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Himachali cap

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A man in Kullu, wearing a traditional Himachali cap.

Himachali cap (Bushehri topi, Pahari topi, Kinnauri topi) is a distinctive headdress associated with Himachal Pradesh's culture. It is a part of the traditional dress of many Pahari inhabitants.[1][2][3][4]

History

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2017 Indian stamp depicting the cap

The Himachali cap was historically related to Kinnaur and reached other parts of Himachal Pradesh via the princely state of Bushahr and Kullu. The weaving style and materials used for these caps differ from each other. The typical green colored Kinnauri/Bushahri cap is also worn in the adjoining areas of Garhwal Himalayas, especially in Dehradun (Jaunsar-Bawar), Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal. A similar, but different variety of red colored cap is worn in Uttarkashi and the neighbouring areas of Garhwal (not to be confused with red colored Dhumal cap). These caps are more prevalent in the upper districts of Himachal and Garhwal. In Garhwal these caps are also known as Sikoli.[5][6]

Material and Shape

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Himachali caps are one of the popular arts and crafts of Himachal Pradesh. The Himachali cap is usually made of wool, and the shape is typically round or boat shape.[7]

Traditional wear

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Nati dance being performed with traditional Kinnauri attire

The Himachali cap is an ingrained part of daily wear in Himachal, and it is commonly worn during local festivities, religious functions and marriages.[8][7] Himachali caps are a representation of cultural identity. People in Himachal consider the cap as a point of pride,[9] like a turban for Sikhs in Punjab. This topi (Hindi for cap) is a representation of HP’s cultural identity and is considered a symbol of pride for the Himachalis.[10]

Political identity

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I would like to thank Narendra Modi ji for using Himachal’s cap as a crown in Israel

—Prem Kumar Dhumal tweeted for Narendra Modi when he dressed in Himachali cap with a maroon band during his visit to Israel.[11]

The colour of the Himachali caps has been an indicator of political loyalties in the hill state for a long period of time with Congress party leaders like Virbhadra Singh donning caps with green band and the rival BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal wearing a cap with maroon band.[12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Broadcasting, India Ministry of Information and (1956). Himachal Pradesh. Tourist Division, Ministry of Transport. p. 22. ISBN 978-81-7199-465-6.
  2. ^ Shaikh, Ameen (2019-04-01). ShaikhSpear in Himachal. Mountain Walker Private Limited. p. 173. ISBN 978-81-940505-0-6.
  3. ^ "Himachali Cap (Topi) -Buy Kullu, Shimla, Kinnauri and Malana Cap". HimalayanKraft. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  4. ^ "The Himachali cap - Culture, legacy and heritage Issues and analysis @ abhipedia Powered by ABHIMANU IAS". abhipedia.abhimanu.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  5. ^ Chitkara, M. G. (1999). World Government and Thakur Sen Negi. APH Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 978-81-7648-032-1.
  6. ^ Verma, Shruti (2018-02-02). "The Himachali cap: Culture, legacy and heritage". HimVani. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  7. ^ a b Broadcasting, India Ministry of Information and (1956). Himachal Pradesh. Tourist Division, Ministry of Transport. pp. 128, 129. ISBN 978-81-7199-465-6.
  8. ^ Verma, Shruti (2018-02-02). "The Himachali cap: Culture, legacy and heritage". HimVani. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  9. ^ Wagner, Anja (2013-06-01). The Gaddi Beyond Pastoralism: Making Place in the Indian Himalayas. Berghahn Books. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-85745-930-5.
  10. ^ ""Importance of turban in Sikhism" - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". www.earlytimes.in. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  11. ^ Gaurav Bisht (6 July 2017). "PM Modi's cap in Israel takes political hue in Himachal". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  12. ^ IANS (2017-10-29). "War of caps: State which flaunts political loyalty on its head (Himachal Polls)". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  13. ^ SHARMA, NIDHI. "In Himachal Pradesh, it is maroon for BJP and green for Congress". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  14. ^ Archana Phull (14 January 2018). "Cap likely on 'cap politics' in Himachal Pradesh". The Statesman. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  15. ^ "Cap's colour denotes political leanings!". Hindustan Times. 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  16. ^ "As BJP-Congress battle heats up in Himachal Pradesh, people flaunt their political 'colours' on their headgear". Firstpost. 2017-10-29. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  17. ^ Service, Tribune News. "Short film '... Kissa Topi Ka' has message for voters". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  18. ^ "Himachal topi leaves Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh fuming at function". The Indian Express. 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2021-06-14.


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