KASHMIR : The Paradise of Amir Khusro

"Agar firdaus bar ru-ye zamin ast,

Hamin ast o hamin ast o hamin ast "

"If there is a paradise on earth,It is this, it is this and it is this."

These beautiful words about Kashmir were written by the grate Persian poet Amir Khusro.

When Emperor Jahangir was asked on his death bed about his cherished desire he is credited to have said: "Kashmir", the rest is worthless.

These lines and words about Kashmir are now stories like "Once upon a time".

Situation has changed. Now Kashmir means fear. Everyone knew about the Kashmir issue but very few are aware about the exact issue and what the issue is all about.

I know if I will write an elaborate one then no one will read the whole thing. I will try to make as short and simple as possible. Briefly I will cover from the past to present.

Origin of kashmir :

Legends say, the word "kashmir"has came from the name of the great sage "kashyapa", Son of Marichi. Starting from vedic period to next 4000 years, Kashmir was one of the primary hub and learning center for Shaivism and Buddhism. 

Islamic Rule in Kashmir:

                         ( Local Muslim Shawl Makers doing some work)

Till 1320 AD Kashmir was ruled by Hindu Kings and demographically the valley was dominated by pandit population.

During the 11th century, Mahmud of Ghazni made two attempts to conquer Kashmir. However, both his campaigns failed

In 1320 one Buddhist prince named Rinchan came from Ladakh and became the king.

This Buddhist prince has converted in to Islam and started the Islamic rule in Kashmir. There is a interesting story how he got converted.

The story is like this: The king Rinchan was very confuse about which religion he should follow so that his dynasty will last for long. Then his minister Shah Mir convinced Rinchan that he could choose to convert to Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam by tomorrow morning.

Shah Mir suggested to Rinchan that he could convert to the religion of the first person they encounter next morning.

The next morning when they left the palace the first person they met was Sufi mystic Syed Sharafuddin Bulbul Shah who was performing his morning prayers. Rinchan converted to Islam and adopted the title of Sultan Sadruddin Shah. 10,000 of his subjects, including is brother-in-law Ravanachandra, converted along with him.

The Sultans were tolerant of other religions with the exception of Sultan Sikandar (1389-–1413 CE).  

Then came the Mugulas and after that Afghnas.

Afghan rule in Kashmir was extremely cruel and oppressive, particularly for the pandit community. Locals were extorted from, captured and forced into slavery during this period. Afghans ruled Kashmir for around 70 years

Come Back of Hindu and Sikh rule

In 1819 sikh warrior under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit singh has conquered Kashmir from afghans and they started sikh kingdom in the valley until 1849.

In 1849 Maharaja Gulab singh sat on the thrown of Jammu and Kashmir with the help of Britishers. He started the Dogra(Hindu) Dynasty in J & K. This Dynasty lasted till division of India.

              ( Pandits are writing some religious text during 1890)

Division of India and creation of Pakistan :

When Britishers left India in 1947 they have divided into two parts. But there were around 547 princely states (Princely State: a state having its own King) and Kashmir was one among them.

Those princely states were free to decide if they want to merge with India, Pakistan or remain independent.

At that time Maharaja Hari singh was the king of kashmir.He decided to remain independent. His attitude towards Muslim population was not so warm and he was not so popular among the Kashmir population.

Invasion of Pakistan into kashmir :

In October 1947,Pashtuns with the help of Pakistani army, invaded Kashmir. They allegedly incensed by the atrocities against fellow Muslims in Poonch and Jammu. The tribesmen engaged in looting and killing along the way.The ostensible aim of the guerilla campaign was to frighten Hari Singh into submission.

Hari singh shouted help from India. That time Indian govt agreed on the condition that the ruler accede to India.Once the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession, Indian soldiers entered Kashmir and drove the Pakistani-sponsored irregulars till the present LOC.

The Pakistani government immediately contested the accession, suggesting that it was fraudulent, that the Maharaja acted under duress and that he had no right to sign an agreement with India.

Mistake By Prime Minister Neheru :

While Indian forces was fighting with the invaders, Neheru sought resolution of the issue at the UN Security Council and he presented himself at UN And agreed with the terms that laid by the united nation. Neheru declared the ceasefire.

Ceasefire means : No further war. The armed forces will stop where they are at that moment.

This how LOC came between India and Pakistan and India has lost half of the Kashmir to Pakistan which is known as POK. 

Many Believes, If Neheru would not had declared ceasefire the Kashmir issue would may had resolved at that time only. Nehru was very concern about his image out side India.

Kashmir insurgency (From1990 to now)

From 1948 to till 1989 kashmir was largely peaceful. But it all started when Afgan war end.

Insurgency was largely started by Afghan mujahadeen who entered the Kashmir valley following the end of the Soviet-Afghan War. The then prime minister of Pakistan Benazir bhutto and ISI chief had played a larger role for creating an uneasy situation at the valley.

Around Five lakh kashmir pandits were thrown out of the valley, by the Pakistani sponsor terrorists. Indian army took some hard decision and fired at Kashmir population which resulted casualties. Situation became bad to worst. Trust deficits has grown between Indian govt and people of Kashmir..

Till now more than 70000 people(including all) has been died since 1990. 

Now.. We all know where we stand.The paradise has turned into a fear zone. 

We are losing our very own kasmir.. 

I Know. I have not covered everything. But it is not possible to explain the whole history of Kashmir to present day in 3 pages.

I have tried my best..