Yarkand Sarai: When the Chinese People’s Liberation Army invaded East Turkestan also known as Xinjiang, thousands of Uyghur fled. Many crossing through the treacherous Himalayas and crossed into Kashmir. Since the 1940s, many Uyghur and Kazakh refugees had made Kashmir their home. According to one account at least 11000 Uyghurs made their way into Kashmir and around 400 died on the way. Uyghurs and Kashmiris share a historical and cultural bond as well. Islam in Kashmir flourished after Bulbul Shah, from East Turkistan became the teacher to Rinchana. A Buddhist prince who became the first Muslim Sultan and later assumed the named Saddrudin Shah Uyghurs also traded with Kashmir with goods due for the silk route. There’s also a similarities in food and other culture. Uyghur refugees were given Yarkand Sarai in Safa Kadal Srinagar where they settled for some period. However many later moved to Turkey and United States due to the diplomatic pressure from Beijing on New Delhi. According to an estimate around 300 Uyghur families live in Kashmir. In 2015, three Uyghur asylum seekers were arrested in Ladakh and have been detained under the Public Safety Act. Despite being conflict ridden, Kashmir is also a host to other refugees including Tibetans. #worldrefugeeday #uyghurs #kashmir #kashmirhistoryproject #uyghurstan #uyghurculture #kashmiris #kashmir #refugees #eastturkestan #xinjiang https://www.instagram.com/p/CBpz8iinG04/?utm_medium=tumblr
