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Early History of Kashmir - upto 625 AD

Early History of Kashmir — upto 625 AD

Early History of Kashmir
Figure 1: Early History of Kashmir — frequently tested in JKSSB and UPSC examinations.

1. Origin of Kashmir

  • Origin of Kashmir is embedded in mythology.
  • Main source to study early history: Rajatarangini
  • For the name "Kashmir", Kalhan cited Nilamata Purana
ACCORDING TO NILAMATA PURANA

  • Early inhabitants of Kashmir: Naga tribe
  • Nagas lived around Satisar lake.
  • Nagas were worshippers of serpents.
  • Sati was the daughter of Himavan (who was the king of this region).
  • Sati used to play water sports in Satisar lake.
  • Sati then gets married to Lord Shiva and starts living at Kailash Parbat.
  • Thus, the lake becomes unguarded.
  • A demon named Jalodbhav took control of Satisar.
  • Jalodbhav started to tyrannise the people of Naga tribe.
  • Jalodbhav got a boon from Lord Brahma that he will never die in water.
  • Nagas requested the sage Kashyapa for help.
  • Kashyapa drained the water of Satisar with trishul or trident and killed Jalodbhav.
  • The Nagas named the valley as "Kashyapamar" and then later becomes "Kashmir".
ACCORDING TO GEOLOGISTS

  • Kashmir valley was under water for hundreds of years.
  • During the creation of the Himalayas, due to the earthquake, the water of the lake was drained through the "Baramulla Fault".

2. Etymologies of Kashmir

ETYMOLOGIES

Source Name
Sanskrit "ka" → water; "shimeera" → desiccated; Kashmir = Desiccated Land
Hecataeus (Early Greek Historian) "Kaspapyros"
Herodotus (Father of History) "Kaspatyros"
Ptolemy "Kasperia"
British Historians "Cashmere" — name used by many ancient and medieval British historians.

3. Prehistoric Sites

PALAEOLITHIC SITES

  • Pahalgam:
    • H.D. Sankalia (1969): Discovery of massive flake tools, hand axe — Palaeolithic period.
    • R.V. Joshi (1970): Discovered tools in Lidder valley.
  • Shopian: D.P. Aggrawal — Important findings at Balapura.
  • Mansabal
NEOLITHIC SITES

  • Burzahom:
    • East of Kashmir
    • Noticed by Helmut de Terra (1935)
    • Pit Dwelling
    • Highly polished Black ware with geometric design
    • Stone Tools — draggers, spears, scrapers
    • Bone Tools — harpoons, needles
    • Cooking pots
    • Deads were buried under house floors.
1st Neolithic Site in India: Mehgarh (Balochistan)
OTHER NEOLITHIC SITES

  • Gufkral:
    • In Tral tehsil of Pulwama district.
    • By: K.D. Banerjee
    • ‘guf’ — cave; ‘kral’ — potter
    • Domestication of animals
    • Cereal farming
    • Well advanced agriculture
    • Food gathering
    • Cultivation of wheat, barley, lentils
    • Bone tools and Stone tools
  • Kanispur: On Baramulla-Srinagar highway
  • Manda: In Akhnoor

4. Mahabharata Period

GONANDA

  • 1st recorded king of Kashmir — mentioned by Kalhan in Rajatarangini.
  • Gonanda fought against Lord Krishna during "Dwapara Yuga" (mythology).
DAMODAR

  • Son of Gonanda
  • Fought against Lord Krishna
  • He was defeated and killed.
NOTE

  • After Damodar, there were more than 35 kings but there's no record.
  • According to the Nilamata Purana, Luva & Kusha also ruled North-Western part of the Indian subcontinent.
  • Luva founded Luvapuri city — present day Lahore.

5. Persian Empire & Alexander

PERSIAN EMPIRE

  • Kashmir came under the rule of Achaemenian.
  • Cyrus (558 - 530 B.C.) — the founder of Persian empire, extended his empire upto Hindukush and Gandhara region.
ALEXANDER

  • Alexander invaded North-Western part of India in 326 B.C.
  • Ruler of Kashmir at that time: Abhisara
  • Alexander mentioned ‘Jhelum’ as ‘Hydaspes’ (as a tributary of Indus).

6. Mauryan Empire (321 - 185 BC)

  • 1st state formation in India.
  • Founder: Chandragupta Maurya in 321 BC
  • Greatest Ruler: Ashoka (269 - 235 BC)
ASHOKA (according to Rajatarangini)

  • Conquered Kashmir in 250 BC
  • Buddhist
  • Set up many Viharas and Stupas in Kashmir
  • Founded the city of Srinagar.
  • Ashoka's son: Jaloka
JALOKA

  • Patronised Shaivism in Kashmir
  • Built two Shiva temples in Kashmir.
  • Demolished Buddhist Viharas.
  • He later supported Buddhism.
KEY NOTES

  • Ashoka founded the city of Srinagar.
  • Jaloka introduced / patronised Shaivism in Kashmir.

7. Kushan Empire

  • Source: Rajatarangini
  • 1st ruler: Kujula Kadphises
  • Conquered Kashmir after Mauryans
  • Most powerful ruler: Kanishka
NOTABLE RULERS

  • Huska
  • Juska
  • Kanishka
  • These rulers founded towns after their names (not founded in present day Kashmir).
4TH BUDDHIST COUNCIL

  • Convened by: Kanishka
  • President: Vasumitra
  • At Kundalvan, near Srinagar
  • Around 1st century AD

8. Hunas & Kashmir

  • Mauryan Period → Post Mauryan Period → Guptas Period
  • Hunas invaded Guptas empire in last years.
MIHIRKULA

  • He was defeated from Yashovardhan.
  • He then took refuge from the king of Kashmir — but then captured the throne by force.
  • He was cruel.
  • He built many Shiva temples.
  • After his death, his successor ruled Kashmir for many years.
NOTE

  • During the time period of Guptas (319 - 550 AD), Kashmir was an independent kingdom.

9. Summary: Early History of Kashmir at a Glance

Period/Empire Key Rulers Key Events
Mahabharata Period Gonanda, Damodar Gonanda — 1st recorded king; Damodar killed by Krishna
Achaemenian Empire Cyrus (558-530 BC) Kashmir under Persian rule; Cyrus extended empire to Hindukush & Gandhara
Alexander Abhisara (ruler of Kashmir) Alexander invaded 326 BC; Jhelum called 'Hydaspes'
Mauryan Empire Ashoka (269-235 BC), Jaloka Ashoka conquered Kashmir (250 BC); founded Srinagar; Jaloka patronised Shaivism
Kushan Empire Kujula Kadphises, Kanishka, Huska, Juska 4th Buddhist Council at Kundalvan (1st century AD); Kanishka — most powerful
Hunas Mihirkula Defeated by Yashovardhan; took refuge in Kashmir; cruel ruler; built Shiva temples
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC

  • Origin: Sage Kashyapa drained Satisar lake; valley named Kashyapamar → Kashmir
  • Early Inhabitants: Naga tribe — worshippers of serpents
  • Etymologies: Sanskrit (Desiccated Land), Greek (Kaspapyros/Kaspatyros), Ptolemy (Kasperia)
  • Neolithic Sites: Burzahom (pit dwellings), Gufkral (cave-potter), Kanispur, Manda
  • 1st Recorded King: Gonanda (Mahabharata period)
  • Ashoka: Conquered Kashmir (250 BC); founded Srinagar
  • Jaloka: Patronised Shaivism in Kashmir
  • 4th Buddhist Council: Convened by Kanishka at Kundalvan (1st century AD)
  • Mihirkula: Hun ruler; cruel; built Shiva temples
  • Gupta Period: Kashmir was an independent kingdom (319-550 AD)
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Early History of Kashmir)

Q1. According to Nilamata Purana, who drained the water of Satisar lake?

Correct Answer: B. Sage Kashyapa drained the water of Satisar lake with his trishul and killed the demon Jalodbhav. The valley was named Kashyapamar, later becoming Kashmir.

Q2. The first recorded king of Kashmir is:

Correct Answer: B. Gonanda is the first recorded king of Kashmir, mentioned by Kalhan in Rajatarangini. He fought against Lord Krishna during Dwapara Yuga.

Q3. The founder of the city of Srinagar is:

Correct Answer: B. Ashoka founded the city of Srinagar. He conquered Kashmir in 250 BC and set up many Viharas and Stupas in Kashmir.

Q4. The 4th Buddhist Council was convened by:

Correct Answer: B. The 4th Buddhist Council was convened by Kanishka at Kundalvan, near Srinagar, around the 1st century AD. Its president was Vasumitra.

Q5. Who patronised Shaivism in Kashmir?

Correct Answer: B. Jaloka, the son of Ashoka, patronised Shaivism in Kashmir. He built two Shiva temples and demolished Buddhist Viharas, though he later supported Buddhism.

Q6. The Neolithic site of Burzahom is located in which part of Kashmir?

Correct Answer: B. Burzahom is located east of Kashmir. It was noticed by Helmut de Terra in 1935 and is known for pit dwellings and polished black ware.

Q7. Alexander mentioned the river Jhelum as:

Correct Answer: C. Alexander mentioned the river Jhelum as 'Hydaspes' (as a tributary of Indus). He invaded North-Western India in 326 BC.

Q8. According to the Nilamata Purana, the early inhabitants of Kashmir were:

Correct Answer: B. According to the Nilamata Purana, the early inhabitants of Kashmir were the Naga tribe, who lived around Satisar lake and were worshippers of serpents.

Q9. The water of the Kashmir valley was drained through which geological fault?

Correct Answer: C. According to geologists, during the creation of the Himalayas, the water of the lake was drained through the "Baramulla Fault" due to an earthquake.

Q10. Who was the ruler of Kashmir when Alexander invaded North-Western India?

Correct Answer: C. When Alexander invaded North-Western India in 326 BC, the ruler of Kashmir was Abhisara.

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