Muslim Rule in Kashmir – Full Detailed Notes (JKSSB Focused)
🟢 Background before Muslim Rule
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Kashmir was ruled by Hindu and Buddhist dynasties such as Karkota, Utpala, Lohara, etc.
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Rinchin – a Buddhist prince from Ladakh – came to power around 1320s AD and converted to Islam under Bulbul Shah (a Sufi saint).
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After Rinchin’s death, his wife Kota Rani became regent and later the queen.
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Shah Mir, a nobleman from Swat (modern-day Pakistan), took power in 1339 AD and founded the first Muslim dynasty in Kashmir.
🕌 1. Shah Mir Dynasty (1339 – 1561 AD)
📌 Founder: Shah Mir
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First Muslim Sultan of Kashmir.
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Ruled from 1339 AD.
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Adopted the title Sultan Shams-ud-Din.
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Established a centralized administration.
⭐ Important Rulers of Shah Mir Dynasty:
✅ Sultan Shihab-ud-Din (1354–1373 AD)
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Consolidated the empire.
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Improved administration and military.
✅ Sultan Qutb-ud-Din
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Patron of Islamic scholars and saints.
✅ Sultan Sikandar (1389–1413 AD) – “Sikandar Butshikan”
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Known for religious orthodoxy.
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Demolished many Hindu temples and imposed Islamic law strictly.
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His actions caused large-scale religious changes in Kashmir.
✅ Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (1420–1470 AD) – “Budshah” (The Great King)
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Son of Sultan Sikandar.
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Most respected ruler of Muslim Kashmir.
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Reversed his father’s intolerant policies.
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Known for religious tolerance, public welfare, and reforms.
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Invited Hindus and Pandits back to Kashmir.
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Banned cow slaughter to respect Hindu sentiments.
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Promoted Kashmiri art, carpet weaving, paper-mâché, and literature.
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Patron of Persian and Sanskrit scholars.
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Constructed Zain-lank island and several bridges and canals.
⚔️ 2. Chak Dynasty (1561 – 1586 AD)
📌 Origin:
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The Chaks were Shia Dards from Gilgit-Baltistan region.
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Took over power from declining Shah Mir dynasty.
📌 Founder: Ghazi Shah Chak
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Strong military leader.
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Established Shia dominance in Kashmir.
⭐ Important Rulers of Chak Dynasty:
✅ Ghazi Shah Chak
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Took power after defeating Haidar Shah (last Shah Mir ruler).
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Introduced administrative changes.
✅ Yousuf Shah Chak
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Last independent ruler of Kashmir.
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Mughal Emperor Akbar invited him to Delhi under the pretext of negotiation, but imprisoned him in Bihar.
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His betrayal led to the Mughal annexation of Kashmir.
👑 3. Mughal Rule in Kashmir (1586 – 1752 AD)
📌 Annexation:
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Akbar annexed Kashmir in 1586 AD.
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Kashmir became part of the Mughal Empire.
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Administered by Subedars (governors) appointed by the Mughal emperor.
⭐ Contributions during Mughal Rule:
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Akbar visited Kashmir 3 times.
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Jahangir loved the beauty of Kashmir and visited often.
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Built famous gardens like:
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Shalimar Bagh
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Nishat Bagh
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Chashme Shahi
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Mughal period was one of peace and prosperity, but local autonomy was reduced.
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Persian became the official language.
🏴 4. Afghan Rule (Durrani Empire) – 1752 to 1819 AD
📌 Started by: Ahmad Shah Durrani (Founder of Durrani Empire in Afghanistan)
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Occupied Kashmir after weakening Mughal rule.
📌 Nature of Rule:
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Considered as a dark period.
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Known for oppression, brutality, and heavy taxation.
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Loot and plunder were common.
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Local population suffered immensely.
📌 Last Afghan Governor: Azim Khan
⚔️ 5. Sikh Rule in Kashmir (1819 – 1846 AD)
📌 Annexation:
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Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab sent General Dewan Chand in 1819 to defeat Afghan governor.
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Kashmir was annexed into the Sikh Empire.
📌 Nature of Rule:
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Ended Afghan atrocities.
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But restrictions on Muslims were imposed:
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Muslims were not allowed to publicly call for prayer (Azan).
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Heavy taxation remained.
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No religious freedom for Muslims.
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🧾 Summary Table of Muslim Rule in Kashmir:
| Period | Dynasty | Notable Ruler(s) | Feature/Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1339–1561 | Shah Mir Dynasty | Shah Mir, Zain-ul-Abidin | First Muslim rule, Zain-ul-Abidin’s tolerance |
| 1561–1586 | Chak Dynasty | Ghazi Shah, Yousuf Shah | Resistance to Mughals, Shia rule |
| 1586–1752 | Mughal Rule | Akbar, Jahangir | Mughal gardens, Persian culture |
| 1752–1819 | Afghan Rule | Ahmad Shah Durrani | Harsh rule, oppression |
| 1819–1846 | Sikh Rule | Maharaja Ranjit Singh | End of Afghan rule, Sikh restrictions on Muslims |
📝 Practice MCQs with Answers (High Quality)
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Who established the first Muslim dynasty in Kashmir?
a) Ghazi Shah Chak
b) Zain-ul-Abidin
c) Shah Mir
d) Akbar
✅ Answer: c) Shah Mir -
Which Sultan is known as the 'Budshah'?
a) Sikandar
b) Qutb-ud-Din
c) Zain-ul-Abidin
d) Yousuf Shah Chak
✅ Answer: c) Zain-ul-Abidin -
Under whose rule was cow slaughter banned in Kashmir?
a) Akbar
b) Zain-ul-Abidin
c) Jahangir
d) Shah Mir
✅ Answer: b) Zain-ul-Abidin -
Which dynasty ruled immediately before the Mughal annexation?
a) Durrani
b) Shah Mir
c) Chak
d) Lohara
✅ Answer: c) Chak -
Who was the last independent Muslim ruler of Kashmir?
a) Zain-ul-Abidin
b) Yousuf Shah Chak
c) Ghazi Shah
d) Sikandar
✅ Answer: b) Yousuf Shah Chak -
Which Mughal emperor annexed Kashmir into his empire?
a) Babur
b) Akbar
c) Shah Jahan
d) Jahangir
✅ Answer: b) Akbar -
The Afghan rule in Kashmir was started by whom?
a) Ranjit Singh
b) Ahmad Shah Durrani
c) Azim Khan
d) Babur
✅ Answer: b) Ahmad Shah Durrani -
When did the Sikh rule start in Kashmir?
a) 1586
b) 1819
c) 1752
d) 1846
✅ Answer: b) 1819 -
Which Mughal ruler built Shalimar Bagh in Kashmir?
a) Akbar
b) Aurangzeb
c) Jahangir
d) Shah Jahan
✅ Answer: c) Jahangir -
Who founded the Chak Dynasty in Kashmir?
a) Yousuf Shah
b) Haidar Shah
c) Ghazi Shah Chak
d) Sikandar
✅ Answer: c) Ghazi Shah Chak
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