Srinagar's seven historic bridges (kadals) over the Jhelum, from Amira Kadal to Safa Kadal: who built them, why they are counted from upstream, what survives today, and how to walk the river through the old city.
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Quick Answer: The old bridges of Srinagar are seven historic crossings of the Jhelum, called kadals, counted from upstream: Amira Kadal, Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Zaina Kadal, Aali Kadal, Nawa Kadal and Safa Kadal. Most were first built in timber between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries. Several were washed away or replaced, and few original wooden structures survive.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
Ask an old Srinagar resident where they grew up and they will often answer with a bridge: "near Habba Kadal", "beyond Nawa Kadal". The kadals are not just crossings of the Jhelum; they are how the old city names itself. Each bridge gave its name to a neighbourhood, a market and a way of life on the river. This guide is a walk through the old bridges of Srinagar, upstream to downstream.
What does kadal mean?
Kadal is the Kashmiri word for bridge. Srinagar grew along both banks of the Jhelum, and for centuries the city's main crossings were seven timber cantilever bridges, built by stacking logs out from each bank on stone and timber piers. Their design suited a river that rises fast in spring floods.
The old bridges of Srinagar, from upstream to downstream
| Bridge | Traditionally linked to | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amira Kadal | Afghan governor Amir Khan, 1770s | The first bridge counted from upstream, though the newest of the seven; near Lal Chowk |
| Habba Kadal | Sultan Habib Shah, sixteenth century | Gave its name to a well-known old neighbourhood |
| Fateh Kadal | Sultan Fateh Shah, around 1500 | Near Khanqah-e-Moula |
| Zaina Kadal | Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, fifteenth century | Copperware bazaar and old houses |
| Aali Kadal | Sultan Ali Shah, early fifteenth century | Often described as the earliest |
| Nawa Kadal | Seventeenth century | Downstream old city |
| Safa Kadal | Seventeenth century | The last of the seven, downstream |
Sources disagree on several exact dates, so treat the years above as traditional rather than precise. The counting is by position on the river, not age: Amira Kadal is called the first because it is the first you reach coming downstream from the Dal side.
Related reading: Kashmiri Kahwa: How We Brew, Serve and Drink It at Home
What happened to the old wooden bridges?
Timber bridges on a flood-prone river have always been rebuilt. In the great flood of 1893, several of the bridges were washed away. Over the twentieth century many were replaced by steel or concrete, and modern bridges such as New Habba Kadal, opened in 2001, now carry most traffic. Only a few old wooden structures survive, mostly used by people on foot.
Later bridges extended the list: Zero Bridge, built upstream of Amira Kadal in the 1950s, is called Zero because it comes before the first.
As old Srinagar families put it: the Jhelum is the city's main street, and the kadals are its crossroads.
How to walk the kadals through the old city
- Start at Amira Kadal near Lal Chowk in the morning.
- Walk downstream along the bund to Habba Kadal and Fateh Kadal.
- Stop at Khanqah-e-Moula and, across the river, Pathar Masjid; see our Khanqah-e-Moula guide and Pathar Masjid guide.
- Continue to Zaina Kadal for the copperware shops and old houses.
- End with a cab back, or continue to Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta.
Allow three to four hours for the full walk with stops. Wear comfortable shoes, carry small change for tea, and keep your camera ready for the carved wooden balconies that lean over the water between the bridges.
Local tip: the lanes along the river are narrow and busy. A local guide or driver who knows Downtown makes the walk far easier, and early morning is calmest.
Related reading: Invited to a Kashmiri Home? Etiquette for Tea, Meals and Gifts
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Old bridges vs Zero Bridge: which should you see?
| The seven kadals | Zero Bridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Fifteenth to eighteenth century origins | 1950s |
| Setting | Dense old city, markets, shrines | Central Srinagar, quieter riverfront |
| Best for | Heritage walk, old houses, crafts | Sunset stroll |
| Time | A morning | An hour |
What else is on the route?
- ✓Copperware shops at Zaina Kadal; see our shopping in Srinagar guide.
- ✓Jamia Masjid; see our Jamia Masjid guide.
- ✓Old wooden houses with carved balconies leaning over the river.
- ✓Bakeries for a girda and noon chai; see our Srinagar old city walking tour.
Want a Downtown river walk with someone who knows it? We plan the route.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the seven bridges of Srinagar?
Amira Kadal, Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Zaina Kadal, Aali Kadal, Nawa Kadal and Safa Kadal, counted from upstream along the Jhelum.
What does kadal mean in Kashmiri?
Kadal means bridge. Many old Srinagar neighbourhoods are named after the bridge they stand beside.
Which is the oldest bridge in Srinagar?
Aali Kadal is often described as the earliest, linked to Sultan Ali Shah in the early fifteenth century, though sources differ.
Why is Amira Kadal called the first bridge?
Because it is the first of the seven you reach from upstream, not because it is the oldest. It dates from the 1770s.
Are the old wooden bridges still standing?
Only a few old wooden structures survive. Floods, including the 1893 flood, and later rebuilding replaced most of them.
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