"OUR VISION FOR UNITED KASHMIR - UNITY, PROGRESS, PROSPERITY & FREEDOM IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE"
How are you? - Tohy ch'ivaa vaarai? I am doing good, thank you - Waaray, shukriyaa
Welcome
FREEDOM IN KASHMIR strives to showcase the truth about history and present state of Kashmir
Contributions by The Viewers to Freedom in Kashmir
- CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
- EMPOWERING KASHMIR
- ENGAGEMENT WITH YOUTH
- INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
- TOURISM
Discover the Unique Kashmiri Culture and Traditions
Kashmiri People and Origin
The inhabitants of Kashmir are commonly referred to as Kashmiris who are ethnically linguistic faction. The influences of the Sanskrit dialect can be noticed in their local speech as you travel to different parts of Kashmir. The culture also seems to be heavily impacted by Central Asian and Persian beliefs.
The various aspects of the culture of Kashmir as discussed below form an important part of the Kashmiri ethos. Kashmiri culture is predominantly practiced by the populace who live in the Kashmir valley. Furthermore, the valley is renowned for its fine arts, consisting of customarily indigenous boats/houseboats, handicrafts and literature.
Traditional Dresses of Jammu & Kashmir
A specialty of Kashmir has to be the vibrant costumes of the region. The women of Kashmir look gorgeous dressed in traditional clothing paired off with exquisite jewelry such as necklaces, armlets, earrings as well as nose rings. Furthermore, they also wear loose salwar kameez to escape the summer heat. On the other hand, men wear kurta pajamas, shalwars, and skullcaps.
During the winter, the people look elegant in Pheran which is a long overcoat that is beautifully ornamented with patches and embroidery work. The fabric they wear largely depends on the weather and they ordinarily wear loose gowns. Additionally, men and women also wear skullcaps and headgear respectively. Women generally cover both their shoulders and head out of respect for elders. These traditional dresses of Kashmir truly represent the breathtaking culture of the region.
Dance and Music of Kashmir
When talking about the dance and harmonies of Kashmir, the words that come to mind are elegant and magnificent. The joyous festivals there are marked by, of course, music and dance which even attracts the tourists to join in on the excitement. Throughout the region of Kashmir, a wide range of dance forms can be witnessed that are executed based upon the occasion that they mark, for instance, a prominent dance form here is the infamous Mask dance that is executed on the occasion of the Hemis Festival, a popular festival of Kashmir.
Another allure of these dances is the bright and vibrant attire paired off with truly exquisite jewelry. Some other prominent dances of the place are Chakri, Rouf, Bhand Pather, Hafiza, Kud, and Bacha Nagma. The folk music of Kashmir will force anyone to start tapping their feet, especially to the lively Rabab Music. Apart from that, instrumental music is quite prevalent in Kashmir and therefore common melodies that can be heard are the Sitar, Dumru, and Nagara. Apart from that, the music that accompanies festive occasions such as celebrations, parties, and weddings is mainly Wanwun, Ghazals, Choral as well as Sufi.
Kashmiri Cuisine
Kashmir offers truly delicious cuisine that includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies for this is a place that caters to all and these delicious dishes will leave you wanting more. Some famous non-vegetarian dishes are the Kashmiri Kebab, Pasanda, Syun Alu, Yakhni, and Methi Keema and therefore it’s every meat-lover’s delight. But vegetarians need not worry because there are myriad dishes available for them, such as Rajmah, Shree Pulao, Ladyar Tsaman, and Nadir Yakhni.
These flavorful dishes are prepared by utilizing fresh vegetables and paneer, to make it all the more delicious. Kashmir is an amazing destination for anyone like me who loves desserts. You absolutely must try out delicacies such as sevaiyaan, phirni, barfi, Kashmiri Aloo Dum and many more that will truly make your day. Kashmiris are known for their hospitality and they greet their guests with some refreshing hot tea and Kahwa. Another dish that is a staple to the household of Kashmir is its very own pulao. Additionally, Hak or Karam is a dish that is a favorite in the region and is specially prepared during cold winter evenings to provide.
Festivals of Kashmir
The culturally rich Kashmir is a land of festival where everyone comes together and celebrates with zeal and enthusiasm. It’s well-known that Jammu and Kashmir possess an exemplary heritage and culture which is beautifully brought out by the festivals of the region. Eid-ul-Fitr, Lohri, Tulip Festival, Holi, Shikara Festival, Hemis festival, Gurez Festival, and Sindu Darshan are few festivals here that are celebrated with the utmost fervor.
These festivals customarily mark an auspicious occasion and have their origins in mythology. These festivals are a must to attend because of their joyous nature, everywhere around you, you can observe the native inhabitants dancing, singing, eating delicious cuisine with their family dressed in traditional clothing, and tourists shopping for handicrafts. Furthermore, Bahu Mela, Jhiri Mela, and Craft, and many more are great to encompass the beauty of the local culture.
Arts and Crafts of Kashmir
Kashmir is a prominent center for mesmerizing arts and crafts with its handicrafts industry particularly blossoming. Kashmir is practically synonymous with pashmina shawls that are well-known for their texture and amazing quality. They are particularly renowned for their softness and the warmth they provide. These shawls are furthermore a symbol of royalty. Another prominent craft of Kashmir is the hand-knotted rugs as well as wool rugs that possess floral patterns.
Additionally, some lovely handicrafts of Kashmir include paper mache, wicker, carved walnut furniture, and silverware. The government of Kashmir has also invested in the arts and crafts of the place for they serve as a major tourist attraction. If one ever visits Kashmir, one simply must buy the intricate handicrafts as a souvenir.
Architecture of Kashmir
Traditional dwellings in Kashmir are separated into two categories: Taq building and Dhajji Dewari. Dhajji Dewari is made of wooden frames and trusses filled with flat stones and bricks and is carefully packed into gaps of mud or lime mortar with stone flowers in the remaining gaps. Taq is another method of building which in Srinagar is widespread. A Taq building can stand an earthquake and is high on numerous floors. The walls consist of a combination of scrap metal and brick or sun-dried bricks placed in thick mud mortars at regular intervals with load-bearing piers. As technology has progressed, Kashmir’s lifestyle has also evolved, architecture has also changed.
Their dwellings are currently created using advanced technology and cement substitutes for mud and iron for wood. The traditional construction skills are decreasing and non-indigenous cement constructions are being replaced. The traditional shrines, such as the Naqschband Saheb, Dastgir Sahib, etc., are unique examples of vernacular architecture in Kashmir. Most heritage buildings were turned into government offices and other structures were demolished totally, such as the 150 years old Maharaj Gunj dispensary which was classified as a heritage building by the Department of Archives, Archeology and Museum.
Early History of Kashmir
- The history of Kashmir dates back to 3450 BC, described in Rajatarangini (the historical chronicle of North Western Indian subcontinent), written by Pandit Kalhana in 12th century. The valley was a hundred feet deep lake called Sati Saras. Kashmir was named after Rishi Kashyap, who drained the lake by cutting a gap in the hills at Baramulla. The Sanskrit meaning of Kashmir is ‘desiccated land’.
- Kashmir is called as the Paradise on Earth (Jannat). This was the place where people from all over the country came for research in different fields. Kashmir was the place where Astronomy, Ayurveda, Medicine Science, Trigonometry, Law, Sanskrit Literature, Art & Drama and Moral Science was born. Kashmir was known as the hub of knowledge. Guru Shankaracharya came to Kashmir from Kerala for research. The first astronomer in the world was from Kashmir. Panchatantra, a collection of short stories based on five principles was written by Pandit Vishnu Sharma of Kashmir in 300 BC. Greeks referred to Kashmir as the “Cradle of Civilisation”.
- The period from 3120 to 322 BC refers to the Mahabharata era during which the King of Kashmir – Gonada took part in the war against the Pandavas. Later, Harandev, the great grandson of Arjuna founded a dynasty which was ruled by 23 generations of Pandavas.
- In the ebb of Alexanders invasion (322 to 298 BC), Chandragupta Maurya pushed the Greek Viceroys beyond Gandhara (Peshawar, Pakistan). Among the Mauryan rulers, the most popular of them was King Ashoka who had built the city of Srinagar and brought Buddhism in Kashmir.
- The Kushan empire ruled over Kashmir from 127 to 150 AD. Later, the Karkota Dynasty (625 to 1339 AD) saw a magnificent and powerful ruler – King Lalitaditya. He created a strong empire including major parts of India and present day Afghanistan and Central Asia.
- During the reign of Raja Sahadev, Shah Mir, a Hindu Rajput from modern day Afghanistan, arrived in Kashmir in search for a job. He served in the administration of Raja Sahadev. In 1319, when Mongols invaded Kashmir and massacred thousands of Kashmiri men, enslaved women & children and razed entire towns to ground, Raja Sahadev handed over the command to his Commander in Chief Ramachandra and moved to Kistwar. The Mongols faced severe resistance from the Kashmiris, led by Shah Mir, and were forced to withdraw.
- Shah Mir then emerged as a leader with strong public support in Kashmir and was appointed as Chief Minister in the royal court. The foundation of Muslim rule was laid by Rinchana, a Buddhist prince from Ladakh. He seized the throne of Kashmir in 1320, embraced Islam and assumed the title of Sultan Sadar-ud-Din. Kota Rani, the daughter of Ramachandra was the last Hindu Queen of Kashmir, who was overpowered by Shah Mir who finally established Muslim rule in Kashmir.
- In 1339, Shah Mir came to power and rebranded himself as Sultan Shams-ud-Din. He consolidated Muslim rule in Kashmir. During his rule, many Islamic preachers came to Kashmir and were given shelter by the Kashmiri Pandits. They had a lasting influence on Kashmiri culture. During this period, Farsi became the official language of Kashmir. After Shah Mir dynasty, Kashmir was conquered first by Mughal empire and then the Durrani Empire. Altogether, Muslim rule over Kashmir lasted for five centuries (1323 to 1819). During this period, the Hindu majority residing in Kashmir were forced to convert into Islam.
- In 1780, after the death of Ranjit Deo, the kingdom of Jammu was captured by the Sikhs and was made a tributary. Ranjit Deo’s grandnephew, Gulab Singh, subsequently sought service at the court of Ranjit Singh, distinguished himself in later campaigns and got appointed as the Raja of Jammu. In 1819, under the leadership of Ranjit Singh, battle of Shopian was fought between the Sikhs and Afghans, after which Kashmir fell into the hands of Sikhs.
- During the First Anglo-Indian war, Sikhs were defeated. Upon the purchase of the region from the British under the Treaty of Amritsar, the Raja of Jammu, Gulab Singh became the new ruler of Kashmir. The state of J&K now had Tibetan and Buddhists in Ladakh, a mix of Hindus, Muslims & Sikhs in Jammu and Sunni Muslims in Kashmir.
- During partition, in August 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir acceded neither with India nor with Pakistan. Pakistan, despite accepting Standstill Agreement with Maharaja Hari Singh, invaded Kashmir. Pakistan launched Operation Gulmarg wherein Pakistan backed Pathan tribesmen, Kabailis and persons from regular Army, under command Brigadier (later Major General Akbar Khan); invaded Kashmir. The invasion started from Muzaffarabad towards Srinagar, through Uri and Baramulla. The aim of the invaders was to cut off Kashmir from India. Economic sanctions by Pakistan had already weakened Kashmir by then. These invaders indulged in mass killings, rape and plunder in various parts of Kashmir.
- During this action, a Kashmiri youth – Maqbool Sherwani led the invaders astray on a wrong path towards Shalateng giving Indian Army a lead time to carry out Badgam landings and preventing the capture of the airfield by the invaders. Maqbool Sherwani was later martyred by the invaders at Baramulla on 07 November 1947. Indian Army has named 2nd Batallion of Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry as ’Sherwani Paltan’.
- On 26 October 1947, an Instrument of Accession was signed between Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir and the Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatten, whereby the state was merged with the Union of India. On 02 November 1947, under Major Brown, a provisional Pakistani government was established in Gilgit. Pakistani political agent, Khan Mohammad Alam Khan, arrived on 16 November 1947 and took over the administration. This government lacked sway over the population. The Gilgit rebellion did not have civilian involvement and was solely the work of military leaders.
- The Badgam Landings was the first military operation of Independent India, as a response to Operation Gulmarg launched by Pakistan. A Company of 1 SIKH was flown in from New Delhi to secure the airfield. The success of this operation later enabled the induction of additional forces of Indian Army into the valley.