SANJAY PANDITA
Mohammad Saleem Beg, affectionately called the ‘Heritage Man of Kashmir,’ has dedicated over 35 years to preserving the cultural wealth of Kashmir. Born in 1950 in Srinagar, the vibrant heart of Jammu and Kashmir, Saleem Beg grew up in Shaher-e-Khaas, also known as Old Kashmir. This densely populated area teems with an ancient charm, filled with traditional markets, crafts, shrines, and the serene Jhelum River winding through. From his early years, Beg was captivated by the heritage around him, especially by historic landmarks like the Shah-e-Hamadan Shrine and the Khanqah-e-Maula, which inspired him to take up the mission of conserving Kashmir’s legacy. Over the years, he has become a torchbearer for the cultural preservation of the region’s arts, architecture, archaeology, and crafts.
Saleem Beg’s journey of cultural preservation took off after his education at SP College, Gandhi Memorial College, and the University of Kashmir. From the start, he was determined to restore the region to its former glory. His youth in downtown Srinagar exposed him to a vibrant cultural scene—craftspeople, scholars, families of shrine keepers, and social activists mingled freely, fostering an environment of intellectual curiosity. His fluency in English provided him with a unique bridge to different circles, enabling him to converse with craftsmen, merchants, scholars, and tourists alike. These interactions revealed to him the richness of Kashmir’s cultural “human capital,” which he understood as the region’s true identity and brand.
In 1975, Beg joined government services, recognizing that to effect meaningful change, one must work from within. This choice marked the beginning of a transformative career, especially in Kashmir’s handloom sector, where he spent 18 years championing the region’s textiles and crafts. His work coincided with a period when handlooms and handicrafts were prioritized nationwide, given their role in preserving traditional skills, employment, and cultural identity. Under his leadership, the J&K Government partnered with the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC) to revive the Kashmir tweed industry. Collaborating with Scottish tweed expert Martin Hardingham, Beg spearheaded a project that involved local wool producers, primarily from Pulwama and Chadoora, and adapted the Harris tweed model for Kashmir’s own merino wool. This endeavor not only revived local textile traditions but also strengthened the sector by integrating backward and forward supply chains. The Kashmir tweed soon became a recognized brand, blending traditional skill with modern market needs.
During this period, Beg also facilitated other projects like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiative for wool processing. His work in this arena attracted national attention, and the Ministry of Textiles soon invited him to Delhi to lead the Association of Corporations and Societies of Handlooms (ACASH) under the Development Commissioner of Handlooms. This role allowed him to expand the scope of his impact on a national scale, overseeing programs and initiatives that elevated the handloom sector’s reach across India. In 1988, he received an EEC-funded fellowship at the University of Leuven in Belgium to study the changing markets for traditional textiles. This fellowship gave him deeper insight into marketing strategies for Indian textiles, and he worked closely with artisans to address their challenges, ensuring the art forms were preserved and adapted to contemporary needs.
A significant milestone during his tenure at Delhi was the Festival of India, a national outreach initiative that brought Indian handlooms to international prominence. This event allowed Beg to collaborate with designers, craftspeople, and exhibition organizers, helping him gain insights into the global market for Indian textiles and crafts. When he returned to Kashmir, he took on leadership roles, such as Managing Director of Handlooms and the Handicrafts, Sales, and Export Corporation, serving for six years. In the early 2000s, as Kashmir’s tourism sector sought to recover from a turbulent period, he was appointed Director General of Tourism. This role required sensitive management of promotion, publicity, and infrastructure reconstruction. Under his guidance, the tourism sector began a robust recovery, helping to reinvigorate the region’s economy and cultural visibility.
After his retirement from government service in 2008, Saleem Beg’s passion for heritage led him to open the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). INTACH, founded in 1984 in New Delhi, is among the world’s largest heritage organizations, known for spearheading conservation and awareness initiatives across India. Beg’s role as convener allowed him to bring INTACH’s mission to life in Kashmir. Over the next decade, he mapped Srinagar’s cultural and built heritage, documenting over 800 structures with detailed architectural records. This documentation enabled future reconstruction if any structure faced damage or decay, a foresight that proved invaluable when a fire struck the Dastgeer Sahib shrine in Khanyar. Entrusted with the shrine’s reconstruction, INTACH, under Beg’s leadership, restored the building to its original design, a testament to their meticulous documentation.
In addition to major restoration projects like the Mughal Gardens, the Aali Masjid, and Manasbal Temple, the chapter also worked on conserving other heritage sites that had fallen into neglect. One remarkable project was the restoration of the Oont Kadal, a Mughal-era camel hump-shaped bridge in the Dal Lake, as well as the 15th-century Aali Masjid and the 17th-century Thag Baab Sahib shrine. These restorations received international support, bringing global attention to Kashmir’s rich architectural heritage.
Beyond structural preservation, Beg believed in fostering a culture of heritage awareness, particularly among the younger generation. Under his leadership, INTACH introduced an art-integrated learning program supported by the Dorabji Tata Trust in 100 schools across Jammu and Kashmir in 2010. This three-year initiative trained teachers in heritage education through art, nurturing a new generation’s appreciation for cultural preservation. The program’s curriculum was developed with guidance from heritage experts, further establishing INTACH as a leader in cultural education in the region.
In recognition of his commitment to Kashmir’s heritage, Beg’s expertise was sought by various academic institutions and cultural organizations. He collaborated with universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia, Kashmir University, and the University of Illinois, contributing to the academic foundation of art and heritage studies. His influence and dedication caught the attention of the State and Central governments as well as international organizations. In 2013, he was appointed a full-time member and Chairman of the National Monument Authority (NMA), a statutory body responsible for preserving India’s nationally protected monuments and their historical settings.
UNESCO, recognizing Beg’s efforts, appointed him as a founding trustee of the Indian Heritage Cities Network (IHCN) to address the complexities of urban heritage in India. Through this position, Beg contributed to establishing IHCN’s office in Bangalore, which serves as a hub for promoting heritage cities. One of UNESCO’s notable projects under his leadership was the documentation and restoration of the SPS Museum in Srinagar, a project highly praised by the organization. INTACH also prepared a comprehensive dossier for Srinagar’s inclusion in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN). This dossier highlighted the city’s cultural assets, particularly its world-renowned crafts like shawls, carpets, wood carving, and papier-mâché. In 2021, Srinagar’s inclusion in the UCCN was officially recognized, positioning it as India’s sole city in the Creative Cities of Art and Craft category. This achievement not only enhanced Kashmir’s cultural brand but also provided new opportunities for local artisans and craftsmen.
The inscription of Srinagar in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network was hailed as a milestone for Kashmir by the Hon. Prime Minister and Lieutenant Governor Mr.Manoj Sinha who called it an “ultimate recognition for the artisans and weavers of J&K,” Saleem Beg, reflecting on the success, remarked, “ this city deserved to be on the world list of creative cities. We worked towards presenting the superior claim of Srinagar to UNESCO and this was readily accepted. Unesco highlighted the genuineness of Srinagar’s claim to be recognized as a UNESCO craft city,” capturing the essence of his lifelong commitment to cultural preservation. This was followed by another significant recognition when World craft Coucil declared Srinagar as a World Craft City in 2023 based on the application and dossier submitted by INTACH, Kashmir.
Throughout his career, Beg has received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the J&K government in 2016, recognizing his tireless service to Kashmir’s heritage. His contributions have earned awards from various universities and NGOs for his groundbreaking work in research, documentation, and preservation.
Looking to the future, Saleem Beg remains committed to promoting Kashmir’s cultural industries, arts, and crafts. His vision includes economic uplift through heritage tourism, establishing Kashmir’s identity globally as a center of craft, creativity, and cultural resilience. In his words, “Hard work and the right approach always open pathways if you believe in yourself and your cause.” His enduring legacy as the ‘Heritage Man of Kashmir’ is a testament to his profound impact on the cultural landscape of his homeland. Through his tireless dedication, Saleem Beg has ensured that Kashmir’s heritage endures, offering future generations the chance to experience and cherish the rich legacy of their ancestors.
The writer can be reached at sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com
