Srinagar to Kashgar by Road : The First Motorised Crossing of the Greatest Mountain Ranges

December 9, 2022 Prashant Mathawan

Once the Expedition commenced there arose new Challenges. Though the Afghanistan Civil War had ended, the situation in North Afghanistan and Routes into the Pamirs were far from being safe for the Expedition. So another detour was decided. It was decided that the Expedition would now crossover into India from Afghanistan and then they would take the Mountain track that connected Srinagar in Kashmir with Yarkand / Tashkurgan in Chinese Turkestan or what is now Xinjiang

Kiki's Guide to Kashmir

July 24, 2022 Prashant Mathawan

A Rough Guide for People planning to visit the Kashmir Valley. And notes on the History, Culture and most importantly the Geography of the Region. And taking you beyond the normal Tourist Hotspots into more Offbeat and even unheard of places in Kashmir.

The Pir Panjal Pass

April 28, 2021 Prashant Mathawan

And one of the most famous Pass over the Range was called the Pir Panjal Pass and as per some versions of History the entire Range got its name from the name of the said Pass. The word Panjal probably came from the word Panchal. This Pass connects the Kashmir Valley with the Poonch Region of Jammu and thereon to the Northern Plains of India. This was the Pass used by the Mughals on what is now called the Mughal Road on their forays into Kashmir. Nowadays mostly the Pass is called the Pir ki Gali which is a reference to a Pir or Holy Man buried somewhere near the Pass.

The Bridges of Srinagar by Francis Firth

June 1, 2020 Prashant Mathawan

This famous 92 yard Bridge was originally constructed by Sultan Zain- ul- Abidin Budshah in 1427 AD. It was a typical wooden bridge of cantilever design. In those days it was utilized as a Market as well. The bridge was dismantled completely as it w…

Srinagar City as most must be aware is settled on both Banks of the Jehlum and as such there were a number of Bridges which were put across the Jehlum originally starting with the First Bridge or Amira Kadal which was my favourite as it was closes to Home and we had a Shop there where I used to walk to often as a kid. Of course then the Zero Bridge was built which was without doubt everyone's favorite because of Little Hut. The Sardarji's shop which sold the best Softy in Kashmir.

Kashmir : Do’s and Donts from 1902

May 9, 2020 Prashant Mathawan

In 1902, the Foreign Department of the British Government in India issued a Guide for foreign visitors to the territories of the Maharajah of Jammu and Kashmir and especially to the Kashmir Valley. It was called Kashmir Visitor Rules : Rules and Regulations for Observance by Visitors and Residents in the Territories of H H The Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir

Historical Map of the Dogra Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir

October 15, 2019 Prashant Mathawan

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.

The Indigenous People of Jammu and Kashmir

September 11, 2019 Prashant Mathawan

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.

The Lingual Diversity of the state of Jammu and Kashmir

July 3, 2019 Prashant Mathawan

1875 Jummoo and Kashmir Language Map by Drew.jpg

The state of Jammu and Kashmir is made up of a number of geographically separate Regions divided by Ranges of the Himalaya. Its home to a diverse variety of Ethnicity, Cultures, Religions and of course Languages and Dialects. This article looks at the language diversity in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Pass of Shiva

June 25, 2019 Prashant Mathawan

The Pass of Shiva as it was originally called is one of the main Passes used since historical times and it connected Kashmir with Ladakh. A fascinating insight into the Pass of Shiva or the Sheoji Pass. Today this name has transformed into what we call the Zoji La.

The Sheep of Sinthan

June 15, 2019 Prashant Mathawan

The gentle Sheep of the Sinthan Pass which connects Kashmir with Kishtwar. An absolutely beautiful Pass with mind blowing scenery on either side.

The Kashmir Mammoths : A Tragic Comedy Almost

January 14, 2019 Prashant Mathawan

Kashmir was once home to the Woolly Mammoths at the time of the last Ice Age. To date there have been remains of two Mammoths that have been found in the same area in Kashmir at the Interval of 70 years. And tragically both were taken out of Kashmir. One set of the Mammoth remains were subsequently returned while a struggle is on to get the other set.

The Map Shawl of Kashmir

January 9, 2019 Prashant Mathawan

One of the most exquisite creation of man on Fabric, arguably the finest. The Legendary Map Shawl of Kashmir commissioned by Maharaja Ranbir Singh of Jammu and Kashmir for Queen Victoria of the British Empire and it took 30 years to create this masterpiece. We present for the first time, the Map deciphered as shown on the Shawl which is now on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The Elusive Kashmir Sapphires

January 5, 2019 Prashant Mathawan

The Story of the Kashmir Sapphire, the finest Sapphire that exists. Very few true Kashmir Sapphires exist today and are mostly held in Museums and Private Collections. We delve into the fascinating history of when and where did these Kashmir Sapphires came from and why they are so rare.

The Last Queen of Kashmir

January 3, 2019 Prashant Mathawan

The story of Queen Kota or Kota Rani as she was also known. The trials and tribulations that she witnessed during a very volatile period in History. And of course the tragic end of the Last Queen of Kashmir.

Chitral Expedition

December 20, 2018 Prashant Mathawan

The Story of the the Chitral Expedition, a conflict in the shadows of the Hindu Kush and the Karakorams between the local Rulers and his tribesmen against the British and the soldiers of the Jammu and Kashmir state. A story of a seige and how it was finally broken.

British Museum Kashmir Collection Part II

November 29, 2018 Prashant Mathawan

The Britsih Musuem has a fine Collection of Kashmir Art on display. Some glimpses of the Kashmir Art held in the archives of the British Museum. This is Part II.

Kashmir Musings I

November 20, 2018 Prashant Mathawan

Random musings from Journeys in my Homeland of Kashmir. In this one we talk about the exquisite Wooden Ceiling Patterns created by the Kashmiri art of Khatamband. We also talk about the regal Residency Building in Kashmir which was once housed the British resident in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and which now serves as a Government Arts Emporium.

Around the Hari Parbat Hill

October 25, 2018 Prashant Mathawan

The Hari Parbat Fort as seen from the Badamwari below

The Fort of Hari Parbat or the Koh-E-Miraan dominates the skyline of old Srinagar. The Fort was built by the Afghan Durranis who ruled the region at one point of time and has stood witness to the vagaries of time in Kashmir. Many places of historical / religious lay dotted around the Hill.

The "Outsider" Kashmiris

September 30, 2018 Prashant Mathawan

The Story of outsiders who came and finally settled in Kashmir. And today are a part of Kashmir like any other Kashmiri.

The Chingus Sarai

September 27, 2018 Prashant Mathawan

The Chingus Sarai or Fort is an old Mughal era Sarai on the Mughal Road which connected Punjab with Kashmir over the Pir Panjals. The word “Chingus’ is derived from the Persian word for “Intestines”. It got this rather unflattering name after the intestines / entrails of one of the Great Mughals, Emperor Jahangir were buried here.

Glawan Valley to be opened for Tourists