KASHMIRI CULTURE
Submitted to:
Mam Hajira Bibi
Submitted by:
Arshia Pervaiz
Javeria Irshad
Ghunwa Habib
Content:
Background History
Education
Religion
Family System
Famous Dishes
Dresses
Agriculture
Conclusion
Background History
The culture of Kashmir has a rich and diverse history dating
back thousands of years.
The origins of Kashmiri culture can be traced back to the
ancient Vedic civilization, which flourished in the region
around 1500 BCE.
The Kashmir Valley was also a prominent center of Buddhism
during the reign of the Kushan Empire.
The spread of Islam in the region, particularly from the 14th
century onwards, also significantly impacted Kashmiri culture.
Education
Historically, Kashmir had a rich tradition of Islamic education ,
with madrasas (Islamic seminaries) playing a
significant role.
Kashmir has a relatively high literacy rate, with
around 70% of the population able to read and write.
Education in Kashmir faces challenges such as
limited resources, political instability, and frequent
shutdowns.
Private schools and coaching centers are also popular
in Kashmir, offering quality education and
competitive preparation for exams.
Overall, education is highly valued in Kashmir, and
efforts are being made to improve the education
system and increase access to quality education for
all.
Religion
Kashmir has a rich religious heritage, with various
religions coexisting and influencing each other.
◦ Islam:
◦ The majority of Kashmiris (around 97%) practice
Islam, with most following the Sunni sect.
◦ Hinduism:
◦ Hindus form a significant minority (around 2%),
with many Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) having
migrated to other parts of India due to conflict.
◦ Buddhism:
◦ Buddhism has a small presence in Kashmir, with a
few monasteries and followers.
◦ Sikhism:
◦ Sikhs have a small presence in Kashmir, with a few
Family System
◦ The family system in Kashmir culture is
traditionally joint and patriarchal, with a strong
emphasis on family values and respect for
elders.
◦ Joint Family:
◦ Multiple generations live together under one
roof, with the patriarch (father or grandfather)
as the head of the family.
◦ Family Honor:
◦ The concept of "izzat" (family honor) is deeply
ingrained, with family members expected to
uphold the family's reputation and dignity.
◦ Patriarchal Structure:
◦ The family is typically headed by a male figure,
with sons and daughters expected to respect and
obey their fathers and elder brothers.
◦ Close-Knit Family Ties:
◦ Family relationships are extremely close, with
siblings, cousins, and other relatives
maintaining strong bonds.
◦ Respect for Elders:
◦ Elderly family members are highly respected
and cared for, with their wisdom and guidance
sought in decision-making.
Famous Dishes
◦ Rogan Josh:
◦ A classic Kashmiri dish made with tender lamb
cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce with cardamom,
cinnamon, and Kashmiri chilies.
◦ Gushtaba:
◦ A traditional Kashmiri dish of tender lamb
meatballs cooked in a flavorful yogurt sauce with
cardamom, cinnamon, and Kashmiri chilies.
◦ Haak Saag:
◦ A popular Kashmiri dish made with collard greens
cooked with garlic, ginger, and spices, often served
with rice or roti.
◦ Dum Aloo:
◦ A flavorful Kashmiri dish made with baby potatoes
cooked in a rich, spicy sauce with cardamom,
cinnamon, and Kashmiri chilies.
◦ Shami Kebab:
◦ A small patty of minced meat (usually lamb or
beef) cooked with spices and herbs, often served as
an appetizer or snack.
◦ Kulcha:
◦ A traditional Kashmiri bread cooked in a tandoor
oven, often served with butter or ghee.
◦ Phirni:
◦ A sweet Kashmiri dessert made with rice, milk, and
:
sugar, often flavored with cardamom or saffron.
◦ Kahwa:
◦ A traditional Kashmiri tea made with green tea
leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, and saffron, often
served with sugar and milk.
◦ Kashmiri Pulao:
◦ A fragrant rice dish made with saffron, cardamom,
cinnamon, and Kashmiri chilies, often served with
meat or vegetables.
Dresses
◦ Phiran:
◦ A long, loose tunic worn by both men and women, often with intricate
embroidery. It is typically made of wool or silk and is worn with a loose
pair of pants or a skirt.
◦ Pheran:
◦ A long, woolen coat worn by men, often with a fur lining for warmth. It
is typically worn over a kurta and pyjama and is a symbol of traditional
Kashmiri attire.
◦ Kaftan:
◦ A long, flowing robe worn by women, often with intricate embroidery.
It is typically made of silk or cotton and is worn on special occasions.
◦ Salwar Kameez:
◦ A traditional three-piece outfit consisting of a long tunic (kameez),
loose pants (salwar), and a scarf (dupatta). It is worn by women and is a
popular attire in Kashmir.
◦ Shawl:
◦ A traditional woolen shawl worn by both men and
women, often with intricate patterns. It is made
from the soft wool of the Changthangi goat and is
a symbol of Kashmiri heritage.
◦ Hijab:
◦ A traditional headscarf worn by women, often
with intricate embroidery. It is a symbol of
modesty and is typically worn with a salwar
kameez or a kaftan.
◦ Kashmiri Suit:
◦ A traditional three-piece outfit consisting of a long
tunic (kameez), loose pants (pyjama), and a scarf
(dupatta). It is worn by men and is a popular attire
in Kashmir.
Old And New Dresses
Agriculture
◦ Many temperate fruits are grown with
orchards in the Kashmir valley orchards
including almonds, apples, cherries, pears,
peaches, and walnuts.
◦ The fruit crops grown in the state are
apple, almonds, walnuts, pears, cherries
and apricots in temperate areas and
mango, citrus, litchi, papaya, guava etc. in
subtropical areas.
◦ Kashmiri Saag ( Haakh) or Collard Greens
is the most consumed fresh leafy
vegetable in Kashmir.
◦ Kashmir include Kashmiri almonds or
mamra badam , Kashmiri Pure Walnuts,
Walnut Giri ,Almond Giri, Kashmiri Dried
figs , Kashmiri Apricots , Dried Apricots ,
Pitted Apricot etc are the famous
production.
Conclusion
◦ Kashmiri culture is deeply intertwined with
its stunning natural landscape, contributing
to a sense of spirituality and mysticism.
Despite political unrest and external
influences, Kashmiri traditions persist,
symbolizing resilience and unity. The future
of Kashmiri culture lies in preserving its
heritage while embracing modernity,
ensuring its continuation for generations to
come.
