Musing on Badam Weir

By A S Qureshi

THE historical “Badam Weir” is located at the foothills of ancient Kohi Maran hillock which houses Hari Parbat and Sharika Devi Temple(s). Badam Weir (almond orchard) is located at Baran Patheri upland surrounded by Nagin lake in the east, Lal bazaar plateau on the north by Ziyarat Makhdoom Sahib on the West and Malakha graveyard in the South.

The land area has been famous even during Hindu Raja Paraverasena who is reported to have built his capital at this elevated location as most of the surrounding areas would get submerged due to river Jehlum in rage. The Undrooni Kalai area was used as defense land by Hindhu Rajas, Sultanate kings, Chaeks, Mughals, Afghans, Sikh and even Dogra army. During the Mughal period, a limestone fortification (high wall) was built around a hillock along with a moat having large gates  at different locations viz, Kahteeh, MakhdoomSahib and Sangeen Drwaza. The moat was being fed for water supply by a Persian wheel  system from Sadura Khun Nagin basin nearest point available.

It is narrated that most of the Almond plantations had been made during Mughal appointed Afghan Governor(s) or by Afghan / Pashtoun rulers when Kashmir came under the direct Afghan Durani ruler. The present fort at the hill top has also been raised during the Shah Shujah Durani period.

Maela Badam warei was introduced during Afghan rule when an Afghan governor ordered not to observe the almond blossom maela until he returned back to the valley the next spring. It has also been reported that to delay almond blossom, frozen snow ice blocks were brought through boats from nearby Zabervan forest to be placed under Almond tree canopies. This practice would delay blossom for the arrival of the Afghan Governor in the approaching spring.

The practice of enjoying bakad water nuts under blooming almond trees was also introduced by bolcal picnic goers which was gradually followed by the ruling class as well.

The Almond gardens inside the fortification were managed by the State Agri / Horti Dept. At annual auctions, the bid amount for almond crop would even touch more than one lakh up to late sixties. Unfortunately, the almond gardens lost their sheen when most of the gardens having sparse, scattered  and old plantations were transferred to other departments like Bota Rajas of Baltistan, Tibatian refuji’s, housing department, water works for storage of high dia big water pipes etc. Some local residents who would claim that “ Kheem douz” bagh located within this area  was taken over during Sikh / Dogra rule for preparation of  tents for the State. Some claimants even went for  prolonged litigation in the concerned court. They pursued the case till they got favorable orders from the court.  It is only Bagi Waris Khan which remained with the parent Horticulture Department.

It is during recent past when Mufti Sayeed Sahib became the chief Minister of the State, that the management  of Bagi Waris Khan (Badam Weir) was transferred to J&K Bank under Corporate fund for rejuvenation, renovation and some aesthetic archeological improvements for traditional “Badam Weir”. The bank authorities took the new assignment seriously and achieved the final targets successfully. For this, the Bank received accolades from State and public as well. The number of visitors and local picnic goers has increased annually during the blossoming period.However, the garden has been  now  transferred to the State Floriculture Dept. by authorities.

It was also during the mid seventies when ( AIFIP) All India Fruit Improvement Project for Dry Fruits ( Almond and Walnut) was introduced in the valley by ICAR at Shalimar station — present SKUAST. Under this project, some selections in almond and walnut were made after surveying, screening concerned growing regions after proper identification, elevation. These selections have been received well by concerned growers, traders during annual State / National fruit exhibitions.

The author has served as a Professor 

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