Islam enters Kashmir…

Kashmir’s renowned historian Kalhan, had predicted centuries ago, that ‘Kashmir can not be won using arms.’.. The glorious pages of History manifest that these words have been proven true. History is witness to the fact, that Islam entered the Kashmir soil, behind the facade of global brotherhood and Humanitarianism of Sufi and Sayyeds. Veiled behind the dissimulated religious compassion, the blood-stained saga of strategic conversion is hidden.

Islam was born, from the womb of the desert of Arabia, around the Seventh century CE. In the initial years of its inception, it had begun spreading its wings to neighbouring Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt and small nations of North Africa. Alongside. Its followers ascended in European countries like Spain, Portugal and France at rapid speed. In the middle of the Eighth century, after defeating Turkey and Kabul, the Arabs set their eyes towards Kashmir but the puissant kings of Kashmir, did not allow the Arabs to even put a step forward and each time they had to return back, conquered by mighty Kashmiri army.

In 713 CE, Mohammad-Bin-Kasim was vanquished by Emperor Chandrapid. Later, in 724 CE Emperor Lalitaditya annihilated a preponderant attack by  Arab commander Hisham. In 754 CE, Arabian Commander Khalif Mansoor stepped on Kashmiri land but had to return back, beaten. Mohammad Gazanavi, too, was trounced twice and forced to escape to Gazani and never return.

The Kashmiri mindset which remained reigning and independent for over 4500 years and did not bend to any invader, finally was engulfed in the religious clutches of Sufi saints and Sayyids.

When Arabs invaded Sindh, Prince Jaysinh, son of defeated King Dahir took patronage in Kashmir. King of Kashmir wholeheartedly welcomed him and handed over a fiefdom. Hamim, a Syrian citizen friend of Jaysinh, had accompanied him.  Hamim was the first Islam follower to enter the state of Kashmir. After Jaysinh’s demise, Hamim grabbed the fiefdom, presented to Jaysinh and influencing his status, began preaching and spreading Islam among his acquaintances.

King Vajraditya, the successor of Emperor Lalitaditya, implemented a largely liberal view regarding permitting Hamim and his friends in the administrative infrastructure of the state. This empowered him to develop close contacts with local Kashmiris and utilising this opportunity, Hamim very smartly and slowly but steadily, began spreading Islam and its ideology, far and wide.

Hamim’s entry enabled connectivity between Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir and their interaction, in various spheres, strengthened the relations.

King Kalash, of Kashmir, developed love relations with a Muslim dancer. King Harsh, was extremely impressed with Islamic ideology and hence, appointed Muslims to key positions in his army and governance. In fact, historian Kalhan had addressed him as ‘Turushka’  (Turk).

During King Harsh’s regime, a laconic and powerful ‘Muslim Colony’ had embarked upon, initiating religious conversion, obtusely. During the regime of King Suhadev, the first Sufi saint that reached Kashmir from Turkey was Sayyed  Shaaraf-U-Ddin Bulbul Shah He was extremely shrewd and sagacious. Around the same time, Rinchan, insurgent Prince from Tibet and Shahmeer, a Muslim missionary from Persia, reached Kashmir. Shahmeer and Bulbul Shah, both had travelled to Kashmir with the sole evangelistic intention, hence Shahmeer attempted to colour each of his political as well as social movements with religious paint.

Rinchan was obnoxiously greedy for power and mentally eccentric, thus had escaped from Tibet, when his attempt to grab power there failed.  He had taken shelter in Kashmir and taking advantage of the uncanny liberalism of the then King Suhadev captured a significant position in the administration.

During Dulchu’s invasion, Suhadev escaped from Kashmir and Rinchan seized the opportunity of prevailing lawlessness in Kashmir, murdered Prime Minister Ramchandra and took the rein of power in his hands. He married Kotarani, daughter of Ramchandra, to mellow down the citizen’s irk. Witnessing the exemplary political hegemony of Kotarani, Rinchan decided to accept Hinduism. When being denied entry into Hinduism by short-sighted Kashmiri Hindu Pundits, Rinchan embraced Islam!!!

It is important to note that the motive behind both of his conversions was not caused by ideological relativity. On the contrary, they were the result of his acute rapacity for the throne.

It is an unfortunate irony of Hinduism that thoughtless steps by Kashmiri Pundits, became the stepping stone for Islamic missionaries, as Kashmiri Pundits refused to take Rinchan into the Hindu fold. This short-sighted and non-visionary approach enraged Rinchan. His close associates, Shahmeer and Bulbul Shah ignited the pique and exasperation within him towards Hinduism While, repeatedly explaining the greatness of Islam, thoroughly convinced aberrant Rinchan that any other religion, then Hinduism, was worth accepting.

In a highly prudential manner, Shahmeer suggested Rinchan go for an excursion at dawn. The very first person to cross their path would be a fortunate and veracious person. Rinchan should inquire of his religion and embrace the same.

When Rinchan and Shahmeer moved out on their expedition,  the next morning, Bulbul Shah met them, as a pre-strategic plan!

And, as a result of their conspiracy, Rinchan became Mallick Saddruddin. 

The religious conversion in Kashmir was closely associated with political supremacy in the area. To achieve both the means, it was essential to create ‘Muslim Governed concatenation’.

As Justice Kaleem writes, on page 33 of ‘The History of Kashmiri Pundits’…

” As soon as King Rinchan’s embracement to Islam and christened with the name, Mallick Saddruddin, his son Ravanchandra and number of others, embraced Islam. Thus, the entire hierarchy of Muslim Governed came into existence. This hierarchy was in dire need of endorsement to achieve its ultimate goal of spreading its religion, hence they implemented various subterfuge. Islam attracted a number of people belonging to an inferior caste, through its simple principles and imperial vindication.”

One foremost sentiment, worth noting, is…

The history would have been written differently, had few of the Kashmiri rulers had refrained from undue generosity and myopic view towards the foreign invaders as well as the Social or Religious missionary.

Sources of Information :

हमारी भूलो का स्मारक : धर्मांतरित कश्मीर

नरेन्द सहगल

My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir

Late Jagmohan ji.