Gulmarg Meadows & Srinagar Views in Old Kashmir Photographs

A collection of old photographs showing everyday landscapes, spiritual sites, and community figures in Kashmir during the twentieth century. The pictures include a late 1970s–early 1980s view of Gulmarg meadow with wooden buildings, vehicles, visitors, and the snow-covered Pir Panjal range; a 1932 panoramic postcard of Srinagar featuring Kohi Maran fort, Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom shrine, and the mosque on the hill with clustered houses and chinar trees; the main market street in Leh, Ladakh in 1911 with locals in traditional attire, shops, and the Old Leh Palace above; the Baba Reshi Shrine near Gulmarg in its original Mughal-style structure from the early twentieth century; a mid-twentieth century portrait of Sufi saint Hazrat Syed Meerakh Shah Kashani; and a woman steering a traditional wooden boat on a river in 1980 with calm waters and surrounding trees. Simple views of old Kashmir.

This photograph, taken for a postcard series in the late 1970s to early 1980s, presents a view of Gulmarg with its open meadow, wooden buildings, and surrounding forest set against the snow covered Pir Panjal range. By this period, Gulmarg had become accessible by road following the macadamization of the Tangmarg–Gulmarg route in the early 1970s, allowing regular vehicular movement into the area. The presence of buses, cars, and visitors reflects Gulmarg’s growing role as a hill resort and seasonal destination. Historically known as Gauri Marg by local shepherds, the place later came to be called Gulmarg, meaning Valley of Flowers. The image serves as a visual record of Gulmarg during a transitional phase, balancing traditional landscape with expanding tourism infrastructure.

This photograph from 1932 presents a panoramic view of Srinagar with Kohi Maran hill prominently rising above the city. Taken for a postcard series by M S Dutta Photographers, the image documents the historic skyline of Srinagar during the early twentieth century. The fort atop Kohi Maran, originally constructed during the Afghan period under Governor Atta Mohammad Khan, is clearly visible. Also identifiable are significant religious and cultural landmarks, including the shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom Sahib and the mosque built by Mughal prince Dara Shikoh. The surrounding clusters of houses, terraced slopes, and tall chinar trees illustrate the organic growth of the city around its hills and sacred sites. This photograph serves as an important visual record of Srinagar’s historic topography and architectural heritage, much of which has since undergone irreversible change.

This photograph from 1911 shows the main market area of Leh in Ladakh, captured by R. E. Shorter, documenting everyday life in what was then a compact one-street town. The image records local residents gathered in the bazaar, dressed in traditional attire, reflecting the social and cultural character of Leh in the early twentieth century. Visible in the background are residential and commercial structures built at the base of the hill, above which rise the Old Leh Palace and monastery complex, defining the town’s historic skyline. The street also functioned as a central public space, where trade, social interaction, and events such as polo matches took place. This photograph serves as an important visual record of Leh’s urban layout, market life, and architectural setting before later expansion and transformation.

This early twentieth century photograph shows the shrine of Baba Payam ud Din Reshi, popularly known as Baba Reshi, located at Ramboh village near Gulmarg. Baba Reshi, born around 1411 AD, was initially a courtier of King Zain ul Abidin before renouncing worldly life and becoming a disciple of Baba Zain ud Din Reshi, a principal follower of Sheikh Noor ud Din Wali. The shrine, built in Mughal Persian architectural style, became an important spiritual center in the region. The original structure seen in this image was later destroyed in a devastating fire in September 1989, after which a new shrine was constructed on the site. The photograph preserves a rare visual record of the original Baba Reshi Ziarat, its setting, and its religious significance in Kashmir’s spiritual history.

This photograph shows Hazrat Syed Meerakh Shah Kashani, also known as Faqeer-e-Millat, one of the most revered Sufi saints of Kashmir. Born in 1886 and passing away in 1971, he was widely respected for his deep spiritual insight, humility, and lifelong dedication to the service of humanity. His teachings emphasized love, compassion, renunciation of materialism, and closeness to Allah through sincere conduct rather than ritual alone. Hazrat Syed Meerakh Shah Kashani attracted followers from diverse backgrounds and was known for his direct, personal interaction with seekers, without intermediaries. His shrine in Shalimar, Srinagar, continues to be an important spiritual center visited by devotees from across Kashmir, India, and abroad. This image preserves a valuable visual record of a figure whose influence shaped spiritual thought and devotion in Kashmir during the twentieth century.

This photograph from 1980 shows a Kashmiri woman standing at the helm of a traditional wooden boat, guiding it along a river using a long pole. River transport formed an essential part of daily life in many parts of Kashmir, particularly in areas connected by waterways where boats were used for travel, work, and the movement of goods. Women actively participated in these activities, demonstrating familiarity and skill in navigating rivers alongside household and economic responsibilities. The surrounding trees, calm water, and presence of other boats reflect the close relationship between Kashmiri communities and their natural environment. The image preserves an authentic visual record of everyday river life and women’s active roles in Kashmir during the late twentieth century.