Respect, Justice And Fair Dealing

By Dr. Farooq Ahmad Peer, *People with a history* - Greater Kashmir - Srinagar, India; Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Dr. Farooq Ahmad Peer rummages through the pages of history finishing with a hopeful note

Historians believe that Kashmir used to be a huge lake - named Kashyap Sar - before human beings began to inhabit it. According to Nilmata Purana as well as Kalhana’s Rajtarangini, the Valley of Kashmir was a lake and Kashyap Rishi, a grandson of Brahama, is said to have drained out the waters of this lake, enabling people to settle on the land which thus emerged.

Nagas are believed to be the original inhabitants of Kashmir but recent discoveries put forward by archaeologists made at Burzahom, sixteen kilometers east of Srinagar establish that there lived some people before the Nagas also. And later a tribe believed to be Aryans made their way into Kashmir.

As the population increased, there was need of more land. Some people of the Aryan origin left the Valley and settled in other parts of the world. But those who did not leave and continued to remain here were known as Kashmiris. As believed Kashmiris have Aryan blood and have the same physical appearances, with fair complexion, strong, sound and handsome body. In the ancient times, Kashmir was dominated by Hindus but afterwards Islam spread in this part of the World, for which the influx of foreign adventurers, both from the south and from Central Asia had prepared the ground.

In the spread of Islam, the Sufis and Sayyids played a pivotal role. People were at that time dissatisfied with the misrule of their kings and the exploitation of Brahmins. The kings, the courtiers, royal persons, officers were lavishly and involved in immoral affairs; the condition of the people was miserable and they were in despair. Any sort of relief or change which could unshackle them from the obsolete customs, traditions and cruel political situation, was sure to be embraced.

But it is also a fact that the Hindu rulers seem to have been benevolent and generous to those who tried to bring the faith of Islam to Kashmir. The role of Sufis and Sayyids was also instrumental in spreading Islam here and the most important conversion which took place was that of the King Rinchana, by Bulbul Shah (RA).

The arrival of Sayyids is remarkably remembered mainly due to the arrival and great services rendered by Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani (RA) who introduced Islam here in letter and spirit and also introduced the Kubraviya order of Sufism in the Valley.

At the time Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani (RA) made his way into Kashmir, there was a handful of Muslims who had managed to establish a few mosques and alm–houses, but their traditions, culture, customs and habits were the same as those of the majority of people who were Hindus. Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani (RA), denounced all those practices which were against the spirit of Islam and devoted himself in transforming the country of Kashmir into an Islamic society.

Another great Sayyid who made a significant contribution towards the mission of spreading Islam in Kashmir was Mir Sayyid Mohammad Hamdani (RA), son of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani (RA). Besides, the great services rendered by the Sayyids in changing the society of Kashmir into a morally sound one, the contributions of Sheikh Noor-ud–Din (RA), gave impetus to the spread of Islamic teachings and it is believed without any doubt that he transformed the social fabric in Kashmir.

The philosophy and simplicity of the Sheikh (RA) has deeply influenced the people of Kashmir irrespective of caste, colour, religion and creed. He is venerated everywhere and by everybody. He taught the concept of humanism, love, meditation, equality, and worship to God. His philosophy did not only teach spiritual equality of man but also involved economic and social equality. He loved all and inspired this society through his eternal verses which are cherished in the memory of Kashmiris.

History is witness to the fact that Kashmir has been a land of attraction for everybody and from the ancient times it has been a sacred land in which saints and sages meditated and worshiped devoutly. The great scholars and intellectuals of the world have visited this place and have given their own impressions and observations about Kashmir and Kashmiris. But this spiritually motivated culture in Kashmir seems to be withering away.

Kashmir has been deeply rooted in its tradition in the past and has survived under the onslaught of foreign invasions and intruders. The simple life of the people has survived the shock of many centuries of alien rule and people here have braved poverty, strife, conflicts, droughts, plagues, floods. But the circumstances in the present day life of Kashmir reveal that the rich legacy and the rich traditions on which the foundation of this society was laid, are under the materialistic onslaught. Spiritual values which were the pride of this society are receding in the other nations of the world today like Kashmir.

The people of Kashmir are simple, mild, hospitable, intelligent, and possess great abilities. They are always active and industrious to do something for themselves and for the society. There is no dearth of talent and intelligence and this soil has given birth to great leaders, thinkers poets, writers, scholars, doctors, teachers who have made their name at the national as well as at the international level.

Kashmiris are peace loving by nature but at times are sentimental and surprisingly unpredictable, a fact which certain great historians and noted foreign travelers have also marked. There is no possibility of denying the fact that due to situational instability, Kashmiris have always remained confused and so at times they react and behave in a manner which marks them as skeptical and volatile. This instability has made them victims of exploitation and vulnerability and as a matter of fact indecisiveness.

But there is no doubt that Kashmiris are intelligent and witty to understand what is right. Sir Walter Lawrence rightly remarks that “The Kashmiri is what his rulers have made him, but I believe and hope that two generations of a just and strong rule will transform him into a useful, intelligent and fair honest man.” The Kashmiris really need to have honest rulers who give them respect, justice and fair dealing with the aim to build confidence among them. And that they are really treated in a manner they deserve.

This kind of dealing shall make Kashmir a symbol of humanism, possessing a unique identity and culture which preserved it from the bloodshed committed in the name of religion elsewhere after partition.

The common Kashmiri wishes to live in peace like other people of the world and has a dream to take his nation to the heights of success in every sphere of life. However, the prevalent scenario shows that the condition and position of Kashmiris is grim and dreary with no hope of coming out of this situation. But times have proved that Kashmiris are courageous to brave all the situations. It is this bravery which shall make them defeat all the odds.

[Picture: A Muslim shawl making family shown in Cashmere shawl manufactory, 1867, chromolith., William Simpson. Photo: Wiki.]