Chapter 166: For our Kashmir
Kashmir kingdom, Srinagar, morning of 24th march 1557.
A lean but tall man, wrapped in a shawl, strolled through the bustling markets. The surrounding buildings, crafted from wood, often towered two to three stories high. As a key city along the Silk Route, the market buzzed with traders and travelers. The scene was a vibrant blend of Indian, Tibetan, and Persian influences. Streets were lined with clothes, dried fruits, and local vegetables.
People mostly wore loose-fitting, knee-length tunics called pherans, paired with matching pyjamas.
The mysterious man navigated the narrow, busy streets, pausing to pay an old vendor for a fresh apple. The vendor offered change, but the man’s firm gesture and knowing wink elicited a smile from the vendor.
Taking a crisp bite of the apple and savoring its sweetness, the man continued his stroll towards Dal Lake.
This Dal Lake was nestled amidst the icy tall mountains of Himalayas. It was a shimmering expanse of crystal-clear water over which its tranquil surface mirrors the snow-capped peaks and lush green gardens of the surrounding valley.
Long, slender boats with slightly curved hulls, known as shikaras, drifted lazily across the lake. Each shikara was often adorned with a colorful canopy, providing both shade and comfort to travelers and adding a vibrant touch to the lake’s surface.
Willow trees and blooming lotus flowers further enhanced the lake’s enchanting beauty.
The man approached a ghat for a ferry, where already a lone bald passenger, wrapped in a shawl, awaited. After paying the fare, the man boarded the boat, and they set off, gliding slowly toward the center of the lake.
The bald person stayed silent until the mysterious figure approached him first for a conversation in presence of boat owner.
"The weather is fine," the mysterious man began, "the birds have started their journey. It will be some time before they return."
The other person looked at the scene and replied, "Heavy clouds are forming in the south. It would be best if they returned a little earlier. And look at this pond, so crystal clear, ripe for fishing."