Mughal Rule in Kashmir — 1586 to 1753 AD

Figure 1: Mughal Rule in Kashmir — frequently tested in JKSSB and UPSC examinations.

1. Introduction — Sources

IMPERIAL SOURCES

• Akbarnama — Abul Fazl
• Muntakhab-ul-Twarikh — Badauni
• Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri — provides information about social life, flora and fauna in Kashmir, Poonch, Rajouri & Kishtwar
• Masir-i-Jahangir
• Iqbal Nama
• Shahjahanama
• Badshah Nama
• Amal-i-Saleh
• Alamgir Nama
• Munthawab-ul-Lulab

LOCAL SOURCES

• Rajatarangini — Srivara (only contemporary Sanskrit source)
• Baharistan-i-Shahi — Unknown (around 1614)
• Tarikh-i-Kashmir — Malik Haidar Chadura (upto 1620-21)
• Mukhtasar Tareekh-e-Kashmir — Narain Koul Aziz
• Waqiat-e-Kashmir — Mohd Azam
• Gauhar-i-Alam — Mohd. Aslam Munami

FOREIGN TRAVELLERS

• Bernier
• St. Xavier
• Desideri & Father Fyre
• George Forster

MODERN WRITERS

• Moorcroft
• G.T. Vigne
• Francois Younghusband
• Fredric Drew
• Walter Lawrence
• George Tre Beck

2. Background — Kashmir & Medieval India

• Delhi Sultanate (1206 - 1526 AD): Had shown no interest in Kashmir. Rule in Kashmir was powerful under Lohara Dynasty and Shah Mir Dynasty.
• BABUR (1526 - 1530): King in Kashmir was Sultan Muhammad Shah. Babur made an attempt but failed, busy with Indian conquest.
• HUMAYAN: Could NOT make any serious attempt to conquer Kashmir.
• AKBAR: Conquered Kashmir in 1586 and replaced Chak rulers.
• JAHANGIR & SHAHJAHAN: Maximum cultural advancements in Kashmir.
• AURENGZEB: Faced many revolts but still visited Kashmir.

3. Akbar (1586 - 1605 AD)

• Rule in India: 1556 - 1605 AD
• Rule in Kashmir: 1586 - 1605 AD
• After annexing Kashmir, Akbar made Kashmir part of Kabul province.
• The Mughal army under Qasim Khan defeated Kashmir forces at Haripura.
• Yakub Shah Chak was the ruler of Kashmir when it was conquered by Akbar.

GOVERNORS OF AKBAR

• 1st Governor: Mohd Qasim Khan (1586 - 1587)
• 2nd Governor: Mirza Yusuf Khan Rizvi (1587 - 1590)
  • Established law and order in Kashmir
  • Respected sentiments of all people
  • Abolished Jaziya
  • Promoted several industries (incl. Shawl Industries)

SIGNIFICANCE OF AKBAR IN KASHMIR

• Land Settlement / Revenue Reforms: Akbar sent two officials, Qazi Nur Ullah and Qazi Ali to carry out revenue reforms on the same lines as introduced by Todar Mal in other provinces.
• Famine Relief Measures: Large quantities of food grains were imported in Kashmir.

VISITS OF AKBAR IN KASHMIR

• 1st visit (1589): Accompanied by Faizi & Urfi Shirazi
• 2nd visit (1592): Accompanied by Nizam-ud-Din
• 3rd visit (1597): Accompanied by Father Gerome Xavier & Benoist de Gois

NOTE

• Akbar abolished Pilgrim Tax in 1563 and Jizya in 1564.
• Sultan Sikandar imposed Jizya in Kashmir for the first time.
• Mohd bin Qasim imposed Jizya in India (Sind) for the first time in 713 A.D.
• Todar Mal was the finance minister of Akbar. He introduced the "Ain-i-Dahsala" system.
• Jesuits visited Kashmir during the Akbar period. He was the first westerner in Kashmir.
• During the 3rd visit of Akbar in Kashmir in 1597, Ladakh was occupied.

4. Jahangir (1605 - 1627 AD)

• Actual name: Salim
• Wife: Nur Jahan
• He was enamoured by the natural beauty of Kashmir.
• Jahangir & Nur Jahan visited Kashmir 8 times.
• He stamped out social evils like: Sati, infanticide, forced religious conversions.
• Jahangir died in Kashmir (Bahram Ghala); buried in Shahdara (near Lahore).

GOVERNORS OF JAHANGIR

• Ahmed Beg:
  • 1615: Plague in the valley; thousands died.
  • Fire incident in Srinagar; 12,000+ houses burnt; Jama Masjid destroyed.
• Dilawar Khan:
  • 1620: Conquered Kishtwar
• Itqad Khan:
  • Intolerant; Governor of Kashmir for more than 11 years.
  • Harsh taxes, forced labour, etc.
  • Tyrannised the Shias.
  • During his time, Jahangir died.

JAHANGIR'S FAMOUS QUOTE

• "agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, hamin ast-o hamin ast-o hamin ast"
• "اگر فردوس بر روئے زمیں است ہمیں است و ہمیں است و ہمیں است"
• Meaning: If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this!

5. Shahjahan (1627 - 1658 AD)

• Visited Kashmir four times.
• He recalled Itqad Khan and appointed Zaffar Khan as Governor.
• Shahjahan abolished many taxes including:
  • Taxes on saffron
  • Tax on wood
  • Poll tax on sheep and boatmen
• Shahjahan conquered Baltistan under the command of Zaffar Khan.

ZAFFAR KHAN — GOVERNOR

• Governor of Kashmir during Shahjahan's period.
• Shahjahan visited twice during his governorship (1634 & 1638).
• During the 2nd visit (1638), floods played havoc in Srinagar, resulting in famine.
• Shahjahan organised relief work by sending food grains from other areas.

NOTE

• Jahangir conquered Kishtwar in 1620 under the command of Governor Dilawar Khan.
• Shahjahan conquered Baltistan under the command of Governor Zaffar Khan.

6. Aurangzeb (1658 - 1707 AD)

• Visited Kashmir only once in 1665.
• Accompanied by: Francis Bernier (French traveller).
• He sent several efficient governors to administer Kashmir.
• Kashmir was governed by 14 governors (Subhedars).
• Reimposed Jaziya in 1679 A.D.

IMPORTANT EVENTS

• Governor Saif Khan built Safa Kadal, the 7th bridge in Srinagar.
• Iftar Khan — Governor during Aurangzeb's period. Tyrannised over the Brahmins. Brahmins approached Guru Teg Bahadur.
• For opposing Aurangzeb's religious policy, Guru Teg Bahadur was given death punishment in 1675 A.D.

PROPHET'S HAIR

• In 1699, Khawaja Nuruddin Ishbari brought the holy hair relic to Bijapur.
• From there, the hair was brought to Srinagar → Hazratbal.

7. Later Mughals & Decline (till 1753)

• Bahadur Shah - I
• Jahandar Shah
• Farrukhsiyar
• Mohd Shah (1719 - 1748) — Afghan invasions in Kashmir
• Ahmed Shah (1748 - 1753) — Afghan invasions in Kashmir
• Although governorship continued, the control was weak.
• Ali Quli Shah: Last Mughal Governor in Kashmir
• Ahmed Shah: Mughal Emperor at the time of establishment of Afghan rule in Kashmir.

END OF MUGHAL RULE

• 1748: FIRST Afghan invasion in Kashmir by Ahmed Shah Abdali.
• 1753: Abdullah Khan Ishk Aqasi (Afghan Commander) defeated Kashmiri forces under Abdul Qassim Khan.
• Mughal Rule ends in Kashmir.
• Afghan Rule starts in Kashmir.

KEY NOTES

• Abdul Qassim Khan (who was defeated by Afghan forces) was NOT the last Mughal Governor in Kashmir.
• Ahmed Shah Abdali attacked India 7 times.
• In 1752, Mir Muqim Kant and Khawaja Zahir Didmari (both Kashmiri noblemen) requested Ahmed Shah Abdali to bring Kashmir under his control.

8. Constructions by Mughals

AKBAR

• Nagar Fort: Built during Akbar's time by Mohd Quli Khan from 1597-1605. Only existing piece of fort: Sangni Darwaza.
• Mughal Road: Laid by Akbar from Lahore to Kashmir.
• Naseem Bagh: OLDEST garden of Kashmir. Set up by Akbar around 1586.
• Hari Parvat & Durrani Fort: First fortification started by Akbar in 1590. The project was never completed. Akbar had a plan to build a new city: "Nager Nagor". The present fort was later built by Shuja Shah Durrani in 1808.

JAHANGIR

• Pather Masjid (Nav Masjid): Constructed by Nur Jahan in 1623. Located on the left bank of Jhelum. Resembles the Moti Masjid at Agra. Doesn't have a pyramid/dome.
• Jamia Masjid Srinagar: Originally built by Sultan Sikandar in 1400. Renovated after fire destruction during Jahangir's period. Stone + Wooden architecture.
• Inns / Sarai: Several constructed in Khanpura, Chingus, Rajouri, Adilabad, Siadbad, Bhimbar, etc.
• Shalimar Bagh: Built by Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan. Known as "Crown of Srinagar" and "Farakh Baksh Garden". Considered as high point of Mughal horticulture. Shalimar means "abode of love".
• Nishat Bagh: Constructed by Asaf Khan (brother of Nur Jahan). LARGEST Mughal garden in Kashmir. Constructed around 1633-1635 (after Jahangir's death). Nishat means "garden of joy".

OTHER GARDENS (JAHANGIR PERIOD)

• Bagh-i-Iradat Khan: Planted by Iradat Khan near Nawapora in 1618-1619.
• Noor Bagh: By Noor Jahan.
• Bagh-i-Bahoor Ara: Built by Noor Jahan in the midst of Dal lake. Renovated by Shahjahan.

SHAHJAHAN

• Chashma Shahi: Built by Ali Mardan Khan during Shahjahan's period. Originally a gift from Shahjahan to Dara Shikoh (his eldest son). Garden built around a spring.
• Pari Mahal: Built by Dara Shikoh. Dara Shikoh learned Astrology and Astronomy here.
• Verinag: Built by Shahjahan.
• Bagh-i-Sadiqabad: Built by Sadiq Khan during Shahjahan's period.
• Bagh-i-Zaffar Khan: Built by Zafar Khan during Shahjahan's period. Known for its vastness.
• Bagh-i-Ilahi: Built by Yusuf Khan Rizvi during Akbar's period. Shahjahan renovated it.

NOTES ON CHASHMA SHAHI & SHALIMAR

• Originally Chashma Shahi was discovered by female saint Rupa Bhawani.
• Shahjahan built a portion of Shalimar Bagh (laid out by Jahangir).
• Mughal princess Zuhra Begum (daughter of Alamgir II) was buried in Nishat Bagh.

AURENGZEB

• Safa Kadal: Built by Saif Khan. 7th bridge in Srinagar.

SIGNIFICANCE OF MUGHAL CONQUEST IN KASHMIR

• Mughals provided stability in Kashmir.
• Helped economic growth of Kashmir.
• Helped in growth of India's trade with central Asian countries.
• Kashmiris got job opportunities in India and other countries.
• The Mughal annexation shook off the centuries old isolation & seclusion of Kashmiris.
• Sectarian conflict disappeared.

9. JKSSB Previous Year Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Q1. Akbar conquered Kashmir in:

• A) 1585 AD
• B) 1586 AD
• C) 1587 AD
• D) 1588 AD

Q2. The first Mughal Governor of Kashmir was:

• A) Mohd Qasim Khan
• B) Mirza Yusuf Khan Rizvi
• C) Zaffar Khan
• D) Itqad Khan

Q3. The second Mughal Governor of Kashmir who abolished Jaziya was:

• A) Mohd Qasim Khan
• B) Mirza Yusuf Khan Rizvi
• C) Zaffar Khan
• D) Itqad Khan

Q4. Jahangir and Nur Jahan visited Kashmir how many times?

• A) 5 times
• B) 8 times
• C) 10 times
• D) 12 times

Q5. Jahangir died at:

• A) Delhi
• B) Bahram Ghala, Kashmir
• C) Lahore
• D) Agra

Q6. The famous quote "agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, hamin ast-o hamin ast-o hamin ast" is attributed to:

• A) Akbar
• B) Jahangir
• C) Shahjahan
• D) Aurangzeb

Q7. Kishtwar was conquered by Jahangir under the command of:

• A) Itqad Khan
• B) Dilawar Khan
• C) Zaffar Khan
• D) Mohd Qasim Khan

Q8. Baltistan was conquered by Shahjahan under the command of:

• A) Dilawar Khan
• B) Zaffar Khan
• C) Itqad Khan
• D) Mohd Qasim Khan

Q9. The 7th bridge in Srinagar, Safa Kadal, was built by:

• A) Dilawar Khan
• B) Saif Khan
• C) Zaffar Khan
• D) Itqad Khan

Q10. Who brought the holy hair relic to Hazratbal?

• A) Bernier
• B) Khawaja Nuruddin Ishbari
• C) Desideri
• D) Mirza Haidar Douglat

Q11. Shalimar Bagh was built by Jahangir for:

• A) Mumtaz Mahal
• B) Nur Jahan
• C) Jahanara
• D) Roshanara

Q12. Shalimar Bagh is also known as:

• A) Garden of Joy
• B) Crown of Srinagar / Farakh Baksh Garden
• C) Abode of Love
• D) Garden of Paradise

Q13. Nishat Bagh was constructed by:

• A) Jahangir
• B) Asaf Khan
• C) Nur Jahan
• D) Shahjahan

Q14. Nishat Bagh is the:

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• A) Largest Mughal garden in Kashmir
• B) Oldest Mughal garden in Kashmir
• C) Smallest Mughal garden in Kashmir
• D) First Mughal garden in Kashmir

Q15. Chashma Shahi was built by:

• A) Jahangir
• B) Ali Mardan Khan
• C) Asaf Khan
• D) Zaffar Khan

Q16. Pari Mahal was built by:

• A) Shahjahan
• B) Dara Shikoh
• C) Aurangzeb
• D) Akbar

Q17. The oldest garden of Kashmir is:

• A) Shalimar Bagh
• B) Naseem Bagh
• C) Nishat Bagh
• D) Chashma Shahi

Q18. The last Mughal Governor in Kashmir was:

• A) Abdul Qassim Khan
• B) Ali Quli Shah
• C) Zaffar Khan
• D) Saif Khan

Q19. Afghan rule in Kashmir began in:

• A) 1748 AD
• B) 1753 AD
• C) 1752 AD
• D) 1754 AD

Q20. Ahmed Shah Abdali attacked India how many times?

• A) 5 times
• B) 7 times
• C) 9 times
• D) 11 times

Q21. The Mughal Road from Lahore to Kashmir was laid by:

• A) Akbar
• B) Jahangir
• C) Shahjahan
• D) Aurangzeb

Q22. The Sangni Darwaza is part of which fort?

• A) Hari Parvat Fort
• B) Nagar Fort
• C) Durrani Fort
• D) Shuja Shah Durrani Fort

Q23. The first Afghan invasion in Kashmir took place in:

• A) 1748 AD
• B) 1753 AD
• C) 1752 AD
• D) 1754 AD

Q24. The famous quote "agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, hamin ast-o hamin ast-o hamin ast" means:

• A) Kashmir is the land of beauty
• B) If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this!
• C) Kashmir is the garden of India
• D) Kashmir is the crown of India

Q25. The Prophet's hair relic was brought to Hazratbal in:

• A) 1665 AD
• B) 1675 AD
• C) 1699 AD
• D) 1700 AD

10. Summary: Mughal Rule at a Glance

Emperor	Period	Key Achievements/Events
Akbar	1586-1605 AD	Conquered Kashmir; Nagar Fort; Mughal Road; Naseem Bagh
Jahangir	1605-1627 AD	Shalimar Bagh; Pather Masjid; famous quote on Kashmir
Shahjahan	1627-1658 AD	Chashma Shahi; Pari Mahal; Verinag; conquered Baltistan
Aurangzeb	1658-1707 AD	Visited Kashmir once; Reimposed Jaziya; Safa Kadal
Later Mughals	1707-1753 AD	Afghan invasions; Mughal rule ended in 1753

Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC

• Mughal Rule: 1586-1753 AD
• Akbar: Conquered Kashmir in 1586; 1st Governor: Mohd Qasim Khan
• Jahangir: Famous quote on Kashmir; visited 8 times; Shalimar Bagh
• Shahjahan: Chashma Shahi (Ali Mardan Khan); Pari Mahal (Dara Shikoh)
• Aurangzeb: Visited once; Safa Kadal (7th bridge); Guru Teg Bahadur executed
• Nishat Bagh: Largest Mughal garden; built by Asaf Khan
• Naseem Bagh: Oldest garden of Kashmir; set up by Akbar
• Afghan Rule: Began in 1753; Ahmed Shah Abdali attacked India 7 times
• Sources: Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, Akbarnama, Baharistan-i-Shahi

High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Mughal Rule in Kashmir)

Q1. Akbar conquered Kashmir in which year?

Correct Answer: B. Akbar conquered Kashmir in 1586 AD under the command of Qasim Khan at Haripur.

Q2. The second Mughal Governor of Kashmir who abolished Jaziya was:

Correct Answer: B. Mirza Yusuf Khan Rizvi, the 2nd Mughal Governor of Kashmir, abolished Jaziya and promoted several industries.

Q3. Jahangir and Nur Jahan visited Kashmir how many times?

Correct Answer: B. Jahangir and Nur Jahan visited Kashmir 8 times. Jahangir was enamoured by the natural beauty of Kashmir.

Q4. The famous quote "agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, hamin ast-o hamin ast-o hamin ast" is attributed to:

Correct Answer: B. The famous quote "agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, hamin ast-o hamin ast-o hamin ast" (If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this!) is attributed to Jahangir.

Q5. Nishat Bagh was constructed by:

Correct Answer: B. Nishat Bagh was constructed by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jahan. It is the largest Mughal garden in Kashmir.

Q6. The oldest garden of Kashmir is:

Correct Answer: B. Naseem Bagh is the oldest garden of Kashmir, set up by Akbar around 1586.

Q7. The last Mughal Governor in Kashmir was:

Correct Answer: B. Ali Quli Shah was the last Mughal Governor in Kashmir. Mughal rule ended in 1753 with Afghan invasion.

Q8. Afghan rule in Kashmir began in:

Correct Answer: B. Afghan rule in Kashmir began in 1753 AD after Abdullah Khan Ishk Aqasi defeated Kashmiri forces.

Q9. The Prophet's hair relic was brought to Hazratbal in:

Correct Answer: C. In 1699, Khawaja Nuruddin Ishbari brought the holy hair relic to Bijapur, from where it was brought to Hazratbal, Srinagar.

Q10. The Mughal Road from Lahore to Kashmir was laid by:

Correct Answer: B. The Mughal Road from Lahore to Kashmir was laid by Akbar, connecting Kashmir with the rest of the Mughal Empire.