DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68501#0467
THE TOILETTE IN BOKHARA, CIRCASSIA, ETC. 44/
shawl after fabrication, but in so nice a manner that
the junction is not discernible. The value of these
shawls is often greatly enhanced by the introduction
of embroidery.
The unrivalled excellence of the manufactures of
Cashmere is attributed to certain properties in the
water of that country, for though great pains have
been taken to manufacture similar shawls at Patna,
Agra, and Lahore, they never have the delicate texture
and softness of those of Cashmere. Sir A. Burnes,
in the description of his journey through the Vale of
Cashmere, says : “ Our approach to the Mahommedan
countries became evident daily, and shewed itself in
nothing more than the costume of the women, many of
whom we now met veiled. One girl whom we saw on
the road had a canopy of red cloth erected over her on
horseback, which had a ludicrous appearance. It
seemed to be a framework of wood ; but as the cloth
concealed every thing as well as the countenance of
the fair lady, I did not discover the contrivance. The
costume of the unveiled portion of the sex had like-
wise undergone a change. They wore wide blue
trousers, tied tightly at the ankle, and which taper
down and have a graceful appearance. A narrow
web of cloth, sixty yards long, is sometimes used in a
single pair, for one fold falls upon the other.”
Over the hair, which is worn in a single braid,
they place a cap generally of a crimson colour, to
the back of which is attached a triangular curtain
of the same stuff, which falls upon the shoulders and
conceals much of the hair ; round the lower edge
of the cap is folded a shawl or piece of cotton or
shawl after fabrication, but in so nice a manner that
the junction is not discernible. The value of these
shawls is often greatly enhanced by the introduction
of embroidery.
The unrivalled excellence of the manufactures of
Cashmere is attributed to certain properties in the
water of that country, for though great pains have
been taken to manufacture similar shawls at Patna,
Agra, and Lahore, they never have the delicate texture
and softness of those of Cashmere. Sir A. Burnes,
in the description of his journey through the Vale of
Cashmere, says : “ Our approach to the Mahommedan
countries became evident daily, and shewed itself in
nothing more than the costume of the women, many of
whom we now met veiled. One girl whom we saw on
the road had a canopy of red cloth erected over her on
horseback, which had a ludicrous appearance. It
seemed to be a framework of wood ; but as the cloth
concealed every thing as well as the countenance of
the fair lady, I did not discover the contrivance. The
costume of the unveiled portion of the sex had like-
wise undergone a change. They wore wide blue
trousers, tied tightly at the ankle, and which taper
down and have a graceful appearance. A narrow
web of cloth, sixty yards long, is sometimes used in a
single pair, for one fold falls upon the other.”
Over the hair, which is worn in a single braid,
they place a cap generally of a crimson colour, to
the back of which is attached a triangular curtain
of the same stuff, which falls upon the shoulders and
conceals much of the hair ; round the lower edge
of the cap is folded a shawl or piece of cotton or