Kashmir Chinar Tree | Facts | History

Chinar Tree is a living heritage of Kashmir. It is seen as a symbol for Kashmir, and a part of its cultural soul.

It is a huge and massive majestic tree that can grow up to 30m (100ft) and it normally takes 50 years to mature and 150 years to be fully grown like a giant.

It is generally called “Booune” or “Boeen” in the local Kashmiri language and chinar in Urdu.

Chinar Leaf

Chinar Leaf is a symbol of Kashmir. Chinar leaf is very beautiful which is green in the summer season and in Autumn the color changes to Blood Red, Amber, and Yellow.

The chinar leaf looks like same as Mapple tree leaves.

Also Read: Chinar Leaf Images

Chinar trees in Kashmir

Chinar trees can be found throughout the valley, planes, hillsides, and cities, particularly Char Chinar Island, Nassem Bagh, and other Mughal Gardens.

Chinar trees can be found almost in every corner of the valley, hills, planes, cities, villages, and parks.
Naseem bagh has nearly about 100 chinar trees making it extra beautiful.

It is also found in various Shrines and Mosques like Sultan-ul-Arifeen and Hazratbal shrines.

The University of Kashmir has also a number of chinar trees which makes it more and more beautiful, and it gives shelter to the students in the hot summer and in rainy days.

Char Chinar Island

char chinar island kashmir, dal lake

Char chinar is a beautiful small island in the middle of Dal Lake Srinagar.

The Island has 4 chinar trees which were planted by Jahangir in such a way that the island can get shadows all over the day.

The cool breeze under the chinar tree in the middle of the Lake is a mind-blowing thing.

Benefits of Chinar Trees

It provides shade and shelter in the parks and gardens from the heat and rain.

The cool breeze on the summer days under this tree makes you feel very good.

It also has various medical benefits and its wood can be used for various furniture and art products.
And finally, the Beauty, since it is a very huge tree it shines and makes Kashmir ever more beautiful.

History of Chinar Tree

The word “chinar” originated from a Persian word that means “what a fire”, the reason is in the Autumn season, the red radiant leaves of the chinar tree make it appear as if the tree has got fire.

chinar tree

Kashmir Valley is the home of the world’s oldest chinar tree (647 years old) which is located in the village of Chattergam in the Budgam district.

It is believed to be planted in 1374 A.D by an Islamic mystic Syed Abdul Qasim Hamadani (RA) who accompanied Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (RA) from Iran to Kashmir.

Also, It is believed that the Chinar trees of India were brought here from Persia. Mughal Emperors like Akbar, Nur-Ud-Din Muhammad, Jahangir, and Aurangzeb were very fond of this tree.

It was even declared the ‘royal tree’. The great Emperor Akbar is said to have planted around 1,200 trees after he took over Kashmir in 1586.

Chinar Tree Legacy is Dying

The population of these trees has been decreased from around 42,000 in the 1970s to about 15,000 and decreasing even now.

The trees are now nearing extinction. The Govt. and People cut down trees for construction purposes and for the widening of roads and other things.

And new trees are not being planted which is the major cause behind this.

Thank You!

FAQ

  1. What is a Chinar tree called in Kashmiri?

    Chinar tree is generally called “Booune” or “Boeen” or “Boien” in the local Kashmiri language.

  2. Who introduced Chinar tree in Kashmir?

    The chinar tree is believed to be planted in 1348 A.D by an Islamic mystic Syed Abdul Qasim Hamadani (RA) who accompanied Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (RA) from Iran to Kashmir.

  3. Oldest Chinar tree in Kashmir?

    Kashmir Valley is the home of the world’s oldest chinar tree (647 years old) which is located in the village of Chattergam in the Budgam district.

  4. Where is the oldest Chinar tree in Kashmir?

    Chattergam village in the Budgam district.