Gems and Jewels in
Pakistan Occupied Kashmir
By Sanjay
Godbole
Kashmir
is the most picturesque (full of scenic beauty)
valley in the whole of the world. This province
is situated on the West side of the Himalaya
mountain range.Though the Southern part of
Kashmir is relatively plain and even, in the
Northern part of Kashmir, there are high
mountain ranges, scaling heights, upto 2460
meters above mean sea level. On the North West
side of Kashmir is Gligit and Hindu kush
mountain ranges are extensively spread in the
nearby region. The highest peak in Kashmir is in
the Karakorum mountain range.The Meru Parbat, as
referred to in Hindu Scriptures is situated in
Karakorum pass. Since ancient and Historical
times, this province had trade links with other
provinces by the “Silken route”.
Afghanistan, the
neighbouring country of Kashmir, has been
exporting gems and other precious stones for
last several centuries. There is a “Lepis”
figure, crafted in the year 1500 B.C. in
Egypt. The idol presently is in Vienna Art
Museum of Austria. This “Lepis” stone had been
exported from Afghanistan. During several
excavations, beads of various colours have been
reported in Pakistan. This fact throws light,as
to how the gems and the precious and semi
precious stones were functionally put to
use,since times immemorial,as a tradition in
vogue. Pakistan occupied Kashmir is a hot topic
of discussion in the International Political
forum . This part of Kashmir however, is now
being critically studied for the gems and the
precious stones found here and all the aspects
of these treasures are being studied and
analysed from geological survey & research
angle. These discoveries of the precious stones
in Kashmir are of relatively recent origin. It
is also conclusively observed that the rock
formations in the region of Kashmir have not
been geologically studied to that degree of
details, as those in Afghan region.
A few years
back, in the Northern part of Pakistan, some
shephards accidently came across some stones
with greenish tinge; being unaware of the
identification as to the value and importance of
those stones, these were utilised for some other
odd ends. Afterwards, these stones proved to be
real emeralds. In 1999, the geological survey of
France carried out in this region an extensive
explorative exercise, to prospect the
possibility of mining for emeralds.Some
legendary stories of emeralds from Peshawar in
Pakistan are also popularly famous.
That part and
parcel of land, which is under control of
Pakistan, has since been divided into two
sectors 1) "Azad Kashmir", and 2) Northern
areas, by Pakistan authorities. The maximum
quantity of minerals mined in Pakistan have been
discovered from this area only. The famous
gemological journal of the United states - Lepis
international in its illustrated catalogue, has
furnished detailed information about the
potential stocks of the precious stones and
gems, lying hidden in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
In Kashmir, the
Krishnaganga river valley and Sharada Temple are
indicative of the ancient culture existing there
once upon a time. This day a gem called Neelam
(Blue sapphire) is found in the mountains near
Krishnaganga valley. About a century ago, a
Delhi Bound traveller from Kabul had accidently
found some specimen of Neelam (Saffire) due to
falling of crags (Land slide). The (sapphire) of
Kashmir is adjudged as the best and of Supreme
quality in the whole of the world. There is a
verse, which describes the qualities of the
Neelam of Kashmir. Nihal Bhi Kar De Aur
Sataye Bhi Buri Tarah Purnima ki Khili Chandani
Mein Nilam Ki Tarif. The mountains
near “Shonthar” and “Colejandar the two villages
in (P.O.K.) have the reserves of Neelam. It is
on account of the occurance of Neelam, the
“Krishnganga” river valley is newly christened
as “Neelam Valley”.
“Hunza” is an
important city in (P.O.K.). Though the presence
of “Ruby” was discovered here during the British
regime, the mining operation did not commence
then. From 1997 the mining operations, under the
expert guidance of a British Scientist, “Richard
Hughes” were begun. The ruby from “Hunza”
occurs in the faults in the white calcite rock,
and some times the ruby crystals get cracks in
them. These rubies are used for making ornaments
and for carvings of small size in Pakistan.
Second reserve
of Ruby Stones is struck at “Nangimali” in (POK).
“Nangimali” village is in the north side of
Muzaffarabad and can be reached after travelling
for three consecutive days. This a small
village, mostly populated by peasants. Here
there are mountain ranges scaling heights of
4400 meters. In these mountains there is a “Ruby
Belt” which measure 1.8 K.M.long. Nangmali Ruby
shows similar characteristics as those found in
Burma,Myanmar. The Nangmali Ruby is having a
dark red colouration and specimens upto 5
Carrats by weight have been met with here.
Apart from
Rubies, an orange coloured crystal is also found
here. This crystal has unique and distinctive
characteristics and is found in Kashmir alone
and no where else in the world. So it was
christend as “Kashmirin” by experts from the
West.
The gemological
laboratories of the United States have made
analytical tests of all the precious stones and
semi precious stones of Kashmir. An illustrated
catalogue of all the precious stones of Pakistan
was duly published at “Tuscon” in the
United States of America, These precious stones,
Gems and Jewels of Kashmir were duly exhibited
in American International exhibition and also in
Europe and these are grabbing attention of all
admirers of gems and jewels.
*(The author is a noted
Archeologist based in Pune.)
Source: Kashmir
Sentinel
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