During the regime of Shahmeer, many clans of Sayyeds reached Kashmir. Few of them had travelled from Humdaan (Turkistaan and Faaras) as Taimur’s invasion had destroyed normalcy and made living as well as proselytism extremely difficult. Kashmir was a safe heaven for both the purposes. Moreover, under Islamic rule, they got security and administrative infrastructure to achieve their goal of proselytising.
The Muslim historian Muhammad-Din-Faque has mentioned in ‘History of Kashmir’ regarding Sayyed Tajjuddin’s arrival in Kashmir, – “Sayyed Tajjuddin was accompanied by two of his disciples, Sayyed Masood and Sayyed Yusuf. His younger brother, Sayyed Hussain Simnaani also came to Kashmir. It is said that both the brothers had been sent to Kashmir by Sayyed Meer Ali Hamdaani, with the pointillism, to check whether the region of Kashmir was appropriate to save one’s self from Taimur’s attacks. Taimur had plans to kill all the Sayyeds.”
The Sayyeds felt relieved in Kashmir valley and they began proselytising Islam on a large scale
But they had one hitch. The Kashmir valley was largely populated by Hindus and the people were extremely fanatic towards their own beliefs. The Muslims were in minority, hence the Sayyeds feared that the deep devotion of Hindus in their own religious beliefs could be hindrance in spreading Islam, thus, increasing the Muslim population was the most ideal and imperative solution. It was inexorable to sustain the newly found governing supremacy.
The Spiritual message, ostensible liberalism and facade of tolerance of Sayyeds helped in impressing upon the Kashmiri mindset.
The credit for the rapid and deep rooted process of religious conversion goes to two of the leading Islamic clergy, Sayyed Ali Humdaani and Sayyed Mohammad Humdaani.
Sayyed Ali Humdaani is also known as Shah-e- Humdaani, in history. He came to Kashmir in the year 1372 CE along with his 700 Sayyed votari. He used his exceptional organization skill and created exemplary impact utilising his educated group of followers.
He travelled through the region, couple of times and nurtured disciples in the remotest areas, especially the spots with exceeding Hindu influence, with numerous temples, centres for religious learning and libraries and especially where the Pundits were extremely powerful. Shahe Humdaani, targeted such areas and declared them as his area of operation, with the aim of quashing the impactful spiritual centers of Hinduism.
The strategy followed by Sayyeds was of providing free-bees, in form of clothes, food, medical aid etc. to the less fortunate Pundits and in return win their affinity. Exactly how We witness the work of Christian missionaries, in the current times.
In a similar manner, beneath the mask of compassionate care, the Sayyeds fostered their imperialistic designs. Imperialistic expansion helped in achieving the goal of proselytising Islam.
Historian M.D. Sufi writes in his book, ‘Kashmir’ that – “Sayyeds gained immense fame among the Muslim rulers. Their impact on kings increased manifold. They launched number of publicity centres, which provided free of cost meal to people and after leaving a long lasting impression, they were converted to Islam.”
This long yet impactful process gave rise to ‘Muslim Brahmin contingent’. They had complete support of Sayyeds, hence they were appointed to the foremost positions in governance. Naturally, it resulted in a clash with Hindu Brahmin ranking.
Such confrontations proved to be catastrophic for the origins of Kashmir. In absence of any security provision to protect their well being.
To propagate Islamic education, Madrasas were started at important centres such as Mattan, Avantipura. The seeds of Islamisation had already been sown, before the advent of Sayyeds but Sayyed Ali Humdaani and his disciples increased the speed of religious conversion by many folds.
Alongside spreading Islamic message, they began attacking various rituals and hereditaries prevailing in Hinduism. But such a movement was operational beneath the veil of brotherhood, love and tolerance. The conversion in Kashmir was carried out packed in attractive packaging of empathy.
As the English historian Sir Aalel Staine has pointed out in the English adaptation of Rajtarangini that, “Islam carved it path in Kashmir through religious conversion and not by being victorious using strength. The missionaries, from South and Central Asia, have contributed largely in achieving this.”
Sayyed Ali Humdaani was bestowed upon with the award of ‘Bani-E-Kalaam’. He built his centre in Srinagar, which was acclaimed as Alla-Udinpur. It is currently known as ‘Khanak-E-Maula’.
His abysmal efforts enabled massive conversion but the newly converts adhered to their garb, language as well as rituals and lifestyle. To the extent that they continued their prevailing religious traditions!!!
Hence, Sayyed Ali Humdaani strategized to get the laws and ordinance designed based on certain Shariat principles. He wanted Sultan to put his plan into implementation as he feared that without achieving it, the conversion would remain superficial. To strengthen the roots of Islam for the longest period, it was essential that the connectivity of local population with their roots gets dismentled.
Sayyed Ali Humdaani, carved the path of Islamisation, through the governance model of the then Sultan. He enforced implementation of Islamic style of dressing, built Islamic throne, adopted Islamic rituals in governance and hoisting Islamic flag on Government infrastructure. Sayyed instructed the Sultan to wear an Arabian cap.
The Sultan had two wives. He gave Talaq to one and re-married her as per the Islamic rituals.
Sultan Qutubuddin fulfilled most of Sayyed’s wishes. Sayyed established relationships with local Hindu saints. He began dialogues with one Sanyasini, named Lalleshwari. Both found similarities in their thoughts and beliefs. Both were strong critics of idol- worshipping. Lalleshwari promulgated Sufi ideology along with her own. That was exactly what Sayyed was aiming for!!!
Using Lalleshwari as a medium, he influenced a huge section of Hindu followers of Lalleshwari in absolute clever and ingenious manner and very wittily, began including Bharatiya philosophy, in his discourse. He repeatedly appreciated Yog in his addresses.
As a result of this political tactic of Sayyed Ali Humdaani, some Hindu saints and around thirty seven thousand Hindus surrendered to Islam.
Historian Baamjai points out that Sayyed pretended to sing songs of appreciation of Hindu religion but deep down he abhorred Hindu saints.
Eventually, he decided to unmask himself and threw away the pretension of co-existence and affection. Sayyed asked the Sultan to impose religious conversion by force, though, Sultan denied point blank. The sole reason beyond this denial, can be attributed to fear of revolt, as Hindu population was colossal in state. It was essential to remain in power to bring about the proliferation of Islam.
Sayyed was extremely annoyed with Sultan Qutubuddin and he returned back to Humdaan, leaving Kashmir. But, before departing, his enormous efforts enabled creation of brawny base for growth of Islam in Bharatiya sub-continent.
Sources of Information :
हमारी भूलो का स्मारक : धर्मांतरित कश्मीर
नरेन्द्र सहगल
My frozen turbulence in Kashmir
Late Jagmohan ji.
Madhvi Bhuta is the National Executive of BJP Mahila Morcha and a Columnist on various Forums.
