History of Kashmir: Sources of Kashmir History

Which book is considered the earliest known text of Kashmir?

What was the original form of the Kashmir Valley according to Nilmat Purana?

Who authored the book 'Rajatarangini'?

Which demon lived in the Satisar lake according to the Nilmat Purana?

Who is regarded as Kashmir's First Historian?

Which saint is credited with draining the lake in Kashmir according to the Nilmat Purana?

What do the words 'Ka' and 'Shimeera' mean in the context of Kashmir?

Which of the following books was written by Sir Walter Lawrence?

History of Kashmir

Sources of Kashmir History

Important books on Kashmir history include Nilmat Purana, Rajatarangini, Twarikh-I-Kashmir, Waquat-I-Kashmir, Tarikhi-I-Hassan, Mukhtasar-Tarikhi-I-Kashmir, Zaffar Nama, Valley of Kashmir, and Land of Lamas.

Nilmat Purana

The Nilmat Purana is the earliest known text on Kashmir, shedding light on the pre-Rajatarangini era.
The Nagas were the original inhabitants of the Kashmir valley according to the Nilmat Purana.
The valley was originally a huge lake called "Satisar" where a demon called Jalod Bowa lived.
Jalod Bowa tortured and killed people living near the mountain slopes.
Saint Kashyap Reshi rescued the people by performing penance and was blessed to cut the mountain near Varahmulla, stopping the lake water from flowing into the plains below.
The lake was drained, the land appeared, and the demon was killed.
The people named the valley as Kashyap-mar and Kashyap-Pura.
The word Kashmir implies land desiccated from water, with "Ka" meaning water and "Shimeera" meaning desiccate.

Rajatarangini

The Rajatarangini is the most important source of Kashmir history.
It was written by Kalhana Pandit, regarded as the Kashmir's First Historian.

Learn about the important books and authors that provide valuable insights into the history of Kashmir. This quiz covers the key sources of Kashmir history, including Nilmat Purana, Rajatarangini, and more.