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| Kashmir at the crossroad of past and future | |
Prof. Tabasum Firdous
Kashmir is a historic entity. Its ancient history, glory and civilizational fund can be gleaned from the pages of histories written by eminent Kashmiri historians like Kalhana, Jonaraja, Suka and others. The rulers of ancient Kashmiri architectural specimens are still there to speak of their grandeur. Be it Martand or Avantipora ruins, Wangat or Parihasapora remains or the excavations at Tapar and Boniyar, Kashmiri temple and iconographic architecture had its own style and pre-eminence. In the British Museum Kashmir section on archaeological remains and artifacts stands out prominently.
Ancient Kashmiri’s achievements were not one-sided. In philosophy, literature, and poetry art and in military science, those distant ancestors had made a name. Scholars from different parts of the region thronged to drink deep at the fountain of the spiritual and temporal knowledge.
Kashmiri kingdom is probably five thousand years old. Its boundaries then were far more extensive than what we know of now. For example, Kalhana tells us that Gandhara or modern Kandahar was part of Kashmir Empire. So was Kapisa or modern Kabul. Likewise, large tracts of the land to the North of Karakorum and the Pamirs remained annexed to the Kashmirian Kingdom. King Lalitaditya of early 8th century led an expedition to present day Central Asia to the North and up to Karnataka in the South. A ship builder named Dawood Giri of South India is reported to have built famous houseboat called Zoonehdub for Sultan Zain’ul Abidin in the early fifteenth century. Sultan Shahabu’d Din of Shahmiri ruling house of Kashmir (1339 to 1561), repeated the adventures of his illustrious predecessor Lalitaditya by conquering the land in Turkistan to the North and extended his kingdom’s boundaries up to the river Stadru (Sutlej) in present day Punjab.
During those distant times, down to medieval times, when Kashmiri came under the sway of Sultans, this region remained a famous center of civilization and history .With the advent of Shahmir and his rule in A.D. 1339, Kashmir came into closer contact not only with Central Asia but also with Hindustan where successive Muslim dynasties established sway during medieval times.
With the passage of time, Kashmir assumed greater importance not only for its geographically strategic position but also as an important arterial link to the fabulous silk route. From the valley two main trade highways connected Kashmir to Central Asia. One was in the northwest viz- Srinagar – Swat- Badakhshan across Oxus to Samarkand and Bukhara. The other was in north east viz Srinagar and Leh- Yarkand – Kashghar – Khotan and then turning northwest to Samarkand and Bukhara. Towards the south one led from Srinagar via Jhelum to Gujarat and then to the plains of India. The other is generally known as the Mughal route or the route which the Mughals used in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Communication and trade along these routes brought Kashmiris into contact with the people who inhabited these lands. Along with that, civilizational symbols fond space to develop, to be accepted and absorbed. An important manifestation of this intercrossing is the new type of architecture that developed in Kashmir. We have its specimens still in the Mazar-e-Saltin in Srinagar. During the Mughal era, bridges and parks, Hari Parbat fort and its ramparts were built. Numerous sarais or halting stations dotted the Mughal route.
Apart from commercial links, Kashmir also became the repository of a number of philosophical trends that had sprung both in Central Asia or Iran to the North and south west and to the south in the Indian plains. Thus, we find that in the 14th century, eminent Sufis and missionaries brought the expansive and vibrant Sufi concepts to Kashmir from Central and Iranian lands. These concepts had universal appeal because these touched the very essence of life’s philosophy. The Sufi taught oneness of God, and His Omnipresence. In very plain words they taught that if God is our father man is our brother.
This philosophy of universal brotherhood found a very fertile ground in Kashmir where the indigenous Shaivite philosophy had already developed extensively and had almost become institutionalized. The happy blend of these two streams, complimentary in essence, made tremendous impact on the Kashmirian mind. It turned to be a great reservoir of moral and spiritual strength for the common people of Kashmir and helped them develop a moral code of conduct that sustained them for more than seven hundred years in the past.
Nowhere did Farsi language become so popular and commonly acceptable as in Kashmir although it was a foreign language. Essentially it is neither the syntax nor grammar nor the profound vocabulary that could have made the great impact. What actually made the impact were the humanistic teachings of great Persian/ Tajik thinkers, philosophers, poets, writers and missionaries who immensely impacted Kashmirian way of life.
Prior to that, the Buddhists had made great inroads in Kashmir influencing the very thinking of its people. Buddhism had, in the beginning, overwhelmed the existing Hindu mind that had grown in its mythological frame. Kashmiris made substantial contribution to the spread of Buddhism not only in Kashmir but also in far off places like Tibet, Central Asia, Mongolia and Turkistan. Buddhism had made good ground work to smoothen the Kashmiri mind for accepting humanistic trends that flowed both from Shaivism and Sufism. Consequently, we have the blend in Lal Ded and Nund Rishi and the Rishi order that followed them. Our instinct of showing veneration to our saints and Sufis of spiritual excellence stems from the phenomenon.
On economic front, for a long time in those distant days, Kashmir had been self-sufficient to considerable extent. Saffron export during the Hindu period of Kashmir history was to a great extent responsible for the formation of middle class in the valley. During the reign of Sultans, Kashmir appears to have maintained its self-sufficiency. However, natural calamities like floods and draughts often took the toll of men and material. Famines were not uncommon just as bumper crops, too, made the valley prosperous at many times.
But it must be said with honesty that right from the earliest periods of Kashmirian history going back to five thousand years, Kashmir always remained trampled under the heels of autocratic rulers, ruthless satraps, tyrannical feudal lords, and predators and their oppressive administrative engines. This is essentially responsible for the economic and social backwardness of the people of this land. They continued to groan under the burden of the oppressive regimes. Taxes were imposed ruthlessly and labour was exacted like tyrants. Long suppression for centuries resulted in the creation of a mindset among the people of the land that is peculiar to itself. We are often critical of some negative traits in Kashmirian character. It may be so but we seldom try to go deep into the socio- political history of Kashmir and unfold the mysteries lying there.
Kashmir like many other regions along the high Himalayan Mountain ranges was forced to remain a buffer between the extensive Central Asian Steppes and the expansive Indo –Gangetic plains. Many warlords, conquerors and empires rose on either side trying to carry their respective banner beyond the heights of intervening mountains. In this landscape, Kashmiris like others along these mountain valleys and recesses, became victims of buffer psychosis. Its main features are economic instability and political uncertainty.
The advent of national conference in 1939 with a clear and progressive agenda of seizing political power for the common people of Kashmir is perhaps the first milestone in Kashmirian history that led to the real empowerment of people. This is not just a political party which fights elections and holds the reins of power for a fixed period of six stipulated years. It was people’s movement in letter and in sprit that reached each house and each hearth.
Obviously, our task was neither simple nor easy. Kashmir during 1930s and 40s kept pace with the big sweep of history that was unfolding and shaping in the vast subcontinent. The foresighted leadership at that time would not think in short terms because that would have been suicidal.
A hurricane like movement for recognition of identity had begun to sweep the subcontinent from the last decades of the 19th century. This was a part of robust reaction of the colonized people in Asia and Africa after having undergone a century of oppression and suppression. Kashmir did not remain outside the cycle of events.
1947 ushered in a new era in our history. For the first time in five thousand years of Kashmir’s history, we saw the ray of light. Destiny was calling us to assert and establish our identity and personality. This opportunity could not be lost for we had been losing the opportunities again and again. Kashmir’s resolved to become the masters of their destiny. A moment of great importance had unfolded itself.
In our long march, thereafter, we have experienced many failures and successes. We have overcome many obstacles yet many more have raised their head. That is the way societies move. No society in the world had a smooth path to tread. Paths have to be made and caravans had to move along these paths.
Democracy and coexistence are the path that guarantees a bright and prosperous future. This is the age of peoples’ power and will. The people and their will comprise the state. In that sense Kashmiris have learnt that moving along that path would ensure their future generations to be prosperous and strong.
We have yet to unfold our economic potential. We have yet to enter the age of advanced science and technology. Kashmir is lacking in industrialization that is bound to transform the life of the people. We have a vast vision of prosperity and development. We have favorable climatic conditions, natural resources and particularly water resources and above all we have excellent human resources which have the great potential for development. In the area of tourism, we haven’t unfolded only a fraction of our potential. There is a tremendous scope of investment and output.
Kashmir is standing on the crossroads of past and future. Our past has been partly bright and partly bleak. But our future portends great hopes for us.
With political situated stabilizing, it is obvious that our planners shall have to bring out imaginative and visionary plans of development compatible with the changing times. It is now realized in responsible quarters that production of abundant electricity and its availability on cheaper rates is the key to our economic development. In terms of social model, we in Kashmir shall have to prove to the world that in practical terms we are a mosaic of culture, languages, faiths and convictions. The hitherto creative potential in our generations has to be harnessed. That we are democrats to the hilt and adherents of peaceful coexistence among people is an admitted fact, which nobody can dispute. These values are dear to us and shall remain so.
Fortunately, for the people of Kashmir, after going though nearly three decades of traumatic experience, an era of peace and stability is in sight. The planners and the people both realize that as we have lagged behind development in this century, all energies and resources should be diverted towards building a robust infrastructure and industrial base. This will open up avenues for making a large number of people skilled in various trades and then embark on self-employment. The start up schemes of the government is highly appreciable and can mitigate curses like unemployment and poverty. Our educational structure is satisfactory catering tot enhancement of skills and knowledge and this asset will transform the state into a prosperous one.
The biggest development is visible in overland connectivity. Broad and multichannel roads, tunnels bridges, culverts, are in great progress. In particular for the first time in history, a network of railway is under progress. We have the world’s highest bridge over Chenab in Riasi which has connected Kashmir with the farthest nook of south or east India. This direct railway link will entire and drastically change the economy of Kashmir. The fruit growers will find great and rewarding market for Kashmiri apple. Likewise saffron and shawl trade, the s specialty of Kashmir will spread out not only in every nook and corner of India but also in the neighbouring countries to our west and east.
The UAE has already experimented direct flights between Srinagar and Dubai. In near future, Kashmir will get connected directly with many European and /south East Asian capitals. Once the potential of Kashmir tourism is reached, Kashmir will become the hub of East-West tourism.
(The writer is the former Director of the Centre of Central Asian Studies, Kashmir University)
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