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 on Shop front (wana Penj) are busy in Gossiping ( Masaya Tzchantan) a favorite pastime of Kashmiri's.
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 on Shop front (wana Penj) are busy in Gossiping ( Masaya Tzchantan) a favorite pastime of Kashmiri's.
If one will go by history, everything was made here even ink was prepared locally. We did not modernize with change. We changed our professions went after white collar jobs and result is in front of us.
Photograph showing workers sun drying freshly hand made paper. Kagaz Sazi (Paper Making) came to Kashmir during reign of King Zain-ul- Din Budshah (1420-1470AD) Who invited Paper Makers from Samarkand. The art flourished tremendously over the centuries. The paper used to be made from old rags & hemp fiber. Kashmir Paper made in Five Varieties was famous for its quality & was in great demand in whole sub- continent. It was used for Manuscripts & in personal stationery by rich, famous ,Nawabs & Rajas as mark of Dignity & Status.
At turn of century early 1900's there were only 36 Families of Nowshera and adjoining areas involved in making paper. The craft of paper making in Kashmir is extinct now..Alas but True..
Habba kadal chowk. Way towards kani kadal and Zandar Mohalla. These tonga's used to ply from this spot upto Batamaloo and the fare was Rs.1/= only.
Beautiful and peaceful days are gone.
Crystal clear water of Dal lake !
It is Reshi Sabuen yarbal under old Habba Kadal bridge. The four storey house belongs to Mirs, most of whom have provision stores at koker bazaar and Regal Chowk. Up the stairs are misger shops adjacent to the entrance of Reshi Sabh. Beside the river bank on the right is Menzear's out let that sells sawned timber.
Such history! 'shraan Kuth' the one just at the end of the steps.
1948 Famous knol-khol/German Turnip and in Kashmiri "MUNJEH " seller in a boat.
Our Kashmiri Pandit community were used to cook a special dish of Knol Khol known as " MUNJEH KALI".
Knol-khol or German Turnip, Kohlrabi and Munjeh is a stout, round, tuberous vegetable in the Brassica family, the family that also includes cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collard greens, and brussels sprouts. This stem vegetable is native to Europe. Scientific name: Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes Group).
Knol knol is a perennial, cool season vegetable. It is grown all over the temperate climates for its succulent round shaped modified stem as well for its turnip-flavored top greens.
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