The Kashmir Gallery

Dancers and nautch girls of Kashmir (please refer to article at the end for history of instutionalised flesh trade in Kashmir)

Hafizas at Shalimar Bagh on the outer deck of Central Pavilion. The authorities of the time used to arrange such performances to entertain their guests, Photo by Samuel Bourne 1870.

Photograph taken by John Burke in 1868.

Photograph taken by John Burke in 1868 showing Hafizas at resting ground in Shergarhi fort.

Photograph taken by Herford Tynes Cowling in 1926 of a hafiza performing at Shalimar Bagh.

Photograph taken by Herford Tynes Cowling in 1926 of hafizas during coronation ceremony of Maharaja Hari SIngh in September 1926

Hafiza named Mirjan performing in 1869, photo by John Burke

A prominent Hafiza at Shalimar, photo by John Burke, 1870.

For further reading on history of instutionalised flesh trade in Kashmir:

https://freepresskashmir.news/2021/05/26/hafizas-of-kashmir-dancers-and-dark-history-of-institutionalised-flesh-trade/amp/