The History of Kashmir

 

The earliest known civilization in Kashmir dates back to 3000 BC. In 304 BC Kashmir became a part of the Maurya Empire, and Buddhism was introduced. In this time the regions modern capital was built; Srinagar. In the 7th century Hinduism spread to Kashmir, and had a big influence on their culture. Islam came to Kashmir in the 13th century, and led to the decline of Buddhism and Hinduism in Kashmir. In 1339, Shah Mir became the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir, and for the next five centuries Muslim monarchs ruled Kashmir. In the 14th century Islam gradually became the dominant religion in Kashmir. The Sultans in the coming centuries were tolerant of other religions except for Sultan Sikandir, who imposed a tax on non-Muslims, and forced conversions to Islam. 

In 1586 Emperor Akbar of the Mughal Empire conquered Kashmir. During the Mughal rule many mosques were built and even more people in Kashmir became Muslims. When the Mughal Empire fell the Durrani Empire took over in Kashmir, and they were even more intolerant of non-Muslims. They captured and enslaved many Hindus in this period. 

In 1819 Kashmir passed from the control of The Durrani Empire, and marked an end to the 5 century long Muslim rule in Kashmir. The Sikh empire took over control of Kashmir, and passed a lot of anti-Muslim laws. Kashmir had now begun to attract the Europeans. 

In 1845 the first Anglo-Sikh war broke out. The British eventually won this war and conquered Kashmir. The British decided to have Gulab Singh, a Hindu, govern the province of Kashmir. His descendants would rule Kashmir (Under the British Crown) until 1947 when British rule in India ended.

When British rule came to an end in 1947, Gulab Singh’s Grand-Grand-Grand-son Hari Singh had to decide between joining India, or joining Pakistan. The majority of the country was Muslim and wanted to join Pakistan. When they revolted Hari Singh massacred the revolting Muslims. Hari Singh eventually decided to become their own country and postpone joining another country. In October of 1947 Pakistan invaded Kashmir and Hari Singh asked India to become and autonomous state of India. India accepted and that leaded into the first Indo-Pakistani War. The UN tried to stop the conflict but failed in the beginning, which led to more wars in 1965, 1971, and 1999.

Nowadays Kashmir is a disputed territory administered by 3 countries, India, Pakistan, and the People’s Republic of China.