Kashmir Historical Archive

This post presents a curated selection of rare historical photographs and paintings from Kashmir, spanning the mid-19th century to the late 20th century. The images document everyday life, traditional crafts, streets, children, cinemas, waterways, and landscapes, offering a visual record of Kashmir’s social and cultural history. A mid-19th century painting depicting life along the Nalamar canal in Srinagar, Kashmir, illustrating traditional wooden architecture, river transport, and everyday activities during the 1850s. A black and white photograph of Firdaus Cinema at Hawal in Srinagar, dating to around 1980, reflecting the cinema culture, street life, and urban architecture of the period. A black and white photograph from the 1960s showing children playing in a residential street of Srinagar, Kashmir, highlighting everyday life, traditional housing, and neighborhood culture of the period. A photograph from around 1980 showing a Nalchhi Ghar in Srinagar, where traditiona...

By the look and Tilak on forehead of some and formation of Dastaar and Pheran,the persons at shop seems to be mostly Kashmiri Pandits. Photograph taken by R.E.Shorter in 1911 showing a famous Kashmiri Pandit (KP) Tailoring Shop at Batayar Aali Kadal. Brief History as to why KP' s took to this occupation. Well in early 20th century when Muslim kids started studying in Mission & recently opened Islamia School Progressive KP Social Reformists such as Kashp Bandoo & Har Gopal Khasta from 1905 onwards started persuading KP's to take up occupations which used to be wholly & solely in muslim domain so that they KP's become self serving. Some Young & Energetic KP's took up such trades one such was Tailoring. In the photograph two tailor masters can be seen, one working on his newly acquired foot operated sewing machine. All of them are KP's which one can make out from their typical attire such as long Pheren with Laad & Head gear Dustaar. All seated ...