Compiled from a list of old routes to Srinagar given in ‘The Happy Valley: Sketches of Kashmir and the Kashmiris’ by W. Wakefield (1879).
Route 1
The Gujerat and Pir Panjal Route (or the Mugal route)
Gujerat to –
1. Dowlatnagar
2.Kotla
3.Bhimber
Distance: 28 and a half miles
4.Saidabad
Distance: 15 miles
5.Naoshera
Distance: 12 and a half miles
6.Changas
Distance: 13 and a half miles
7. Rajaori
Distance: 14 miles
8.Thanna Mundi
Distance: 14 miles
9.Baramgalla
Distance: 10 and a half miles
10.Poshiana
Distance: 8 and a half miles
11.Aliabad Serai
Distance: 11 miles
12. Hirpoor
Distance: 12 miles
13. Shupiyan
Distance: 8 miles
14.Ramoo
Distance: 11 miles
15.Srinagar (arrive via village Wahtor)
Distance: 18 miles
Route 2
The Rawal Pindi and Marri Route
Rawal Pindi to –
1. Barakao
Distance: 13 and a half miles
2. Tret
Distance: 12 miles
3. Marri
Distance: 14 and a half miles
4. Daywal
Distance: 10 miles
5. Kohala
Distance: 11 miles
6. Chatar Kalas
Distance: 11 and a half miles
7. Rara
Distance: 12 miles
8.Tinali
Distance: 12 miles
9. Ghari
Distance: 10 miles
10. Hatti
Distance: 12 miles
11. Chakoti
Distance: 15 miles
12. Ooree
Distance: 16 miles
13. Oorumboo
Distance: 11 miles
14.Baramula
Distance: 15 miles
15. Pattan
Distance: 14 miles
16. Srinagar (arrive in city after passing through suburb of Chatterbal)
Distance: 17 miles
Route 3
The Gujerat and Punch Route (when Route 1 is under snow)
Gujerat to –
1. Dowlatnagar
2.Kotla
3.Bhimber
Distance: 28 and a half miles
4.Saidabad
Distance: 15 miles
5.Naoshera
Distance: 12 and a half miles
6.Changas
Distance: 13 and a half miles
Changas to –
7. Rajaori
Distance: 14 miles
8.Thanna Mundi
Distance: 14 miles
9. Sooran
Distance: 16 miles
10. Punch
Distance: 14 miles
11. Kahoota
Distance: 9 miles
12. Aliabad
Distance: 8 miles
13. Hydrabad (have to cross Haji Pir Pass)
Distance: 7 miles
14. Ooree
Distance: 10 miles
15. Oorumboo
Distance: 11 miles
16.Baramula
Distance: 15 miles
17. Pattan
Distance: 14 miles
18. Srinagar (arrive in city after passing through suburb of Chatterbal)
Distance: 17 miles
Route 4
The Rawal Pindi and Abbottabad Route
Rawal Pindi to –
1. Barakao
Distance: 13 and a half miles
2. Tret
Distance: 12 miles
3. Marri
Distance: 14 and a half miles
4. Khaira Galli
Distance: 9 miles
5. Doonga Galli
Distance: 11 miles
6. Bara Galli
Distance: 8 miles
7. Abbottabad
Distance: 14 miles
8 Mansera
Distance: 15 and a half miles
9. Ghari
Distance: 19 miles
10. Mozufferabad (crossing Krishenganga river)
Distance: 9 miles
11.Hattian
Distance: 17 miles
12.Kanda
Distance: 11 miles
13.Kathai
Distance: 12 miles
14. Shahdera
Distance: 12 miles
15.Gingle
Distance: 14 miles
16. Baramula
Distance: 18 miles
15. Pattan
Distance: 14 miles
16. Srinagar (arrive in city after passing through suburb of Chatterbal)
Distance: 17 miles
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Route 5
Banihal Cart Road
The Banihal Route from Jammu was off limits for visitors and for the longest time was only meant for personal use of the royal Dogra family based in Jammu.*
The route began at Railway terminal at Jammu Tawi. Involved crossing Banihal Pass (at 9,200 feet) and you arrived in Srinagar via Verinag.
* From: ‘A guide for visitors to Kashmir’ (1898) by W. Newman, Updated by A. Mitra.
Route 6
via The Hindustan and Tibet Road. Given in ‘Travels in Ladâk, Tartary, and Kashmir’ (1862) by Lieut.- Colonel Torrens
You could arrive into Srinagar (and still can) via Leh. But to reach Leh you had to take the The Hindustan and Tibet Road road (for sometime the British did think about road linking Delhi and China). Shimla to Shikpi Pass. Crossing Chandra Bhaga (Chenab) at Koksar on dead inflated buffalo skin.
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Map of the Kashmir Valley and Jehlum Valley. From ‘The Panjab, North-West Frontier Province, and Kashmir’ (1916) by Sir James McCrone Douie.
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