OLD CITY TOUR

                                          OLD CITY

A  tour of down town of Srinagar city, known as 'Old City',  Kashmir visit will remain incomplete . A walk through the narrow lanes of Old city  is like walking down the history lane. this is the place where some of the famous monuments are located. These  structures of historical importance are mentioned as under:-

Shah Hamdan Mosque and Shrine

The Khanqah-e-Mu'alla or Shah-e-Hamdan is one of the oldest Muslim shrines located on the banks of the river Jhelum in Srinagar city. An important religious destination in Srinagar, this shrine was originally built in 1395 and later reconstructed in 1732. Believed to contain "the secret of Allah" - the Khanqah-e-Molla is an excellent example of wood architecture that draws inspiration from Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic styles. Khanqah-e-Molla was originally constructed by Sultan Sikander (1389-1413 AD) in memory of Sufi saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdan, who stayed in Kashmir and was instrumental in the spread of Islam in Kashmir.

Khanqah-e-Molla was ravaged by fire in 1480, and reconstructed by Sultan Hassan Shah in 1493. Again in 1731, the shrine got damaged, with Abul Barkat Khan reconstructing it in 1731.Khanqah-e-

Molla, as it stands today, has a square plan, erected on irregular walled base made of materials from ancient temples. The two-storied, two-tiered structure of the shrine has gently sloping pyramidal roofs demarcating each tier. The roofs are further accentuated by heavy woodwork adoring the cornices under the eaves.

_{Tomb of the Great King(Budshah)}

Budshah's Tomb, is the final resting place of the mother of Sultan Zain-Ul-Abidin (1420 AD - 1470 AD). Sultan Zain-Ul-Abidin was among the most respected and revered king of Kashmir whom people remember as Bodshah, or Budshah,the great king. His rule spanned over 50 years. During his reign Kashmir witnessed prosperity and peace. Budshah introduced art and craft. He brought shawl and carpet weavers from Central  Asia who trained locals in these crafts. Unlike his predecessors Budshah was by nature a secular. It is why Muslims and Hindus both hold him in high esteem. He is buried in the royal cemetery just outside the tomb within an enclosure. 

The Budshah Tomb is an excellent representation of a typical Shahmiri style of architectural brilliance yet to be seen elsewhere in India. The monument or memorial site is seen on the right riverbanks of the River Jhelum, situated quite close to Zaina Kadal in Srinagar.

Jam'a Masjid(The Great Mosque)

The foundation of this great mosque was laid by Sultan Sikander of Shahmiri dynasty in 1349 A.D. The mosque was later extended by his son, Zainulabidin,The Great King. The design of this huge mosque reflects a fine blend of Indo-Saracen architecture. The turrets are based on Bhuddist pagodas. This mosque can accommodate 30000 worshipers at a time. The facades are perfect in symmetry and detail. The present structure was rebuilt and renovated by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb after it was gutted in a devastating fire.