Ramzan Mir

• Ramzana

A Kashmiri, better known as Ramzana. Worked for the Ludlow and Sherriff Expeditions. Was the one mainly responsible for the preparation of the bird skins. He also collected plants. "Ramzana, in camp, was always fully occupied preparing his bird skins." (Fletcher 1975, p.11)

Was Ludlow's personal servant and was employed by him from 1928 - 1950 when Ludlow left India. Originally hired him to skin birds in 1928.

Exceprt from Frank Ludlow Diaries, published in A Quest of Flowers by HR Fletcher (1975, p.7)

"Originally a tailor, he proved a most apt pupil and soon became far more proficient in the art of skinning than his master...He possessed nimble fingers, made first-class skins, and worked quickly."

Described as "Slimly built, he delighted to spend the whole day on the mountain side where he was quite tireless, entirely on his own, and always he would return with a bulging press and often with his shirt stripped from his back and cammed with plants. Ramzana was quite illiterate, and like so many who can neither read nor write he had a wonderful memory and knew immediately when he had discovered a rarity or something new to our collection. Ramzana had another virtue; he was a really good cook, better by far than Ahmed Shaikh, his compatriot. He served me loyally and much do I owe him."

Revision: 16 October 2026, C. Kemnitz

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A Quest for Flowers by H.R. Fletcher (1975)