About Us

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The Main Showroom of Kashmir Govt Arts Emporium is housed in a famous Heritage Building known as “Heritage Emporium Building Emporium Garden” Residency Road which is itself a famous tourist resort.
History of Heritage Emporium Building/ Garden in Kashmir The state of Jammu & Kashmir was formed in 1846 after signing of Treaty of Amritsar. However, it was unique in that, unlike Treaties with other Princely States it made no provision for the appointment of a British Resident, leaving the Dogra Ruler’s internal autonomy.
However to look after the British interests, an officer on Special duty was appointed for Kashmir. A Resident Class II was appointed and he established his office and residence at Sheikh Bagh Srinagar in 1885. With the passage of time need was felt for up-gradation of the Resident and the Residency Complex. A new Residency Complex was constructed at its present site and was completed in 1890. It continued as The Residency till 1947. After that the complex was converted into J&K GOVERNMENT ARTS EMPORIUM in 1948. In 1996 the building got gutted in a mysterious fire and was reconstructed on the same foundation with almost same design and façade in 2003. The Heritage Building has a well maintained landscape of 109 Kanals of land right since the time of British Residents namely “Emporium Garden”. Very unique flora and fauna can be found there which is itself a Tourist Destination. Almost all main Government Functions, Chief Ministers’& Governors’ Annual functions, functions in favour of VVIP, Prime Ministers’ & Presidents’ were being organized in the Emporium Gardens.