CASHMERE', a valley of the Himalaya, between India proper and middle Tibet, stretching between fat, 33° 15' and 34° 33' n., and long. 74° 10' and 75' 40' e. Its bottom, a comparative level of about 2,000 sq.m., is 5,500 ft. above the sea; while the enclosure, as a whole, from ridge to ridge, besides fully doubling the area, attains, at some points, nearly thrice the altitude. The mountain-wall of this secluded region presents but few passes, and most of these too lofty to be practicable in winter. In fact, the Baramula itself does not admit a wheeled vehicle. Through this single opening, situated at the s.w., the Jhelum carries down towards the Punjab the gathered streams and lakes of the entire basin, and is navigable for the last 70 in. of its course. This net-work of waters, without swelling into inundations, affords everywhere a perennial supply for the pur pose of irrigation.. Besides the copious rains of spring, the snows of winter covering even the plains to a depth of two feet for four months, accumulate, in every gorge and on every declivity, reservoir above reservoir, against the demands of summer. C. is traditionally believed to have been a vast upland lake, and alluvial deposits beyond the reach of existing influences would seem to confirm the idea.
In regard to climate, moderate but steady frost prevails from Nov. to Mar. ; and again, the heat, ranging from 75° P. in June, to 85' in August, is often disproportionately oppressive, through the stagnation of the landlocked atmosphere. The staple produc tion is rice, which, from the singular facilities of irrigation, is an all but sure crop, yielding, even in a tolerable season, 30 or 40 returns; and in the abundance and excel lence of its fruits, C. is said to surpass all the rest of the world. The valley is, in gen
eral, considered to be remarkably healthy. The inhabitants, almost universally held to be models of strength and beauty, amounted, before 1828, to 800,000, or to 400 in a sq. mile. But by casual famine and pestilence they have since been reduced to 200,000. The people are mostly Mohammedans, divided between the Sunnite and Shite sects. The manufactures—all superior of their kind—are shawls, leather, fire-arms, and attar of roses. The principal towns are Serinagur, Islamabad, Shupayon, Pampur, and Baramula. The history goes back, through colossal monuments chiefly of marble, beyond the dawn of authentic annals. In 1315, C. first received Mohammedanism; in 1586, it was annexed to the Mogul empire; in 1752, it fell under the power of the Afghans; and in 1819, it was subjugated by the Sikhs. Lastly being ceded, at the close of the first war of the Punjab, to the British, it was by them transferred to Gbolab Sing, as-the nucleus of a state of its own name, which comprised also Jamu, Bulti, Ladakh, Chamba, etc. Area of principality, 68,944 sq.m.; pop. 1,500,000.—C. or Srinagar, the capital, lies on the Jhelum, about the center of the valley. Pop. 15,000. See Bellew's .Kasmir and Kadt gar (1875).