Nowshera, Srinagar

Nowshera
Noushera
Naushahr
Interactive Map of Nowshera, Srinagar
Coordinates: 34°07′48″N 74°48′19″E / 34.129977°N 74.805308°E / 34.129977; 74.805308
CountryIndia
Union territoryJammu and Kashmir
DistrictSrinagar
SettledAncient
Elevation
1,592 m (5,223 ft)
Languages
 • OfficialKashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English[1][2]
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
190011
Telephone code0194
Vehicle registrationJK 01
Distance from Delhi857 kilometres (533 mi)[3]
Distance from Mumbai2,182.4 kilometres (1,356.1 mi)[4]

Nowshera[a], also spelled as Noushera, Nowshehra, or Naushahr (from Persian: نوشہرہ, romanized: Naushahra, lit. 'new city'),[5] is a notified area in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Located north of Srinagar's old city, it was established during the reign of Sultan Zayn al-Abidin (r. 1420–1470) and served as the capital of Kashmir Sultanate during part of his reign.[6]

History

Foundation and development

The history of Nowshera dates to the reign of Sultan Zayn al-Abidin (r. 1420–1470), commonly known as Budshah, who established the area as a new urban centre of Kashmir Sultanate.[7][8][9] Historical accounts associate the foundation of the settlement with a major flood that struck Kashmir in the 15th century, following a period of severe famine. Continuous rainfall and the melting of mountain snow caused the tributaries of the Jhelum River to overflow, resulting in widespread destruction in Srinagar, particularly in low-lying areas. Following the flood, Zayn al-Abidin relocated the capital from Sikandarpuri (present-day Nowhatta) to the higher ground north of Koh-i-Maran (Hari Parbat), where he founded the town of Naushahr (Nowshera).[10]

Some historical sources describe Naushahr as the central part of a larger urban settlement known as Zainanagar, founded in 1439 CE. The chronicler Jonaraja also referred to the city as extending from the outskirts of Hari Parbat to Amberhor, encompassing areas corresponding to present-day Lalbazar, Hawal, Nowshera, Vichar Nag, Awanta Bhawan, and Soura.[11][12]

The city was laid out according to a planned urban design, featuring stone-paved roads and improved residential structures. During this period, the Nallah Mar canal was excavated to connect Dal Lake with Anchar Lake, diverting water away from the older parts of Srinagar. Stone bridges were constructed across the canal, while its banks became lined with the residences of officials and merchants.[10]

Some remains associated with the medieval settlement survive in parts of the locality, and several traditional residential structures continue to reflect the historic architectural character of old Srinagar.

Zaina Dab and institutions

Zayn al-Abidin constructed a palace at Naushahr in 1464 CE,[13] known as Zaina Dab (Zain's royal pavilion).[14][15][16] Mirza Haidar Dughlat described the palace as consisting of twelve storeys, each containing fifty rooms, with a gilded dome and halls decorated with glass panels.[17]

An educational institution, mentioned in historic accounts as Dar-ul-Ulum Naushahr, also referred to as Madrassah Sultani,[18] was also established by Zayn al-Abidin near his palace. The scholar Mulla Kabir was appointed to supervise the institution, which survived until the 17th century.[19][20] Historical accounts also state that residential accommodations were provided in the area, for foreign scholars who migrated to Kashmir during the Sultan's rule.[21]

Crafts and cultural heritage

The Sultan is also credited with introducing papier-mâché, papermaking, and bookbinding craftsmanship to the locality. In 1895, Lawrence wrote that the papermakers were settled in Nawshahr, where around thirty-six families remained engaged in the craft during the late 19th century.[22] The locality still contains an area known as Kagazgari Mohalla, a name associated with the historical papermaking community.

Nowshera was also the birthplace and home of Khawaja Habibullah Nowshehri (c. 1555 – c. 1617), a Kashmiri Sufi poet and scholar.[23] His shrine, located in the locality, remains a notable religious and cultural site where his urs is observed annually.[24]

Geography

Nowshera is situated within the municipal limits of Srinagar, aproximately 9.9 km (6.2 mi) north of the city centre. The area is bounded by Soura and Awanta Bhawan to the north, Zadibal to the south, Lal Bazar to the east and Zunimar to the west.[25]

Landmarks

Shrine of Khawaja Habibullah Nowshehri (left) and Majid Hubbi (right)

Notes

  1. ↑ Urdu pronunciation: [nɔːʃɛɦɾɑː]; Kashmiri pronunciation: [naʋʃahar]; locally pronounced Nowshahar

References

  1. ↑ "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  2. ↑ "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  3. ↑ "distance between Nowshera and New Delhi". Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "distance between Nowshera and Mumbai". Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  5. ↑ Khoyihami, Hassan. Tarikh-i-Hasan (Vol. 1: Geography of Kashmir) (in Persian). Vol. 1. Srinagar: The Research and Publication Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. p. 282.
  6. ↑ Shah 2022, p. 23.
  7. ↑ Hasan 2005, p. 98.
  8. ↑ Tikoo 1979, p. 58.
  9. ↑ "srinagar.nic.in". Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  10. 1 2 Bamzai, Prithvi Nath Koul (8 October 1962). A History of Kashmir (PDF). Delhi: Metropolitan Book Co.(Private) Ltd. pp. 307–308.
  11. ↑ Srivara 1994, p. 140.
  12. ↑ Jonaraja 1990, p. 138.
  13. ↑ Srivara 1994, p. 183.
  14. ↑ Venkatachalam, Pandit Kota (1955). Chronology Of Kashmir History Reconstructed Kota Vekatchelam 1955. p. 109.
  15. ↑ Lawrence 1895, p. 191.
  16. ↑ Sufi 1979, p. 213.
  17. ↑ Hassan 2005, p. 98.
  18. ↑ Khoyihami 1960, p. 415.
  19. ↑ Hasan 2005, p. 94.
  20. ↑ Sufi 1979, p. 148.
  21. ↑ Hasan 2005, p. 93.
  22. ↑ Lawrence 1895, p. 380.
  23. ↑ Khoyihami 1960, p. 230.
  24. ↑ Sufi 1979, p. 200.
  25. ↑ "googlemaps". Retrieved 12 December 2014.

Sources


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