Ajaz Ahmed Bhatt

Poonch has witnessed many historical era. Around 326 BC when Alexander the Great invaded the lower Jhelum belt to fight with Porus, this region was known as Dravabhisar. In 6th Century AD, the famous Chinese traveler Huien Tsang passed through this area. According to his observation, this region was known as Part of Kashmir. Around 850 AD Poonch became a sovereign state ruled by Raja Nar, who was basically a horse trader. According to Rajtrangani Raja Trilochan Pal of Poonch gave a tough fight to Mahmood Ghazanavi who invaded this area in 1020 A.D. In 1596, Mughal King Jahangir made Siraj-Ud-Din ruler of Poonch. Siraj-Ud-Din and his descendent Raja Shahbaz Khan, Raja Abdul Razak, Raja Rustam Khan and Raja Khan Bahadur Khan ruled this area upto 1792 AD. This time was first golden era of district Poonch which was a boon to architecture and various schemes. Large monuments and gardens were built including Poonch Qilla (The Fort of poonch) In 1819 this area was captured by

Just as its beauty, the valley of poonch is unique both in its history and geography. The endangered crafts of Poonch are as breathtaking as the lushy green Valleys and peaks. Gabba is one of the significant handicraft of Poonch and Kashmir as well. Due to ethnicity, geographical and cultural similarities with kashmir craft of poonch shares many similarities with that of kashmir be it embroidery or handloom. Gabba making have its root in village life, therefore the image of rural culture and taste and aesthetic preferences are visible in craft. It is an example of sustainable design as it reuses old blankets /rugs as resource of new useful products.           Gabba is used by common man to keep warm in long and harsh winters of valley. It is a creative craft out of worn and torn blankets and textile.               The warmth of the loving hands and intricate beauty of valley can be seen on Gabba's. The hand embroidery on Gabbas are not just unique but ancient, it has be