Historic Jamia market fights to retain legacy amid economic strain

Srinagar, Feb 15: In the bustling lanes of Nowhatta in Srinagar’s Shehr-e-Khaas, Jamia Market stands as a symbol of Kashmir’s commercial and cultural heritage. Located adjacent to the historic Jamia Masjid, the marketplace has for decades functioned as the economic backbone of downtown Srinagar, blending traditional Kashmiri craftsmanship with everyday commerce.

Today, however, behind shopfronts displaying clothes, Pashmina shawls, papier-mâché artefacts, copperware and spices, traders narrate a story of inflation, declining purchasing power and shrinking footfall.

Jamia Market took shape in the 1970s when the Anjuman-e-Auqaf developed the land surrounding the Masjid to generate livelihoods for residents of the old city. What was once a garden gradually transformed into a structured commercial zone.

“There was a garden around the mosque initially. In the 1970s, the first shops were constructed there. Over time, more shops came up,” recalls Jan Mohammad Zargar, a veteran gold trader who has spent nearly seven decades in the market. Those who did not receive permanent shops were allowed to operate as vendors, and the area later came to be known as Shaheed Market.

Since 1975, the Auqaf has managed the market, which now comprises 278 registered shops. The business ecosystem spans textiles, jewellery, spices, dry fruits, copperware, woodwork and traditional bakeries.

Senior traders remember the pre-1990s period as the golden era of Jamia Market. Its proximity to Jamia Masjid ensured steady footfall, especially on Fridays when worshippers combined prayers with shopping.

“Before the 1990s, the market was doing exceptionally well. The footfall was tremendous. Everything could be found here,” says an elderly shopkeeper. Brides shopped for wedding essentials, families purchased daily goods, and customers arrived from across Srinagar.

According to traders, the market once had organised facilities, including designated parking spaces and walking tracks, making it a model commercial hub for downtown Srinagar.

Traders cite a sharp rise in commodity prices over the past decade as the most pressing concern. Zargar offers a telling example: “A gold coin that cost Rs 27,000 in 2016 now costs around Rs 1,27,000.”

The impact is visible across sectors. Textile merchants report that families who once made bulk purchases now limit spending. Handicraft sellers say middle-class buyers hesitate before investing in traditional items.

“Earlier, people would come and shop confidently. Now many look at the prices and leave,” says a textile trader. “The willingness is there, but the capacity has reduced.”

The Friday congregation effect, once a reliable driver of sales, has also weakened. Vendors note that fewer worshippers now shop after prayers.

Kashmir’s tourism revival has provided some relief. Tourists visiting downtown Srinagar often stop at Jamia Market for authentic handicrafts and traditional items.

“Visitors look for genuine Kashmiri products. That gives us some advantage,” says a papier-mâché craftsman.

Yet traders caution that tourism remains seasonal and cannot fully offset declining local demand. “We need year-round business from residents to survive,” says a spice merchant.

Beyond commerce, Jamia Market is seen as a living archive of Kashmiri culture. Generations of artisans—copperware makers, papier-mâché painters, Pashmina sellers and traditional bakers—continue to practise inherited skills within its narrow lanes.

“This is not just a market. Downtown reflects Kashmiri life—its culture, economy and faith,” says Zargar. “But the market has lost much of its former glory.”

Residents argue that preserving Jamia Market is essential to safeguarding Srinagar’s historic identity.

Traders point to inadequate parking, sanitation gaps and lack of modern amenities as factors limiting competitiveness. The rise of shopping malls and online retail has further altered consumer behaviour.

“Younger customers prefer malls and branded outlets. We need to attract them while keeping our traditional character intact,” a merchant observes.

Shopkeepers have sought policy intervention, including tax relief, improved infrastructure, subsidised credit for small traders and targeted tourism promotion highlighting Jamia Market’s heritage value.

“The government speaks about promoting crafts and tourism. But without supporting local traders, such efforts remain incomplete,” a vendor says.

For now, its 278 shops continue to open each morning, sustaining a legacy built over five decades. Whether the market regains its vibrancy or continues to struggle under inflationary pressures will shape not only its future but also the character of downtown Srinagar itself.

By: Ifra Shakeel