A soul who was a live archive of Kashmir’s past hundred years and an architect of apple revolution in Sopore
Born around 1925 into a humble household in Warpora, Zaingeer, Sopore, Haji Mohammad Sultan War (SULTAN) and his elder brother, Haji Ghulam Rasool War, were men who began their lives with very little except determination, faith, and a will to work. They owned only a small patch of land, and like many in that era, they laboured alongside their elders, seeking livelihood wherever it could be found. In their youth, they would travel on horseback across mountains to Gilgit-Baltistan, chasing work and survival in a world without roads, technology, or comfort. Destiny tested them early. They lost their parents while still in their teen age, leaving them with heavy responsibilities and limited means. Instead of surrendering to hardship, the two young brothers decided to rebuild their lives with dignity. They chose labour over despair, hope over helplessness. And in doing so, they rebuilt not only their own fortunes but changed the fate of thousands in the Zaingeer belt of Sopore.
Elders of Zaingeer still recall with pride that these two brothers introduced horticulture, especially apple cultivation, to the region in the mid-20th century. What is today one of the richest apple belts of Kashmir owes its roots to their vision and relentless effort. Inspired by a Prophetic teaching that one must never sit idle and always strive for honest work, they planted saplings with faith and nurtured orchards with their hands. Between the 1950s and 1970s, the landscape of Zaingeer Sopore transformed. Fields turned to orchards, families found new income, and a region rose from subsistence to prosperity. Their story became a quiet revolution, not written in books, not broadcast in speeches, but etched into soil, trees, and livelihoods. At a time when only one private car existed in the entire Zaingeer area, it belonged to SULTAN, yet it was not a symbol of status but a resource for the community. That car served everyone. It became a lifeline during medical crises, a vehicle for emergencies, and a shared blessing in an era of scarcity. Their generosity matched their enterprise.
“Kashmir, and specifically Zaingeer Sopore, mourns the loss of a centenarian pioneer and silent reformer. Described as a true “Sultan” in spirit, his life was marked by sincerely and usefully building prosperity where there had been struggle. His most visible legacy is his work in creating orchards, which remain a vital part of Sopore’s economy, and his lasting values that continue to influence the community he touched.”
Anyone who approached them for help, whether a stranger, a neighbour, or a passer-by, did not leave disappointed. Their home and hearts remained open to people in need, silently grounding a culture of compassion in the locality. Despite growing resources and influence, both brothers stayed away from active politics. They lived simple, honest lives, choosing service over power. They were sympathetic to the National Conference, like many in the era of Sheikh Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, but never sought personal political gain. Had they wished, they could have been key public figures, ministers even. Instead, they chose orchards over offices, dignity over position, and work over applause.
On 4 November 2025, at the age of a little above one hundred, SULTAN left this world from the same village where he first opened his eyes, peacefully, humbly, and loved by his people. His elder brother Ghulam Rasool had left in the same quiet manner a few years earlier, completing a life journey almost identical in devotion and purpose. Today, Zaingeer Sopore in particular and Kashmir in general has lost more than a centenarian. We have lost a real SULTAN in meaning, a pioneer, a builder, a silent reformer, and a man whose hands carved prosperity where there was once only struggle. His orchards still stand, his story still breathes in every fruit box leaving Sopore, and his values still echo in every household he touched. He lived long, he lived sincerely, he lived usefully, and left a legacy that will outlive generations. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah and bless his noble soul with eternal peace.
(The author is a teacher and a researcher based in Gowhar Pora Chadoora of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
