Old Kashmir Images

August 1937 Kashmiri Shepherd in higher mountains near Harmukh base.

Photograph of a Shepherd known in Kashmiri as "Chaupan" or "Pohul". Their job is practically hereditary, as Chaupan are a seperate people ,marrying amongst themselves. In spring they are entrusted with sheep by the villagers of a specified cluster of villages. The Chopan family then takes them to Revenue Deptt. assigned High altitude Meadows called "Behaks". Each Behak is partitioned into "ILLAK" among the Chopans, no newcomer is admitted unless with the consent of Chopan Brotherhood. In autumn the sheep are brought down & handed over to owners. The Chaupans used to receive fixed amount of grain & some money per sheep as remuneration, in addition he would receive one sheep out of every Fifty sheep in case he brings full number of sheep back.

Foundation stone of University at Hazratbal .
Hazrat Meerak Shah laying stone. Kh Noor usd din sahib also seen .
J&K university was established through an ordinance issued by Maharaja Hari Singh from Bombay & Yuvraj Karan Singh was made Chancellor of University, who submitted a proposal to Donate Gulab Mahal Palace now Grand Palace Hotel Royalties Main Palace in Srinagar for establishing the University. Some records even were also shifted there from present day Cultural Academy Building at Lal Mandi. However the proposal was rejected by Maharaja Hari Singh. Then the present day Campus comprising 120 Acres of Orchard called Amar Singh Bagh was donated by Sader -e- Riyasat Karan Singh were foundation stone was laid by Respected Mirak Shah Kashani(RA). It will be of intrest to mention here that first Convocation of J& K University was held on 24th September 1949 at S.K. Park near GPO.

Early 1950s Namda making in Kashmir.
The wet sheep wool with soap is spread on a grass mate "Waguw " which is rolled for few days till dry, it is then opened and a design is marked on it.
What a simplicity of real workmanship proudly belongs to this state.

Early 20th century-Life in the Jungle, Members of Gujjar community in Kashmir.
Early 20th century-Life in the Jungle, Members of Gujjar community in Kashmir, picture by British camp-goers. During last 100 years the life of Gujer & Bakerwals has hardly changed.

Lotus root (Nadru) harvesting in Dal lake, Srinagar Kashmir.
As per folklore children of boatmen were by birth , Swimmers.

Late 1960s The bridge of Amira Kadal, Srinagar Kashmir.
It's pathetic that our greedy officials and rulers for their selfish ends got this piece of heritage auctioned .Thank God good sense prevailed in case of zero bridge and zaina kadal.