Architecture

The splendour of building architecture of Kashmir resonates best in Ernest Neve’s observation: “Ancient India has nothing more worthy of its early civilisation than the grand ruins in Kashmir which are the pride of the Kashmiris and admiration of travellers”. The skylines of houses are awe striking and so is the grandeur of its monument ruins. Although modernity and expansion of Srinagar city is fast obliterating the classical look of the place, but old images from mid 19th century preserve the old face of Kashmir. A large collection of photographs pertaining the colonial period capture the Kashmir architecture in its pristine glory. A good number of these photographs obtained from several sources preserve the now lost views that made Kashmir the Venice of the East. The gallery of these pictures from this collection attests to the charms of the old Kashmir and can take the viewer on a nostalgic journey. These pictures can also serve as a good resource for scholars and writers to illustrate their work. Many pictures in this collection are rare. All in all they offer a single window to old Kashmir.