Srinagar: Amidst the bustling streets of Srinagar’s Shaher-e-Khaas, Tajrane Qutub stands as a testament to Kashmir’s rich literary history, having been a cornerstone of the region’s cultural preservation for over 133 years. Established in 1890, this historic bookshop has been instrumental in upholding the tradition of literature and knowledge dissemination in Kashmir.
Founded by Ghulam Mohammad during the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh, Tajrane Qutub was among the first establishments to bring printed literature to the region at a time when Kashmir lacked modern printing presses, universities, and cultural institutions. “Our ancestors gathered ancient manuscripts from villages across Kashmir and compiled them into books. They traveled to Lahore to print works such as Tareekh-e-Hasan and Waq’aat-e-Kashmir, which were pivotal in preserving our history,” said Mohammad Iqbal, the current caretaker of the shop.
The shop, through its many years, has witnessed a stream of intellectuals, writers, and scholars, all of whom contributed to the growth of Kashmir’s literary culture. Many came to Tajrane Qutub to print their works or to access rare manuscripts that were not available anywhere else. “Our ancestors laid the foundation for this store of knowledge. We continue to keep this shop open as a tribute to those who dedicated their lives to preserving Kashmir’s literary treasures,” Iqbal concluded, emphasizing the shop’s enduring legacy.
