Srinagar

History at a glance

1. 200 BC — CONTESTED
   One source says the original Shankaracharya temple was built this early.
2. 6th century
   Srinagar is founded, Wikipedia says, during the rule of a king whose name my capture cuts off.
3. c. 750 AD — CONTESTED
   Incredible India says the hill is named for a sage who reached enlightenment here in 750 AD.
4. 16th century
   Akbar is 'a great admirer of Kashmiri shawls'.
5. 1619
   Jahangir builds Shalimar Bagh for Nur Jahan — also called Farah Baksh, 'delightful'. The largest of the three gardens.
6. 1633
   Nishat Bagh is completed, terracing down to Dal Lake. Its key views align across the Oont Kadal bridge to Hari Parbat Fort.
7. 17th century
   Dara Shikoh, Shah Jahan's eldest son, builds Pari Mahal — seven terraces above Dal Lake.
8. 1660s
   Francois Bernier records that shawls copied in Patna, Agra and Lahore 'never have the texture and softness of the Kashmir article', and guesses at the water.
9. 1978
   The Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts Quality Control Act is passed.
10. 1999
    The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act comes into force.
11. 2020
    The J&K Handicraft and Handloom Policy is launched.
12. 2021
    UNESCO designates Srinagar a Creative City for Crafts and Folk Arts.
13. 2026
    QR-code GI labelling is operational, with around 70,000 items tagged and certification working for seven crafts.

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