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During the reign of [[Ashoka]] (304–232 BCE), Kashmir became a part of the [[Maurya Empire]] and [[Buddhism]] was introduced in Kashmir. During this period, many [[Stupa|stupas]], some shrines dedicated to [[Shiva]], and the city of Srinagari ([[Srinagar]]) were built. [[Kanishka]] (127–151 CE), an emperor of the [[Kushan dynasty]], conquered Kashmir and established the new city of Kanishkapur.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Chatterjee|first=Suhas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KItocaxbibUC&pg=PA199|title=Indian Civilization and Culture|date=1998|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=978-81-7533-083-2|language=en}}</ref> | During the reign of [[Ashoka]] (304–232 BCE), Kashmir became a part of the [[Maurya Empire]] and [[Buddhism]] was introduced in Kashmir. During this period, many [[Stupa|stupas]], some shrines dedicated to [[Shiva]], and the city of Srinagari ([[Srinagar]]) were built. [[Kanishka]] (127–151 CE), an emperor of the [[Kushan dynasty]], conquered Kashmir and established the new city of Kanishkapur.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Chatterjee|first=Suhas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KItocaxbibUC&pg=PA199|title=Indian Civilization and Culture|date=1998|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=978-81-7533-083-2|language=en}}</ref> | ||
After the seventh century, significant developments took place in Kashmiri Hinduism. In the centuries that followed, Kashmir produced many poets, philosophers, and artists who contributed to Sanskrit literature and Hindu religion. Among notable scholars of this period was [[Vasugupta]] ({{Circa|{{CE|875–925}}}}) who wrote the ''[[Shiva Sutras of Vasugupta|Shiva Sutras]]'' which laid the foundation for a [[Monism|monistic]] Shaiva system called [[Kashmir Shaivism]].<ref>{{Cite book| | After the seventh century, significant developments took place in Kashmiri Hinduism. In the centuries that followed, Kashmir produced many poets, philosophers, and artists who contributed to Sanskrit literature and Hindu religion. Among notable scholars of this period was [[Vasugupta]] ({{Circa|{{CE|875–925}}}}) who wrote the ''[[Shiva Sutras of Vasugupta|Shiva Sutras]]'' which laid the foundation for a [[Monism|monistic]] Shaiva system called [[Kashmir Shaivism]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Art|first1=Los Angeles County Museum of|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-fvKVDxcJoUC&pg=PA51|title=Indian Sculpture: Circa 500 B.C.-A.D. 700|last2=Pal|first2=Pratapaditya|date=1986-01-01|publisher=[[University of California Press]]|isbn=978-0-520-06477-5|pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=-fvKVDxcJoUC&pg=PA51 51]|language=en|author-link=Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art|author-link2=Pratapaditya Pal}}</ref> | ||
After the dawn of the [[Lohara dynasty]], | After the dawn of the [[Lohara dynasty]], Islam had penetrated into countries outside Kashmir and in the absence of support from Hindus, who were in the majority, Rinchana needed the support of the Kashmiri Muslims. [[Shah Mir]]'s coup on Rinchana's successor secured Muslim rule and the rule of [[Shah Miri dynasty|his dynasty]] in Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Unesco|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=18eABeokpjEC&pg=PA306|title=History of Civilizations of Central Asia|date=1998-01-01|publisher=UNESCO|isbn=978-92-3-103467-1|pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=18eABeokpjEC&pg=PA306 306]|language=en}}</ref> | ||
== Demography == | == Demography == | ||
The largest community within the | The largest community within the Kashmiri Hindus are the [[Kashmiri Pandits]] (Kashmiri [[Brahmin]]s),<ref name="Mufti2013">{{cite book|last=Mufti|first=Gulzar|title=Kashmir in Sickness and in Health|date=24 September 2013|publisher=Partridge Publishing|language=English |isbn=9781482809985|page=121|quote=Hindus of the Kashmir Valley, known as Pandits, are mostly upper caste Brahmins.}}</ref><ref name="Kachru1998">{{cite book|last=Kachru|first=Onkar|title=Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh|year=1998|publisher=Atlantic Publishers |language=English |isbn=9788185495514|page=75|quote=Taking into account decennial growth rates and migration patterns, the 1981 census data suggests that there would have been 161,000 Hindus, most of them Kashmiri Pandits, in the valley in 1991.}}</ref> who are divided into several [[Brahmin gotra|gotra]]s,<ref>{{cite book|title=South Asian Language Review, Volumes 3-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NVhiAAAAMAAJ|year=1993|publisher=Creative Publishers|language=English|page=64|quote='Kashmiri Brahmins are said to have originally belonged to only six gotras, -By intermarriage with other Brahmins the number of gotras multiplied to 199' ( Koul 1924).}}</ref> such as the priests (''gor'' or ''bhasha Bhatta''), astrologers (''Zutshi''), and workers (''Karkun'').<ref name="NaganoIkari1993">{{cite book|last1=Nagano|first1=Yasuhiko|last2=Ikari|first2=Yasuke|title=From Vedic Altar to Village Shrine: Towards an Interface Between Indology and Anthropology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FvkQAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=29 September 2017|year=1993|publisher=National Museum of Ethnology|language=English|page=186|quote=The Hindus belong with few exceptions to the Brahman caste and are known as 'Pandits', while in other parts of India they are generally called 'Kashmiri Pandits'. These Kashmiri Brahmans are divided into three subcastes consisting, namely, of priests (gor or bhasha Bhatta), astrologers (jyotishi), and workers (karkun).}}</ref> | ||
The majority of Kashmiris who belong to the [[Kshatriya]] [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]] use the surname ''Gourtra''. A large community of [[Dogra Rajput]]s are also present in the [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref name="Sehgal2011">{{cite book|last=Sehgal|first=Narendra|title=Jammu & Kashmir: A State in Turbulence|year=2011|publisher=Suruchi Prakashan|language=English|isbn=9788189622831|page=9}}</ref> The [[Wani (surname)|Wani]] are historically [[Bania (caste)|Bania]]s, with subcastes, such as the [[Kesarwani]].<ref name="Rajghatta2019">{{cite news |last1=Rajghatta |first1=Chidanand |title=View: Most Pakistanis are actually Indians |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/view-most-pakistanis-are-actually-indians/articleshow/70811241.cms?from=mdr |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |accessdate=22 September 2019 |language=English |date=28 August 2019 |quote=The Indic influence extends across caste and clan. The last name of Burhan Wani, the slain jihadist now deified by separatists, is derived from the Hindu bania caste, and it further devolved into specific subcastes depending on what they traded in — for instance, those who trade in saffron became Kesarwani.}}</ref> During the Mughal era, many [[Kesarwanis]] migrated to other parts of [[India]] such as [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name="Singh1998">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=K.S.|title=India's Communities, Volume 5|year=1998|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|language=English|isbn=9780195633542|page=1663|quote= A community sometimes referred to as Kesarwani, they are reported from Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, they provide histories of migration and origin which are somewhat similar. In Bihar, the Kesarwani or Kesri Bania believe that their community name indicates their original occupation of trade in kesar (saffron). They were originally the inhabitants of Kashmir who migrated to different parts of India during Mughal rule.}}</ref> | The majority of Kashmiris who belong to the [[Kshatriya]] [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]] use the surname ''Gourtra''. A large community of [[Dogra Rajput]]s are also present in the [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref name="Sehgal2011">{{cite book|last=Sehgal|first=Narendra|title=Jammu & Kashmir: A State in Turbulence|year=2011|publisher=Suruchi Prakashan|language=English|isbn=9788189622831|page=9}}</ref> The [[Wani (surname)|Wani]] are historically [[Bania (caste)|Bania]]s, with subcastes, such as the [[Kesarwani]].<ref name="Rajghatta2019">{{cite news |last1=Rajghatta |first1=Chidanand |title=View: Most Pakistanis are actually Indians |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/view-most-pakistanis-are-actually-indians/articleshow/70811241.cms?from=mdr |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |accessdate=22 September 2019 |language=English |date=28 August 2019 |quote=The Indic influence extends across caste and clan. The last name of Burhan Wani, the slain jihadist now deified by separatists, is derived from the Hindu bania caste, and it further devolved into specific subcastes depending on what they traded in — for instance, those who trade in saffron became Kesarwani.}}</ref> During the Mughal era, many [[Kesarwanis]] migrated to other parts of [[India]] such as [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name="Singh1998">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=K.S.|title=India's Communities, Volume 5|year=1998|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|language=English|isbn=9780195633542|page=1663|quote= A community sometimes referred to as Kesarwani, they are reported from Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, they provide histories of migration and origin which are somewhat similar. In Bihar, the Kesarwani or Kesri Bania believe that their community name indicates their original occupation of trade in kesar (saffron). They were originally the inhabitants of Kashmir who migrated to different parts of India during Mughal rule.}}</ref> | ||
According to officials, 98,600 Kashmiri Hindus were issued domicile certificates of Jammu and Kashmir up to the end of June 2021. They further state, "90,430 domicile certificates were issued to displaced Kashmiri Pandits, while 2,340 families of displaced Kashmiri Pandits were registered as fresh migrants. Of these, 8,170 individuals received the domicile certificate."<ref>https://www.news18.com/news/india/jk-over-98k-kashmiri-migrants-issued-domicile-certificates-till-end-of-june-4082471.html</ref> | According to officials, 98,600 Kashmiri Hindus were issued domicile certificates of Jammu and Kashmir up to the end of June 2021. They further state, "90,430 domicile certificates were issued to displaced Kashmiri Pandits, while 2,340 families of displaced Kashmiri Pandits were registered as fresh migrants. Of these, 8,170 individuals received the domicile certificate."<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 August 2021|others=PTI|title=J&K: Over 98k Kashmiri Migrants Issued Domicile Certificates till End of June|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/jk-over-98k-kashmiri-migrants-issued-domicile-certificates-till-end-of-june-4082471.html|url-status=live|publisher=News18}}</ref> | ||
On | On 16 May 2020, Order 52 was issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (JK DMRRR) which states that: ''"Bonafide migrants and bonafide displaced persons who are not yet registered with the relief and rehabilitation commissioner (migrant), Jammu and Kashmir, can apply before the competent authority for registration for purpose of issuance of a domicile certificate only."'' This is as long as one of the necessary documents is provided. The timeframe for registration (and claiming domicile) of Kashmiri migrants and displaced persons was later extended for the final time up to 15th May 2022.<ref>''[http://www.jkmigrantrelief.nic.in/orders/52_2020.pdf Registration of bonafide Migrants or displaced persons for the purpose of issuance of domicile certificate - regarding Govt Order No:52-JK (DMRRR) of 2020]''. Govt of Jammu and Kashmir Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Civil Secretariat Jammu (DMRRR). 16 May 2020.</ref> | ||
== Persecution == | == Persecution == | ||
{{Main|Persecution of Hindus in Kashmir}} | {{Main|Persecution of Hindus in Kashmir}} | ||
Under the rule of [[Sultan Sikander|Sultan Sikander Butshikan]] in the 14th century A.D., many Kashmiri Hindus were forcibly [[converted to Islam]].<ref name="Kaw2001">{{cite book|last=Kaw|first=Maharaj Krishen|title=Kashmiri Pandits|publisher=APH Publishing|year=2001|isbn=9788176482363|pages=25–26|language=English|quote=Then came the fanatical and tyrannical rule of Sultan Sikander, the iconoclast (1398-1420 A.D.) who let loose a sort of hell against the non-Muslims through forced conversions and widespread destruction of their religious shrines all over the Valley. Possibly, by this time, the lower Hindu castes had got converted to Islam with the help of passionate zeal of the Islamic missionaries moving freely among the socially backward and rigid Hindu caste hierarchies already shaken by the spread of the Buddhist creed when Kashmir was from a considerable period one of the staunchest centres of the anti-caste movement of the Buddhist cult.}}</ref><ref name="Khan1973">{{cite book|last=Khan|first=Ghulam Hassan|title=The Kashmiri Mussulman|year=1973|page=41|language=English|quote=This community prior to their conversion was divided amongst the Brahmin, Kshatria, Vaish, and Shudr castes.}}</ref> They [[Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus|began to leave the valley]] in much greater numbers in the 1990s during the eruption of militancy following large scale militarization of Valley. | Under the rule of [[Sultan Sikander|Sultan Sikander Butshikan]] in the 14th century A.D., many Kashmiri Hindus were forcibly [[converted to Islam]].<ref name="Kaw2001">{{cite book|last=Kaw|first=Maharaj Krishen|title=Kashmiri Pandits|publisher=APH Publishing|year=2001|isbn=9788176482363|pages=25–26|language=English|quote=Then came the fanatical and tyrannical rule of Sultan Sikander, the iconoclast (1398-1420 A.D.) who let loose a sort of hell against the non-Muslims through forced conversions and widespread destruction of their religious shrines all over the Valley. Possibly, by this time, the lower Hindu castes had got converted to Islam with the help of passionate zeal of the Islamic missionaries moving freely among the socially backward and rigid Hindu caste hierarchies already shaken by the spread of the Buddhist creed when Kashmir was from a considerable period one of the staunchest centres of the anti-caste movement of the Buddhist cult.}}</ref><ref name="Khan1973">{{cite book|last=Khan|first=Ghulam Hassan|title=The Kashmiri Mussulman|year=1973|page=41|language=English|quote=This community prior to their conversion was divided amongst the Brahmin, Kshatria, Vaish, and Shudr castes.}}</ref> They [[Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus|began to leave the valley]] in much greater numbers in the 1990s during the eruption of militancy following large scale militarization of Valley. | ||
== Notable people == | == Notable people == | ||
This is a list of notable Kashmiri Hindus. | |||
This is a list of notable | |||
* [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], first [[Prime Minister of India]] | * [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], first [[Prime Minister of India]] | ||
* [[Anupam Kher]] ,[[Indian actor]] | * [[Anupam Kher]], Indian actor | ||
* [[ | * [[Kunal Khemu]], Indian actor | ||
* | * [[Mohit Raina]], Indian actor | ||
*[[R N Kao]],First R&AW Chief | |||
*[[Krsna (rapper)]],Indian Rapper | |||
*[[Samay Raina]], Standup comedian and chess enthusiast | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
*[[ | *[[Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus]] | ||
*[[Kashmiri Muslim tribes from Hindu lineage]] | *[[Kashmiri Muslim tribes from Hindu lineage]] | ||
*[[Dogra Rajput]] | *[[Dogra Rajput]] | ||
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{{Portal|Hinduism|India | {{Portal|Hinduism|India | ||
}} | }} | ||
*{{Cite | *{{Cite news|title=Kashmiri Hindus: Driven Out and Insignificant|work=BBC News|date=5 April 2016|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35923237|url-status=live}} | ||
{{Hinduism in India by region}} | {{Hinduism in India by region}} | ||
[[Category:Kashmiri Hindus| ]] | [[Category:Kashmiri Hindus| ]] | ||
Revision as of 18:22, 13 January 2022
Hari Parbat Temple in Jammu and Kashmir. | |
| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Sacred language Sanskrit Ethnic language Hindi, Urdu, English | |
| Religion | |
| Majority Kashmiri Shaivism Minority Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Kashmiri people, Kashmiri Muslims |
Kashmiri Hindus are ethnic Kashmiris who practice Hinduism and are native to the Kashmir Valley of India.[1] With respect to their contributions to Indian philosophy, Kashmiri Hindus developed the tradition of Kashmiri Shaivism.[2] Most of Hindus are now mostly settled in Jammu and other parts of India, mainly after their exodus.
History
During the reign of Ashoka (304–232 BCE), Kashmir became a part of the Maurya Empire and Buddhism was introduced in Kashmir. During this period, many stupas, some shrines dedicated to Shiva, and the city of Srinagari (Srinagar) were built. Kanishka (127–151 CE), an emperor of the Kushan dynasty, conquered Kashmir and established the new city of Kanishkapur.[3]
After the seventh century, significant developments took place in Kashmiri Hinduism. In the centuries that followed, Kashmir produced many poets, philosophers, and artists who contributed to Sanskrit literature and Hindu religion. Among notable scholars of this period was Vasugupta (c. 875–925 CE) who wrote the Shiva Sutras which laid the foundation for a monistic Shaiva system called Kashmir Shaivism.[4]
After the dawn of the Lohara dynasty, Islam had penetrated into countries outside Kashmir and in the absence of support from Hindus, who were in the majority, Rinchana needed the support of the Kashmiri Muslims. Shah Mir's coup on Rinchana's successor secured Muslim rule and the rule of his dynasty in Kashmir.[5]
Demography
The largest community within the Kashmiri Hindus are the Kashmiri Pandits (Kashmiri Brahmins),[6][7] who are divided into several gotras,[8] such as the priests (gor or bhasha Bhatta), astrologers (Zutshi), and workers (Karkun).[9]
The majority of Kashmiris who belong to the Kshatriya varna use the surname Gourtra. A large community of Dogra Rajputs are also present in the Jammu and Kashmir.[10] The Wani are historically Banias, with subcastes, such as the Kesarwani.[11] During the Mughal era, many Kesarwanis migrated to other parts of India such as Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.[12]
According to officials, 98,600 Kashmiri Hindus were issued domicile certificates of Jammu and Kashmir up to the end of June 2021. They further state, "90,430 domicile certificates were issued to displaced Kashmiri Pandits, while 2,340 families of displaced Kashmiri Pandits were registered as fresh migrants. Of these, 8,170 individuals received the domicile certificate."[13]
On 16 May 2020, Order 52 was issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (JK DMRRR) which states that: "Bonafide migrants and bonafide displaced persons who are not yet registered with the relief and rehabilitation commissioner (migrant), Jammu and Kashmir, can apply before the competent authority for registration for purpose of issuance of a domicile certificate only." This is as long as one of the necessary documents is provided. The timeframe for registration (and claiming domicile) of Kashmiri migrants and displaced persons was later extended for the final time up to 15th May 2022.[14]
Persecution
Under the rule of Sultan Sikander Butshikan in the 14th century A.D., many Kashmiri Hindus were forcibly converted to Islam.[15][16] They began to leave the valley in much greater numbers in the 1990s during the eruption of militancy following large scale militarization of Valley.
Notable people
This is a list of notable Kashmiri Hindus.
- Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India
- Anupam Kher, Indian actor
- Kunal Khemu, Indian actor
- Mohit Raina, Indian actor
- R N Kao,First R&AW Chief
- Krsna (rapper),Indian Rapper
- Samay Raina, Standup comedian and chess enthusiast
See also
References
- ↑ Ling, Huping (2008). Emerging Voices: Experiences of Underrepresented Asian Americans. Rutgers University Press. p. 126. ISBN 9780813543420.
Kashmiri Muslims represent the majority population in Kashmir Valley, while Kashmiri Hindus represent a small but significant minority community.
- ↑ Snedden, Christopher (15 September 2015). Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris. Hurst. p. 39. ISBN 9781849046220.
- ↑ Chatterjee, Suhas (1998). Indian Civilization and Culture. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-7533-083-2.
- ↑ Art, Los Angeles County Museum of; Pal, Pratapaditya (1 January 1986). Indian Sculpture: Circa 500 B.C.-A.D. 700. University of California Press. pp. 51. ISBN 978-0-520-06477-5.
- ↑ Unesco (1 January 1998). History of Civilizations of Central Asia. UNESCO. pp. 306. ISBN 978-92-3-103467-1.
- ↑ Mufti, Gulzar (24 September 2013). Kashmir in Sickness and in Health. Partridge Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 9781482809985.
Hindus of the Kashmir Valley, known as Pandits, are mostly upper caste Brahmins.
- ↑ Kachru, Onkar (1998). Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh. Atlantic Publishers. p. 75. ISBN 9788185495514.
Taking into account decennial growth rates and migration patterns, the 1981 census data suggests that there would have been 161,000 Hindus, most of them Kashmiri Pandits, in the valley in 1991.
- ↑ South Asian Language Review, Volumes 3-4. Creative Publishers. 1993. p. 64.
'Kashmiri Brahmins are said to have originally belonged to only six gotras, -By intermarriage with other Brahmins the number of gotras multiplied to 199' ( Koul 1924).
- ↑ Nagano, Yasuhiko; Ikari, Yasuke (1993). From Vedic Altar to Village Shrine: Towards an Interface Between Indology and Anthropology. National Museum of Ethnology. p. 186. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
The Hindus belong with few exceptions to the Brahman caste and are known as 'Pandits', while in other parts of India they are generally called 'Kashmiri Pandits'. These Kashmiri Brahmans are divided into three subcastes consisting, namely, of priests (gor or bhasha Bhatta), astrologers (jyotishi), and workers (karkun).
- ↑ Sehgal, Narendra (2011). Jammu & Kashmir: A State in Turbulence. Suruchi Prakashan. p. 9. ISBN 9788189622831.
- ↑ Rajghatta, Chidanand (28 August 2019). "View: Most Pakistanis are actually Indians". The Economic Times. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
The Indic influence extends across caste and clan. The last name of Burhan Wani, the slain jihadist now deified by separatists, is derived from the Hindu bania caste, and it further devolved into specific subcastes depending on what they traded in — for instance, those who trade in saffron became Kesarwani.
- ↑ Singh, K.S. (1998). India's Communities, Volume 5. Oxford University Press. p. 1663. ISBN 9780195633542.
A community sometimes referred to as Kesarwani, they are reported from Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, they provide histories of migration and origin which are somewhat similar. In Bihar, the Kesarwani or Kesri Bania believe that their community name indicates their original occupation of trade in kesar (saffron). They were originally the inhabitants of Kashmir who migrated to different parts of India during Mughal rule.
- ↑ "J&K: Over 98k Kashmiri Migrants Issued Domicile Certificates till End of June". PTI. News18. 13 August 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Registration of bonafide Migrants or displaced persons for the purpose of issuance of domicile certificate - regarding Govt Order No:52-JK (DMRRR) of 2020. Govt of Jammu and Kashmir Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Civil Secretariat Jammu (DMRRR). 16 May 2020.
- ↑ Kaw, Maharaj Krishen (2001). Kashmiri Pandits. APH Publishing. pp. 25–26. ISBN 9788176482363.
Then came the fanatical and tyrannical rule of Sultan Sikander, the iconoclast (1398-1420 A.D.) who let loose a sort of hell against the non-Muslims through forced conversions and widespread destruction of their religious shrines all over the Valley. Possibly, by this time, the lower Hindu castes had got converted to Islam with the help of passionate zeal of the Islamic missionaries moving freely among the socially backward and rigid Hindu caste hierarchies already shaken by the spread of the Buddhist creed when Kashmir was from a considerable period one of the staunchest centres of the anti-caste movement of the Buddhist cult.
- ↑ Khan, Ghulam Hassan (1973). The Kashmiri Mussulman. p. 41.
This community prior to their conversion was divided amongst the Brahmin, Kshatria, Vaish, and Shudr castes.
External links
- "Kashmiri Hindus: Driven Out and Insignificant". BBC News. 5 April 2016.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)