Ashok Ogra
In the serene beauty of its snow-capped mountains and lush valleys, Kashmir has long been a land of paradoxes -where peace and strife, cultural fusion and violent upheaval, coexist in an intricate dance that stretches across millennia. From its ancient times, when Negrito tribes roamed its forested hills to the modern-day political uncertainty, Kashmir’s history has been nothing short of dramatic.
Though many books have been written by eminent scholars analyzing the processes that constitute history of Kashmir, but few have reflected on the complex interplay of culture, religion, and politics that has ultimately shaped the course of history.
Brigadier (Retd.) Rattan Kaul, in his masterfully written book KINGDOM OF KASMIRA (KASHMIR), vividly portrays how the shifting sands of migration, dynastic rises and falls, and violent clashes of faiths have left an indelible mark on the region. “It remained as Kingdom, barring some occasional decades. These have been periods of its being under suzerainty of Central Asian tribes, and under rule of Afghans, Moghuls and Sikhs,”he explains.
Using intellectual rigour, the author clarifies that “it is difficult to lay down a time line as to when first human settlement settled in Kasmira (Kashmir).” He traces Kashmir’s ancient history to the arrival of the earliest peoples: the Negritos, Dravidians, and Aryans. These migrating tribes laid the foundations for the rich cultural and ethnic tapestry of the region, with the Aryans, particularly, shaping the religious and caste systems that would dominate Kashmir’s identity. As the Aryans spread into the valley, they intermingled with the indigenous Dravidians, leaving behind their religious and social constructs, particularly the Vedic traditions that formed the bedrock of Kashmiri Hinduism. He questions those who see both Aryans and Dravidians as two separate races in terms of colour.
The author provides a deep and insightful analysis of the emergence of the Naga tribes, worshipers of serpents, added a layer of mysticism and local flavor to the growing mix of beliefs.
Brig.Kaul adds a necessary caveat: it was not only the natural beauty that defined Kashmir; it was also a key battleground for the influence of great empires. The Mauryas, under Emperor Ashoka, extended their reach into Kashmir, leaving behind Buddhist structures and a legacy of peace. However, with the rise of the Kushan Empire, the region was exposed to the Greco-Buddhist fusion that would dominate for centuries. The Kushans, led by Kanishka I, ushered in a golden era for Buddhism and established Kashmir as a significant cultural hub, where Hellenistic ideals mingled with Buddhist teachings. The book fills in the blanks after Gonnada, Asoka till Kushan period. He also refers to the 4th Buddhist Council which he describes a Synod of dissenters. One was expecting book of this nature to elaborate on the factors that led to decline of Buddhism in Kasmira- though he does elaborate on its emergence.
The author, however, flawlessly illustrates how the region became a center of cross-cultural exchange under Kushan rule. The region, however, would soon face another wave of invaders-the Alchon Huns, Kidarites, and Hephthalites-who would bring both devastation and, paradoxically, a tolerance for diverse religious practices, setting the stage for further transformation.
As one era gave way to the next, the local dynasties began to emerge, and Kashmir’s political structure solidified under the Karkota Dynasty.
In a fascinating account of the illustrious rule of Lalitaditya Muktapida, he credits the ruler with extending Kashmir’s influence far beyond its borders into Central Asia, carving out a golden age for the region, marked by monumental architectural feats like the Sun Temple at Martand.
Lalitaditya’s reign represents one of the most prosperous and culturally significant periods in Kashmir’s history. But as history often proves, even golden ages can crumble under the weight of internal strife. The death of Lalitaditya gave birth to a period of political fragmentation and instability that set the stage for the Lohara Dynasty.
The Loharas were faced with the growing threat of external forces, as the influence of Islam began to seep into Kashmir’s social and political fabric. In a compelling account, the author writes about the arrival of the Sufi preacher Bul Bul Shah in the 14th century that sparked a religious transformation, culminating in the conversion of King Rinchen to Islam. This was just the beginning. Under Sultan Sikander (1389-1413) reign forced conversions and iconoclasm, shaking the very foundations of Kashmiri Hinduism. The author claims that the “material from two temples that were destroyed was used for constructing Jamia Masjid.”
Yet, just as history can be marked by brutality, the author adds, it also offers glimpses of hope. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (1420-1474) implemented policies of religious tolerance, protection of Hindu temples, and a revival of the arts. Brig. Kaul discusses this brief period of religious and political harmony, a fleeting respite for Kashmir’s people before the return of sectarian strife after Zain-ul-Abidin’s death.
The Chak dynasty, a short-lived but intense phase of local rule, could not stave off the looming threat of the Mughals. In 1586, the Mughal Emperor Akbar annexed Kashmir, bringing the region under the sway of one of the greatest empires in South Asia.
According to Brig.Kaul,Kashmir, now part of the Mughal Empire, underwent a period of significant cultural and architectural development. The Mughals -particularly Akbar – were known for their policies of religious tolerance, fostering an atmosphere where both Hinduism and Islam could coexist. However, the author is quick to remind us that this period of peace and prosperity would not last forever. Under the reign of Aurangzeb (1658-1707), the region experienced a shift toward orthodox Islamic rule, marked by the destruction of temples and the imposition of jizya taxes on Hindus. Sufism, however, continued to thrive during this period, as figures like Sheikh Noor-ud-Din promoted religious harmony. The author describes him as one of the most revered Sufi-Saints of Kasmira.
As the Mughal Empire began to decline in the 18th century, Kashmir found itself once again at the mercy of foreign rulers. Brig. Kaul is harsh on Afghan invaders who took control of the region in 1753, ushering a reign of persecution, economic stagnation, and instability. He powerfully describes the Afghan period as one of deep suffering for the people of Kashmir, further exacerbating existing divisions.
This brutal rule paved the way for yet another change of power. In 1819, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab annexed Kashmir, ushering in Sikh rule. But this, too, would prove to be a fleeting era of stability. By 1846, the Dogra dynasty took control of the region, with Gulab Singh securing Kashmir in exchange for a princely sum of money to the British. The Dogras, while consolidating power, faced internal revolts (perhaps the author ought to have explained this in greater detail???) and external British interference, signaling the beginning of the end of their dominance.
The final chapter of Kashmir’s transformation began with the partition of India in 1947, which thrust the region into the heart of a geopolitical storm. Maharaja Hari Singh’s initial hesitation and dithering and final decision to accede to India set the stage for a conflict that remains unresolved to this day. Military intervention, political machinations, and communal tensions erupted into a war that drew India, Pakistan, and the people of Kashmir into a struggle for control that endures across generations.
Neatly divided into eleven chapters, it is published by reputed Heritage Publishers. Archival pics, maps, paintings, photographs and printing quality hugely add to understanding the story of Kasmira. However, what one misses is index at the end?
What emerges is a seasoned historian in Brig.Kaul with a warrior’s perspective who succeeds in blending tactics with narrative in this captivating scholarly work. After reading the book, one gets a feeling that the story of Kashmir is far from over. In that sense, its identity is still being written.
(The author works as Advisor with reputed Apeejay Education, New Delhi)
The post The Shifting Sands of Kasmira History appeared first on Daily Excelsior.