Shah Mir dynasty

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For the Delhi sultanate, see Sayyid dynasty.

Shah Mir Sultanate
1339–1561
Gold coinage of Fath Shah, ruler of the Shah Mir dynasty, circa 1500 CE. Kashmir mint.
Gold coinage of Fath Shah, ruler of the Shah Mir dynasty, circa 1500 CE. Kashmir mint.
Shah Mir dynasty is located in Kashmir
Srinagar
Srinagar
Rajauri
Rajauri
Budhal
Budhal
Swat, Pakistan
Swat, Pakistan
Gilgit
Gilgit
Leh
Leh
Region of Kashmir and main cities
CapitalSrinagar
Common languagesKashmiri,
Persian
Religion
Sunni Islam
GovernmentAbsolute Monarchy
Sultan 
• 1339 - 1342
Shams-ud-Din
• 1418 - 1419
1420 - 1470
Zain-ul-Abidin
History 
• Established
1339
• Disestablished
1561
CurrencyGold Dinar,
Silver Dirham,
Copper coin.
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Lohara dynasty
Chak Dynasty

The Shah Mir dynasty was a dynasty that ruled the region of Kashmir in the Indian subcontinent.[1] The dynasty is named after its founder, Shah Mir. During the rule of the dynasty from 1339 to 1561, Islam was firmly established in Kashmir.

Origins[]

The dynasty was established by Shah Mir in 1339 CE, there are two theories regarding Shah Mir's origin. Historian A. Q. Rafiqi states that some Persian chronicles of Kashmir describe Shah Mir as a descendant of the rulers of Swat.[a] He thinks it more likely that he was a descendant of Turkish or Persian immigrants to Swat, who had intermarried with local indigenous peoples.[3] It has also been suggested that he belonged to a family which accompanied the sage Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, and who were associated to either the Kubrawiya، Sufi groups in Kashmir.[4]

On the other hand, the 15th century Kashmiri historian Jonaraja, writing in the court of Shah Mir's descendant Budshah, states that Shah Mir came to Kashmir along with his tribe from the country of Panchagahvara (identified as the Panjgabbar valley between Rajouri and Budhal). He was said to belong to the family of an ancestor called Partha, who was described as a second Partha (an allusion to the Mahabharata hero Arjuna).[5][6] Some scholars state that the Panjgabbar valley was peopled by Khasas and so ascribe a Khasa ethnicity to Shah Mir.[7][8][9]

Most modern historians accept the Swati origins of Shah Mir. Swati are Afghans came to Dir Malakand region in time of Ghaznavi. [4][10][11][12] Kashmiri scholar N. K. Zutshi, having critically examined the sources, reconciles the two versions by noting that the Persian chronicles mentions Swadgir rather than Swat, which he interprets as Swadgabar, meaning "suburbs of Gabar", which coincides with Jonaraja's description of Panchagahvara-Simani (on the borders of Panchagagvara).[13]

A. Q. Rafiqi states:

Shah Mir arrived in Kashmir in 1313 along with his family, during the reign of Suhadeva (1301–1320), whose service he entered. In subsequent years, through his tact and ability Shah Mir rose to prominence and became one of the most important personalities of his time.[14]

History[]

Shah Mir[]

Shah Mir worked to establish Islam in Kashmir and was aided by his descendant rulers, specially Sikandar Butshikan. He reigned for three years and five months from 1339–42 CE. He was the ruler of Kashmir and the founder of the Shah Mir dynasty. He was followed by his two sons who became kings in succession.[15]

Jamshid[]

Jamia Masjid of Srinagar. It was built in 1394 CE by ruler Sikandar Shah Miri.[16]
Coin of the Islamic Sultanates of Kashmir. Fixed date AH 842 (1438 CE) on reverse. Kashmir mint.

Sultan Shamsu'd-Din Shah was succeeded by his elder son Sultan Jamshid who ruled for a year and two months. In 1343 CE, Sultan Jamshid suffered a defeat by his brother who ascended the throne as Sultan Alau'd-Din in 1347 CE.[17]

Alau'd-Din[]

Sultan Alau'd-Din's two sons became kings in succession, Sultan Shihabu'd-Din and Sultan Qutbu'd-Din.[18]

Shibu'd-Din[]

He was the only Shah Mir ruler to keep Hindu courtiers in his court. Prominent among them were Kota Bhat and Udyashri. Ruler of Kashgar (Central Asia) once attacked Kashmir with a large army. Sultan Shihabu’d-din did not have a large number of soldiers to battle against the Kashgar army. But with a small army, he fought and defeated the whole army of Kashgar. After this battle, the regions of Ladakh and Baltistan which were under the rule of Kashgar came under the rule of Shah Miris. It is believed that Sultan also marched towards Delhi and the army of Feroz Shah Tughlaq opposed him at the banks of River Satluj. Since the battle was motive-less for the Delhi Sultanate peace concluded between them on a condition that all the territories from Sirhind to Kashmir belong to the Shah Mir empire.[citation needed]

Shihabu’d-din was also a great administrator who governed his kingdom with firmness and justice. A town named Shihabu’d-dinpura aka Shadipur was founded by him. He was also called the Lalitaditya of Medieval Kashmir as he erected many mosques and monasteries.[citation needed]

Qutubu'd-Din[]

He was the next Sultan of Kashmir. The only significance of his rule is that the Sufi saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani arrived at Kashmir in his reign. In 1380 C.E. Qutbud’din died and was succeeded by his son Sultan Sikander also known as the Sikander Butshikand.[citation needed]

Sikander[]

Further information: Sultan Sikandar

Sultan Sikandar (1389-1413 CE), was the sixth ruler of the Shah Mir Dynasty.

Barring a successful invasion of Ladakh, Sikandar did not annex any new territory.[19] Several internal rebellions were suppressed, though.[19][20] A welfare-state was apparently installed; oppressive taxes were abolished whilst free schools and hospitals were opened for public usage.[19] Waqfs were endowed to shrines, mosques (Khanqah-e-Moula, Jamia Masjid etc.) were commissioned, numerous Sufi preachers were provided with jagirs and installed in positions of authority, and feasts were regularly held.[21][19][20][22] Economic condition was good enough.[20]

Sikandar's rule however terminated the long-standing syncretic and tolerant culture of Kashmir, and in its rigorous abidance by Sharia, severely oppressed the Kashmiri Hindu population.[23][24][19][25][26][27] Music, dance, gambling, intoxicants etc were prohibited and the office of Shaikhu'l-Islam was established to enforce these rules.[19] Brahmans were forcibly converted, Hindu and Buddhist shrines of worship were destroyed, Sanskrit literature were purged, Jizya was imposed for those who objected to the abolition of hereditary varnas, and caste marks were prohibited.[19][24][28][29][20] Scholars ascribe different motivations to these policies.[30][31][32][33][34][35]

Sikandar died in April, 1413 upon which, the eldest son 'Mir' was anointed as the Sultan having adopted the title of Ali Shah.[36]

Architecture[]

Tomb of the Mother of Zain-ul-Abidin in Srinagar

Some of the architectural projects commissioned by the dynasty in Kashmir include:

Reign and successions[]

Coinage of Muhammad Shah (ruled circa 1484 CE). Islamic Sultanates. Kashmir.
Precedence Name AD
1 Shams-ud-Din Shah 1339
2 Jamshed 1342
3 Ala'u'din 1343
4 Shihu'd-Din 1354
5 Qutub'd-Din 1373 to 1389
6 Sikander 1389
7 Ali Shah 1413
8 Zainu'l'Abadin 1420
9 Hasan Shah 1472
10 Muhammad Shah (i) 1484
11 Fateh Shah (i) 1486
12 Muhammad Shah (ii) 1493
13 Fateh Shah (ii) 1505
14 Muhammad Shah (iii) 1514
15 Fateh Shah (iii) 1515
16 Muhammad Shah (iv) 1517
17 Ibrahim Shah (i) 1528
18 Nazuk Shah (i) 1529
19 Muhammad Shah (v) 1530
20 Shams-ud-Din (ii) 1537
21 Ismail Shah (i) 1540
17 Nazuk Shah (ii) 1540
18 Ibrahim Shah (ii) 1552
19 Ismail Shah (ii) 1555
20 Habib Shah 1557–1561

[37]

Note: Muhammad Shah had five separate reigns from 1484 to 1537.[38]

See also[]

Part of a series on the
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Related articles
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  • Sikandar Butshikan
  • Zain-ul-Abidin
  • Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani
  • List of Sunni Muslim dynasties

    • Notes[]

    1. ^ Unreliable Sources - The chronicles include those of Tahir, Haidar Malik, Rafiu'd Din Ahmad and Muhammad A'azam.[2]

    References[]

    1. ^ Sharma, R. S. (1992), A Comprehensive History of India, Orient Longmans, p. 628, ISBN 978-81-7007-121-1
    2. ^ Gull, Surayia (2003), Mir Saiyid Ali Hamadani And Kubraviya Sufi Order In Kashmir, Kanikshka Publishers, Distributors, p. 3, ISBN 978-81-7391-581-9
    3. ^ Baloch & Rafiq 1998, pp. 311–312.
    4. ^ Jump up to: a b Schimmel 1980, p. 44.
    5. ^ Sharma, R. S. (1992), A Comprehensive History of India, Orient Longmans, p. 628, ISBN 978-81-7007-121-1, Jonaraja records two events of Suhadeva's reign (1301-20), which were of far-reaching importance and virtually changed the course of the history of Kashmir. The first was the arrival of Shah Mir in 1313. He was a Muslim condottiere from the border of Panchagahvara, an area situated to the south of the Divasar pargana in the valley of river Ans, a tributary of the Chenab.
    6. ^ Zutshi, N. K. (1976), Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin of Kashmir: an age of enlightenment, Nupur Prakashan, pp. 6–7
    7. ^ Wani, Nizam-ud-Din (1987), Muslim rule in Kashmir, 1554 A.D. to 1586 A.D., Jay Kay Book House, p. 29, Shamir was a Khasa by birth and descended from the chiefs of Panchagahvara.
    8. ^ Saxena, Savitri (1995), Geographical Survey of the Purāṇas: The Purāṇas, a Geographical Survey, Nag Publishers, pp. 360–361, ISBN 978-81-7081-333-0, In the Rajatarangini, the rulers of Rajapuri (modern Rajauri) are called the lord of Khasas and their troops as Khasas. They occupied the valleys of Ans river, now called Panjagabhar (Pancagahvara of Srivara IV 213).
    9. ^ Zutshi, N. K. (1976), Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin of Kashmir: an age of enlightenment, Nupur Prakashan, p. 7, "This area in which Panchagahvara was situated is mentioned as having been the place of habitation of the Khasa tribe. Shah Mir was, therefore, a Khasa by birth. This conclusion is further strengthened by references to the part of the Khasas increasingly played in the politics of Kashmir with which their connections became intimate after the occupation of Kashmir.
    10. ^ Wink 2004, p. 140"The first Muslim dynasty of Kashmir was founded in 1324 by Shah Mìrzà, who was probably an Afghan warrior from Swat or a Qarauna Turk, possibly even a Tibetan..."
    11. ^ Gupta, Jyoti Bhusan Das (6 December 2012), Jammu and Kashmir, Springer, pp. 19–, ISBN 978-94-011-9231-6
    12. ^ Snedden, Christopher (2015), Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris, Oxford University Press, pp. 28–, ISBN 978-1-84904-342-7
    13. ^ Zutshi, N. K. (1976), Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin of Kashmir: an age of enlightenment, Nupur Prakashan, p. 7
    14. ^ Baloch & Rafiq 1998, p. 312.
    15. ^ Baharistan-i-Shahi – Chapter 3 – EARLY SHAHMIRS
    16. ^ Local notice
    17. ^ Baharistan-i-Shahi – Chapter 3 – EARLY SHAHMIRS
    18. ^ Baharistan-i-Shahi – Chapter 3 – EARLY SHAHMIRS
    19. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Hasan, Mohibbul (2005). Kashmīr Under the Sultāns. Aakar Books. pp. 59–95. ISBN 978-81-87879-49-7.
    20. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Slaje, Walter (2014). Kingship in Kaśmīr (AD 1148‒1459) From the Pen of Jonarāja, Court Paṇḍit to Sulṭān Zayn al-'Ābidīn. Studia Indologica Universitatis Halensis - 7. Germany. ISBN 978-3869770888.
    21. ^ Zutshi, Chitralekha (2003). "Contested Identities in the Kashmir Valley". Languages of Belonging: Islam, Regional Identity, and the Making of Kashmir. Permanent Black. ISBN 978-81-7824-060-2.
    22. ^ Ahmad, Khalid Bashir (2017). "Malice". Kashmir: Exposing the Myth Behind the Narrative. London: SAGE. p. 32. doi:10.4135/9789353280253. ISBN 9789386062802.
    23. ^ Aggarwal, Neil (1 July 2008). "Kashmiriyat as Empty Signifier". Interventions. 10 (2): 222–235. doi:10.1080/13698010802145150. ISSN 1369-801X. S2CID 143912163.
    24. ^ Jump up to: a b AHMAD, AZIZ (1979). "Conversions to Islam in the Valley of Kashmir". Central Asiatic Journal. 23 (1/2): 3–18. ISSN 0008-9192. JSTOR 41927246.
    25. ^ Slaje, Walter (2019). "A Glimpse into the Happy Valley's Unhappy Past: Violence and Brahmin Warfare in Pre-Mughal Kashmir". Brahma's Curse : Facets of Political and Social Violence in Premodern Kashmir. Studia Indologica Universitatis Halensis - 13. p. 5. ISBN 978-3-86977-199-1.
    26. ^ Witzel, Michael (September 1991). The Brahmins of Kashmir (PDF).
    27. ^ Accardi, Dean (2017), Zutshi, Chitralekha (ed.), "Embedded Mystics: Writing Lal Ded and Nund Rishi into the Kashmiri Landscape", Kashmir: History, Politics, Representation, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 247–264, ISBN 978-1-107-18197-7, retrieved 3 February 2021
    28. ^ Slaje, Walter (19 August 2019). "Buddhism and Islam in Kashmir as Represented by Rājataraṅgiṇī Authors". Encountering Buddhism and Islam in Premodern Central and South Asia. De Gruyter. pp. 128–160. doi:10.1515/9783110631685-006. ISBN 978-3-11-063168-5.
    29. ^ Slaje, Walter (2019). "What Does it Mean to Smash an Idol? Iconoclasm in Medieval Kashmir as Reflected by Contemporaneous Sanskrit Sources". Brahma's Curse : Facets of Political and Social Violence in Premodern Kashmir. Studia Indologica Universitatis Halensis - 13. pp. 30–40. ISBN 978-3-86977-199-1.
    30. ^ Zutshi, Chitralekha. "This book claims to expose the myths behind Kashmir's history. It exposes its own biases instead". Scroll.in. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
    31. ^ Obrock, Luther James (2015). Translation and History: The Development of a Kashmiri Textual Tradition from ca. 1000-1500 (Thesis). UC Berkeley.
    32. ^ Salomon, Richard; Slaje, Walter (2016). "Review of Kingship in Kaśmīr (AD1148–1459). From the Pen of Jonarāja, Court Paṇḍit to Sulṭān Zayn al-ʿĀbidīn. Critically Edited by Walter Slaje with an Annotated Translation, Indexes and Maps. [Studia Indologica Universitatis Halensis 7], SlajeWalter". Indo-Iranian Journal. 59 (4): 393–401. doi:10.1163/15728536-05903009. ISSN 0019-7246. JSTOR 26546259.
    33. ^ Slaje, Walter (19 August 2019). "Buddhism and Islam in Kashmir as Represented by Rājataraṅgiṇī Authors". Encountering Buddhism and Islam in Premodern Central and South Asia. De Gruyter. pp. 128–160. doi:10.1515/9783110631685-006. ISBN 978-3-11-063168-5.
    34. ^ Slaje, Walter (2019). "What Does it Mean to Smash an Idol? Iconoclasm in Medieval Kashmir as Reflected by Contemporaneous Sanskrit Sources". Brahma's Curse : Facets of Political and Social Violence in Premodern Kashmir. Studia Indologica Universitatis Halensis - 13. pp. 30–40. ISBN 978-3-86977-199-1.
    35. ^ Ogura, Satoshi (2015). "Incompatible Outsiders or Believers of a Darśana?: Representations of Muslims by Three Brahmans of Šāhmīrid Kašmīr". Rivista degli studi orientali. 88 (1/4): 179–211. ISSN 0392-4866. JSTOR 24754113.
    36. ^ Slaje, Walter (2014). Kingship in Kaśmīr (AD 1148‒1459) From the Pen of Jonarāja, Court Paṇḍit to Sulṭān Zayn al-'Ābidīn. Studia Indologica Universitatis Halensis - 7. Germany. ISBN 978-3869770888.
    37. ^ Hasan, Mohibbul (2005) [1959]. Kashmir Under the Sultans (Reprinted ed.). Delhi: Aakar Books. p. 325. ISBN 978-81-87879-49-7. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
    38. ^ http://coinindia.com/galleries-kashmirsultans.html

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