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Kashmir (CASHMERE an extensive)

or CASHMERE, an extensive principality in the N. W. of Hindustan, subject to a ruler (the Maharajah) belonging to the Sikh race. The principality embraces not only Kashmir proper, but also Jammu or Jummoo , Baltistan or Little Tibet, Ladakh, Gilghit, etc.; area, estimated 80,900 square miles; pop. about 3,000,000. Kashmir is largely a region of mountains. The country is watered by the Upper Indus and its tributaries, and by the Jhelum and Chenab. Kashmir proper, which forms a small portion of the whole, is a valley surrounded by gigantic mountains, the Himalaya and Hindu Kush, and traversed by the river Jhelum (formerly Hydaspes). There are 10 chief passes through the mountains into this valley varying in height from about 9,000 to 12,000 feet. Forests on the slopes , fields of corn, rice crops along the sides of the rivers, rich orchards, and an abundant growth of flowers distinguish the district, but the fruits of warm climates do not ripen here. Among its minerals are iron and plumbago. Sulphur springs are common. Earthquakes frequently occur, and in 1885 one caused the loss of thousands of lives. Bears , leopards, wolves, the ibex, and chamois are among the animals. The flora has a strong KASSALA affinity to that of Europe; the deodar cedar forms extensive and valuable forests. The common European fruits are grown, and attention is now being paid to the culture of the vine. The chief crops are wheat, barley, rice, and Indian corn, and two harvests are reaped in the year The chief manufacture is that of the celebrated Kashmir shawls. The genuine Kashmir shawls owe their superiority to the material of which they are made, which is, properly speaking, not wool. not wool . but a fine kind of down with which the animals of this region are clad during the winter season. This down is obtained in great quantities from the Kashmir goat, the yak of Tibet, and the wild sheep. The average time taken to manufacture a good Kashmir shawl is from 16 to 20 weeks. The inhabitants of Kashmir are a fine race physically, tall , strong, and well-built, with regular features. There are 13 separate dialects in use. The Maharajah is independent, but his relations with other states are subject to the authority of the Government of India. The capital of the whole principality is Jammu. Srinagar (or Kashmir) is the Maharajah's summer residence and largest town. Pop. about 125,000.