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A Collection of Articles and Notes on the History, Geography, Culture, Arts and Architecture of the Himalayas
The Nun Barashigri Glacial Region is one of the largest Glacial Zones in the Himalayas and it lies in the Western part of the Himalayas. IT largely falls into the Chenab Basin but some flow from the Glacial Region goes to the Indus as well as the Ravi as well.
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The State of Jammu and Kashmir as it was at its largest extent under the rule of the Dogras. This Map helps people understand the complicated Geography and Diversity of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Once upon a time there was an Englishman, called Pahadi Wilson who had crowned himself the Raja of Harsil so much so that he even issued his own currency, his own coin, for use in his own domain. Frederick E Wilson was his real name and his escapades could probably fill in a couple of Volumes. He was a Spy for the British Government and reportedly even had an affair with a Rani Sahib of Tehri it is said. And it is said that a curse was cast upon him and his coming generations by none other that Lord Shiva himself. Even the legendary Rudyard Kipling, who was a friend of his, described him as such, “lived a life that would have been the envy of kings”.
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Rakaposhi Peak as seen from the Gilgit Valley. Pic Courtesy Wikipedia
Gilgit, strategically located is a vast valley around the point where the Gilgit and Hunza River meet beyond the Great Himalayan Range .. It was bound from the North on one side by the Karakoram Range and on the Western side by the Hindu Kush. Its location particularly later in history was one of immense importance once the Great Game started between Tsarist Russia and Imperial Britain.
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The erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir was one of the most diverse State in the country in Ethnic, Religious and Lingual dimensions. The main "People" of Jammu and Kashmir and its different regions are briefly described in this Article.
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A tale from a time gone by when Forests were seen as great Resources of Timber and vast tract of these Himalayan Forests were given out on contract for Timber extraction. My Family was also involved in this Timber trade and were known as others in this business at Forest Leasees. This particular story is from the remote and unknown Dudu Latti Valley in Udhampur District in the Jammu Division of the Union Territory of J&K.
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The Dhankar Gompa in Spiti as among st its posessions a metal Statue of the Buddha which was off limits to outsiders. A few people had ever seen and it was first photographed for open sources only in 2010. This is the story of the Buddha which came all the way from Gilgit
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Lahaul and Spiti have had a checkered fascinating history and lying on the Himalayan borderlines they have always been the bone of contention for various powers in the Region from the states of Kashmir, Chamba, Kullu, Bushahr, Ladakh, Guge, Tibet, the Chinese and even the Mongols, Baltis and Yarkandis. However little is known of the exact circumstances and the chain of events of History that followed as there are no written records. All the above powerful states / people left some mark or influence on these two adjoining Regions. This is an attempt to piece together their History though for most of the time the History followed its separate course in Lahaul and its own course in Spiti.
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The beautiful Region of Bhaderwah in the Doda District of the Jammu and Kashmir really stands up as a rival to the beauty of the celebrated Kashmir Valley. nterestingly the Gazzetter of Kashmir and Ladakh of 1890 talks of this beautiful area as well. It specifically mentions that the fruits grown in Bhaderwah can rival the best grown in the Kashmir Valley. Tobacco grown in Bhaderwah at that time was said to be of a very superior quality. And Bhaderwah Homey was also said to be very good. In today’s age we know that the Bhaderwahi Rajmah is supposed to be one of the best Rajmah carrying on the old Bhaderwah tradition of being one of the finest agricultural areas in the State.
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Poonch is nowadays one of the most backward Districts of Jammu and Kashmir but it was once an important Hill Kingdom ruled by Rajput Hill Rajas, as was the norm in the lower Himalayas but over a period of time they had converted to Islam just like the Rajas of Kishtwar. The majority population of Poonch consists of Gujars and Bakarwals, along with Pahadis, Kashmiris, Punjabis, Rajputs and some Dogras.One feature which kinda unites the populace is that almost everyone speaks a version of Pahadi which is understood and spoken across the board. Traditionally Poonch has always been more of Punjabic / Potoharic (As in belonging to the Potohar Plateau) than Jammuic or Kashmiric.
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