Old houses of kashmir , Gold In Dust

 Before the dawn of modern age, the houses of vil kashmir were constructed mostly of unbaked bricks with thatched roofs usually of single  storey. There were also wooden houses of two storeys. Lattice work, known  as Panrakari in Kashmir, was also popular in village architecture. 

The  craftsmen dealing with wooden works used to fill the doors, windows,  ventilators (Roshan Daan) with Jali screens formed of lattice work. Every  house had a Dankoth (kitchen) with a Damur (hearth). Also a latrine was  made usually behind the house. However, people preferred barren lands  instead of latrines. Houses were constructed with a large distance from one  another. Some houses were either surrounded by walls of branches called paiy or walls of wood pieces called Piece Kalai. .

Many houses had ground floors used for cattle shed. On the roof of the cattle shed there used to be a square hole called as ‘Wog’ which made it easy for the people to have occasional watch on cattle during nights from the first floor of the house. It was mainly due to the threat of theft of cattle that cattle sheds were made inside the house. For locking the doors a big wooden pole (taad) was kept behind them. . The space under roof of the house called as ‘Kani’ was used for storage of fuel and grains, fodder for animals and for other things. 

Grains were stored in Lopun, a large round shaped container made of mud. Some rich had also grain stores (Koech) made of wood in the compound of their houses. Almost every house had a Pahaar (firewood store).

     For matting purpose of the rooms ‘Patij’- a long grass knitted mat, was used. Also a mobile mat called ‘chengij’- a round type grass knitted mat was used.  

The making of Patij and Chadders, which took a lot of days to complete were  mainly made during winters as winter days were usually without any field  work. Also it was during winter that wool was spinned in a charkha (yendir)  by the women folk and chadrs were made of it. The chadrs were used for a  plenty of time in bed, then it was sewed as ‘patu phThere were no wells and water was carried in earthen  pots from springs and small streams of the village.

 Mustard was grinded with the help of classical ox-powered mill was located. It was  manually operated mustard oil mill called as ‘Telwa dukaan’ and the oxes  used in the mill as ‘Telwa dand’. There were two water flour mills (Aab Grat)  operated in the village. People also used hand flour mills, Aath Grath.eran’.

Every house had a vegetable garden spread on half or a Kunal fertile land. The activities in Vegetable garden from tilling of land with hoes to sowing of seeds and bringing home the vegetables was largely the responsibility of women. However, only few varieties of vegetables were grown. In modern times different kinds of vegetables are grown. The principal among them are tomatoes, potatoes, brinjals, cabbage, pumpkins, spinach and different varieties of pulses.

   

                (Kuch)  for storage of paddy 

Food and Dress

In modern times drastic changes have taken place in the food habits of people. Due to sound economic position of people meat, chicken, eggs, milk, fruits etc are frequently taken by them. Now guests are served with  different varieties of dishes.

 As far as their dress is concerned, Kamiz - Silwar was common dress for both men and women sewed in respective styles. Pattu Pheran(Kashmiri  gown) was used in winters. It was made from woolen chadder (shawl).  Woolen chadders were made by craftsmen from the wool obtained from Sheeps. There were three to five craftsmen specialized in the making of  chadders. Polhor(d) and khrav were main footwear. Khrav was made by  carpenters from wood and Polhor by knitting paddy grass. The women  covered their heads with Dajh (scarf) and some elderly women wore Kasaab. Even some older women did not wear silwar under the Pheran. A silwar  

Silvar-kamis was also reserved in the house of Numberdar used on the occasion of marriage by villagers. Common women wore brass ornaments  whereas some women from well-off families used silver ornaments. Wank- path was common hair style of women. In this style, hair was knitted to makeIn modern times drastic changes have taken place in the food habits ofpeople. 

Due to sound economic position of people of people meat, chicken,eggs, milk, fruits etc are frequently taken by them. Now guests are served with different varieties of dishes.

 As far as their dress is concerned, Kamiz - Silwar was common dress for both men and women sewed in respective styles. Pattu Pheran (Kashmiri gown) was used in winters. It was made from woolen chadder (shawl). Woolen chadders were made by craftsmen from the wool obtained from sheeps. There were three to five craftsmen specialized in the making of chadders. Polhor(d) and khrav were main footwear. Khrav was made by carpenters from wood and Polhor by knitting paddy grass. 

The women covered their heads with Dajh (scarf) and some elderly women wore Kasaab. Even some older women did not wear silwar under the Pheran. A silwar Silvar-kamis was also reserved in the house of Numberdar used on the  occasion of marriage by villagers. Common women wore brass ornaments whereas some women from well-off families used silver ornaments. Wank- path was common hair style of women. In this style, hair was knitted to make.beautiful loops and was sometimes placed on both sides of face. Even today Their hair style can be seen among the women of tribal areas.