Kashmir’s Shawls
Subcontinent’s all major religions have ruled Kashmir prior to Indian independence. Among these, Muslim rule in the valley is deemed as culmination of art & intellect. Sultan Zain ul Abidin (Bud Shah), who held the realm from 1420 up to 1470, introduced art of weaving among other arts which consequently made Kashmiri handicrafts famous all over the world. Pashmina Shawl is one of such items, for which Kashmir is famous for. It’s one of the finest fabrics known to the world.
Unfortunately, the Kashmiri (specifically Muslims)
have always remained, and are being, in the harshest conditions and subjected to
discrimination. When Allama Iqbal (who himself was of Kashmiri origin) visited
Srinagar in 1921, he expressed their plight in one of his verse as
[translation]:
‘In the bitter chill of winter shivers his naked body
Whose skill wraps the rich in the royal shawls.’
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| Pashmina Shawl (Credits: The Splendor of Kashmir) |
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