Bilal Bashir Bhat
We all know Kashmir is popularly known as the mini Switzerland. This is largely due to the snow-clad mountains, pine trees, the pleasant weather all year round, and the abundance of mountains, lakes, landscapes, gardens, and valleys.
With its captivating beauty, Kashmir is memorable, as it is not only a nature lover’s paradise but also a must-visit place for all adventure junkies.
Well, there is also a place called Urgut in one of the Central Asia countries in Uzbekistan, a spitting image of our Kashmir Valley, both located in respective mountainous areas.
With scenic splendor, snow-capped mountains, plentiful wildlife, exquisite monuments, Chinar, and handicrafts both Urgut and Kashmir attract tourists due to their unique attractions.
Urgut draws tourists interested in exploring its historical sites, markets, and natural beauty. Similarly, Kashmir’s tourism industry revolves around its picturesque landscapes, religious sites, and recreational activities like trekking and skiing.
Both Urgut and Kashmir are situated in mountainous regions. Urgut is located in the foothills of the Pamir-Alay mountain range in Uzbekistan, while Kashmir is famous for its breathtaking Himalayan landscape.
Both the regions with less than 10 million populations have Chinar Tress in Common [Chinor in Urgut]. Urguti people are heavily involved in basic mercantile trading in their respective locations and in farming. In the town, craftsmanship is also well-known which has been maintained traditionally throughout the centuries.
Both Urgut and Kashmir have played essential roles in the historical and cultural development of their respective regions. Urgut has a history dating back to ancient times and has witnessed the rise and fall of various empires and civilizations. Kashmir, similarly, has a rich history of Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic influences, and it has been a center of scholarship and spirituality for centuries.
The Urgut and Kashmir also share a bond of having handmade embroidery work on clothes. Both regions have a tradition of skilled craftsmanship and artistry. In Urgut, traditional crafts like pottery, ceramics, and textiles are prominent. In Kashmir, the art of shawl-making, carpet weaving, and intricate woodwork are well-known and have been practiced for centuries.
The main food attraction of the Urgut is the barbecue on similar lines Kashmir has barbecue as one of the main street food. Both regions have unique traditional cuisines influenced by their history and geography. Kashmiri cuisine, for instance, is known for dishes like Rogan Josh and Wazwan, while Uzbek cuisine, to which Urgut belongs, features dishes like plov and kebabs.
To be precise, both places Kashmir and Urgut enjoy a relatively uniform climate.
Both regions have engaged in agricultural activities due to their fertile valleys. While Kashmir is known for its saffron cultivation, apples, and other crops, Urgut’s economy also relies on agriculture.
There are many things in Urgut that resemble Kashmir. To ascertain the similarities on a micro level one should visit both places for a larger adventure.
It’s important to note that while there are these similarities, the two regions also have significant differences in terms of history, geopolitical context, cultural practices, and more.
