Covering three millennia of history
The volume on Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh highlight their spiritual and cultural history, rooted in ancient Kashmir. This “abode of saints,” which has fostered numerous Indian philosophies, religions, and cultures, has been visited for centuries by pilgrims, academics, and seekers. Sages from all over India came to Kashmir, a renowned hub of knowledge, in search of spiritual enlightenment. India’s cultural and intellectual development was influenced by its rich spirituality and natural beauty. The literature, music, and crafts of Kashmiri Shaivism have had a significant influence on India’s history. The special history of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, as well as their important contributions to India’s spiritual and cultural advancement, are highlighted in this exhibition and book.
This volume aims to present the complex history and traditions of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh to a wide audience. It offers a detailed overview for both experts and newcomers, showcasing the region’s rich heritage. The book covers three millennia of history across seven sections, highlighting key events, contributions, and developments that shaped the identity of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. These sections enable readers to explore the region’s history from its ancient roots to its lasting influence on India’s culture and spirituality.
The drawings in this volume have been carefully chosen to illustrate pivotal moments in the history of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. Each graphic emphasizes the region’s relevance and contribution to India’s overall historical narrative. These graphics shed light on each era’s artistic, cultural, and intellectual milestones. By blending narrative and art, the volume offers a thorough understanding of how the region influenced Indian civilization. It vividly depicts the rich past of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, making it an invaluable resource for both specialists and general readers interested in the history of this fascinating region.
The volume traces Kashmir’s history back to the Vedic period, focusing on mentions in major literary works such as the Mahabharata, Vishnupurana, Nilamatapurana, and Rajatarangini. Archaeologists such as Vasant Shinde and B.R. Mani confirm the region’s historical connections to other parts of Bharat. Evidence also connects the Sindhu and Saraswati rivers to the region’s society, culture, and migration patterns. Furthermore, Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh have been important trade and commercial centers since the post-Vedic period.
The book also talks about Ladakh, starting with its pre-Buddhist history and following its Buddhist growth over the centuries. The Asokan stupa in Tiri village and Kanishka’s stupa in San are used as examples of their lasting influence, along with Rinchen Zangpo’s contributions (958–1055 CE). The book also has beautiful pictures of Ladakhi gompas, monasteries, and palaces that show how important they are to culture and history.
Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh’s spiritual and religious activities over the centuries were similar to those of other Bharat regions. Lalit Gupta and Rahul Bhola say Jammu & Kashmir is full in Naga temples and Bharat shrines. Megh Kalyanasundaram cites various regional references in Bharat’s early texts in this section. He highlights the region’s historical significance in Bharat by contextualizing these references. He highlights Mahabharata mentions of Janapada Kasmira (Kashmir). Several intriguing Vedic references link the location to ancient India’s spiritual and cultural history. Kalhan’s Rajatarangini describes how Sri Krishna made Yasovati king of Kashmir, which Kalyanasundaram references. In Katha Sarit Sagara by Somadeva (11th century CE), Kashmir is called the “crest jewel of the earth,” highlighting its reverence in ancient Indian literature.
Geological and archeological discoveries by Lalit Gupta and Vasant Shinde reveal early human presence in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. They emphasize how the Neolithic period and early Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization shaped the region’s history. Tools, pottery, jewelry, and other artifacts show how the region grew over ages in unison with Bharat. Shinde and Gupta underline that the Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization’s territorial expansion matches the Rigveda’s habitation landscape. The volume map of the 16 Janapads and main rivers is vital for comprehending the region’s ancient history and its linkages to Bharat’s cultural and civilizational landscape.
The arrival of Buddhism in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh marks a significant milestone in the region’s historical narrative. Lalit Gupta provides a detailed explanation of the strong connection between the great Mauryan Empire and its prominent rulers, Ashoka and Chandragupta. Both B.R. Mani and Lalit Gupta emphasize the significance of terracotta figures, inscriptions, and various archaeological discoveries in shedding light on this period.
This section also highlights the essential Shraman tradition, which involved wandering ascetics and forest dwellers who lived in isolation, removed from worldly concerns. A ceramic tile from Kashmir further underscores the region’s cultural and spiritual unity with the rest of Bharat, particularly in terms of shared practices and beliefs.
Shonaleeka Kaul elaborates on a core and long-standing aspect of Kashmir’s heritage—the tradition of coexistence and harmony. To illustrate this, Kaul refers to several examples, including how King Kanishka (78 CE) was a patron of both Buddhism and Shaivism. She also points out that the Mahayana literature began to be written in Sanskrit, highlighting the region’s integral role in the broader cultural and spiritual developments of Bharat.
Buddhism emerges as a key factor in the deep connections between Ladakh and Bharat. Lalit Gupta and Rahul Bhola emphasize the influence of the Mauryan Empire on Ladakh, as well as the exchange of ideas between the region, Central Asia, and China. They also explore how Tantra and Buddhism share common origins in India. This section showcases the beauty and magnificence of Ladakh, highlighting its monasteries, gompas, palaces, and other symbols of Buddhist and Ladakhi heritage.
Kashmir is important to India’s history because it is the birthplace of its ancient cultural, spiritual, and knowledge systems. This region is home to many of Bharat’s founding traditions, highlighting the need of preserving its historic languages. Shonaleeka Kaul calls Brahmi the “script of enlightenment” and Sharda “a communication script par excellence,” emphasizing their importance in spreading knowledge and culture. Kashmiri Sanskrit is important. Even when Persian gained popularity, it remained a dominant private and governmental language for a long time, according to Kaul. Kashmir’s profound connection with Bharat’s cultural and intellectual currents shows that the territory was never isolated but always connected to the subcontinent.
Kaul emphasizes that ancient Kashmir produced brilliant minds in grammar, poetry, musicology, and philosophy, whose contributions are celebrated across India. Their work reflects the region’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage. Lalit Gupta uses the metaphor of a tree to explain the evolution of languages in the region, highlighting the importance of scripts like Shankha Lipi and Bhoti, especially in Jammu. These perspectives affirm Kashmir’s central role in shaping Bharat’s cultural and intellectual legacy.
The Arab and Turkic invasions led to the gradual destruction of Jammu and Kashmir’s spiritual and cultural richness. Shonaleeka Kaul notes that Kashmiris have long balanced their local identity with pan-Indic affinities. Her concept of “connected histories” is illustrated through examples like the arrival of Kannad clothing at the Srinagar royal court, reflecting cultural exchange. Historical records mention Kashmiri scholars, soldiers, and officials in Benares, Bihar, and southern Bharat. A map in this section visually traces Kashmir’s influence across the Indian subcontinent, highlighting the region’s deep cultural and historical connections.
Kashmir was incorporated into the Mughal Empire by Emperor Akbar in 1586, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its history. The Mughals are remembered in Kashmir primarily for their remarkable contributions to architecture and infrastructure. Their legacy includes the construction of exquisite gardens, which are celebrated for their symmetrical designs and integration with the natural landscape, as well as the establishment of the Mughal Road, a vital trade and communication route connecting Kashmir with the rest of the empire.
Among the Mughal rulers and princes, it was Dara Shikoh who left a profound and enduring impact on the cultural and spiritual life of Kashmir. As historian Jigar Mohammed notes, Dara Shikoh’s vision and temperament resonated deeply with the peace-loving ethos of the Kashmiri people. One of his significant contributions was the construction of the Pari Mahal in 1650 CE, an astronomical observatory that also served as a center for scholarly pursuits. This splendid structure, perched on the Zabarwan Hills overlooking Dal Lake, stands as a testament to Dara Shikoh’s intellectual and artistic inclinations.
The spiritual landscape of Kashmir also flourished during this period, as highlighted by art historian Lalit Gupta, who refers to the Sufi shrines of Kashmir as the “Architecture of Faith.” These shrines, with their unique blend of local craftsmanship and spiritual significance, exemplify the harmonious integration of art, faith, and culture in the region. Together, these contributions reflect the Mughals’ deep engagement with the cultural and spiritual fabric of Kashmir, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire and resonate to this day.
As the Mughal Empire declined, Ahmad Shah Abdali took control of Kashmir. The period from 1753 to 1819 CE is considered one of the darkest in Kashmir’s history. During this time, Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed his life opposing oppression and religious persecution, leaving a lasting impact on the region. On 15 July 1819, Maharaja Ranjit Singh ended Afghan rule, restoring Indian governance after 500 years. The Dogra dynasty followed, led by Gulab Singh, Ranbir Singh, Pratap Singh, and Hari Singh.
The book highlights the historic, spiritual, and cultural legacy of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, closely tied to Bharatiya civilization. It also examines key political events, including the Pakistan-sponsored invasion of October 1947, marked by brutality. This section emphasizes how Kashmiris united against religious indoctrination, displaying remarkable courage and solidarity. Carefully selected photos and sketches illustrate significant moments, offering a representative, though not exhaustive, visual record.
The last part of the book talks about how important the Indian military is and gives them all kinds of medals for bravery and sacrifice. It also has Shankar’s sharp and funny political comments and rare, moving photos that show the tragic migration of Kashmiri Pandits. The story of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee stresses how he died and gave up everything for others. The last part of the section talks about Article 370 of the Indian Constitution from a modern point of view, including how it was revoked and what effect it had on the area. This gives a full picture of important historical and political events in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
This book provides a voyage through the region’s rich legacy, focused on how it has changed in terms of culture, politics, and history. It shows the area as a place where different cultures meet and shows how traditions, art, and building are all connected. For younger people, it’s a useful resource that makes them proud of their history and encourages community harmony. By connecting the past and present, the book encourages young people to hold on to and love their unique cultural identity even as they face problems in the present.
Hilal Ahmad Tantray, Research Scholar, Department of History and Culture, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
