Indo Islamic Heritage
The nearest railway station to Irshad Ahmad House is Sopore Railway Station, located at a distance of approximately 2.5 km. The nearest bus stand is Sopore Bus Stand, about 2.8 km away, providing regular connectivity to Baramulla, Handwara, Kupwara, and Srinagar. The nearest airport is Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar, situated roughly 50 km from the site.
Irshad Ahmad House is a prominent traditional residential building located in Khushal Mattoo Mohalla, Sopore, representing the refined vernacular architectural traditions of north Kashmir. The house was originally constructed by Ghulam Mohi-u-din Dagga, a textile merchant by profession, reflecting Sopore’s historic association with trade and commerce. The property is presently owned by his successor, Irshad Ahmad Dagga, who continues the family’s textile business. Sopore, historically known as Suyya-pur, was founded in 880 AD by the engineer Suyya during the reign of King Avantivarman and developed as a riverfront town along the River Jhelum. Architecturally, the house follows the vernacular Kashmiri (Kṣatriya) style and stands out as one of the most dominant structures in the area, set within a large open compound enclosed by a thick perimeter wall. The three-storey building is accessed through a centrally located staircase lobby and contains five rooms each on the ground and first floors, while the second floor has four rooms and a large hall. Distinctive octagonal corner dubs (towers) capped with conical roofs, richly decorated interiors featuring naqashi work, varusi carved wooden screens, coloured glass panels, trellis work, handmade clay tiles, and beautifully designed wooden ceilings give the structure exceptional architectural and aesthetic value.
Year of Built: 19th Century
Address: Irshad Ahmad House, Khushal Mattoo Mohalla, Sopore, Baramulla District, Jammu and Kashmir, India – 193201
Country: India
State: Jammu and Kashmir
District: Baramulla
Pincode: 193201
Longitude: 74.4736° E
Latitude: 34.3062° N