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HISTORY OF KASHMIR
The name “Kashmir” originates from the ancient Sanskrit term “Kaashyapamir,” meaning “abode of Kashyapa,” referring to the sage Kashyapa, who is credited in Hindu mythology with draining a lake to create the fertile valley of Kashmir. Kashmir’s history dates back to ancient times, with evidence of human settlement as early as the Neolithic period. The region saw the rise and fall of various dynasties and empires, including the Mauryas, Kushans, and Guptas, before the advent of Islam in the 14th century. Kashmir has long been renowned for its cultural and intellectual achievements. It became a center of learning and scholarship, particularly during the rule of the Kushan Empire and later under the Hindu-Buddhist Kashmiri kings. The valley’s natural beauty and mild climate attracted scholars, poets, and artists, fostering a vibrant cultural milieu. The history of Kashmir is a tapestry woven with threads of ancient civilizations, religious diversity, and cultural exchanges. From its mythological origins to its status as a geopolitical flashpoint in modern times, Kashmir remains a region of enduring significance, cherished for its natural beauty and historical heritage.
Kashmir was known as the “cradle of knowledge” because of its contributions to religious philosophies, contributions towards Yogashastra, literature, medicine, art, and aesthetics. However, its major contribution to the world is the highest form of spirituality-Kashmiri Shaivism, a philosophy that sees Shiva as a supreme reality that exists in every human being and manifests itself as Shiv-Shakti and Nara.
The glorious past of Kashmir and the grandeur of its kings like Lalitaditya Muktapida was destroyed by the relentless decimation of its culture by the Muslim rulers who for 700 years ruled with tyranny and brutality, forcing its aborigines the Kashmiri Pandits to either convert to Islam or leave Kashmir. “Seven Exoduses” in the context of Kashmiri history refers to seven significant waves of migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley due to various historical and socio-political reasons. These migrations have had a profound impact on the Kashmiri Pandit community and their cultural identity. Here is an overview of the Seven Exoduses, the ongoing genocide, the last wave that started in 1990. The glorious past of Kashmir and the grandeur of its kings like Lalitaditya Muktapida was destroyed by the relentless decimation of its culture by the Muslim rulers who for 700 years ruled with tyranny and brutality, forcing its aborigines the Kashmiri Pandits to either convert to Islam or leave Kashmir.
“Seven Exoduses” in the context of Kashmiri history refers to seven significant waves of migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley due to various historical and socio-political reasons. These migrations have had a profound impact on the Kashmiri Pandit community and their cultural identity. Here is an overview of the Seven Exoduses, the ongoing genocide, the last wave that started in 1990.