Brief history of Kashmir

 

Note:These are my notes taken from a lecture given by Adnan Rashid on the topic of "History of Kashmir". [Watch on YouTube]

1. Ancient History:

- Around 300 BC, Ashoka, a Buddhist ruler, conquered Kashmir and introduced Buddhism to the region.

- In the 5th to 7th centuries, Hindu dynasties emerged and gradually wiped out the Buddhism in Kashmir. Many Buddhists fled to China, Tibet, and Mongolia.

- Shavism, a cult of Shiva, emerged as a dominant religion in Kashmir during this period.

2. Muslim Rule:

- In the 14th century, the Mongols attacked Kashmir.

- A Buddhist monk was granted power, and he eventually converted to Islam(some say he did not). His wazir (minister) was Shah Mir, who later ousted his ruler and became the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir.

- Shah Mir's dynasty ruled Kashmir for approximately 200 years.

- Many Sufis also came to Kashmir during this period.

 

- Mahmood Gaznavi also attempted to conquer Kashmir in the 11th century.

3. Mughal Rule:

- During the reign of Mughal King Humayun, Kashmir was conquered by one of his generals, and coins were minted in his name.

- However, this Mughal rule was short-lived as Humayun was ousted by Sher Shah Suri.

4. Restoration of Mughal Rule:

- Mughal King Akbar regained control of Kashmir in the 1580s.

- The Mughal period witnessed a flourishing of art, artisans, and book production in Kashmir, often regarded as its Golden Age.

- It's worth noting that the Indian subcontinent was considered a leading military, economic, and educational power during Mughal rule.

5. Decline of Mughal Empire:

- After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, the Mughal Empire weakened.

- From 1200 to 1700, Delhi was untouchable and a dominant power.

6. Persian Invasions and Afghan Rule:

- In 1739, Persians invaded India, and their leader Nadir Shah was killed in 1747.

- Ahmed Shah Abdali, who had served under Nadir Shah, took control of his treasures.

- Indian Muslims invited Ahmed Shah Abdali to India, where he gathered an army and defeated the Marathas, who remained subdued for 25 years.

Marathas were a devastating dynasty known for their violence, including rape, killings, and destruction.

- Abdali also invaded Kashmir, establishing Afghan rule for three generations.

7. Sikh and Dogra Rule:

- In 1819, Kashmir was taken from the Durranis by Ranjit Singh, the Sikh ruler.

- After Ranjit Singh's death in 1839, the Anglo-Sikh war took place in 1846, resulting in Sikh defeat.

- The British signed a treaty with the Dogra King of Jammu, and Raja Gulab Singh purchased Kashmir from the British for 7 million rupees.

- The Dogra rulers oppressed the Kashmiri people, imposing heavy taxes and serving as vessels to the British.

8. Partition and Controversy:

- During the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Kashmir was under the rule of Hari Singh, the Dogra king.

- Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of Pakistan, urged Hari Singh to surrender Kashmir to Pakistan, citing its Muslim majority.

- Uncertain about his decision, Hari Singh hesitated.

- A rebellion erupted in Kashmir, and Pashtun tribes from Pakistan came to fight against the Dogras.

- Fearing for his power, Hari Singh hastily signed a treaty with Nehru, resulting in Kashmir being handed over to India against its wishes.

- Kashmir became a controversial and disputed territory.