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| Kashmir in view of history | | | Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
The people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots - Marcus Garvey, a proponent of Black Nationalism in the United States. This is the curiosity that dragged me to crisscross through the classical folio of Kashmir, followed by my previous navigations in history about Jammu and other principalities of Dogra circle. As a dweller of Jammu and Kashmir state, we cannot keep our self in dark about historical know how of one region of the state. My script on the subject is an endeavor to enlighten every last soul of the state to be sound enough about the history of Kashmir, just in a way, much said as; 'Ocean in a pot'. I believe History never really says 'goodbye' but 'see you later.' History is a study of progression; it does not mean that humanity does not regress either. Events occurring before written record are considered prehistory. It is an umbrella term that relates to past events as well as the memory, discovery, collection, organization, presentation, and interpretation of information about these events.
Maintaining to the subject, according to Hindu mythology, 'Rishi Kashyapa' son of 'Marichi' in turn son of 'Brahma' (a self born, creator God in Hinduism) reclaimed the land of the Kashmir valley from a vast lake, known as 'Satisar', named after goddess Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The lake was drained by the great Rishi or Sage, by cutting the gap in the hills at Baramulla and Brahmins settling there. We come across that during later Vedic period (the period in the history of India during which the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, were being composed and based on literary evidence, scholars place the Vedic period in the second and first millennia BCE), as kingdoms of the Vedic tribes expanded, the Uttara-Kurus settled in Kashmir. According to the Mahabharata, the Kambojs ruled Kashmir during the epic period (The epic period is estimated to be roughly from 1000 to 600 BC, when some of the greatest epics such as; Ramayana and Mahabharata, came into being during this time). The earliest reference to the Kambojas is around the 5th century BCE. Other Pre-Common Era references appear in the 'Manusmriti' (2nd century) and the Mahabharata (10th century BCE). We encounter some sites in the plains of Kashmir valley dated back to 3000 BC of Neolithic period (Beginning about 10,200 BC, and ending between 4500 and 2000 BC). In the first half of the 1st millennium, the Kashmir region became an important centre of Hinduism and later of Buddhism; later in the ninth century, Shaivism arose. It formed a part of the'Kushan' and 'Mauryan' empires of India. 'Kushan dynasty' ruled in Northern part of India (Jammu & Kashmir) in the years 200 BC - 300 BC. The Mauryan Empire was the first major empire in the history of India that ruled the land from 322 to 185 BC. Important rulers of this dynasty were Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara and king Ashoka. Almost all the sub continent was conquered by the Maurya dynasty. Between the mid-1st century and the mid-3rd century, Buddhism, patronized by the Kushans, extended to China and other Asian countries through the Silk Road. It was in the time of Asoka/Ashoka, that the city of Srinagar was founded and 'Budhism' introduced in Kashmir. Islamization in Kashmir took place during 13th to 15th century and led to the eventual decline of the Shaivism in Kashmir.
To escape from falling to a confusion of different versions on Kashmir the classical know how of Kashmir is mostly attributed to the 'Rajatarangini', written by Kashmiri historian Kalhana, dating back to 12th century CE, a chronicle of the north-western Indian subcontinent, particularly history of Kashmir's dynasties from mythical times to 12th century. It relies mainly upon traditional sources including 'Nilmata Purana'. The 'Nilamata Purana' is an ancient text (6th to 8th century AD) from Kashmir which contains information on its history, geography, religion, and folklore. According to the historian, Ved Kumari, if the 'Rajatarangini' is important from the point of view of the political history of Kashmir the 'Nilamata' is no less important for the cultural history of that part of the country. The 'Rajatarangini' has incorporated a list of Kashmir Kings from 3450 BCE and names of the kings from 3238 BCE onwards. The Kalhana has placed complete chronology of all Kings of Kashmir in seven books, till 'Lohara dynasty'. Book-I details 'Gonanditya dynasty' opening with Gonanda-I and closing with Yudhisthira. Book-II opens with Pratapaditya-I and ends with Sardhimati @ Aryaraja. Third book (restoration of Gonanadiya dynasty) opens with Meghavahana and ends with Baladitya. Fourth book elaborates 'Karkota dynasty. Fifth book speaks about 'Utpala dynasty'. Sixth book gives account of 'Brahaman dynasty'. Seventh and eight book narrates about first Lohara dynasty and second Lohara dynasty' respectively. Despite the value that historians have placed on Kalhana's work, there is in the earlier three books of Rajatarangini Kalhana's account starts to align with other historical evidence only by Book 4, which gives an account of the Karkota dynasty. The perspective of Kalhan's Rajtaranagni also find mention in 'Vintage Search Kashmir' a work by one Vinayak Razdan and in compilation work by T.N. Khazanchi as Superintendent, Archeology and Museum Dept. Srinagar in 1950s. We also come across some sequels to Kalhan's work Rajtaranagini, such as; 1. Rajatarangini also known as 'Dvitiya Rajatarangini' authored by Jonaraja, during the reign of Zain-ul-Abidin. It gives account of Kashmir from 1150 CE to 1459 CE. 2. Jaina-Rajatarangini also known as 'Tritiya Rajatarangini' by Srivara. It gives account of Kashmir from 1459 CE to 1486 CE. 3. Rajavalipataka by Prajyabhatta. It gives an account of Kashmir from 1486 to 1512 CE and 4. 'Chaturtha Rajatarangini' written by Suka. It is an extension of Prajyabhatta's work. The book ends with the arrival of Asaf Khan to Kashmir. A later interpolation also covers the arrival of the Mughal emperor Akbar and subsequent events
The first king mentioned as Gonanda - I (3238-3188 BCE) referred as relative of Magadha ruler 'Jarasandha' and contemporary to Yudhishtir. King of 'Hastinapura', Parikshit (grandson of Arjuna) in 3083 BCE took over the kingdom of Kashmir but handed over to Harnadeva, who was from his family. From Harnadeva, Pandava dynasty kings ruled over Kashmir for 1331 years from 3083-1752 BCE. From 1752 BCE to 1182 BCE, there is mention of 13 kings and Abhimanyu ruled from 1234-1294 BCE. Thereafter Dynasty of Gonanada - III ruled from 1182 BCE to 272 BCE for total 910 years. Dynasty of Pratapaditya ruled from 272 to 80 BCE for 192 years with 6 kings. From 80 BCE to 14 CE, the Rajtarangini have refereed four kings as rulers, when Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain, sent Matrigupta as king of Kashmir, who ruled from 14 - 19 CE. In-between 19 CE to 252 CE, there remained 7 rulers of Kashmir, when Karkota dynasty came into picture. Brother and successor of Vikramaditya, Baladitya last king of Gonanda's race, married his daughter Ananglekha to Durlabhavardhana, who founded the Karkota dynasty. The Kashmir was ruled by 17 kings from Karkota dynasty for 600 years from 252 CE to 852 CE. The last king of the Karkota dynasty was Sukhavarma. Avanti Varman ascended the throne of Kashmir on 852 A.D., establishing the Utpala dynasty and ending the rule of Karkota dynasty. The Utpala Dynasty ruled Kashmir for 84 years from 852 BC to 936 BC. The 8 kings of this dynasty include woman ruler 'Sugandha' also. The last ruler was the Unmattavanti (934-936) from this dynasty. Gupta Brahmin Dynasty ruled Kashmir for 76 years through its 10 kings from 936 BC to 1003 BC. This period saw 'Didda' as female ruler from 979-1003 BC. The first king of the dynasty was Yashaskara Deva (939-948) CE and Didda (980-1003 BC) was the last ruler of this dynasty.
After the death of 'Didda, the Lohara Dynasty ruled Kashmir from 1003 CE to 1320 CE, having 23 kings in its dynasty for 317 years. Samgramaraja (1003-27A.D.) is considered as the founder of the Lohara dynasty. Suhadeva (1301-1320 A.D.) was the last king of the Lohara dynasty. For a short period of 3 years from 1320 to 1323 A.D. Rincana, king of western Tibet, occupied the throne of Kashmir. Udyanadeva (1323-1338 A.D.) mere a cipher, ruled after Rincana, but Shah Mir (Shah Mir arrived in Kashmir in 1313 along with his family, during the reign of Suhadeva (1301-1320), whose service he entered. In subsequent years, through his tact and ability Shah Mir rose to prominence and became one of the most important personalities of his time) was all powerful. Kashmir witnessed a short period of one year rule by Kota Rani (1338-1339 A.D.). She was the last Hindu sovereign of Kashmir who was murdered somewhere in 1339 by Shah Mir and seized power and established the sultanate with the title of Sultan Shams-ud-din, with him commenced Muslim rule in Kashmir. The Shah Mir dynasty ruled from 1339 to 1555 A.D. During the period 18 rulers occupied throne of Kashmir for 216 years. Chaks ruled in Kashmir from 1555 to 1586 A.D by just having 4 rulers, Ghazi Shah Chak as first and Yusuf Shah Chak as last ruler, when, Akbar from Mougals dynasty invaded Kashmir and takes possession of the kingdom in 1586 A.D. Mughals ruled Kashmir for a period of 166 years. The great kings include Akbar (1586-1605 A.D.), Jahangir (1605-1627 A.D.), Shah Jehan (1628-1657 A.D.), Aurangzeb (1658-1707 A.D.), and Later Mughals (1707-1752 A.D.). After the Mughals, these were the Afghans in Kashmir who exercised sovereignty through Governors. Ahmed Shah Durrani was the first ruler to set Afghan dynasty in Kashmir in 1752 A.D. Four rulers from this dynasty ruled Kashmir till 1819 A.D. for 67 years and during the period 27 Governors exercised sovereignty on behalf of rulers. Mahmud Shah Shuja-ul-Mulk was the last ruler of the Afghan dynasty. The Afghan rule followed by Sikh rule (1819 to 1846 A.D.) established by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Kashmir in 1819 A.D. The Kashmir did not fall as easy prey to Sikh dynasty. In 1812, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Sikh Dynasty, with the assistance of 'Fateh Khan' deputed by 'Shah Muhammad' king of Kabul, as his Wazir, to wrest Kashmir from 'Ata Muhammad' ruling Governor of Kashmir failed in his attempt to capture Kashmir, as Fateh Khan fail to keep his promises towards Ranjit Singh. The second invasion was attempted by Ranjit Singh in June 1814 via Rajouri but he could not move on from Bahramgala, Poonch and has to retreat back. The third successful advancement of Ranjit Singh to conquer Kashmir took place in April 1819 and captured Kashmir in July 1819. Thus became both Jammu and Kashmir a part of kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Kashmir was administered through Governor and Jammu was made over to Prince Kharrak Singh as a Jagir. The subsequent Sikh rulers were Maharaja Kharak Singh (1839-1840 A.D.), Maharaja Sher Singh (1841-1843 A.D.), Maharaja Dalip Singh (1843-1846 A.D.). The Sikh rulers like Afghans exercised Sovereignty through Governors. The interesting part of Kashmir history of passing from one dynasty to another till 1819 speaks of forcible assumption of the Kashmir by defeating the rulers but the Kashmir was passed on to Dogra dynasty in 1846, through treaty. The Dogra dynasty obtaining Kashmir through 'Treaty of Amritsar' for 75 lakhs was not from the Sikh ruler but from British. It so happened that after defeat of Sikhs in First Anglo-Sikh war, The Lahore government under the peace treaty known as ' Lahore Treaty' ceded territory situated between the Rivers Beas and Sutlej to British. The British also demanded payment of one and a half crore, as reparations for the cost of the war. As the Lahore Government was unable to pay the whole of this sum immediately, it ceded all forts, territories, rights and interests in the hill countries, which were situated between the Rivers Beas and Indus, including the Provinces of Kashmir and Hazarah, as equivalent to one crore. The British then sold Kashmir to the Raja of Jammu, Gulab Singh, for 75 lakhs through the treaty known as 'Treaty of Amritsar'. Gulab Singh thus became the founder of Dogra dynasty in Jammu and Kashmir in 1846. Although the first Dogra ruler Gulab Singh has to exercise force to physically take possession of Kashmir. The actual possession of Kashmir by Maharaja Gulab Singh was, however, not obtained without much difficulty. An attempt was made to contest his newly acquired sovereignty over it by Sheikh Imam-ud-Din, the Sikh Governor of Kashmir. The latter organized an insurrection, and all the hill chiefs also made a common cause with him. Gulab Singh tried to take the insurgents by storm but failed. Ultimately the Maharaja Ranjit Singh with the assistance of British entered Srinagar on November 9, 1846, without opposition. The Dogra dynasty ruled the state till accession of Jammu & Kashmir to the newly independent Indian Union in 1947.
The working of rulers of Kashmir history can be reffered under three heads; 1. Kashmir prior to Muslim annexation: During the period Kashmir was a Major Hub of Hindu & Buddhist Culture. In the 3rd century BC, emperor Ashoka introduced Buddhism in the valley. Kashmir became a major hub of Hindu culture by the 9th century AD. It was the birthplace of the Hindu sect called Kashmiri 'Shaivism', and a haven for the greatest Sanskrit scholars. 2. Kashmir under Muslim Rulers: During this period in the Kashmir, Hindus suffered a lot in the hands of Muslim rulers. First experience we encounter under the rule of Mir Hamdani and Sultan Sikandar, also known as Sikandar But-Shikan. Seven mounds of the sacred thread (Janeu) of murdered Kashmiri Hindus were burnt by Sikandar But-Shikan. The Chak dynasty imposed a punitive tax (Jazia) specifically on Kashmiri Hindus. This ethnic cleansing was systematically engineered to change the cultural and ethnic landscape of Kashmir and convert it into an Islamic state. While Akbar reversed some of the previous State policies of systemic persecution of Kashmiri Hindus, but his progeny Jehangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb were not that tolerant and benevolent. While Akbar launched rehabilitation schemes for Kashmiri Hindus and abolished the Jazia on them, his descendants engaged in another round of systemic State-approved atrocities on Kashmiri Hindus. Several Hindu temples and shrines were demolished or desecrated during Shahjahan's and Aurangzeb's merciless rule. 3. Kashmir under Sikh Rule: it was only in 1820 that Kashmiri Hindus began to breathe freely, the wounds of the Kashmiri Hindus began to heal. It was a period of peaceful development and fair governance, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh took over the reins of the Valley after treacherous Muslim rule. 4. Kashmir under Dogra Kings: The Dogra rulers laid the foundations of the modern Jammu & Kashmir state. There were internal conflicts, about the rule of Maharaja, by the leaders of Muslim community, dominating the State. 5. Kashmir under democratic set up: Since accession of the state, it is continuously facing un-rest. Whenever historians will extend their work beyond 1947 to document the history, they will definitely add different pages to different episodes such as; wars fought on the soil of J&K i.e. War of 1947-48, Indo-Pak war of 1965, Kargil conflict of 1999, profiles of anti-nationals and pro-separatists from Kashmir, Election rigging, President/Governor rules, attacks on army formations, massacres, fake encounters, disappearances, mass graves, torture, sexual offences, insurgency, exodus of Kashmiri (Hindus) Pandits, and so many untold stories and unsung songs. |
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