OCR Text |
Show 1 improvements in Kashmirian ceramics and silversmithing. And, what i more, to the Persian artisans must go the honour of the introduction o papcrmakmg into Kashmir was invented in China at the beginning of the second centur iy e journey westward was slow the art of making p finallydid reach Samarkan in 751 A. . At this period the Arabs, who wer in possession of Samarkand, were attacked by Chinese fighters from Chines Turkestan. The Arabs were able to fight off the Chinese, and among th Celestial prisoners captured by the Arabs were a number of men who ha previously followed the precarious occupation of papermaking. In this manner the cfaft was introduced into Samarkand, thence it spread westwar through the skill of the Arabs and Moors to Europe and America, and southward to Kashmir, and eventually to all of India, (hrough the efforts of th Persians. While the precise date of the introduction of papermaking int Kttt blanevesbess definitely determined, i period usually given i between 1420 A. b. and 1470 A. D., when Persian influence and dominatio days of Gyrus the Great. At that time King Zain-ul-ab-ad-din was ruler o Kashmir, and he himself brought papermakers from Samarkand and established them in Kashmir with grants of propcr[y 50 that they might be satisfied and contented in their changed environment. The original paper mill of Kashmir were set up in Nowshera e king's favourite gardens wasmcmd and it is in this same locality that the old Kashmiria carry on their humble work at the present time. If we tak (he zu(henm, ate o 751 .. as the time when paper was fist made i seven hundred years. From Samarkand to Nowshera, Kashmir, the distanc is only about five hundredmiles, but even today the journey could not b e oveslinelivthniconsiderablabecibinjand) iancient inesicom Digital mage© 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah, All rights reserved |