Given the fascination and charm that Kashmir held for Aurel Stein, it does not seem unusual that he worked his way to have a permanent living accommodation there. Even his British Indian passport indicated Kashmir as his place of domicile. Although by his own admission he reserved a “hut site” “not that I want to build one but just to secure my claim.”
“It is most delightful to be back here again in my mountain kingdom. The snow had melted a week or so earlier than last year and the first gentians and other small flowers are just beginning to show. The air is quite balmy now at midday and full of fir scent. How I long to welcome you here yet, at least my spirit will if you come up next summer.
“I have arranged with the Forest Department for my camp ridge to be reserved for me as ‘hut site’ not that I want to build one but just to secure my ‘claim’. Talbot is most helpful and inspected last week an excellent spot above the Dal near Chasmashahi where I thought of a possible cottage to build as a working retreat and also to serve for your and Mrs. Andrew’s week- end visits. Castles in Spain , Perhaps.” - Sir Aurel Stein.
(in a letter dated June 1, 1913, by Sir Aurel Stein to Fred Andrews.) Stein Mss 42, Bodleian Library, Oxford.
And indeed just before Stein embarked on his 3rd Central Asian expedition to which he set out from Srinagar on July 31, 1913 , he had secured the necessary permission from the Kashmir Government to build a Hut on his beloved camp site- Mohand Marg.
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“Sir Aurel Stein has asked permission through the State Council to build a hut on the Mohand Marg, i. e. on the ridge between the Erin and Sindh Nallas and I have agreed on the following conditions: |
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That the Hut and its out-house when built remain the property of Forest Department. |
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That Sir Aurel Stein himself or any one at his request has the sole right to its use until such time as Sir Aurel Stein’s personal connection with Kashmir ceases, when the Hut will be brought on to the books and used by us in the ordinary way. |
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That the trees used in the construction be paid for at standard rates. |
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That the location lies for about middle of the small plateau known as Mohand Marg to the east of and between the two short lived springs on the Marg. |
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That the Sanad or Notice given to the Gujjars on Mohand Marg by Mr. Blunt to the effect that cutting of herbs or leveling of camp site by visitors is prohibited- is removed. |
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Sir Aurel Stein is shortly leaving India on 2-3 years trip to Central Asia, so the building will not be commenced now. The site however will be reserved for him.”
(D. O. letter dated July 7, 1913, from W. H. Lovegrove Esq, Conservator of Forests J& K State to S. W. Steane Esq, Divisional Forest Officer, Kamraj Division.) Stein Mss 41, Bodleian Library, Oxford.
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