The state of Jammu and Kashmir is inhabited by diverse and different races, distinct in their looks, dress, food habits, customs, speech and traditions. In Kashmir, the early inhabitants were immigrants form India but the advent and spread of Buddhism in the area brought with it people from various places. The end result- a happy cross cultural blend. Most Kashmiri's claim to be of Indo-Aryan descent. A large percentage of them are tall and fair skinned with sharp chiseled features and light eyes and light hair. However there are also fair skinned people but who have black eyes and black hair. The majority of the population today is the Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims.

There are some major differences between the two sets of people there. While the Kashmiri Pandits are simple and frugal in their living style and more inclined towards intellectual pursuits, the Kashmiri Muslims are generally more active, energetic and dynamic. It is the he who has perfected the crafts and is unrivalled at transforming dreams into reality through his intricate designs, be it papier-mache, wood, silver, embroidery, weaving, carpets or rugs.

The Jammu region is home to several ethnic communities chief among them being the Dogras. And despite being known traditionally for being a martial community the Dogras are the ones who are responsible for the Pahari school of miniature paintings, paintings that are famous all over India .

The next largest ethnic group is the Gujjars, a semi-nomadic community who are primarily herdsmen and agriculturalists. Another semi-nomadic community is the Gaddis who graze flocks of goats and sheep and move up and down along the Himalayan slopes according to the seasons. The rustic lilting flute music of the mountains is associated with this tribe. And then there are the Bakkarwals, a wholly nomadic pastoral people who are always in search of pastures for their huge flocks of goat and sheep. So devoted are they to their flocks that they happily sacrifice all personal comforts for the well being of their goats and sheep.