Houseboats of Kashmir are reminiscent of British rule in Indian Subcontinent. British army officers and civil servants,escaping the sweltering heat of the plains of India found it extremely ideal for spending summer vacations ,along with their families, on boats which were known as ‘doonga boats’ . A ‘doonga' boat was by tradition employed to transport food grains and passengers from one port to another on river Jehlum. The owner of a 'doonga' boat lived on it along with his family - like those of boat people of China who live on a sampan. It was an elongated structure with a narrow prow and stern. Its hull was made of high quality cedar locally known as ‘deodar’. Its superstructure had a covering made of reed mats woven locally and the side walls and windows were also made with similar material. As per the archival records the first modern day houseboat was built by ________________. Ban imposed by Maharaja of Kashmir on outsiders against purchase of land or own any immovable property in the state of Jammu & Kashmir further gave a boost to development of some other means of lodging which a non subject could own or built.

Over the years changes were made to the design of these 'doonga boats' which suited to comfort and need of guests. Mat covering of roof tops were replaced by shingled roofs made of timber to withstand inclement weather conditions. Similarly, sides made of locally grown reed plant gave way to wooden side walls. Later on windows made with hand woven reed mats were also changed and replaced by sliding windows made with seasoned conifer wood. With the time changes were also introduced in the designing of its hull which was hitherto built narrow on both ends and less broad at the centre. Finally, with the combination of 'doonga' and local barge known as 'behtch' a new boat craft came into being which became the model of a modern day houseboat. This new craft had broad ends,a high and raised keel and the centre was also spacious.

The present day houseboat is an architectural wonder found nowhere else on the planet. The usual size is 80 ft - 120 ft in length and 14 ft - 18 ft at its broadest. However, quite a few number of houseboats are 150 ft long. The hull of a houseboat is made of locally found cedar which should have almost zero percent impurity to last longer. Superstructure is made of conifer and pine wood. A houseboat of normal size has 2 - 3 well appointed bedrooms with attached bath whereas boats of longer size have 3 - 5 bedrooms connected through a well furnished corridor. Besides bedrooms,all houseboats have a drawing room, a dinning room,and a well stocked pantry. The prow of a houseboat serves as a deck to enjoy the life on water.