SERINAGUR, SIIIINUGGUR, or CASHMERE, the capital of the valley of Cashmere, stands on both sides of the Jhelum, which is here 100 yds. wide. 170 m. n.n.e. of Lahore. It is quaint and picturesque-looking almost beyond conception. The streets, or rather narrow lanes, lead to the river, and the houses, five and six stories high, are built of wood. Not a single straight line is to be seen. The houses overhang the river, and lean toward each other above the lanes in various stages of dilapidation. Com munication between the two quarters is kept up by means of a number of rustic wooden bridges, built on enormous piles of timber. Shawls are an important article of manatte ture (see CASHMERE). The manufacture of articles of papier-mfiche, the designs of which are far in advance 'of the workmanship, and engraving on stone and metal, are also important branches of industry. The vicinity of the city, with its border of towering mountains, is exceedingly beautiful. The numerous lakes, connected with
the town and river by canals, recall Venice to the traveler. The most notable public structures are the Jumna Musjid or " Great Mosque," capable, according to native estimate, of containing 60,000 persons, the mosque of Shall Hamcdan, a royal tomb, and the governor's residence. Near the e. end of the city lies the dal or lake of Serinagur, about 5 m. long, and 21 broad. It is a lovely and tranquil sheet of water, was formerly a choice retreat of the Mogul emperors, the remains of whose pleasure-grounds and palaces are still visible on its margin, the most celebrated being the Shalimar, of polished black marble. Pop. in '71, 132,681; in the early part of the present c., it is stated to have been from 150,000 to 200,000.—Captain .Knight's Diary of a Pedestrian in Cashmere and Thibet (1863).