Kashmir History: Early Civilizations & Empires

• The history of Kashmir is intertwined with the histories of the broader Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and Tibet.
• Kashmir is a geographical region.
• Until the mid-19th century, the term "Kashmir" denoted only the Kashmir Valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range.
• Today, the term encompasses a larger area that includes the Indian-administered territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Chinese-administered territories of Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract.

Early History

• Kashmir has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
• The earliest evidence of human habitation dates back to the Neolithic period (c. 3000 BCE).
• The region was an important center of Buddhism from the 3rd century BCE.
• Kashmir was ruled by the Maurya Empire in the 3rd century BCE.
• Ashoka introduced Buddhism to the region.
• Kashmir later came under the control of the Kushan Empire in the 1st century CE.
• The Kushans were also patrons of Buddhism, and under their rule, Kashmir became an important center of Buddhist learning and culture.

Hindu and Buddhist Rule

• From the 6th century CE, Kashmir was ruled by a series of Hindu dynasties.
• Kashmir became a major center of Hindu culture and learning.
• The most important Hindu dynasty was the Karkota dynasty, which ruled from the 7th to the 9th centuries CE.
• During this period, Kashmir saw a flourishing of art, architecture, and literature.
• The Karkota dynasty was followed by the Utpala dynasty (9th-10th centuries CE) and the Lohara dynasty (11th-12th centuries CE).
• During this time, Kashmir experienced periods of political instability and decline.

Islamic Rule

• Islam gradually spread into Kashmir from the 14th century onwards.
• In 1339, Shah Mir became the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir, establishing the Shah Mir dynasty.
• The Shah Mir dynasty ruled Kashmir for over two centuries.
• During this period, Islam became the dominant religion in Kashmir.
• The dynasty saw a synthesis of Persian and Kashmiri cultures.
• The Shah Mir dynasty was followed by the Chak dynasty in the 16th century.
• The Chaks were of Dardic origin and further consolidated Islamic rule in Kashmir.

Mughal Rule

• In 1586, the Mughal Empire conquered Kashmir under Emperor Akbar.
• Kashmir became a province of the Mughal Empire.
• The Mughals were known for their love of Kashmir's natural beauty.
• They built gardens and monuments in the region.
• Mughal rule brought stability and economic prosperity to Kashmir.
• Mughal emperors like Jahangir and Shah Jahan frequently visited Kashmir and contributed to its cultural landscape.

Afghan Rule

• After the decline of the Mughal Empire, Kashmir came under the control of the Afghan Durrani Empire in the mid-18th century.
• Afghan rule was characterized by heavy taxation and oppression.
• The Afghans were unpopular rulers, and their rule was marked by rebellions and unrest.

Sikh Rule

• In 1819, the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Kashmir.
• Sikh rule brought some stability to the region.
• Land reforms were introduced.
• The Sikhs also built infrastructure, such as roads and canals.
• However, Sikh rule was also marked by heavy taxation and discrimination against Muslims.

Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir

• In 1846, after the First Anglo-Sikh War, the British East India Company sold Kashmir to Gulab Singh, the Raja of Jammu, for 7.5 million rupees.
• Gulab Singh established the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The state was ruled by his Dogra dynasty.
• The Dogra rulers were Hindu, while the majority of the population in Kashmir was Muslim.
• This disparity led to tensions and resentment.

Partition of India and the Accession of Kashmir

• In 1947, British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan.
• The princely states were given the option to accede to either India or Pakistan.
• Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, initially hesitated to make a decision.
• A tribal invasion from Pakistan, aimed at forcing Kashmir's accession, led Hari Singh to request military assistance from India.
• In return for India's help, Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, acceding Jammu and Kashmir to India on October 26, 1947.
• India accepted the accession, but stated that the final decision on the state's future should be determined by a plebiscite once normalcy was restored.
• Pakistan disputed the legality of the accession, arguing that it was obtained through coercion and did not reflect the will of the Kashmiri people.

Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

• The accession of Kashmir to India led to the First Indo-Pakistani War in 1947.
• Pakistani forces and tribal militias entered Kashmir.
• Indian troops were airlifted to defend the region.
• The war ended with a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations in 1949.
• Kashmir was divided along a Line of Control (LoC).
• The LoC divided the region between Indian-administered Kashmir and Pakistani-administered Kashmir.

Post-1947

• After 1947, Kashmir remained a disputed territory between India and Pakistan.
• Two more major wars were fought over Kashmir in 1965 and 1971.
• An insurgency has been ongoing in Indian-administered Kashmir since the late 1980s.
• Separatist groups demand either independence or merger with Pakistan.
• India accuses Pakistan of supporting and funding the insurgency.
• Pakistan denies these charges, claiming it only provides moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people.

Recent Developments

• In August 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
• Article 370 had granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir.
• The state was also bifurcated into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
• These actions led to widespread protests and condemnation from Pakistan.
• The situation in Kashmir remains tense, with ongoing security concerns and restrictions on civil liberties.

Explore the early history of Kashmir, from its prehistoric roots in the Neolithic period to its rule under the Maurya and Kushan Empires. Discover Kashmir's significance as a center of Buddhism and its connection to the broader Indian subcontinent.