In the Gurez Valley in Kashmir’s Bandipora district, Shinon Meeras is a museum that recently opened. This museum highlights the history of the Dard-Shina tribes. Shinon Meeras was inaugurated by Lt. Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha. For those who don’t know, Dard is a vibrant community in the valley with over 38,000 residents. Check out the pictures of the inauguration and the museum.
Kashmir Is Now Home To Shinon Meeras
Inaugurated Shinon Meeras, Shina Cultural Centre at Gurez curated and developed by Indian Army & District Administration. It is a unique tribute to preserve & promote glorious artistic heritage of Dard-Shin tribal community & to provide glimpses of its rich culture to the world. pic.twitter.com/u1rO0l49Ln
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 28, 2023
It appears that ancient Greek and Roman legends make reference to the Dard-Shina tribes. Then, these tribes extended their domain into Tibet and Afghanistan. This is the first cultural centre of its kind devoted to the Shina-speaking Dard community.
According to L-G Manoj Sinha, the centre is a special homage to protect and promote the illustrious creative history of the Dard-Shin tribal tribe and to share glimpses of its rich culture with the world.
He added that the country’s first Dardis museum, Shinon Meeras, discusses the development of Shina culture, language, and Gurezi’s way of life. It recognizes the Dard-Shin community’s enormous contribution to nation-building.
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Dawar-Drass-Darchik Automobile Rally
Sharing my speech at the inauguration of Shinon Meeras, Shina Cultural Centre at Gurez .https://t.co/D7Z2yRF4FL pic.twitter.com/hUPTFSOzcA
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 28, 2023
The government is expecting that Shinon Meeras will make the valley the “best off-beat destination of India,” drawing tourists there. Digital displays, textiles, exhibits, artefacts, and interactive boards are all included throughout the centre.
There are additional sections that are related to geography, such as those about Dardistan, the Kishanganga River, the Gurezi way of life, and the Gurezi language.
Lt. Governor of J&K, Shri Manoj Sinha, Inaugurated “Shinon Meeras”, Shina Cultural Centre at #Gurez curated & developed by #IndianArmy & District Administration. This museum marks the first of its kind for Dardis in #Kashmir.#NayaKashmir #G20India #BadaltaJammuKashmir #Srinagar pic.twitter.com/RnEbiIiPqY
— HukusBukus (@HukusBukus_786) August 28, 2023
The centre also displays how the neighbourhood and the Indian Army are related. A sand art display depicting the Indian Army’s Operation Eraze to free Gurez from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 1948 is another major attraction of the location. 150 people can sit in the open-air amphitheatre, which is another top attraction.
The L-G also signalled the beginning of the Dawar-Drass-Darchik automobile rally, which connects the Gurez Dard community with Ladakh. One of the oldest tribes in the area is the Dard. (As per Hindustan Times)
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Make sure you visit this museum!
Cover Image Courtesy: @OfficeOfLGJandK/ X (formerly Twitter)