Jannat-e-Hindustan: A Mellifluous Tale of Gulmarg

Simran Agarwal

Jannat-e-Hindustan: A Mellifluous Tale of Gulmarg

"Gar firdaus bar-rue zamin ast, hami asto, hamin asto, hamin ast" (If there is a heaven on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here). These lines by Amir Khusrau capture the essence of Kashmir, India's crown jewel. Gulmarg, a town in Kashmir, is like an emerald green gem in the crown with its green meadows. Nature lovers, romantics, and Britishers who found a home away from home in Gulmarg have long recognized its beauty. Let us turn the pages of history to unravel the story of this breathtaking hill station.

The unparalleled beauty of Gangtok, Image source - Trawell

Gulmarg, which translates as the flower path, changes color with the seasons. This lovely hamlet in the Pir Panjal ranges captures the most enthralling colors of a palette, from pristine white in winter to revitalizing green in summer, rusty orange nostalgia in autumn to childlike vibrant colors in spring.

The town, with its velvet green meadows, resembles ocean waves ready to engulf you in freshness. It also has a side for those who thrive on adrenaline rushes, with snow-capped mountains and ski-friendly landscapes. In the winter, coniferous trees adorned with snow are a sight to behold.

Gulmarg's history, like its weather, evokes various emotions at different timesIt was the first love of Yusuf Shah Chak, the last independent king of Kashmir from the Chak dynasty. Yusuf Shah fell in love with Gulmarg's magnetic scenery right away. He is also said to have discovered this gem during his reign. The Chak ruler, a romantic and nature lover, found Gulmarg ideal for spending quality time with his adoring wife, Habba Khatoon. With his affectionate style and passionate character, he may remind us of the Bollywood King, the King of Hearts, Shah Rukh Khan.

Gulmarg did not take long after Yusuf Shah's reign to cast a spell of charm on the Mughals. Jehangir, Akbar's son, and an art enthusiast, quickly recognized Gulmarg's artistic marvel. The valley's radiant flowers and fragrance quickly drew his attention. The great art patron visited this wonderland several times, only to be spellbound and hypnotized by its charm each time. He is said to have brought twenty-one different types of flowers from Gulmarg to decorate his tender Garden of Love, Shalimar Bagh.

After the Mughal dynasty, as the Indian subcontinent struggled to form a unified front to fight the British, Gulmarg was busy spreading its magic.

It wasn't long before this heavenly land was thrust back into the spotlight. This time, however, it was the British who were drawn to it. Gulmarg, which looks like a blanket of snow in the winter and has pine trees printed on it, reminded Britishers of home. It was successful in instilling Christmas nostalgia in Europeans. They immediately began to create a welcoming environment in Gulmarg by establishing a skiing resort and numerous snow-based adventure sports.

Gulmarg was also a British summer vacation destination during a time when the rest of India was sweating from the hot and dry weather. It was an ideal location for the Englishmen to escape the sweltering heat. Its pure, calm air and peaceful surroundings were the icing on the cake.

Hunting and golfing were also introduced as recreational activities. In fact, Britishers constructed three golf courses, one of which was specifically designed for women. Gulmarg became a well-known skiing destination in 1927. Englishmen began skiing events and competitions to commemorate Easter and Christmas.

Gulmarg had transformed from a remote town to a British summer resort, and it was ready to become the world's winter sports hub. The popularity of these sports is such that Gulmarg still hosts the National Winter Games, which draw visitors from all over the world.

Presently, Gulmarg is India's most popular tourist destination, thanks to its unforgettable beauty. Its world-famous Gondola ride, also known as aerial cable cars, is the highest and largest in Asia. Not only that, but Gulmarg's landscapes have truly preserved the presence of communities and their culture, encompassing several historical monuments. Mary Church, built by Britishers, and Maharani Temple, built by Hindu ruler Hari Singh, are perfect examples of its diversity.

Inhibited by various communities and people, the mighty Himalayas of Gulmarg open their wide and long arms to everyone.