great peo...

Mid 20th century Colored Post card from Kashmir. Photograph for the post card taken in late 1940's by R.C.Mehta. was in Black & White. Was hand tinted later & mass printed in colour a few years back. In this photograph one can not miss the Ear Rings known as " Kan-e-Waje" These were made of Silver & as these were heavy they had to be supported by "Tal Rez" or else being heavy the ear lobes used to get torn. The great social reformer of early 20th century Legendary MOHAMMAD SUBHAN HAJAM. He fought against so called legalized prostitution which was prevalent in those days. May his soul rest in peace. It is shameful that this great son of Kashmir has been totally forgotten.? MOHAMMAD SUBHAN HAJAM POSTED ON DECEMBER 22, 2010 Professor Fida Hassnain Prostitution as an institution has existed in Kashmir since ancient past. Kalhana, the historian has censured some of the kings like Kalasha, Kshemagupta, Uccala and Harsha for patronizing prostitu...

1880s The Dalgate, Srinagar Kashmir (Circled). There are two outlets from the Dal lake, namely the Dalgate and Amir Khan Nallah that connects the lakes of Nagin and Anchar Lake. Dalgate is controlled by a weir and lock system and water flows to River Jehlum. It is reportedly constructed in 19th century to control waters during floods from and to Dal Lake. It is said in history that the other outlet in to River Jehlum was near present day Fateh Kadal and that this outlet was changed into Nala Mar during the times of Budshah and it used to exit into river at present day Noor bagh. 1960 Dal gate area, Srinagar Kashmir. 1960 Dal gate area, Srinagar Kashmir as seen from Chinar bagh Bund. Some of houses still had mud roofs / Burza push. Site of present day Zero Bridge Kashmir 1910. The photograph has been taken from a wide angle camera and in this panoramic view the background objects seems to be far, which is not the case in reality. Photograph taken in 1910's from left...