Kingdom of Kashmir during Medieval Period

The kingdom of Kashmir was emerged as centre of political and cultural development because of the strong rulers of Kashmir. According to Al Biruni, entry into Kashmir was not allowed even to Hindus who were not known personally to the nobles of Kashmir Kingdom. During this period, Kashmir was a well-known centre of the Saivism. The attack of the Mongols under the leadership of Dulucha in c. 1320, result in disaster for peoples of Kingdom as he massacred men and enslaved women & children.

Also Read : Gujarat and Rajasthan Kingdoms of Medieval India, The Sharqis and Lodhi Sultans

Bahmani Kingdom – Its Growth and Age of Mahmud Gawan

Zainul Abidin (c. 1420 -c. 1470 AD)

Almost after the 100 years of Mongol attack, Zainul Abidin, member of Shah Mir Dynasty, ascended the throne of sultanate who is considered as the greatest Muslim monarch of Kashmir. There has been a continuous inclusion of Muslim saints and refugees from Central Asia into Kashmir. Large number of peoples from lower class were converted to Islam, mainly by two means. Partly by the preaching of the saints and partly by force.

Sikander Shah was the ruler of Kashmir before Abidin who ordered the prosecution of Brahmans, vandalization of temples and destroying the ideals of Hindus. But the situation was changed after the Abidin succeeded as king. He cancelled all the earlier order of the Sikander Shah and made arrangement to brought back the non-Muslims who fled during the reign of Sikander Shah. He restored the libraries of Hindus. He issued grants to the temples as well.

Abul Fazal noted that Kashmir had 150 majestic temples. He abolished Jizyah and cow-slaughter. He withdrew from the practice of Sati. The Hindu temples accorded high ranks during the reign of Abidin. Abidin himself was a learned man who composed poetry and versed in the different languages like Kashmiri, Persian, Sanskrit and Tibetan. He was also very fond of Music.

During his reign, Mahabharata and Rajatarangini were translated into Persian. He looks after the all the fields of development. He took step to make the economy of Kashmir stronger and hence, sent two persons to Samarqand to learn the art of the paper making and book binding. He encouraged the art of the shawl-making and developed the agriculture by making large number of dams, canals and bridges.

Abidin built an artificial island in Wular Lake (palace and mosques) which was named as Zaina Lanka. Abidin was a great warrior as he defeated Mongol invasion in Ladakh. He conquered the region of Baltistan, Jammu and Rajouri etc. He maintained good relations with the other rulers as well. He was in touch of other parts of India and leading rulers of the India.

Thus, the kingdom was emerged an important centre of the political and cultural aspects in the Medieval India.