1. In Kashmir, aside from the two Mirwaiz families: Mirwaiz-i Kalan of Jamia Masjid and Mirwaiz-i Khurd of Khanqah-i Hamdaniya, we also had the tradition of waizin (preachers) in various Pir and Sayyid familes, who were involved in the practice of waizkhani (giving sermons) 2. not only in mosques and khanqahs of the city but also around open spaces in the city, like Idgah and near Dargah Hazratbal on major religious festivals. The tradition must have been well established by nineteenth century when the office of Mirwaiz came into existence.

1. While working on 'assorted archives of images' from the early-mid 20th century Kashmir, came across these old 'sarkari' images. These ones are from my personal archives, first one is of my grandfather, H Ghulam Safdar after joining the Accountant General's office (1923), 2. (He is the first one on the right side in the cropped image). The background is the open court in the Sherghari complex, today in a derelict condition. The second image is when he retired (1956), again the same complex but near the present Archives building.

1. In December 1909, Kashmiri Muslim elders submitted a petition to the Viceroy through the office of British Resident at Kashmir to voice their demand for better Muslim representation in the Dogra administration. These are the seals and the signatures of the petitioners. 2. The petition was followed by a memorandum submitted to Lord Reading, the Viceroy during his visit to Kashmir in 1924, seeking redress to Muslim grievances against the Dogra rule. The main signatories of this memorandum included:

1. Mirwaiz Manzil, Srinagar: Today had the opportunity of visiting Mirwaiz Manzil at Rajouri Kadal after almost a decade. The precinct comprises two houses. The older house constructed by Mirwaiz Moulvi Rasool Shah in 1870, which is unfortunately in a dilapidated condition. 2. The new house which commands a fine view of the erstwhile Nallah Mar canal was constructed by Mirwaiz Moulvi Yosuf Shah in 1929. It is said Moulvi Yosuf Shah worked on the construction site along with the laborers.

1. Khanqah-I Maula/ Maha Kali temple: In 1922 a major dispute between Kashmiri Panidt & Muslim community occurred near the ghat of Khanqah-I Maula shrine. Since the start of Dogra rule, a part of the ghat was also serving as the temple of Kali & one of the stones of the 2. embankment wall used to be worshipped by Pandits with sindur (vermillion) applied on it. Apparently, at some point in 1922 the Pandits started applying sindur on nearby stones- enlarging the temple, resulting in conflict with the caretakers of the Khanqah.

1.Wazawan & Kashmiri Food: So leaving the idea of veg-Wazwan aside just thought of doing a very short thread on Kashmiri food in the medieval period. Probably the most detailed version of food prevalent during 15th century Kashmir is recorded in Tuḥfatūl Aḥbāb. 2. Writing in the 17th century, the author Mulla Muhammad Ali Kashmiri speaks about kabab, pulao, zard pulao, tursh pulao, yakhni etc. He also writes about dal (lentils) & rice being cooked together. We also get an account of 'professional cooks' being employed on weddings.

#Kashmiri #Quran: From Sotheby's collection this unique Quran Mss (c. 1246 AH/ 1831 CE), was commissioned by an Iranian merchant Muhammad Ismail (tajir-i Isfahan) based in Srinagar, Kashmir; who interestingly also (apparently) wrote a tafsir on the margins of this mushaf. During Afghan & Sikh rule a large number of Iranian, Georgian & Armenian merchants involved in the lucrative pashmina shawl trade were operating from Srinagar. A graveyard in Hassanabad area was known as Iranian or musafir mazzar, where some of these Iranian merchants are buried.