Cashmere wool’s effect on the region

The majority of Kashmir’s economy is agriculturally based, with a focus on rice. However, the Cashmere goatnamed for a traditional spelling of the region’s namewas once also an important part of the economy. There are actually a number of Cashmere producing breeds, but the Changthani is one of the most common in the region. This breed is also known as the Pashmina goat, since its wool was used to produce the traditional shawls of the same name.Cashmere wool is very fine but still provides an impressive amount of strength and insulation. The natural color of the wool is grey, brown, or white.Within the Kashmir region, this wool has been used for thousands of years, with references appearing in the 3^rd century B.C. In the 15^th century, Kashmiri ruler Zayn-ul-Abidin brought in weavers from Turkestan to help promote the industry. When a French general sent a shawl to Paris from Egypt near the end of the 18^th century, cashmere became a highly sought material across the European continent. Companies like Valerie Audresset SA began importing the down from Asia through cities like Kazan (now the capital city of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan). The wool was then turned into imitation shawls by French weavers. After the American Industrial Revolution, the New World also began to trade heavily in cashmere. The town of Uxbridge, Massachusetts was especially notable for its Cashmere woolens.While Kashmir was once one of the largest producers of the wool, it was eventually supplanted by China when the goats started being exported out of the region. However, the goats and their wool will always be tied to the region thanks to their name, as well as their historical connection.