Indian Army Establishes First-Ever Shina Cultural Centre in Gurez to Preserve Dard-Shin Heritage
Bandipora, Sept 17, KNT: In a landmark initiative aimed at cultural preservation, the Indian Army has established the first-ever Shina Cultural Centre cum Museum in Dawar, Gurez, in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. The centre, dedicated to the heritage of the Dard-Shin tribe, seeks to showcase the traditions, lifestyle, and history of the Shina-speaking community, one of the oldest ethnic groups in the region.
The museum houses an array of exhibits, digital installations, and interactive boards that provide an immersive understanding of Gurez’s culture. Special galleries focus on Dardistan, the Kishanganga River, and the distinctive Gurezi way of life. A section devoted to Operation ERAZE, the Indian Army’s pivotal 1948 campaign that secured Gurez, underscores the deep historical connection between the Dard-Shin community and the armed forces.
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Locals have hailed the project as an unprecedented step in strengthening cultural awareness. Ajaz Dar, a resident of Dawar, told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the Army completed the project in just 90 days. “The entire work, including infrastructure, literature, and displays, was accomplished in record time. For the people of Gurez, this centre is a valuable resource, enabling us to reconnect with our culture while also helping visitors, tourists, and officials understand our traditions and heritage,” he said.
Dar described the initiative as a commendable effort to safeguard a culture that has often been overshadowed despite its richness. He noted that school and university students have already visited the centre and expressed interest in learning more about Shina traditions. “This project has created a platform for younger generations to gain awareness of their roots, which is vital at a time when our culture risks being forgotten,” he added.
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The Dard-Shin community has a strong historical presence in the region, with references to the Dards found in ancient texts including the Mahabharata, Rajatarangini, and the Ramayana. Historically, the region known as Dardistan stretched from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through Afghanistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Ladakh, and Gurez. Over the decades, migration, particularly during the cross-border shelling of 1999, along with limited access to education, healthcare, and basic amenities, caused a decline in the cultural vibrancy of the valley.
“Keeping Gurez clean and plastic-free will not only protect the environment but also ensure that our natural beauty is preserved for future generations,” he remarked.
The Shina Cultural Centre is expected to serve both as an educational hub for locals and as an attraction for tourists keen to learn about one of Kashmir’s lesser-known but historically significant communities.
The initiative has been widely welcomed as a step that bridges cultural preservation with community empowerment, reinforcing Gurez’s place on the cultural map of Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]
