People of Kashmir 1900

The Kashmiri people are doubtless physically the finest of all the races that inhabit the territories we are dealing with, and I have not much hesitation in saying that in size and in feature they are the finest race on the whole continent of India. Their physique, their character, and their language are so marked as to . produce a nationality different from all around, as distinct from their neighbors as their country is separated.

Sir George Campbell  observed that they have a wide straight-up and high forehead and a fine-shaped head, a well-cut square brow, and eyes of a not very dark brown. people the nose acquires a decided hook of handsome outline ; the mouth is often prettily curved with the young people, but it is apt to get straight and thin-lipped as they grow up. In figure they are, I should say, of middle height by our English standard, and not apt to run very much above it, they are a robust race, broad shoulders and large-framed, and of great muscular power,some instances of what they could do as porters.

The complexion is somewhat lighter than that of the Dogaris. Their clothing is simple,that of the poor people is entirely woolen. They wear short pyjamas, and a long, loose,large-sleeved gown, and a skull cap. Those who have active workers like the shikaris or professional sportsmen, hitch the gown up and fasten it round the waist with a kamarband. Anyone who may be bound for a long march will put on leggings of a peculiar sort, a bandage about six inches wide and four yards long, wound round from the ankle up to just below the knee, and then fastened by an equally long string, attached to the upper end, which is lightly wound many times round the calf of the leg.

This, which is called " patiwa," is a much-cherished piece of dress, and without doubt is a very good thing for mountain work; in the first place, it may be used to convert the pyjama into a kind of knickerbocker, then it is a protection for the leg in going through grass or brushwood, as well as against wet and cold. But the Kashmiris allow it other advantages; they say it strengthens or supports the leg, and so keeps off fatigue. For their feet they have either the common shoe used in India,or else grass shoes made of rice straw ; the straw is first twisted into a rope, and then interwoven to make a sole, which is fastened on sandal-wise.

In character the Kashmiris have many failings and faults, but they also have qualities which make one to be interested in and to like them. They are false tonged , ready with a lie, various forms of deceit. This character is more pronounced with them than with most of the races of India. They are noisy and quarrelsome, ready to wrangle, but not to fight; on the least  exercise or threat of force they cry like children. They have, indeed, a wide reputation for being faint-hearted and cowardly,still I must admit that I have sometimes met with Kashmiris who as against physical dangers bore themselves well. In intellect they are superior to their neighbors; ( By Frederic Drew)