The Munshi Aziz Bhatt Museum of Central Antiquities which holds a priceless treasure of Items and Objects which were once traded on the legendary Kashmir to Yarkand Silk Route via Ladakh.
The Gilgit Manuscripts
The Gilgit Manuscripts discovered in the early 1900s in Gilgit are one of the oldest Buddhist Manuscripts discovered in India. Believed to be one of the most revered Buddhist scriptures, it represents the discourse delivered by Buddha towards the end of his life.
Herodotus's Legendary Fox Sized Gold Digging Ants
Herodotus was a famous Greek historian of the ancient times who lived around 500 BC and he was born in Asia Minor in the Persian Empire. He was referred to as the Father of History as he wrote a lot of history and tales of the unknown from lands far off. One of his most intriguing account was the one of the legendary Gold digging ants, as big as Foxes, which lived in the high Himalayas in a land he called Dardae.
The Kashmiri Spy in Tibet
The Story of a Kashmiri Spy in Tibet during the time of the British Empire. This Gentlemen was the first person to spy for the British in what latter became a routine affair with “Pandits” like Nain Singh Rawat doing their bidding.
The Gurudwara and the Hindu Dharamshala at Leh
The Gurudwara and the Hindu Dharamshala at Leh. A link back to the time when Punjabi traders connected the Trans Himalayas with the Indian Plains. Mostly from Hoshairpur they were major players in the trade with Central Asia via Ladakh. And some are still there
The Battle of Basgo
There once was Battle fought in Ladakh where a Mughal Army in support of the King of Ladakh fought against a joint Mongol Tibetan Army which had laid siege to the Fort of Basgo. The Mughals were supported by allies such as the Raja of Kullu wheres as the Mongol-Tibetans had support from the Raja Bushahr.
The Brave Shen - Pa
The last stand of General Zorawar Singh, the Dogra General who conquered Ladakh and Baltistan at the behest of Raja Gulab Singh and Maharaja Ranjit Singh. An outstanding General who wrote new annals in the history of Mountain Warfare who went down fighting in his last Battle on the frozen Plateau of Tibet.
The Horsemen of the Pir Panjals
The mysterious Warrior Horsemen of the Pir Panjals. These group of Horsemen sculptures exist at a number of places in the Pir Panjals and till today no one has been able to explain why these were built or who built them or even when they were built. A true Himalayan heritage.
Burzahom : Ancient Kashmir and its Dogs
The 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.
The Indus Irony
The 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 ?
Kashmir and Tibet : The Forgotten Past
Kashmir 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.
First Lord Shiva on an Indic Coin
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.
9th Century Vaishnava Avatar
One 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.
The Legendary Map Shawl of Kashmir
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.
The Great Temple Complex at Naranag
The Great Temple complex ruins at Naranag in Kashmir. Probably one of the finest set of Temples built in Kashmir. Mostly lost and forgotten.
Himachal Day : A Brief History of the Modern Times
A brief history of the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. A look into how different Hill states were combined to create one of the most beautiful and now amongst the most progressive states of the country.
The Treasures of the Shri Pratap Singh Museum
The SPS Museum Srinagar was established in 1898 AD in the Maharaja’s Summer guest house largely based on collections transferred from State Toshkhana. Approximately 79,595 artifacts and objects covering various subjects like Archaeology, Numismatics, Decorative Art, Arms and Armory, Paintings, Textiles etc are housed in the Museum. A must visit for anyone in Kashmir.
Kashmir : Between The Mughals and the Dogras
The history of Kashmir from the time of the rule of the Mughals till the time of the rule of the Dogras. And the Afghans and the Sikhs in between. A straight narrative of the complex history of the Kashmir Valley.