Dal Lake Houseboats & Village Moments in Old Kashmir Photos

A collection of old photographs showing everyday life and community scenes in Kashmir from the early twentieth century to the 1970s. The pictures include the houseboat Cutty Sark on Dal Lake in Srinagar in 1961 surrounded by dense lotus growth and shikara boats; a group of teachers, staff, and students at Islamia School in 1965 with many from the Kashmiri Pandit community; guests at a traditional Kashmiri Pandit marriage feast in 1928 seated on the ground with food on copper plates; a family in a traditional donga boat on Dal Lake in the early twentieth century propelled by a pole; village children standing together in simple clothing in 1971; and people along the River Jhelum at Bejbehara in 1915 washing, bathing, and socializing near wooden structures and stone embankments. Simple views of old Kashmir.

This color photograph from 1961 shows the houseboat Cutty Sark anchored on Dal Lake in Srinagar at a time when the lake remained largely clean and ecologically balanced. Dense lotus growth surrounds the houseboat, while traditional shikara boats navigate the narrow water channels, reflecting everyday lake life during the mid twentieth century. During this period, houseboats were regulated in their mooring locations and were primarily used for tourism and leisure rather than unrestricted permanent settlement. The image documents an important phase in Kashmir’s waterborne heritage, capturing both the architectural elegance of the houseboat and the natural beauty of Dal Lake before later environmental and urban pressures significantly altered the landscape.

This historical group photograph from 1965 shows the teachers, staff, and young students of Islamia School, captured during a period when educational institutions played a central role in shaping modern Kashmiri society. The teachers, dressed in a mix of traditional and formal attire, represent a generation of educators committed to learning, discipline, and community development. Many senior figures in the image belonged to the Kashmiri Pandit teaching community, which held a prominent place in education during this era. The presence of students seated in front reflects the close teacher-student relationship common in mid twentieth century schools. This image stands as a tribute to the educators who contributed to intellectual growth and nation building in Kashmir through their lifelong service to education.

This rare early twentieth century photograph shows members of the Kashmiri Pandit community seated together during a traditional marriage feast, reflecting long-standing social and ceremonial customs. Guests are seated on the ground, with food served on large copper plates, a customary practice for major family and religious occasions in Kashmir. Marriage feasts traditionally included a full range of dishes prepared according to established culinary and ritual practices, with serving conducted in a communal and orderly manner. The image documents not only dining traditions but also the collective social life of Kashmiri Pandits during this period. Captured in 1928, the photograph holds particular historical importance as it records a marriage event associated with early social reform efforts, marking a moment of transition while preserving deeply rooted cultural customs of Kashmiri society.

This early twentieth century photograph shows a traditional Kashmiri donga boat cruising on the calm waters of Dal Lake, reflecting a time when the lake served as a central space for daily life, leisure, and social interaction. Dongas were commonly used by local families for short outings, visits to gardens, and informal lake journeys with relatives and neighbors. Propelled by a boatman using a long pole, these wooden vessels were an essential part of lake culture before the dominance of modern transport. The still water and distant hills emphasize the peaceful character of Dal Lake during this period, when recreational lake travel was a routine and cherished aspect of Kashmiri life.

This black and white photograph from 1971 presents a candid portrait of Kashmiri children standing together in a village setting, offering a quiet glimpse into everyday childhood in Kashmir during the early 1970s. Dressed in simple, practical clothing suited to the climate and terrain, the children reflect a period when life was closely tied to local communities and shared spaces. Their expressions and body language convey resilience, innocence, and familiarity with their surroundings. The image serves as a visual record of social conditions, dress, and childhood experience in Kashmir at a time when formal documentation of ordinary lives was limited, preserving a moment of unposed reality from the region’s social history.

This photograph from 1915 captures daily life along the River Jhelum at Bejbehara, a town where the river functioned as the primary lifeline for the local population. Residents are seen gathered at the water’s edge, using the river for essential needs such as washing, bathing, and collecting water, reflecting a time when river resources supported nearly every aspect of life. The wooden riverside structures and stone embankments illustrate traditional settlement patterns built in close relationship with the waterway. Beyond its practical uses, the riverbank also served as a social space where people met, conversed, and shared everyday moments. The image documents a period of simplicity and close dependence on natural resources, preserving an important chapter in the social and environmental history of Kashmir.