The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-06-26
Serinagur, in the Vale OF Cashmere.

Serinagur, the ruined capital of the
vale of Cashmere, India, is described by
the New \ DIRK Graphic as follows; Sc
rinagur, or the getty of the Sun, as its
name implies, is situated on the banks of
the river Theelum, and close to the Dial
lake. Its population was about 60, 600.
1t lies at the foot of a cone shaped noun
tain known as Takhbe Suaiman, or Solo,
mons Throne, upon which stands a
Hindu temple and the grave of Mo
hammedan saint. From this elevated
spot are seen those windings of the river
which first suggested to the native mind
the distinguished pattern of the Cash
mere shawl The houses of the city are
built entirely of wood. At first sight these
somewhat shaky structures would appear
ill fitted to stand the shocks of earth
quakes, but in reality they stand them
better than buildings of brick and stone.
Some of the merchants houses exhibit
beautiful specimens of trellised wood
work, and the walls of the rooms of such
houses are very artistically painted with
Cashmere designs. The majority of the
houses, however, are but poor, miserable
huts. The town is intersected with
canals running at the backs of the
houses very much as in the city
of Venice, but with very different
effect. They are little better than
dirty drains along which ply boats
rowed by men, women and children.
These canals are crossed by bridges, as
represented in one of our sketches.
Some of the houses which line these
water courses were of the most tumble
down character and would succumb to
! II, ~, 81,
every one knows. is celebrated for its
shawls, but in the East it is even more
celebrated for its gold and silver work
and for its ornamental boxes and tables
Two of the finest Cashmere shawls are
presented annually as tribute to the
queen of England as empress Of India.
The women of Cashmere are renowned
for their beauty. In years past they
were sold as slaves, and even now they
find their way to the households of the
princes and mobiles of India, Afghanis-
tan, Persia, Egypt and Turkey. But it
is remarkable that while the women are
fair to look upon, the men are ugly and
uninteresting. 1t is curious circum-
stance that the Cashmere silver coins
bear the Christian symbol of 81. II. s..
on them. 1t is said the late Maharajah
Gholab Singh, having seen the symbol
on Communion table of a Christian
church in India, selected it as an emblem
of good luck and placed it on his coins.
The "Nale of Cashmere" is the most
fruitful province in the whole earth .
Apples, pears, peaches, melons, cherries
and grapes grow wild and without cult
walton. Very choice wine is made from
these fruits, but the natives have not
the energy to extend the trade. There
is not Frenchman resident in the coun-
try engaged in the manufacture of wines.
The religion of the country is Moham-
medan, but the ruler, who is Mahar-
ajah. is Hindu. 1t was in the year
1916 that the British government sold
Cashmere to Hindu prince, Gholab
Singh, for seventy laos of rupees. Any
other race but the feeble and apathetic
Cashmeree would have risen en- masse to
resent such an insult to their religious
feelings. The present Maharajah is
Rambler Singh. His highness is fine
specimen of the native ruler, although
he is credited with considerable exer-
else of downright tyranny.