A brief history of forced labour in Kashmir

*By Muzamil Rashid*

The most oppressive institution which broke the back of the peasantry in Jammu and Kashmir was the institution of Begar (forced labour) . Probably the first reliable reference to it is found in the Rajatarangni. During the Mughal rule this developed into a regular institution, particularly when huge armies of porters were inquired to carry the baggage of the emperors and their retinue during their frequent visits to the Valley. The transfer of Kashmir to Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1846 A.D., led to the momentous consequences affecting the life and conditions of the people of Kashmir.

Begar was of two kinds under-paid labour and forced un-paid labour. The most pronounced one was that labour which was demanded from the peasants for carrying loads. The physical geography of Kashmir and the absence of modern means of communication demanded a sizable labour class for transportation purposes, but during the Dogra Period this demand assumed enormous proportions owing to two factors. First, because of the threat of the Russian expansion, a big military garrison was stationed at Gilgit which necessitated the carrying of goods to and from Gilgit. Secondly, there was a great influx of European visitors and officials in to the Kashmir.

The unpaid labour also brought risk to the life of a peasant as there were least chances for his return because of the thirst, hunger and the harsh weather conditions.

The Begar to Gilgit was not only an unpaid labour but also brought risk to the life of a peasant as there were least chances for his return because of the thirst, hunger and the harsh weather conditions. Besides the longer absence of the peasants left his land unattended and therefore caused a great loss to him
and thus starvation due to the shortage of food. The institution of Begar was made much complex by the inefficiency of administration which left corrupt officials free to exploit the situation and thus extracting money illegally from them to fill their purses.

Those who were attending their patients, carrying their personal urgent works or even newly wedded couples were not spared.

In 1900, Begar was abolished in principle but used in the event of emergency. In 1910, the governor of Jammu brought the evils of the Begar to the notice of the State council in which he informed that those taken away for forced labour were either not paid at all or partly paid. Besides they had to wait for a long period to receive these meager wages resulting in that money hardly reached their pockets at all. In 1913, the Revenue Member suggested strongly entrusting the work of payment to the concerned Tehsildars and Lamberdars, but the corrupt officials hardly made the system to improve.

In 1916 the governor in consultation with Settlement Commissioner, recommended for exemption from Begar, certain classes of people such as Pundits, Peer-zadas, Syeds, Sikhs, domestic servants of high officials, privileged classes, Jagirdars, Lambardars, Ziladars, Patwaris, village menials and Chowkidars, persons attached to religious institutions like Imams, Pujaris, Bhais and Shrine Khadims, aged or infirm males, females, minors and others physically unfit persons rendering special services to Maharaja’s, cultivators (Kashtkars and Chowkidars).

In 1920, the State took an important step to abolish Begar and decided to grant exemption to a greater number of people. Persons in the State Government Service, retired servants on pension, holders of war medals, members of the families of Lambardars, Chowkidars, Takavidars, Scout corps, non-commissioned officers of army, Shopkeepers, Blacksmiths, religious leaders, Waisutis (men to look after the Khuls), Carpenters, Dooms, Kamnis, Rajas, members of respectable families, servants of European and Indian
gazetteed officers, aged men, women, children and disabled persons, all were exempted from Begar.

In 1925-26, the word Kar-i-Begar was replaced by the word Kar-i-Sarkar and the forced labour extorted by the visitors and private persons was prohibited. In spite of all these measures the revenue officers extorted Begar from the villagers without paying them a single penny although the rules prohibited this.

After 1947 the political transformation with the changing nature of State ushered a new era in the history of Kashmir. It was only after this that the real changes occurred in the political, administrative and economic structure of State.

(Note: The article is based on information taken from Muzamil Rashid’s dissertation (MPhil) titled “Institution of Begar in Kashmir ( 1846-1947)”. The research paper can be downloaded here.

Kashmiri Shawl weavers pioneered the labour movement

The Kashmiri shawl industry workers agitated against the cruel taxation system and employment conditions at least 21 years before the protests of the Haymarket labour movement. They were the pioneers of industry-wise workers’ rights movements in the world.

At least 28 shawl weavers who were put to death by the forces of the ruling Maharaja Ranbir Singh on 29 April 1865 at Zaldagar area of old Srinagar city. Those unarmed shawl weavers were protesting against the cruel taxation of the exploitative working conditions.

Every year, people in Kashmir, particularly the businesses related to Pashmina businesses, commemorate the death anniversary of those innocent weavers. They observe April 29 instead of May 1 as the Labour Day. It was the day when hard working shawl weavers marched through the streets of Srinagar’s old city against the cruel tax policies imposed on them by the Dogra regime. The shawl weavers of Srinagar were compelled by the circumstances of turbulent working conditions, unfair wages, excessive taxation and a ban on weavers who wanted to leave Kashmir valley.

The world labour movement was pioneered by protestors of the Haymarket Riot (also known as the “Haymarket Incident” and “Haymarket Affair”) that occurred on May 4, 1886. The Haymarket protester gathered to near Chicago’s Haymarket Square and turned into a riot after someone threw a bomb at police. At least eight people died as a result of the violence that day.

Almost 21-years before the Haymarket incident, Kashmiri shawl industry workers on April 29, 1865, protesting against high taxes. At least 28 workers lost their lives and hundreds were injured.

The origin of shawls in the world can be traced back more than 700 years. However , the shawl industry introduced by Zain-Ul-Ahadin in mid 14th century who backed the art of weaving in the Kashmir valley.

By the 16th Century the Kashmir shawl industry was an old and well-established one. King Akbar encouraged and promoted the manufacture of shawls in Kashmir. He also presented a gift of Kashmir jamawar shawl to the Queen of England. Fabrics Bernier description of shawls in the late 17th Century, leaves us in no doubt that he is referring to the same pashmina shawls that became famous as Kashmir (Cashmere) Shawls. It became a highly fashionable and stylish garment when Empress Josephine famously received Kashmir shawls as gifts from Napoleon.

Haji Pir

Image by Noman Saeed

Haji Pir Pass (altitude 2,637 m (8,652 ft)) lies on the western Pir Panjal range on the road between Poonch and Uri. The Pir Panjal Pass (also called Peer Ki Gali ) connects the Kashmir valley .

Carpets in Jammu-Kashmir

GirlandWorld

The exquisite and exotic carpets of Jammu & Kashmir are world famous. Thousands of local artisans are involved into carpet making and the carpet making factories are one of the most important industries of Jammu & Kashmir. These carpets called as Kalin are not only the major part of Jammu & Kashmiri home furnishing but also an integral part of local culture. The handcrafted or machine weaved carpets are exclusively designed and synonymous to the identity of Jammu & Kashmir. There are 800 carpet factories alone in Bari Brahmana area of Jammu. There’s lot of issues regarding child labourers in carpet factories but as unemployment is also very prominent in this region so these carpet factories also provide them mode of livelihood. Here are some of the clicks from my recent visit to the Shalimar Carpet Industries Bari Brahmana in Jammu & Kashmir.

The Jammu & Kashmir Carpets…

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Kashmiri sled puller

Joshi Daniel Photography

Kashmiri sled puller | Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, India

When in Gulmarg, I came across a large number of these sled pullers and guides. I felt sorry for the men who have to go through the intense physical labour of pulling the sled (with the passenger sitting in it) uphill. Although I was very uncomfortable doing so, they insisted that I sit in one of the sled. When the sled runner tried to pull it uphill, I could see how much he struggled and offered to get out of the sled. It got me thinking about the amount of effort that goes into making a livelihood through a strenuous job like this. This sled puller was photographed on a GoPro during sunset in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

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