In this book an attempt has been made to unfold and highlight the ancient civilization/sites of Srinagar city having importance from archeological, historical, cultural, heritage and tourist point of view. Srinagar being the oldest living city in the North of Himalayas was built by Ashoka. It has been inhabited by Aborigines, Huns, Piachacas, Nagas, Yakhsh, and Aryans.
Among others, it has been ruled by Kings like Ashoka, Mahirakula, Pavarsena-I, Lalitadiya, Awantiverman, Shahmir, Sultan Shuhab-ud-din, Sultan Zain-ul-abidin (Budshah) Check, Mughals, Pathans, Sikhs and Dogras.Great travelers like Huein-Tsang, Al-Barnier, Abul-Fazal, Bernier, Moor Craft, Young Husband, Stein, Walter Lawrence, all have praised its archeological sites, ancient civilization and unparallel scenic beauty. The city has been also blessed by the presence of great sufi saints and scholars like Syed Sharaf-ud-din (Bulbul Shah) Sahib, Mir Syed Ali Hamadani, Syed Shams-ud-din Araqi & others. The city of seven bridges possess the famous crystal clear water bodies like Dal and Anchar lakes, surrounded by ancient historical sites and religious centers like Kohi Suliman/Shankar-a-Charya, Panderthan temple, Pari Mahal, Mughal gardens, Harwan, Burzahama, Hazratbal Shrine, Gurdawara Chati Padshahi, Kohi Maran/Hari Parbat Fort, Jamia Masjid, Khankhi Moula Mosque, Vicharnag temple Rozabal Shrine, St. Lukes All Saint Church etc. The City has rightly been called as Venice of East and compared with Florence of Rome (Italy).
The book has been designed for the tourist who throng the city in all the four distinct seasons of the valley Kashmir. |