New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-05
dCHOLER4-STRTCKEN CITE
THE ORIENTAL scoURGE HAS BEGUN ITS WORK
IN SRINAGAR.

That most dreaded Of all summer tourists the
cholera. Is starting out upon It's travels this year
with unusual violence from the city Of Srnasar, the
capital Of Cashmere, In India. The name Of srina
gar Is supposed to mean the CITY Of the sun,
and though the place Is elevated moro than 1000
feet above the level Of the sea. the sun beats
down upon the surrounding swamps with such peSt
Ionral norceness rs make living there very
unhealthy. The city is picturesquely sltulted in the
Happy Valley of Cashmere, and extends for about
two miles along both banks the river Jhelum seven
bridges connecting the two hav's. Formerly the
iiver was walled IN with great blocks OF limestone
and while much OF this cmbarllmcnt has succumbed
10 time fine landing stair, yet remain. The
river is the oh,f thproughtare, the comparatively
few streets being Of slight importance, and there
are several canals. making the town n sort of East
indian Venice. The populali)n Is estimated at ab ut
10000, Of which number 10000 arc Hnd)oS and
the rest Mussumans.
As seen from the river Srinamr presents an
extremely picturesque appearance. The 10000
houses Of the city not arranged In regular
rows. but are built each for Itself solid stone
foundations and carried up to height of two, three
or AT most four stories They Of wood and
brick, with sloping roofs and projecting caves. and
with many windows guarded by wooden lattces often
deliberately carved. THIS mixed construction Of stone
and wood Is believed 10 offer 4 better resistance 10
the severe earthquake shocks Of the region. Fires
also OF frequent occurrence and sometimes they
prove very destructive. The roofs OF the houses
covered with earth, and At certain seasons Of the
year they sprout mp Into crop Of long grass
which makes the city In a birdscye view look aS
iIccn the country The few public buildings in
cludc ancient mosques modern IIindoo temples
palrrc within the inclOsur, II a fort dSpensary
school. and mint The great promenade, Rotten
Row. OF Srinagar Is popular avenue over a milo
In length. overlooking r,e City is hill called the
Throne OF solomon surmounted by an ancient Budl
hist temple. dating back 10 22O b. g. The view
from here Of the river and all its wtndings said
have first suggested the patterns Of HE celebrated
cashmere shawls TIE Cly Lake Is on the north
eastern side Of Srlnagar. being five miles long by
two and a half miles wide. with an average depth
Of ten feet. Ii j. covered In part by the famous
floating gardens made OF earth and vegetable mater
accumulated on wnter-paHts and has been immor
talizcd In M0ore's Lalla Rookh." As there are no
carts carriages in Cashmere. boats furnish the
chief means Of 0comoton In is capial. The streets
and lnnc> are a dirty rs can possibly be- imagined
IN case II dire necessity. Rnr ~ does any business
Gull them far from the river for It's banks the
Of bungalows aud supplementary tents put up
tor the accommodation Of foreign visitors, dwellings
states Is forced to 2ccnpv, and overlooking the river
also the houses If the dealers I'm shaws, silver
work, and papcr machc goods the chief products II
The place, When Sir Richard Temple visited the
sovereign whether srinagar couM not be drained
and cleaned. The answer that the people did not
appreciate reform. and would rather BE- dirty than
take the trouble to clean their city. With such
rs In many previous years. thu cholera Is killing
on the Inhabitants Of Sfnagnr