If you wish to see “paradise on earth” then there is one place in India which would fit the bill perfectly “Kashmir”. It is known for its endless wonders such as streams, lakes, flowers and fruits etc. Such is the place that once a person sets foot on this land he would wish to stay on for eternity. Kashmir is also well known for its art and craft. Kashmir has a history of craftsmen who specialized in the art of making Shawls and Carpets.

In Kashmir, weaving dates back to the period of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (1341-1385 A.D.) – who was a famous Sufi saint from Persia. He was the one who is said to have enlightened the Kashmiri’s with his spiritual guidance and also brought along a force of highly skilled artisans, who set up cottage industries in this valley state.

It is believed that Kashmiri shawls and carpets were famous even during emperor Ashok’s period (3rd B.C.). There also exists a common belief among the locals and a few writers that the founder of this industry in Kashmir was Sultan Zain-Ul-Abidin (1420-1470 A.D). The then Sultan encouraged the art known as Pashmina or the “pasham” as it is known in Persian. He also glorified the promotion of this art form.

Today, this art form is quite a hit among the masses. It is believed that each family has a specific type of art form and it is only in this particular family that you get certain designs. But there are many who are losing interest in retaining their family and cultural heritage. This industry is only surviving due to a few master craftsman who are committed to preserving and reviving the rich culture that is being passed on to them from many generations. Many art forms of the region are also dwindling due to the political instability in the region, thus forcing many families to migrate to other places in the country.