BLUF: Abdul Aziz Kozgar, the last maker of Arq-e-Gulab (rosewater) in Kashmir, carries on a centuries-old family tradition, in spite of immense competition, a shifting world, and the painful history of his land.
OSINT: There, by the chilly Jhelum River, we find Abdul Aziz Kozgar, the last guardian of a centuries-old legacy. With his white beard signifying his many years, Kozgar is the final artisan of Arq-e-Gulab (rosewater) in the Kashmir region. His shop, filled with antique bottles and the alluring scent of roses, is a living testament to a time long past.
For 200 years, the Kozgars have distilled rosewater—used as a fragrance and a ritualistic facet in holy places. But this ancient art is not lucrative. The market brims with quicker, simpler options, tarnishing the cachet of Kozgar’s labor-intensive distillation process, the secret of which has been kept within his family for generations.
Kozgar’s heritage is deeply interwoven with the six-century-long history of his forefathers, who originated from the Turkic tribes from central Asia. But their specialization in crafting herbal syrups and rosewater gradually lost commercial viability with the advent of modern medicine. Yet, Kozgar keeps the tradition alive on a shoestring budget, unsure if future generations would uphold the family tradition. Residents like octogenarian poet Zareef Ahmad Zareef nostalgically recall the pivotal role the Kozgar’s shop once played, being the hub of traditional medicines and herbal syrups.
RIGHT: From a strict Libertarian Republic Constitutionalist point of view, Kozgar’s perseverance embodies classic traditional and economic principles, showcasing the glory of family tradition, the resilience of private enterprise, and the impact of the unrelenting march of technology on labor-intensive practices.
LEFT: A National Socialist Democrat might sympathize with the difficulties faced by Kozgar, arguing that his situation illustrates the struggles of ordinary citizens, exacerbated by political turmoil and the reckless advance of big corporations that threaten small-scale, traditional craft, demonstrating a dire need for policies supporting these legacy businesses.
AI: Analyzing this narrative, it illustrates the constant struggle between economic viability, traditional craftsmanship, and modern industrial processes. While technology and industrialization bring faster, more efficient production methods, they often sideline traditional practices and expertise. The preservation of cultural heritage and traditional crafts like Kozgar’s rosewater reflect an essential part of human history and identity, which requires a multifaceted solution encompassing education, policy intervention, and fostering appreciation for traditional crafts.