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Jammu and Kashmir: A historical Perspective

Three dynasties, the Karkota, the Utpala and the Loharas, ruled over Kashmir from 800 AD to 1200 AD. Of the Karkota dynasty, Lalitaditya Muktapida (724-760) and Jayapida Vinyaditya (779-810) were the two most famous rulers. The Karkota dynasty was overthrown by the Utpalas in the middle of the ninth century AD. The most illustrious ruler of the Utpala dynasty was Avantivarman (855-83) who devoted more time to internal administration than to conquests. He is credited to have founded new cities including Suyyapura (Sopar) and Avavntipur.

The Utpalas were supplanted by the Loharas. Harsha was the last important ruler of the Lohara dynasty. After his death Kashmir faced a quick succession of weak Lohara rulers and finally the dynasty came to an end in 1172 AD.

Though Muhammad bin Qasim, the conqueror of Sind, invaded Kashmir, he was not able to subjugate the region. Mahmud of Ghazni’s attempt to conqueror also ended in failure. Shah Mir dynasty was founded in 1339. Alauddin (1343-54) transferred his capital from Indrakot to Alauddinpur (Srinagar). The greatest ruler of the dynasty was Sultan Zainul Abidin (1420-70). He was given the title of Budshah (The Great King) and is still remembered by it.

Kashmir was annexed to the Mughal empire in 1588 by Akbar who appointed Ramchandra I as the governor of the Himalayan kingdom. Ramchandra I is credited to have founded the city of Jammu, named after the Hindu goddess Jamwa Mata, south of the Pir Panjal range.

When India attained independence in 1947, Kashmir was ruled by Hari Singh. This princely state had 77% Muslim population. On October 20, 1947, Pakistan invaded Kashmir. Hari Singh signed instrument of accession treaty with the India Government. Till then Kashmir has been a sore point in the relation between India and Pakistan, resulting in three more wars.


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