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The Kashmir Timeline

Shikaras and Houseboats

Life on the water in Srinagar.

Shikaras and Houseboats photograph

Photo: Original: Biswarup Ganguly Derivative work: UnpetitproleX · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The shikara, a long, light wooden boat with a canopy, is Dal Lake's taxi, market stall and school run. The carved cedar houseboats moored along the lake became popular in the Dogra period, when outsiders were not allowed to buy land in the state and British visitors built homes on the water instead.

Facts

  • Floating vegetable markets are held from shikaras at dawn on Dal Lake.
  • Many houseboats are decorated inside with walnut carving and khatamband ceilings.