The glorious history of Jammu & Kashmir tells us about Kashyapa who had drained a lake to produce this heaven on Earth. Hence this land was also referred to as Kashyapamar. The region has been a major caravan route since the ancient times providing China and other countries of the worldto have trade relationships with central Asia. The various religious and cultural groups which have settled in the mountain regions of Jammu & Kashmir have made it the cultural heart of the country.
The history of the state speaks of the empires of valiant kings, the placid lakes, the greenery of the forests and the amazing rivers. In the 9th century Raja Jamboolochan founded Jammu. In 1832, Jammu was merged with Kashmir by Gulab Singh. Dogras, Pahadis, Gujjars and Gaddis are some of the tribes found in this state.
The history of the state speaks of the empires of valiant kings, the placid lakes, the greenery of the forests and the amazing rivers. In the 9th century Raja Jamboolochan founded Jammu. In 1832, Jammu was merged with Kashmir by Gulab Singh. Dogras, Pahadis, Gujjars and Gaddis are some of the tribes found in this state.
According the great epic of Mahabharata, the Kambojas had ruled Kashmir since its formation. It had a republican system of government under Kamboj. Later Panchalas established their sway. Peer Panjal, a modern part of Kashmir is a witness to this fact. Panjal is simply a distorted form of the Sanskritic tribal term Panchala. The Muslims had prefixed the word “peer” to it in memory of one Siddha Faqir and the name changed into Peer Panjal.
The Mauryan emperor Ashoka is believed to have established the city of Srinagar. Kashmir was also a great seat of learning for Buddhism. Buddhist monks from East and Central Asia visited this land in the 4th century AD. It is also said that the Buddhist monk Kumarajiva, born to an Indian noble family, studied Dirghagama and Madhyagama in Kashmir under Bandhudatta. He later became a prolific translator who helped spread Buddhism in China. Hence Kashmir was dominated by Buddhists during this period.
The Mauryan emperor Ashoka is believed to have established the city of Srinagar. Kashmir was also a great seat of learning for Buddhism. Buddhist monks from East and Central Asia visited this land in the 4th century AD. It is also said that the Buddhist monk Kumarajiva, born to an Indian noble family, studied Dirghagama and Madhyagama in Kashmir under Bandhudatta. He later became a prolific translator who helped spread Buddhism in China. Hence Kashmir was dominated by Buddhists during this period.
In mid 12th century Muslims invaded Kashmir. During Muslim rule Kashmir had a composite culture which was laid by Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. Unlike Mughal Emperor Akbar, Muslim rulers like Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin were tolerant to other religions in their territory of Jammu. However, rulers like Sultan Sikandar Butshikan of Kashmir (AD 1389-1413) were ruthless towards people coming from different communities in their territory. He destroyed temples and images of Hindu deities. Brahmins were compelled to accept Islam. Many of the Brahmins, rather than abandoning their religion and country, poisoned themselves and some left their native homes.
In 1820 Maharaj Gulab Singh got the Jagir of Jammu from Maharaj Ranjit Sigh. Jammu & Kashmir became a single geographical and political entity due to an agreement signed on March 16, 1846 between the British Government and Gulab Singh. This Treaty handed over the control of Kashmir state to the Dogra ruler of Jammu who had earlier annexed Ladakh. This laid the foundation of Dogra dynasty. Thus a new state comprising of three distinct regions came to being with Maharaja Gulab Singh as its founder ruler.
Hari Singh was the last ruler of Kashmir. After India got its freedom in 1947, the land was divided into two parts – India and Pakistan. Most of the princely states of India were united to form the Indian Union. Kashmir was an independent state ruled by Raja Hari Singh. He decided to join India due to great similarity in culture and other social aspects. The “instrument of accession” was signed between Lord Mountbatten and Raja Hari Singh in terms of defense, external affairs and rehabilitation of refugees.
Hari Singh was the last ruler of Kashmir. After India got its freedom in 1947, the land was divided into two parts – India and Pakistan. Most of the princely states of India were united to form the Indian Union. Kashmir was an independent state ruled by Raja Hari Singh. He decided to join India due to great similarity in culture and other social aspects. The “instrument of accession” was signed between Lord Mountbatten and Raja Hari Singh in terms of defense, external affairs and rehabilitation of refugees.
The total area of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is 222,236 sq kilometers but about 78,114 sq. kilometers has been occupied by Pakistan. The total area also includes 42,685 sq kms which has been occupied by China. It should also be mentioned that out of the total area occupied by Pakistan, 5130 sq kms has been handed over to China.
The areas occupied by Pakistan comprise of the so-called "Azad Kashmir" (referred to as POK for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) and the Northern Areas of Gilgit, Baltistan and Hunza, etc. Pakistan does not trust the administration of POK to handle the Northern Areas which Islamabad considers strategically vital. The Northern Areas which have been incorporated into Pakistan are five times the size of the area designated as ‘Azad Kashmir’.
The areas occupied by Pakistan comprise of the so-called "Azad Kashmir" (referred to as POK for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) and the Northern Areas of Gilgit, Baltistan and Hunza, etc. Pakistan does not trust the administration of POK to handle the Northern Areas which Islamabad considers strategically vital. The Northern Areas which have been incorporated into Pakistan are five times the size of the area designated as ‘Azad Kashmir’.
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