The last water-run flour mills of Kashmir

In Kashmir, before the advent of modern technology, traditional water flour mills were present in every place. However, except for a few mills in rural villages, these centuries-old traditional wheat, corn and maize grinding machines vanished from the valley. As these flour mills run on running water, they are built at places where there are flowing rivers, streams or irrigation channels.

In the local language, these mills are called Aab-e-Gratte. These mills are made of mud, stone and wood with a standard sloped roof of tin sheets that gave them a traditional architectural look. In some rural villages of Kashmir, where these mills still exist, in post-harvesting season, villagers take grains to these mills for grinding. 

How it works?

These mills are a cost-effective way of grinding grains with the help of running water. A traditional flour mill works by diverting water from a river and pond to the wooden turbine, along a wooden channel. When the power of flowing water rotates the turbines it converts the kinetic energy of water into mechanical energy that grinds the grains that are placed in between two huge wheel-shaped stones.

These existing flour mills are run by the elderly and they say they are the last generation who are associated with this profession. 

Story by: Aamir Ali Bhatt

Edited by: Novita Singh