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<p>This paper explores the role of big game hunting in British colonial Kashmir between 1846 and 1947, and its cultural, social, and environmental implications. Big game hunting was not merely a recreational pursuit for the British elite, but also a powerful symbol of imperial authority and prestige. Through the institutionalization of hunting via elaborate licensing systems, game preservation laws, and the establishment of wildlife reserves, the British reinforced their dominance over Kashmir’s landscape and its people. The practice of hunting reflected the hierarchical structures of colonial society, where hunting licences and access to prized game were reserved for the upper echelons of British and local elites. While these early conservation efforts were framed as protecting wildlife, they were primarily aimed at preserving the hunting privileges of the colonial elite. The local population, particularly the <i>shikaris</i> (hunting guides), played an essential yet subservient role in these expeditions. So, this paper examines the environmental impact of overhunting and the legacy of British conservation policies, laying the groundwork for modern wildlife management in Kashmir. The paper argues that British big game hunting in Kashmir was a multifaceted practice that combined the pursuit of sport with the assertion of imperial power, which had a lasting influence on the region’s conservation policies.</p>

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Big game hunting and British colonialism in Kashmir (1846–1947)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月1日

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  • Suhail Farooq

摘要

This paper explores the role of big game hunting in British colonial Kashmir between 1846 and 1947, and its cultural, social, and environmental implications. Big game hunting was not merely a recreational pursuit for the British elite, but also a powerful symbol of imperial authority and prestige. Through the institutionalization of hunting via elaborate licensing systems, game preservation laws, and the establishment of wildlife reserves, the British reinforced their dominance over Kashmir’s landscape and its people. The practice of hunting reflected the hierarchical structures of colonial society, where hunting licences and access to prized game were reserved for the upper echelons of British and local elites. While these early conservation efforts were framed as protecting wildlife, they were primarily aimed at preserving the hunting privileges of the colonial elite. The local population, particularly the shikaris (hunting guides), played an essential yet subservient role in these expeditions. So, this paper examines the environmental impact of overhunting and the legacy of British conservation policies, laying the groundwork for modern wildlife management in Kashmir. The paper argues that British big game hunting in Kashmir was a multifaceted practice that combined the pursuit of sport with the assertion of imperial power, which had a lasting influence on the region’s conservation policies.