Heritage Trails Srinagar Kashmir

Heritage Trails

Srinagar Kashmir

By Indus Discoveries

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Heritage Trails

Srinagar Kashmir

E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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Dear Kashmir Traveller Welcome to the Heritage Trails of Srinagar. A perceptively curated selection of walks to explore the real city....to go beyond the usual tourist route and to gain a deeper understanding of Srinagar.... the Heart and Soul of Kashmir.

The ancient city overflows with outstanding monuments heralding the importance of religion, and reflecting the life and times of the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim period, the Mughal Empire and Colonial British influences. Coupled with a wealth of artisans skilled in copper work, creating graceful pashminas, exquisite wood carvings and intricate embroidery; history and culture are at one in Srinagar.

These walks discover the richness of the heritage and highlight the lives of the inhabitants both now, and in the past.

Explore the Medieval city with its serene Mosques, stunning wooden buildings enriched with glorious carvings and visit the old spice markets.

Delve into the Mughal heritage with its Mosques, Shrines and gardens to rest in. Feel the might of the dynasty and the love the Emperors had for the city.

Roam the Jhelum riverfront, once the life blood of the city, now filled with memories of years gone by: Shrines, Temples, Colonial buildings and vignettes of the fabled Silk Route.

Index Medieval Heritage Trail

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Mughal Heritage Trail

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Jhelum Riverfront Heritage Trail 12 Sufi Heritage Trail 18 Colonial Heritage Trail 24 Textiles, Arts & Crafts Heritage Trail

Follow in the footsteps of the Sufi Saints, who bequeathed such richness to the land through their spiritual and cultural work.

The British Colonial mark is still vivid. Many wonderful old buildings including ‘The Residency’ and a missionary founded school remain. There’s also a poignant cemetery to wander.

The richness of the local Arts and Crafts are outstanding. The city’s artisans excel in the delicacy and intricacy of their work. Here traditional crafts are not compromised and their legacy lives on.

With our creative selection of these walks, you can impart your love and enthusiasm for Kashmir and enjoy a holiday of a lifetime. It is the personal touch that makes our tours interesting, and our clients return time and time again. Wonderful memories of the medieval city of Srinagar await you.

Yasin M. Zargar B.Sc.F.Inst.TT. FRAS Managing Director T: +194 2313 008

E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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Medieval Heritage Trail Nalahmar Road

Vakil Kocha

Srinagar - summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir - is famous not only for its natural beauty but also for its rich, captivating history and cultural heritage. The city of Srinagar is said to have been founded in 250 B.C by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. Srinagar evolved over a period of time and is a witness to the cultural the political transformation.

The Medieval heritage walk takes you to the rich cultural landscape and historic monuments of the city of Srinagar known as Shahar-i-Khaas. Through the narrow lanes and by-lanes of the Shahari-Khaas, you will see how its rich culture and architecture comes alive as you walk along the roads and bustling bazaars (market). The main building medium of Kashmir is stone, wood and bricks. Most of the historic buildings are religious in nature.

2 Hours

Jamia Masjid

5 6 Mazar-i- Salateen and Budshah’s Tomb

4 Gad Kocha

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*Duration may vary.

The Medieval Heritage walk follows this path:

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Pathar Masjid

1 Pathar Masjid ... 210m ... 2 Zaina Kadal ... 500m ...

3 Khanqah Shah Hamdan ... 350m ... 4 Gad Kocha ... 50m ...

5 Vakil Kocha ... 140m ... 6 Mazar-i-Salateen ... 550m ... 7 Jamia Masjid T: +194 2313 008

3 Khanqah Shah-i-Hamadan

E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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Medieval Heritage Trail

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GAD KOCHA AND VAKIL KOCHA Vakil Kocha has beautiful vernacular style houses and Gad kocha is famous for dry vegitables and spices

PATHAR MASJID The walk starts on the bank of river Jhelum in front of the Pathar Masjid (Mosque). Pathar Masjid was built in 1623, and, said to have been built by the Empress Nur Jahan. The mosque is also known as Shahi masjid and masjid-i-nav. The Mosque was built using grey limestone, which was a departure from the common wooden structures built at that time. Its roof consists of twenty-seven domes, which are partly ribbed and partly vaulted.

ZAINA KADAL BRIDGE As we walk towards our next stop, we cross Zaina Kadal Bridge. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin constructed Zaina Kadal Bridge on river Jhelum in the 15th Century A.D. As Jhelum flows beneath, the background provides a medieval picture of an old town with wooden structures and domes. We cross the bridge and move further on the right bank of Jhelum to see one of the most beautiful buildings of Srinagar- Khanqah of Shah Hamadan.

KHANQAH SHAH-I-HAMADAN Mir Syed Ali Hamdani - A revered Sufi Saint, scholar, preacher, writer and a traveller - was born in Hamdan (Iran) in the 14th Century. Syed Ali Hamdani came to Kashmir in 1372 A.D. He is credited with spreading Islam in Kashmir as well as bringing many arts and crafts from Persia. The structure is a visual treat with wooden mouldings and beautiful carvings over doors, windows and a dominant spire on top. The walk takes us to famous Kashmiri streets and lanes through the spices, threads and dry fruit markets.

There is an almost medieval feel in the air as traditionally dressed Kashmiri men and women wandered the crowded narrow lanes and by-ways.

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MAZAR-I-SALATEEN The entrance to the site is through a trefoliate arched gateway dating back to the Hindu period. It houses the tomb of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin’s mother (15th Century). The mausoleum is a bulbous brick masonry structure decorated with blue tiles, built in the 15th Century by Zain-ul-Abidin.

Within the enclosure are the graves of other royal notables like Babar’s cousin, Mirza Haider Dughlat who ruled Kashmir from 1541-1551 A.D. We walk along the lanes to reach our final destination in the heart of old city Jamia Masjid.

JAMIA MASJID Jamia Masjid was built by Sultan Sikandar around 1400 A.D. and was later enlarged by his son Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin. It is the biggest Mosque and the most impressive building in the wooden style of architecture with minimal carving. It consists of a square courtyard with fountain, lawns, chinar trees and a backdrop of Hari Parbat fort. It has been damaged many times by fire and restored to its original design.

The walk ends on a high note as we experience the culture and heritage of local people defining the stereotypes of Srinagar.

E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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Kathi d aza R Darw

Mughal Heritage Trail

5 Badamwari

The Sharika Devi Temple

Mughal rule was established in Kashmir in 1586 A.D. They ruled it through their Governors. Akbar visited Kashmir thrice. Captivated by the beauty of Kashmir, successive Mughal Emperors constructed many celebrated gardens, Mosques and monuments.

It is said that Akbar built the walled city of Srinagar to alleviate the distress of the people due to famine of 1597. The city comprises of a stone rampart encircling the Hari Parbat -Koh-i-Maran- on three sides and opening on the Nigeen Lake on the east. It has three entrances - the Sangin Darwaza (Gate), Bachi Darwaza and Kathi Darwaza. The hill of Hari Parbat is crowned by a Afghan fort built in 1810-1815, which is visible from every part of the city. Other attractions on the walk include Akhoon Mullah Shah Mosque, Makhdoom Saheb Shrine and Badamwari.

2.5 Hours

*Duration may vary.

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Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoomi Shrine

Hari Parbat

Akhund Mullah Shah Mosque

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The Mughal Heritage walk follows this path:

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Kathi Darwaza

1 Kathi Darwaza ... 400m ... 2 Mullah Akhund Shah Mosque... 132m ... az

3 Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoomi Shrine... 550m ... 4 Hari Parbat... 2.4kms ...

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5 Badamwari T: +194 2313 008

E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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Mughal Heritage Trail KATHI DARWAZA The walk starts at the southern, Kathi Darwaza (Gate).

The Kathi Darwaza seems to have been the principal entrance to the walled city of Srinagar, judging from the fact that the inscriptions have been put up only here. It is a very simple structure, comprising a domed chamber in the middle with two side-recesses. We turn left and climb roughly 50 steps towards the Hari Parbhat, we will see the historical monument-Akhund Mullah Shah Mosque. As you ascend steps leading to the Makhdoom Saheb Shrine, the Mullah Shah complex is on your left. When you enter the courtyard, the Mosque is on your right.

AKHUND MULLAH SHAH MOSQUE Akhund Mullah Shah Mosque was built by Prince Dara Shikoh- son of Mughal King Shah Jahan- for his tutor Mullah Akhund Shah. It is built of grey limestone. The Mosque complex includes lower levels of arched halls used by pilgrims and scholars plus a Hamam (Turkish bath). Mian Mir who laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple, Darbar Saheb, Amritsar, was the disciple of Mullah Akhund. After coming out of the complex, we turn left and continue to the Shrine of Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoomi.

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HARI PARBAT Hari Parbat a hillock also known as Kohi-e Maraan lies on the west of the Dal Lake in Srinagar. Emperor Akbar constructed the Mughal quarters at the foothills of this hillock and built a stone wall around it in 1590 A.D. and an Afghan Governor Atta Mohammed Khan built a fort in the late18th Century. This fort sits at the top giving a spectacular view of Dal Lake and the city of Srinagar and surrounded by commendable structures from all religions. There is the Sharika Devi Temple, sacred to Kashmiri Pandits as a presiding deity of the city of Srinagar, at walkable distance from Hari Parbat. Then we continue the walk towards Badamwari.

BADAMWARI This walk has a great view of the old town of Srinagar and the skyline toward Zabarwan mountain range. We turn left, after covering 1 km the heritage trail ends in Badam Wari (Almond Orchard) nestling in the foothills of Koh-i-Maran. It’s a nice resting place after walking for an hour or so surrounded by almond trees, flowers and bushes, with beautiful views of Nigeen Lake. The garden has a well preserved historic well. The garden is in full bloom during the spring season. The walk ends here.

SHEIKH HAMZAH MAKHDOOMI SHRINE Sheikh Hamzah (1494 A.D.–1585 A.D.) is one of the most venerated Sufis of the Suhrawardi order in Kashmir. Nearly fifteen years after his departure from life, Akbar, the Mughal Emperor, built a Shrine there which was reconstructed during the Afghan rule by Atta Mohammad Khan around 1821 A.D. As a mark of respect Atta Mohammad Khan stuck the coins bearing the name of Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoomi. We leave Makhdoomi Saheb Shrine and turn left towards a narrow lane, which meanders down through trees and greenery towards the main road.

T: +194 2313 008

E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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Jhelum Riverfront Heritage Trail

The historic city of Srinagar is defined by the Jhelum riverfront and its associated canals. The main development along the riverfront took place from the 14th Century onwards. The riverfront consists of high stone embankment walls and bunds lined with a series of ghats (steps leading down to a body of water) and dotted with public buildings, craft establishments, Mosques, Khankahs, Temples.

Linear stretches of three to four storey residential buildings, built close together, line the waterfront. The traditional riverfront stretches along both the banks of river from Zero bridge up to Safa Kadal.

3 Hours

*Duration may vary.

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SHERGARHI PALACE COMPLEX Erstwhile Royal residences from the 19th Century, served as the Administrative headquarters for Afghan, Sikh and Dogra rulers.

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DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE Former residence and office of the Dogra governor.

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LALDED MEMORIAL SCHOOL An imposing colonial structure that was vandalized, subsequently acquired by the Government and converted into a cultural centre.

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GANPATYAR TEMPLE Popular Ganpati Temple, a layered ancient sacred site.

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SOUMYAR TEMPLE Shiva Temple, sacred space rebuilt in 1939 A.D.. popular locally with women devotees.

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PURSHYAR TEMPLE Vernacular local sacred space.

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RAGUNATH MANDIR (TEMPLE) Raghunath Temple was constructed by the first Dogra ruler Maharaja Gulab Singh in the year 1835.

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KHANQAH-I-MIR SYED ALI HAMDANI (KHANQAH-I-MUALLA) Built-in the memory of one of the most revered Saints, Mir Syed Ali Hamdani. the imposing Shrine is built in a typical Kashmiri style and attracts the faithful throughout the year.

Some of the prominent buildings located along the riverfront 1

LLOYDS BANK (PRESENTLY J&K BANK), BUND Colonial building, the first-ever Bank established in Kashmir.

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SRI PRATAP SINGH MUSEUM, LAL MANDI Erstwhile Royal ceremonial building, late 19th Century converted into a museum in 1895 A.D..

MAZAR-I-SALATEEN, BADSHAH’S MOTHERS TOMB Graveyard of the first ruling Muslim dynasty, where the mother of the popular 15th Century King Badsha is interred.

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MOSQUE OF RINCHIN SHAH. (BUDDH MASJID) The oldest Muslim Mosque, built by the first Muslim Sultan, rebuilt in early 2021.

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E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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SHRINE OF SYED MOHAMMED AMIN MANTAQI (OWAISSI SAHEB) Typical vernacular style Shrine built for this revered Sufi Saint.

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SHRINE OF SYED SHARIEF-UD-DIN (BULBUL SHAH) The Shrine of the earliest Sufi Saint from central Asia.

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VIDYA BHAWAN SCHOOL & RUPA BHAWANI TEMPLE Vidya Bhawan School is a heritage building displaying excellent wooden architecture. It has a Temple dedicated to a mystic poetess Rupa Bhawaniwani.

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MAUSOLEUM OF THAG BABA SAHIB A Mughal style Shrine dedicated to a Sufi Shaikh, Shaikh Ibrahim.

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YARKAND SARAI Sarai and trade centre for traders on the Silk Route towards Central Asia

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SHRINE OF SHAH NIAMAT-U-ULLAH QADRI Shrine of Qadri Sufi Saint Shah Niamat-u-llah Wali from Kashmir.

And a number of architecturally rich residential buildings

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Jhelum riverfront Heritage Trail Riverfront is a mix of public, religious and residential usage. Jehlum sustained a river community engaged in transport, movement of goods, distribution of essential commodities and local produce for the whole city.

It served as the main transportation spine of the city supported by network of canals. Water transport in Jhelum served both the ruling elite and the common people with ghats as nodes of socio-cultural importance.

Riverfront represents the most prominent architectural achievements of Kashmir. It marks a unique synthesis of different usages namely public, private and religious. It marks a balance between the natural and the built environment. Until the 1980s the Riverbank was the main economic spine for manufacture and showcasing of the finest of Kashmiri crafts. Each shophouse had a landing point or a ghat entry.

The shop-houses, lining the high embankments of the riverfront acted as major showrooms, stores and karkhanas (factories) frequently visited by tourists and potential buyers. Almost all these shop-houses exist at site today, sans their commercial role. A Shikara (Kashmiri boat) cruise down the river used to be the most exciting experience for tourists, till 1980’s.

The wooden bridges represented a unique traditional technology that also gave the name” City of Seven Bridges” to Srinagar. Most of these marvels of indigenous engineering have been dismantled over a period of time.

The destruction of these bridges shows total lack of understanding of the historical character of the city.

Jhelum Riverfront Heritage Trail is a boat ride. The journey starts at the Zero Bridge, crossing the core heritage area and passes some of the prominent waterfront buildings. It ends at Safa Kadal.

T: +194 2313 008

E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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T: +194 2313 008

Jhelum Riverfront Heritage Trail E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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Gand

Kashmir has been home to major religious traditions like Buddhism, Shaivism and Islam. The Hindus and Muslims of Kashmir have lived in harmony since the 13th Century when Islam emerged as a major religion in Kashmir. The Rishi tradition of Kashmiri Hindus and Sufi-Islamic way of life of Kashmiri Muslims not only co-existed, they complemented each other and also created a unique ethnicity in which Hindus and Muslims visited the same Shrines and venerated the same saints.

Over the Century’s saints, seers and followers of all religions have come to Kashmir and left it richer, more spiritually robust. This shared heritage represented through the Shrines and Khanqahs of Kashmir was formed in deposited layers along the trade routes between Kashmir and its surrounding geography, symbolizing the spiritual and secular character of the region. Hundreds of Shrines are placed in scenic locations all over its hilly landscape.

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Sufi Heritage Trail

5 Bahudin Saheb precinct

Jamia Masjid 4

3 Ziyarat Naqshband Saheb

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2 Hours

*Duration may vary.

1 Khanqah Shah-i-Hamadan ... 1.1kms ... 2 Dastageer Saheb ... 600m ...

3 Ziyarat Naqshband Saheb ... 400m ... 4 Jamia Masjid ... 650m ...

5 Bahudin Saheb precinct.

T: +194 2313 008

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Khanqah Shah-i-Hamadan

Jhelum River

The Sufi Heritage walk follows this path:

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kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

2 Dastgeer Saheb Khanqah

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Sufi Heritage Trail KHANQAH SHAH-I-HAMADAN Mir Syed Ali Hamdani - A revered Sufi Saint, scholar, preacher, writer and a traveller - was born in Hamdan (Iran) in 14th Century. Syed Ali Hamdani came to Kashmir in 1372 A.D. He is credited with spreading Islam in Kashmir as well as bringing many arts and crafts to Kashmir from Persia.

The structure is a visual treat with wooden mouldings and beautiful carvings over doors, windows and a dominant spire on top. The walk takes us down famous Kashmiri streets and lanes through the spices, threads and dry fruit markets. There’s almost a medieval feel in the air as traditionally dressed Kashmiri men and women throng the narrows lanes. Further the walk takes us to Dastgeer Saheb Khanqah.

DASTGEER SAHEB KHANQAH Historical accounts reveal that an Afghan traveller on a visit to Kashmir presented a holy relic of Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani, the renowned and highly revered Sufi Saint who lived in Baghdad (D: 1166 A.D.). The relic was deposited with Syed Buzarg Shah, a Sufi Saint and a Khanqah was constructed here at Khanyar in the 18th Century where the relic is displayed on religious festivals.

Carved eaves boards, wooden pendants, mullion work in the window openings, decorative Khatamband ceiling with multi-faceted deodar wooden columns are some decorative feature of the building. The colourful Khatamband ceiling is a unique architectural element that has added colour and charm to the interiors. The walls are embellished with Khatamband having calligraphed Aurad-i-Qadria, the sufi prayer and devotional text by Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani. The cenotaphs in the Shrine belong to prominent members of the Qadri Sufi order. The whole structure was gutted in a devastating fire in 2012 A.D.. The Shrine was reconstructed in exactly the

T: +194 2313 008

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pre-existing form under the supervision of INTACH, Kashmir who had prepared a digitized drawing of the structure before it was gutted. We walk few hundred meters and to our left is the Khanqah of Naqshbandi Saheb.

NAQSHBANDI SAHEB After the fall of the Chaks, the Bagh-i-Hussain Shah, which housed the palace of one of the last Kashmiri kings, Sultan Hussain Shah Chak, was gifted by Shah Jahan to Khwaja Mahmud Naqshbandi, a prominent Sufi belonging to the Naqshbandia Sufi order. Khwaja Mahmud had a Khanqah built on the site in 1633 A.D., the first Khanqah in the valley associated with Naqshbandia Sufi order. The Khanqah is a two-storied square building constructed on top of a raised platform. It is a fine example of the traditional wooden architecture of the region. The main features of this architecture have evolved as a synthesis of the forms and styles prevalent in the pre-Islamic sacred architecture of Kashmir. The most dominating feature being the spire and the roof, an amalgamation of pre-Islamic sacred form. The main structure is basically built by placing the wooden logs horizontally with the space between the logs filled with bricks. The main building comprises of a double height prayer hall with a narrow linear gallery running along all four sides at the first-floor level. The mehrab of the hall with its intricate wood work and glass inlay is the most unique feature of the khanqah. The window openings at the first-floor level along the western façade has projecting balconies.

Just opposite to the Khanqah is the single storey Shrine of the Naqshbandi saint. The walls of the Shrine are laced with beautiful nakkashi (decorative motif) with Kahtamband ceiling, while the sanctum is covered with intricate woodwork. The Shrine has a double tiered pyramidical roof surmounted with square pavilion and gabled spire on the top. Within the precinct of Naqshband sahib, along with the Khanqah and the Shrine is the historic martyrs graveyard where the martyrs of the popular uprising against the autocracy are interned.

E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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After Naqshbandi Saheb, we walk the route looking at the vernacular houses with galleries, windows and taq-based architecture, towards the Jamia Masjid.

JAMIA MASJID This is the first main Mosque after the advent of Islam was built by Sultan Sikandar around 1400 A.D. and designed by the Iranian architect, Sadr-uDin Khorasani.

It is the biggest Mosque and the most impressive building in the wooden style of architecture with minimal carving. It consists of a square courtyard with fountains, lawns, chinar trees and a backdrop of Hari Parbat fort.

The Mosque is a local adaptation of the enclosed courtyard style prevalent throughout the Muslim world. The courtyard is enclosed by arched cloisters covered with two tyre sloping roof supported on an array of 370 deodar wooden columns. The western wall of the cloister has black marble mehrab (A niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca) with fine calligraphic work. The central hauz, water body, was originally fed by a water channel, Lachim Kul. The overall dimension of the Mosque is 384x384 ft.

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15th Century. It also houses Mazar-i-Kalan, one of the historic graveyards dating from early 15th Century during the reign of Sultan Zainul Abidin, popularly known as Budshah in 1420s.

The graveyard has some bilingual cenotaphs, in Sharda and Persian scripts, something very rare in Muslim graveyards of the subcontinent.

One such grave is identified as the grave of Syed Khan Shaheed, with the date inscribed:1448 A.D./889 A.H. Just outside the wall of Mazar lies buried Khawaja Azam Dedmari (D 1765 A.D.), a Sufi author and a famous historian who is best known for his monumental work, ‘Waqiyat-i-Kashmir or Tareek-i-Azami’.

It was damaged by fire many times and was restored by and large following the original layout. As we leave Jamia Masjid, we take a right turn and walk few hundreds of metres across the lanes and narrow streets lined with famous bazaars (markets) and residences to reach another historical Shrine, Bahaudin Saheb.

THE PRECINCT OF BAHAUDIN SAHEB This precinct is located in the old capital of Srinagar, Qutubudinpora established by the Sultan Qutbudin (1373-1389 A.D. ). The precinct houses the Shrine of Sheikh Bahaudin Ganjbaksh, Mir Syed Ahmad Kirmani and other prominent Sufis who came to Kashmir and settled here in the

T: +194 2313 008

E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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Colonial Heritage Trail

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Residency building 1 Suffering Moses, Mahattas 2

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Silk y tor Fac

An important aspect of Kashmir’s heritage has been its colonial architecture, a blend of British and Kashmiri influences. Introduction of colonial influences can be traced to the later part of the 19th Century when institutions like colleges, factories and hospitals were built in the region.

Its earliest examples were the residential quarters of European visitors at Sheikh Bagh, Amar Singh College and Silk Factory. Colonial influences can also be seen in the residential buildings of 19th & 20th Century. Long linear porches running the entire length of the building, double storied bay windows, corner towers surmounted by octagonal or circular spires, series of gables etc. are some of the distinct architectural features in this region.

‘An almost private, secluded world was created by the British in Srinagar through reassuringly familiar surroundings’.

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Tyndale Biscoe school

1.5 Hours

*Duration may vary.

The Colonial Heritage walk follows this path:

Christian Cemetery

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1 Residency building ... 600m ... 2 Suffering Moses, Mahattas ... 120m ...

3 Jammu & Kashmir Bank ... 1.1kms ... 4 Christian Cemetery

T: +194 2313 008

E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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Colonial Heritage Trail RESIDENCY BUILDING The walk starts from the Residency building, which currently houses the Jammu & Kashmir Govt. Handicrafts Emporium.

The Residency building was originally constructed around 1885 A.D. burnt to the ground in 1998 A.D. and was later rebuilt according to the original plan in 2004 A.D. Standing on the porch, you look across the garden and see magnificent chinar and deodar trees. As you face this building, there are two gatehouses on your extreme left and right. The western gateway is a rectangular two-storied structure while the eastern gateway is a single storied structure. The main gateway also housed staff members of the Residency.

The Residency gives a feel of British Royalty.

We leave Residency premises and after walking couple of metres, we turn left and then right towards the Bund.

ALONG THE BUND As we walk along the Bund, we come across number of structures on our right, which includes the famous handicrafts store, Suffering Moses, next to it are the Mahattas, the oldest photographers in the valley.

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originally the main office of Cox and Kings. The building reminds one of an English country house. The building, which is over 108-years-old, was part of the British residency in Kashmir. In the past, the basement of the building used to serve as an art gallery, which was later converted by the J&K Bank into a car-parking slot.

CHRISTIAN CEMETERY Further ahead, on your right, aligned with the new footbridge is the Cemetery of Sheikh Bagh. Among others, it houses the grave of Robert Thorpe- the first European who died trying to highlight the plight of Kashmiri people during Maharaja Rule. His mother was kashmiri, married to a British officer.

Stepping into the graveyard is like stepping into past. Mighty chinars, creepers and foliage surround the old graves. Almost opposite to is Mallinson School & Tyndale Biscoe School.

TYNDALE BISCOE SCHOOL The school was founded in 1880 A.D. and is one of the oldest schools in Jammu and Kashmir. The school was started by Christian missionaries and was named after Canon Cecil Tyndale-Biscoe (1863 A.D.–1949A.D.).

The shop, Suffering Moses, started in 1840 A.D. by Safdar Hussein, a master painter and carver, is one of the last surviving businesses run by the practitioners of the old craft. The name “Suffering Moses” was bestowed upon him by the British, to acknowledge the pains he took for his craft. In the Bible, a Suffering Moses is a trope symbolizing sacrifice and loneliness.

JAMMU & KASHMIR BANK The next building on our right is Jammu & Kashmir Bank, which was

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E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com

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beautiful geometrical pattern. Most of the process is done by hand.

Textiles, Arts & Crafts Heritage Trail 3 Hours

*Duration may vary.

The Textiles, Arts & Crafts Heritage trail 1

Zaina kadal - Copper Ware showrooms and workshops

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Safa kadal - Wooden crafts, Furniture and Khatamband.

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Narwara, Eid gah - Pashmina Shawl Weaving, Embroideries

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Alamgari Bazar - Papier Mâché, Hand Embroideries

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Rainawari - Walnut Wood Carving.

COPPER WARE The age-old art of crafting copperware is deep rooted in the culture of Kashmir. The Sufi Saint and an Islamic scholar, Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, who travelled from Central Asia was instrumental in making Copper (Traam) popular among the natives. He brought craftsmen from Persia to train locals. The craftsmanship of Kashmir is known for engraving, and making household and decorative products from copper. The most famous is the Samavar (Samovar in Russian) - a traditional tea container or kettle.

PASHMINA SHAWL WEAVING The process of Kashmir Pashmina Shawl making starts with herding and rearing of Pashmina Goats at an altitude of 4500mts above sea level in Ladakh. However, Kashmir Pashmina is not just the wool obtained from the Pashmina Goat rather it is a unique preparation by 20 processes specific only to Kashmir to prepare the final Pashmina fabric. Kani, Jamawar weaving is the pinnacle of Kashmir Shawl making.

PAPIER MÂCHÉ Kashmiri papier-mâché is a handicraft of Kashmir that was brought by Muslims Saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani from Persia in the 14th Century. It is based primarily on paper pulp, and is a richly decorated, colourful artefact; generally, in the form of vases, bowls, boxes, trays, bases of lamps, and many other small objects.

HAND EMBROIDERIES Kashmiri Embroidery, also known as Kashida, is one of the art forms that originated out of Kashmir. According to historians, the artform developed around the 3rd Century B.C. but flourished under Suttan Zain-ul-Abidin, a Mughal and 8th Sultan of Kashmir in the 15th Century. He brought weavers from surroundings areas of Persia to evolve the handmade techniques. Sonzi (Satin Stitch), Zalakdozi, Do-Rookha, Aari (Hook Embroidery) are the popular ways of Kashmiri Embroidery.

WALNUT WOOD CARVING

Khatamband is an art of constructing a ceiling by putting together walnut or deodar wood pieces into geometrical patterns. The uniqueness of this craft is that when the process of making is complete it acquires a unique and

Kashmir is one of the few places in the world where the walnut tree grows at a height of 5,500 feet to 7,500 feet above sea level. The peculiar characteristics of the walnut wood facilitate exquisitely detailed and intricate carving. The artisans meticulously carve out motifs of grape bunches, chinar leaves, pears, rose etc. in the wood. The work in a workshop happens mainly on three fronts carpentry, carving and polishing.

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KHATAMBAND WOODEN CRAFT

ALAMGARI BAZAR

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Hand Embroideries

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Wood Carvings

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Pashmina shawl weaving

Dr. Ali Jan Rd

Papier Mâché

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Khatamband wood craft 2

Copper Ware

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SAFA KADAL

Textiles, Arts & Crafts Heritage Trail

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Design and illustrations - emailgati@gmail.com INDUS DISCOVERIES PVT. LTD. Amar Singh College Road- Sriangar Kashmir 190008 T:+194 2313008 E: kashmirladakh@indusdiscoveries.com