This is view of Zaina Kadal taken from upstream side.

Francis Firth took a series of pics in Kashmir in 1875 and he did a few on the Bridges or Kadals as they are called in Kashmir.

Srinagar City as most must be aware is settled on both Banks of the Jehlum and as such there were a number of Bridges which were put across the Jehlum originally starting with the First Bridge or Amira Kadal which was my favourite as it was closes to Home and we had a Shop there where I used to walk to often as a kid. Of course then the Zero Bridge was built which was without doubt everyone's favorite because of Little Hut. The Sardarji's shop which sold the best Softy in Kashmir.

Photograph showing Aali Kadal AKA 5th Bridge on the veth( Jehlum) This bridge was originally built between 1414--1420 AD by Sultan Ali Shah brother of Budshah. This was the first Bridge built across Jehlum in Srinagar.In the floods of 1903 this bridge got washed away. Then Maharaja Partap Singh got it reconstructed at the same spot in 1904--05. (Credit Showkat Rasheid Wani)

And the construction technique of these Bridges is described in the Gazetteer of 1890 as under

The Kadal Bridge

These bridges are all made of deodar wood, upon the same plan. and are constructed in the following manner :

A triangular space, with its apex streamwards is formed in the bed of the river by strong stakes which are well driven down and covered with planks on the outside to a height of about 8’. This space is filled with heavy stones and forms the foundation of the pier. Each Pier consists of alternate layers of Deodar trunks. The Trunks are placed about a foot apart each succeeding layer is broader than the previous one and laid at right angles to it. The Trunks are fastened together at their ends by strong wooden pegs. The Piers are united by long and very stout Deodar trunks which stretch across from one to another and which are laid about two feet apart. The platform consists of rough Planks or Slender Poles which are closely laid across the trunks which connect the Piers and fastened at each end by wooden pegs. In some cases over the platform there is a coating of grass and Earth and the railing on each side but often there is neither.

This famous 92 yard Bridge was originally constructed by Sultan Zain- ul- Abidin Budshah in 1427 AD. It was a typical wooden bridge of cantilever design. In those days it was utilized as a Market as well. The bridge was dismantled completely as it was damaged beyond repairs in 1893 floods. The Bridge was reconstructed by Maharaja Partap Singh in 1897 & again a new bridge was constructed by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1926 which was repaired in 1953--54. The photograph has been taken looking upstream , Shah Hamadan Khanqah/Mosque can be seen on the left of the photograph. (Credit Showkat Rasheid Wani)

This kind of Bridge is very strong and durable, despite its rickety construction.

The Timber being Cedar is very durable and accidents rarely occur owing to the elasticity of the Construction and the outlet afforded to sudden floods through the many Passages in the substance of the Piers. Dr.Bellow witnesses the behaviour of these Bridges in the inundation of 1869, and though they were nearly swamped by the Flood none of them gave away.

The existing Kadal Bridges in the Valley in 1890 were as follows

Khanabal ; Bij behara ; Pampur

Amira ; Hubba ; Fateh ; Zaina ; Haili ; Naya ; Suffa

Sumbal ; Sopur ; Baramulla

The Bijbehara Bridge on the Jehlum