IQBAL AHMAD

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" It is said that from the very beginning he had a deep interest in touring and studying eastern culture. For this purpose, Stein is said to have achieved degrees in several disciplines of eastern history and culture from leading European universities and later worked on a doctorate in the same field."
Kashmir Muslim men supplicating inside a shrine. [Representational Image]
Painting depicting a woman distributing Kashmiri Taehar (cooked rice) at some Sufi site (COURTESY KASHMIR SHADE)
Traditional Kashmiri ornaments
Xuanzang: Rediscovering the ancient Chinese traveller
Muslim sultans not only introduced wooden architecture but patronised it as well.
"He knew that most of Muslim rulers have forgotten the basic tenets of Islam. He was watching the mess, and what was being done in the name of Islam in the Muslim world of his time."
Ushkar Baramullah: Remains of a Buddhist monastery where terracotta heads and pottery were found.
Shrine of Baba Zain ud Din Reshi Ashmuqam, Lidder Valley
Exploring the forgotten Vishu valley
View of Aliabad saria
"Besides, the commissioning of this historical road opened up a new window to the inaccessible and amazing heritage tourist destinations of the Pir Panchal region."
"The evidences of this wonderful heritage is still showcased by this mountain locked land in shape of Sufi and Reshi shrines, tombs, caves and their relics, associated with the grand saints."
"But with the passage of time, as the construction boom assumed a gigantic proportion, the antiquity, signified by the muddy and thatched houses in villages went missing."
"This has also badly affected the heritage look which once the old markets, lanes and by lanes of historic cities and towns, particularly the olden city of Srinagar, have been carrying. These have been the attractive spots for western and eastern tourist as well."
Function held on the World Heritage Day at Srinagar Museum
"This curious legend is based on this doctrine that since these are huge structures, formed of heavy and massive stones as such this could be the work of pandavas."
"Archaeology literature suggests that in the ancient times the most impressive sculpture school of art evolved at Awantipora, 25 kms from Srinagar. Most probably in the reign of Avantivarman (855-883 AD)."
"The site is about 19 Km from Lal Chowk, Srinagar. The moulded brick tiles unearthed at Harwan depict a unique art trend, in that they do not deal with religious, but with secular themes."
"The two stood taller among other mystic personalities of this land. It would not be wrong to say that the entire Kashmir mysticism revolved around teachings of these two great Personalities."
Representational Image
Preserving language and culture
The historic tombs of the most famous Shahmiri period sultans and nobles, which included Sultan Sikander and Sultan Zain ul Abideen are also in this historic cemetery. [Tomb of Zain ul Abideen in Srinagar's old city--Representational Image]
Sharda legend on Bull/ horse type coins of Hindu Shahis of Kabul.
"This tree does not grow so tall, and while growing it takes an umbrella shape and gives a cool shade."
Preserving Ancient Epigraphs
"The Kashmiri paper was durable. It was in great demand in Punjab plains and in other hilly principalities of the north western regions."
Part III| Re- constructing the ancient history of Kashmir
Representational Pic
"Archaeologists and numismatists of the modern ages have done a tremendous work in discovering and studying archaeological and numismatic materials of these ancient civilizations. "
Greater Kashmir
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