Buzkashi, which literally means"goat pulling" in Persian, probably originated in the wilds of Central Asia in the days of the Central Asian Horse empires. Its is still played in that nursery of the feared Mongols, the fore bearers of all the Turkic tribes, in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia. It is said that the Great Khan himself, Genghis Khan made this game up as an exercise to strengthen the legs of his soldiers for war.
Read MoreThe Markhor and the Ibex are both magnificent animals found in the Himalayas, the Karakorams and the Hindu Kush. These animals were on the brink of extinction but now with creation of safe havens and conservation efforts they are making a comeback. Controversially the money raised by auctioning animals for legal hunting has contributed to the conservation effort.
Read MoreA Close up of the Shalimar Bagh as woven on the Map Shawl with along with the Dal Lake. Note the intricate work on the border. And see the detailing of the surroundings. No wonder it took 30 years to complete. One of the finest examples of Kashmiri Shawl craftsmanship. No wonder they were such a prized possession for Ladies in Aristocratic Europe.
Read MoreThe Burzahom is one of the oldest Neolithic sites excavated in Kashmir and probably the first place which saw settled life in the Valley. One remarkable characteristic of the site is the ritual Dog burial sites discovered. In some cases the Dogs were buried along with their owners. A reminder of how old our relationship is with this family of canines.
Read MoreThe Indus is the River which has given the name to civilization, to a people and to a Country as well. And the country it has given its name to has been the fountainhead of spiritualism where the Mountains and the Rivers are worshiped. But ironically the Indus, the mighty Indus itself figures nowhere in the list of sacred Rivers and a River to its East, the Ganges being the most revered one. We ask why ?
Read MoreKashmir has over the ages has had a great influence on Tibet in the area of Religion and allied Religious Iconry. Infact Mahayana Buddhism traveled to Tibet from Kashmir via Central Asia after the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir. A large number of artisans and craftsmen were taken from Kashmir to Tibet to decorate the Monasteries as well.
Read More
The Kushanas issued several other different versions of the Coins featuring Lord Shiva as well including him holding a damru and a Trident. And with Nandi Bull in the background. The whole irony of the whole situation is the fact that the first coin featuring the most revered Hindu God was coined in Bagram in Afghanistan (more Central Asian than Indic) on the foothills of the Hindu Kush and by an Emperor whose origin was Central Asian and not Indic.
Read MoreOne of the most priceless treasures on display is a 9th Century metal “Vaishnava Avatar” frame which is a Prabhavali of bronze metal alloy measuring 6’4″ in height and 4′ wide and 1’2″ thick weighing almost 100 kgs excavated from Devsara. As the name suggests it shows various Avatars of Vishnu. Devsara, which is in Kulgam district had been in the past a great center for the casting of Bronze images and other metal works.
Read More
The legendary Map Shawl of Kashmir which has a map of Srinagar city weaved on fine Pashmina. The Shawl was commissioned by Maharaja Ranbir Singh and 3 of these were made. One is on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, one is with a private collector in Australia and one is on display at the SPS Museum in Srinagar.
Read MoreA summary on the Pahadi languages spoken in the Western Himalayas. Compiled from Bailey’s classic Languages of the Western Himalayas.
Read Morewhen you land up at an Indian owned Hotel on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
Read MoreWe try and summarize a list of Passes that provide entry /. exit into the Kashmir Valley besides the Gorge of the Jehlum River.
Read MoreNotes from the Kashmir Ladakh Yarkand Trade Route / Silk Route
Read MoreThe Nanga Parbat as seen from Gulmarg in Kashmir.
Read More
The Great Mountain Complex of the Himalayas is a vast expanse which includes the highest Peaks on the Planet and stretches all the way from Central Asia to South East Asia. We explain about some of the main Mountain Ranges of this Great Complex.
Read MoreThe Inglorious Bastards of the Pir Panjals
Read MoreThe Astegah in Baku in Azerbaiajan is supposedly linked to the Jwalamukhi Temple in Himachal Pradesh. The intriguing story of the Hindu merchants who used this Temple along with the Zoroastrians and the Sikhs.
Read More
Exploring the remains of the Harwan Buddhist Monastery in Kashmir where the 4 th Buddhist Council was supposed to have been held in the First Century. It was Emperor Kanishka of the Kushan under whose aegis the Council took place and it was after this Council that hundreds of Buddhist Monks went to Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan and Tibet to propagate Mahayana Buddhism.
Read MoreA Tale of Man and his family who lived in a small Princely state or Thakurai called Balsan. He was the Thanedaar of Balsan and this is an ode to him.
Read More
Mission Yarkand was a British Mission to to Ladakh to smoothen the trade between Ladakh and Yarkand. It was from Leh that British goods were sent into Central Asia. So it was in their great interest to facilitate the Trade. And students of Colonialism well know that where the Traders go the Soldiers soon follow !
Read More