BUILT in the late 19th century, this 120-year-old abandoned factory in Kashmir was once the world’s largest silk factory. As the silk route passed through the valley, the production of silk and its export to European countries became the biggest source of income for the government.

The process of weaving the silk was brought to Kashmir in the 8th century. Established by Maharaja Pratap Singh, during the British colonial rule in the Indian Subcontinent, the factory was run by the British for more than two decades.

The factory remains an important landmark in the history of Kashmir where the first revolt of the workers against the ruling government took place in 1924.

The first silk-weaving machines in the factory, brought from Europe, remain covered in dust in two huge filature buildings while the third contains the new set of machines provided by the World Bank in 1999.

In 2001, the factory was closed for the final time due to falling levels of silk production compared to Indian states like Karnataka.