Broaching Kashmir, everyone loads praise on its postcard-worthy scenery, its houseboats and apple trees, but not much is known about its syncretic customs of spiritual architecture. The area has actually long been a melting pot of cultural practices that consist of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. The 14 th century, in particular, is considered a watershed in Kashmir’s history, when various traditions of art and architecture came together– this can be seen, for instance, in the common pagoda-style building of mosques such as Khanqah-i-Maulla (Great Khanqah) or Madin Sahab.
A recent exhibition in New Delhi, put together by M. Saleem Beg, convener of INTACH’s J&K chapter and the former director-general of J&K’s Department of Tourist, tried to draw out these aspects. The khanqah, for example, is among the best examples of traditional Kashmiri wooden architectural forms. INTACH literature explains it as being made completely of solid wood blocks used as headers and stretchers with brick infill. The central space on the ground floor of this 14 th-century shrine has a double-height hall with a series of 7 little cloisters on both sides, meant for spiritual retreats.
The layout looks like a Buddhist chaitya hall, while the ceiling of the central chamber is supported by 4 wooden columns– likewise seen in the temples of medieval Kashmir. The entire structure is surmounted by a multi-tiere