Decline of Hindu Rule — 1171 to 1339 AD
1. Dalucha (Zulqadar Khan)
- Zulqadar Khan or Zalachu or Dalucha.
- He was a Tarter chief from Central Asia (from Mongolia).
- He invaded Kashmir during the time period of Suhadeva (1301 - 1320 A.D.).
- Mongol Dulucha invaded Kashmir at the beginning of the 14th century.
- Invaded through the northern side of Zojila Pass with an army of 60,000 men.
- He struck terror in the minds of the people.
NOTE
- Shah Mir, Rinchan & Lankar Chak came to Kashmir during Suhadev's reign.
2. Rinchan (1320 - 1323 AD)
- Sultan Sadr-ud-Din Shah
- Originally a prince of Ladakh.
- He fled from Ladakh after the battle with the Baltis.
- He came to Kashmir during the time period of Suhadeva (1301 - 1320 A.D.).
- He got an opportunity from the anarchy created by Dalucha and seized power.
- He married Kota Rani (sister of a ruler named Ramachandra).
- He established a strong & efficient administration with the help of Shah Mir.
CONVERSION OF RINCHAN
- Spiritual guru of Rinchan: Bulbul Shah.
- Sufi Missionaries (from Middle East & Central Asia) had settled in Kashmir.
- There was a competition & conflict between Buddhism & Hinduism in the court of Rinchan.
- Rinchan was a pseudo Buddhist and wanted to join Hinduism.
- He approached Devaswami (religious head of the Shaivas) for conversion.
- Devaswami refused to accept Rinchan into Hinduism.
- Rinchan converted to Islam at the hands of Bulbul Shah.
- Rinchan (after converting to Islam) adopted the title of Sultan Sadruddin Shah.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF RINCHAN
- Rinchan renamed Srinagar as Rinchanpora.
- Mosques built by Rinchan:
- Bud Masheed — first mosque built in Kashmir
- Mosque at Ali Kadal
- Khanqah (in honour of Bulbul Shah)
KEY NOTES
- Rinchan was the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir.
- Bud Masheed was the first mosque built in Kashmir, by Rinchan.
- Bulbul Shah was a Sufi saint of the Suhrawardi order. He introduced Islam into Kashmir by converting Rinchan to Islam.
3. Udyanadeva (1323 - 1338 AD)
- Successor of Rinchan.
- He is considered as the last Hindu ruler of Kashmir.
- Udyanadeva's chief Queen Kota Rani practically governed the state.
4. Kota Rani (1338 - 1339 AD)
- Ruled only for one year.
- She was the widow of Rinchan and Udyanadeva.
- She was first appointed as regent of the son of Rinchan.
KUTE KOL — CANAL CONSTRUCTION
- Canal constructed to save Srinagar city from floods.
- The canal gets water from the Jhelum river at the entry point of the city and again merges with Jhelum beyond the city limits.
- Named after Kota.
REPLACEMENT
- She was replaced by Shah Mir.
- Shah Mir laid the foundation of the Muslim Sultanate in Kashmir in 1339 A.D.
5. Shah Mir Dynasty (1339 - 1561 AD)
SHAH MIR (1339 - 1342 AD)
- He ascended the throne under the name of: "Sultan Shams-ud-Din".
- He marks the beginning of the Shah Mir Dynasty.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Shah Mir laid the foundation of the Muslim Sultanate in Kashmir in 1339 A.D.
- The Shah Mir Dynasty ruled from 1339 to 1561 A.D.
6. JKSSB Previous Year Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. Dalucha invaded Kashmir through which pass?
- A) Pir Panjal Pass
- B) Zojila Pass
- C) Banihal Pass
- D) Khardung La
Q2. Dalucha invaded Kashmir with an army of:
- A) 30,000 men
- B) 40,000 men
- C) 60,000 men
- D) 80,000 men
Q3. Rinchan was originally a prince of:
- A) Baltistan
- B) Ladakh
- C) Gilgit
- D) Punjab
Q4. Who was the spiritual guru of Rinchan?
- A) Bulbul Shah
- B) Devaswami
- C) Shah Mir
- D) Lankar Chak
Q5. Rinchan converted to Islam at the hands of:
- A) Bulbul Shah
- B) Devaswami
- C) Shah Mir
- D) Lankar Chak
Q6. After converting to Islam, Rinchan adopted the title of:
- A) Sultan Shams-ud-Din
- B) Sultan Sadr-ud-Din Shah
- C) Sultan Alauddin
- D) Sultan Sikander
Q7. Rinchan was the:
- A) First Muslim ruler of Kashmir
- B) Last Hindu ruler of Kashmir
- C) Founder of Shah Mir Dynasty
- D) Founder of Mughal rule in Kashmir
Q8. The first mosque built in Kashmir was:
- A) Bud Masheed
- B) Mosque at Ali Kadal
- C) Khanqah
- D) Jama Masjid
Q9. Rinchan renamed Srinagar as:
- A) Shahpura
- B) Rinchanpora
- C) Sultanpur
- D) Islamabad
Q10. Bulbul Shah belonged to which Sufi order?
- A) Chishti
- B) Naqshbandi
- C) Suhrawardi
- D) Qadri
Q11. Who was the last Hindu ruler of Kashmir?
- A) Rinchan
- B) Udyanadeva
- C) Kota Rani
- D) Suhadeva
Q12. Kota Rani ruled Kashmir for:
- A) 2 years
- B) 6 months
- C) 1 year
- D) 3 years
Q13. Kota Rani was the widow of:
- A) Shah Mir
- B) Rinchan and Udyanadeva
- C) Suhadeva
- D) Bulbul Shah
Q14. The canal constructed to save Srinagar from floods was named:
- A) Shah Mir Canal
- B) Rinchan Canal
- C) Kute Kol
- D) Jhelum Canal
Q15. Kota Rani was replaced by:
- A) Shah Mir
- B) Bulbul Shah
- C) Rinchan
- D) Udyanadeva
Q16. Shah Mir laid the foundation of the Muslim Sultanate in Kashmir in:
- A) 1320 AD
- B) 1323 AD
- C) 1339 AD
- D) 1342 AD
Q17. Shah Mir ascended the throne under the name of:
- A) Sultan Sadr-ud-Din
- B) Sultan Shams-ud-Din
- C) Sultan Alauddin
- D) Sultan Sikander
Q18. The Shah Mir Dynasty ruled Kashmir from:
- A) 1320-1561 AD
- B) 1339-1561 AD
- C) 1339-1600 AD
- D) 1323-1561 AD
Q19. Who refused to accept Rinchan into Hinduism?
- A) Bulbul Shah
- B) Devaswami
- C) Shah Mir
- D) Lankar Chak
Q20. Rinchan established a strong administration with the help of:
- A) Bulbul Shah
- B) Lankar Chak
- C) Shah Mir
- D) Devaswami
7. Summary: Decline of Hindu Rule at a Glance
| Ruler/Personality | Period | Key Achievements/Events |
|---|---|---|
| Dalucha | 14th century | Mongol/Tarter chief; invaded through Zojila Pass with 60,000 men |
| Rinchan | 1320-1323 AD | First Muslim ruler; converted by Bulbul Shah; built Bud Masheed |
| Udyanadeva | 1323-1338 AD | Last Hindu ruler of Kashmir |
| Kota Rani | 1338-1339 AD | Ruled for 1 year; built Kute Kol canal |
| Shah Mir | 1339-1342 AD | Founded Shah Mir Dynasty; ascended as Sultan Shams-ud-Din |
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC
- Dalucha: Tarter chief from Mongolia; invaded through Zojila Pass (60,000 men)
- Rinchan: Prince of Ladakh; first Muslim ruler of Kashmir (1320-1323 AD)
- Bulbul Shah: Sufi saint of Suhrawardi order; converted Rinchan to Islam
- Bud Masheed: First mosque in Kashmir, built by Rinchan
- Rinchanpora: New name given to Srinagar by Rinchan
- Udyanadeva: Last Hindu ruler of Kashmir (1323-1338 AD)
- Kota Rani: Ruled for 1 year; widow of Rinchan and Udyanadeva
- Kute Kol: Canal built by Kota Rani to save Srinagar from floods
- Shah Mir: Laid foundation of Muslim Sultanate in 1339 AD; ascended as Sultan Shams-ud-Din
- Shah Mir Dynasty: 1339-1561 AD
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Decline of Hindu Rule)
Q1. Dalucha invaded Kashmir through which pass?
Correct Answer: B. Dalucha (Zulqadar Khan) invaded Kashmir through the northern side of Zojila Pass with an army of 60,000 men.
Q2. Rinchan was originally a prince of:
Correct Answer: B. Rinchan was originally a prince of Ladakh. He fled from Ladakh after the battle with the Baltis and came to Kashmir during Suhadeva's reign.
Q3. Who converted Rinchan to Islam?
Correct Answer: B. Rinchan converted to Islam at the hands of Bulbul Shah, a Sufi saint of the Suhrawardi order. He then adopted the title of Sultan Sadr-ud-Din Shah.
Q4. The first mosque built in Kashmir was:
Correct Answer: B. Bud Masheed was the first mosque built in Kashmir, constructed by Rinchan. He also built a mosque at Ali Kadal and a Khanqah in honour of Bulbul Shah.
Q5. Rinchan renamed Srinagar as:
Correct Answer: B. Rinchan renamed Srinagar as Rinchanpora after he became the ruler of Kashmir.
Q6. Who was the last Hindu ruler of Kashmir?
Correct Answer: B. Udyanadeva (1323-1338 AD) is considered the last Hindu ruler of Kashmir. His chief Queen Kota Rani practically governed the state.
Q7. Kota Rani ruled Kashmir for:
Correct Answer: C. Kota Rani ruled Kashmir for only one year (1338-1339 AD). She was the widow of both Rinchan and Udyanadeva.
Q8. Shah Mir laid the foundation of the Muslim Sultanate in Kashmir in:
Correct Answer: C. Shah Mir laid the foundation of the Muslim Sultanate in Kashmir in 1339 AD and ascended the throne under the name of Sultan Shams-ud-Din.
Q9. Bulbul Shah belonged to which Sufi order?
Correct Answer: C. Bulbul Shah was a Sufi saint of the Suhrawardi order. He introduced Islam into Kashmir by converting Rinchan to Islam.
Q10. The canal constructed to save Srinagar from floods was named:
Correct Answer: C. Kute Kol was the canal constructed by Kota Rani to save Srinagar city from floods. It was named after Kota Rani.