A Dictionary of Kashmiri Proverbs and Sayings (By Rev. J. Hinton Knowles)

A winter in Kashmir must be experienced to be realized. The air is most invigorating, and the quiet is sublime. Even an ordinarily busy missionary enjoy~ much leisure through such a season in this beautiful country.

I have now spent two long quiet winters here, and this "Dictionary of Kashmiri Proverbs and Sayings" is the result of many hours of labour, study, and anxiety, during these leisure able months. As a missionary, on arriving in the Valley, I at once devoted my attention to the study of the language and believing that Proverbs taught "the real people's speech," discovered  "the genius, wit and spirit of nation," and embodied its "current and practical philosophy," I quickly began to make a collection of them.

This book, I believe, contains nearly all the Proverbs and Proverbial sayings now extant among the Kashmiri people. They have been gathered from various sources. Sometimes the great and learned Pandit instinctively uttered a proverb in my hearing; sometimes I got the barber to tell me a thing or two, as he polled my head ; and sometimes the poor coolie said something worth knowing, as carrying my load he tramped along before me.

A few learned Mohammedan and  Hindu friends also, have very materially helped me in this collection and its arrangement; and here I again heartily acknowledge their kind and ready service.

Author:  Rev. J. Hinton Knowles