Cashmere

(kash'meer,) a p. of Northern India, separated from Thibet by the Himalaya mountains. The soil is the richest that can be conceived, and its productions those of the temperate zone; but the country is subject to earthquakes. Among other curious manufactures of C., is that of shawls; and the delicate wool of which the finest are made is the product of a species of goat of the adjoining country of Thibet. C. was formerly included in the Sikh dominion, forming part of the Lahore monarchy. In 1846, it was erected by the British into a separate state, and placed under a native ruler.- Cashmere, or Serinaghur, the capital of the above p., on the Jhylum; Lat. 32° 23 N., Lon. 74° 47′ E. Pop. 55,000. [s. 150]