A Tribute To Heritage Of Poonch

Ref Urstruly #3

One year after the Kashmir earthquake, BBC is showing how the folks in Azad Kashmir are still living amidst the rubble in tents.

And you want Jammu & Kashmir handed to you spic and span?

Well, come to Kashmir as a jihadi and get it!

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The article rekindled old memories of Poonch which was otherwise an outpost on the border but for the faujis posted around it was the only reminder that civilisation existed. Was there in the early 80`s. Remember the jhoola bridge, the gurdwara and of course the palace. Chhena murghi, chamcham and malai burfi were some of the delicacies we sourced from Poonch.
The palace as one remembers was a majestic building with Italian marble flooring and very large Persian carpets. It was a must see for everybody. One stood in awe just looking at the splendour. Quite surprised to read that it had 270 rooms. Did not occur it would have been that big. Life then was quite peaceful with Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs all living amicably. Gujjars, traditionally very pro-Indian were a visible community. Not far from Poonch is the famous spring from where Noor Jehan had her water for bathing transported to Agra or Delhi whereever she lived.
Sad to learn about the destruction of the palace in the quake.
KD Maini`s sense of loss is understandable. If he is the same person one remembers, he was a schoolmate and we called him the Maharaja of Poonch due to the place of his origin, very proper, always immaculately dressed, he was the only boy who would turn out in lounge suits.

Interesting read, needs some editing though and is repetetive.