History of Kashmir By Omkar C. Marathe 2 Geography • Total Area – 2,24,358 sq. km • Part of India – 45% – Srinagar, Rajouri, Baramulla, Ladakh • Occupied by Pakistan – 38% – Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, Baltistan • Occupied by China – 17% – Aksai Chin 3 Geography • Consists of 3 regions- – Jammu – Kashmir Valley – Ladakh 4 Some Famous Cities • Srinagar (Srinagari) • Rajouri (Raja Puri) • Baramulla (Varah Mul) • Peer Panjal (Panchal … not the one in Mahabharat) • Anantnag • Pampore • Sopor (suyyapur) • Siachen Glacier • Ladakh 5 Kashmir Valley 6 Available Sources of History • Anguttara Nikaya (Documented during Buddha’s life) • “Rajatarangini” (12th Century A.D.) – Written by Kalhana, son of minister in King’s court during 12th Century. – His work includes history till 1148 A.D. – This work was supplemented by Jonaraj (till 1420 A.D.), Sridhar (till 1486 A.D.) & Prajnyabhat (till 1588 A.D.) 7 Maharshi Kashyap • Kashmir Valley – Was once a huge lake – Satisaras. • surrounded by mountain range. • Occupied by demon – Jalodbhava • Kashyap broke the mountain range at Varah- Mul (present day Baramulla). 8 Maharshi Kashyap .. • Mir – Ocean/Moutain/Border in Sanskrit • The drained area known as – Kashyap-mir • Kashmir 9 References in Mahabharat • Kashmir was known by name “Kambhoj” • Ruled by King “Gonand” – First famous king of Kashmir. • Friend of Jarasandh. • Took part in Mahabharat war. 10 Pre-Mauryan Period 11 Pre-Mauryan Period .. • Kashmir was ruled by King Abhisar during Alexander’s invasion. • Accompanied King Puru during battle against Alexander. • Kashmir kingdom was part of Chandragupta’s alliance against Magadh Empire. 12 Mauryan Period • Kashmir became part of Maurya Empire during Ashok’s time. • City of Srinagari was established around 250 B.C. • Buddhism was introduced in Kashmir. 13 Post - Mauryan Period • After fall of Maurya Empire, Kashmir was ruled by Kushans. • Kushan ruler Kanishka (2nd Century A.D.) converted to Buddhism. • 4th Council of Buddhism is claimed to be held during this time. 14 Boost to Buddhism • This gave tremendous boost for spread of Buddhism in Kashmir. • Kashmir became main seat of Buddhism (Ladakh). • Consequently Buddhism was spread in Tibet & China. 15 Phase of Instability • Some local kings ruled Kashmir after fall of Kushans • 5th Century A.D. – Kashmir came under control of Huns. • Huns ruled Kashmir till 6th Century A.D. • Both Hinduism & Buddhism suffered heavy losses during Huns rule. 16 Karkota Dynasty • Karkota dynasty established their rule in Kashmir – 625 A.D. • Ruled for close to 250 years. • Durlabhvardhan – Founder of dynasty. • Tributary to Emperor Harshvardhan. 17 Lalitaditya Muktapida (697-738 A.D.) • Most influential king in Karkota dynasty. • Extended the kingdom from Bangal in East, Tibet in North-East, Afghanistan in North-West & Malwa in South. • Defeated waves of Arab & Turk tribes on North- West borders. • Famous “Martand Sun Temple” was completed in his reign. 18 Martand Sun Temple 19 Martand Sun Temple .. Now 20 After Lalitaditya • Kashmir witnessed two more influential kings from Karkota dynasty - Jayapida & Jayapriya. • After this Kashmir’s influence over other kingdom declined. • Rise of feudalism further weakened the king. • Karkota rule in Kashmir ended in 855 A.D. 21 Utpal Dynasty • Avantivarma (855 – 883 A.D.) established Utpal dynasty in Kashmir. • His minister Suyya resolved the frequent issue of flood. • A city named “Suyyapur” (now Sopor) was established as his honor. 22 Lohara Dynasty (1003 – 1320 A.D.) • After Avantivarma only two kings – Shankarvarma & Chakravarma could control the power. • Utpal dynasty ended by mid of 10th century A.D. • In 11th century A.D., the power went to Lohara dynasty. 23 Lohara Dynasty .. • Rule continued for around 300 years. • Last Hindu rulers in Kashmir. • Defended Kashmir from two invasions of Mahmud of Gazni during 11th century A.D. • The rule ended in 1320 A.D. in a dramatic way. 24 Sharda Peeth 25 Sharda Peeth .. • Situated in “Sharda” village in PoK, near L.O.C. • On bank of river – Krishnaganga (now Neelam). • Once a centre of learning Hindu Vedic works. • It had a throne of wisdom – Sarvagnya Peeth. 26 Sharda Peeth .. • Sarvagnya Peeth had four doors in four directions. • All doors except in South direction were open & occupied by scholars. • It was last repaired in mid 19th Century during rule of Dogra dynasty. 27 Adi Shankaracharya 28 Adi Shankaracharya .. • 9th Century A.D. – Adi Shankaracharya visited Sharda Peeth during his travel. • Defeated scholars from 3 directions in the debate. • Received right to sit on Sarvagnya Peeth. 29 Shankaracharya Hill 30 Buddhist Rule (1320-1330 A.D.) • Early 14th Century – Around 1000 Turk’s after Mongol invasion on their took refuge in Kashmir • Kashmir was ruled by Lohara King Sahadev. • Mongols under Zujju then attacked & plundered Kashmir. • Afraid king fled from Kashmir. 31 Buddhist Rule (1320-1330 A.D.) • 1320 A.D. – Rinchan, King of Ladakh allied with Ramchandra (chief commander of Lohara king). • Brought entire Kashmir under his control. • Assasinated Ramchandra & consolidated Buddhist rule in Kashmir. 32 Buddhist Rule (1320-1330 A.D.) .. • To stop the revolt, Rinchan married Ramchandra’s daughter – Kota Rani. • Kota Rani attempted to convert Rinchan to Hinduism, but was opposed by Priests. • Shafruddin (Bulbul Shah), leader of Turk refugees had influence on Rinchan. 33 Beginning of Islamic Rule -1330 A.D. • 1330 A.D. – Rinchan converted to Islam, took name as Safruddin. • Shahmir - Turk person was appointed as minister by Rinchan. • Rinchan died in same year. • Turk tribes attacked Kashmir immediately after these incidents. 34 Kota Rani (1330 -1338 A.D.) • Kota Rani invited Udayan Dev (Sahadev’s younger brother) to rule Kashmir. • But Udayan Dev fled after Turk attack • Turk attack was repelled by Kota Rani, brought Udayan Dev back to Kashmir. • Udayan Dev died in 1330 A.D. 35 Shahmir Dynasty • 1338 A.D. – Turk minister Shahmir revolted, forced Kota Rani to marry him. • Shahmir took over as new ruler – Beginning of Shahmir dynasty. • Immediately Kota Rani was put in prison. • Kota Rani committed suicide in prison. 36 Shahmir Dynasty (1338 – 1560 A.D.) • 1338 A.D. – Turk leader Shahmir began ruling Kashmir with title – Sultan Shamshuddin. • Except ruling dynasty, the rest of system remained same till 1372 A.D. • Kashmiri culture also remained intact during this period. • Even the attire of Turk rulers was same as old Hindu rulers. 37 Shahmir Dynasty .. • Shamshuddin (Shahmir) died in 1342 A.D. • His elder son Jamshed ruled only for 1 year. • The rule was overthrown by Jamshed’s younger brother Allauddin (Alishet). • Allauddin ruled till his death in 1354 A.D. • His elder son Shahbuddin ruled till 1373 A.D. 38 Syed Ali Hamdani • Sufi Islamic missionary Syed Ali Hamdani came to Kashmir in 1372 A.D. • Influential in spreading Islam in Kashmir. • Belonged to Hamdan is present day Iran. • Stayed in Kashmir for nearly 2 years. 39 Syed Ali Hamdani .. • Iran was invaded by Timur in early 1380s A.D. • Syeds in Hamdan were massacred by Timur’s army. • Hamdani took refuge in Kashmir with around 700 Syeds. • Qutubuddin (then ruler) welcomed all. 40 Syed Ali Hamdani .. • This paved way for spread of Islam in Kashmir. • With ruler’s support Hamdani started interfering matters of court. • Ordered muslim citizens in Kashmir to change their customs from Kashmiri customs. • Convinced Sultan to change his attire according to Persian culture. 41 Syed Ali Hamdani .. • Under Hamdani’s influence, Hindu menbers in the court also began to convert to Islam. • Soon Islam was spread rapidly in all classes of Kashmiri society. • Hamdani returned to Iran in 1383 A.D. • Qutubuddin died in 1389 A.D. 42 Syed Ali Hamdani .. • Under Hamdani’s influence, Hindu menbers in the court also began to convert to Islam. • Soon Islam was spread rapidly in all classes of Kashmiri society. • Hamdani returned to Iran in 1383 A.D. • Qutubuddin died in 1389 A.D. 43 Sikandar (1389 – 1414 A.D.) • Known as Sikandar Butshikan • Butshikan – Idol breaker. • 1394 A.D. – Syed Ali Hamdani’s son Syed Muhammad arrived in Kashmir. • Being Hamdani’s son, received grand welcome. 44 Sikandar .. • Prime Minister Suha Bhat was converted to Islam with new name – Saifuddin. • Syed Muhammad stayed in Kashmir for 12 years. • Sharia rule started in Kashmir durin this time. • Alcoholic drinks, dramas music were banned. 45 Sikandar .. • Hindu citizens were fobaded from marking tilak on forehead. • Blowing conch shells & ringing bells was also banned. • Large number of temples were either destroyed or converted to mosques. 46 Sikandar .. • Famos “Martand Sun Temple” was destroyed during this period. • Huge Jiziya tax was imposed on Hindus. • Large number of Hindus either converted, fled or killed during this period. • Sikandar died in 1414 A.D. 47 Zainulauddin (1420 – 1470 A.D.) • Sikandar’s younger brother Zainulauddin came to power in 1420 A.D. • Also known by name Bhat Shah. • Re-called Hindu’s who had fled during Sikandar’s rule, offered them protection. • Hindus converted to Islam before were permitted to accept Hinduism. 48 Zainulauddin .. • Jiziya tax was not removed but was reduced to negligible amount. • Promoted Sanskrit, Tibeti & Kashmiri scholars along with Persians in the court. • Promoted reconstruction of some of the temples destructed during Sikandar’s rule. 49 Zainulauddin .. • Banned slaughtering of cows & beef consumption. • This is believed to be the reason for Kashmiri’s not preferring beef even today. • Zainulauddin died in 1470 A.D. 50 Instability • After Zainulauddin, power of Shahmir dynasty declined over the time. • Shahmir ruler proved to be weak & incompetent. • Influence of Syed’s also increased. • Kashmir suffered through heavy loss during this time. 51 Instability .. • By mid of 16th Cenury A.D., the influence of Hindu court members declined. • Persian language was declared as official language of the kingdom instead of Sanskrit & Kashmiri. 52 Chak dynasty (1560 – 1588 A.D.) • Clashes between Shia & Sunni branches got triggered towards end of Shahmir dynasty rule.