Modernise Kashmir, But Do Not Mute Its Memory
Kashmir must modernise, but never at the cost of its civilisational memory
Kashmir today stands at a defining moment. The Valley needs roads, bridges, riverfronts, tourism infrastructure, better urban planning and jobs for a restless young population. No serious society can argue against development. But in the race to modernise, Kashmir must guard against a grave and irreversible loss: the erosion of its cultural heritage. For this Valley is not merely a landscape of economic possibility; it is a living archive of memory, craft, architecture, faith and community. If development uproots that inheritance, it will leave behind a shinier but poorer Kashmir. The challenge, therefore, is not to choose between development and heritage, but to ensure that one strengthens the other. Recent works in Srinagar’s Shehr-e-Khaas under the Smart City Mission have been presented as heritage-oriented interventions, including renovation of historic buildings, old bridges and traditional urban spaces along the Jhelum. The broader official emphasis on combining urban renewal with heritage conservation has also been clearly articulated in discussions around Srinagar’s transformation. This is the right principle. But principles must survive contact with reality. Too often, development in Kashmir is understood in narrow, concrete terms, wider roads, new markets, modern facades and tourist-friendly beautification. Yet Kashmir’s true identity lies equally in the old city’s wooden architecture, the shrines and mosques that carry centuries of devotion, the riverfront that once shaped urban life, the lattice-work windows, the carved khatamband ceilings, and the social life of mohallas that no steel-and-glass model can reproduce. Heritage is not decorative surplus. It is the soul of place. There are, fortunately, signs of recognition. Conservation funding for protected monuments in Jammu and Kashmir has continued in recent years, with over ₹20.28 crore allocated from 2019–20 to 2024–25 for preservation and maintenance of centrally protected sites in the valley. Srinagar’s designation as a World Craft City has further affirmed the global value of Kashmir’s artisan traditions, while related events have highlighted the living strength of local crafts and cultural expression. These developments show that heritage is not an obstacle to progress; it is itself an engine of identity, tourism and livelihood. What Kashmir needs now is a development ethic rooted in memory. Every urban project must be tested against cultural impact. Every restoration must involve experts, artisans and local communities. Every growth plan must ask a simple question: Will this preserve the character of the Valley or flatten it? People who lose their heritage do not become modern; they become unmoored. Kashmir must build for the future, yes, but without demolishing the past that gives that future meaning.
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