Whenever the name of tallest Kashmiri in history is talked, we spontaneously understand that the name of Sheikh Abdullah is being said but here the phrase of ‘tallest Kashmiri’ is really about tallest Kashmiri in true sense. An American, Professor James Ricalton was friends with two Giants (twin brothers) of Kashmir with whom he clicked photos in Srinagar as well as in Delhi in 1903 during the Delhi Durbar. The two giants are known by Cashmere Giants or Kashmir Giants and were elite riflemen of Maharaja of Kashmir. One of them was 7ft 9in & other was 7ft 4in. The taller one was considered the the tallest of men in India at that time. At Delhi Darbar the photos were taken by George Rose in 1903. According to the notes available, we get to know that the Giants belonged to Balmokand, Kashmir. After searching, i can’t find where Balmokand is. It seems Balmokand’s name has been changed to something else now.
At Delhi Durbar
The Brisbane Courier Wednesday 4 February 1903. (Durbar took place in January 1903
At Delhi Durbar
At Delhi Durbar
At Srinagar
Don’t remember how I stumbled upon your blog(too many distractions/open tabs on my laptop now) but a quick skim and I came across these old photos. I have a strange fascination with old pics from the Indian Subcontinent, I just love staring at them, the clothes, the expressions, the footwear…everything; I want to be transported into that era. Cool finds. Cooler footwear of the giants. 🙂