Shah Mir Dynasty — 1339 to 1561 AD

Figure 1: Shah Mir Dynasty — frequently tested in JKSSB and UPSC examinations.

1. 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.
• He marks the beginning of the Muslim rule in Kashmir.

ORIGIN OF SHAH MIR

• Different suggestions of scholars regarding his origin:
  • Some suggested: He belonged to Swat valley & was of Turkish descent.
  • Some suggested: He came along with the sage Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani.

REFORMS & POLICIES

• He was successful in restoring peace & prosperity.
• He abolished arbitrary taxes.
• Fixed Tax = one sixth of the gross produce.
• He made no distinction between Hindus & Muslims.
• His commander-in-chief: Lankar Chak

KASHMIRI SANA / KASHMIRI ERA

• Shah Mir replaced the current Hindu era with a new one called the Kashmiri Sana.
• To commemorate the conversion of Rinchan to Islam in 1320 A.D.

2. Successors of Shah Mir

• Jamshed (1342-43 A.D.):
  • Built a bridge over Jhelum at Sopore.
  • Built a number of resting places for the convenience of travellers.
• Ala-ud-din (1343 - 1354 A.D.):
  • Era of peace.
  • Revolt of Lavanya tribe.
• Shihab-ud-Din (1354 - 1373 A.D.)
• Qutub-ud-Din (1373 - 1389 A.D.)
• Sultan Sikandar (1389 - 1413 A.D.)
• Ali Shah (1413 - 1420 A.D.)
• Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen (1420 - 1470 A.D.)

3. Sultan Shihab-ud-Din (1354 - 1373 AD)

• Known as "Lalitaditya of Medieval Kashmir".
• He led an army to Sindh and defeated its ruler.
• While returning, he defeated Afghans (near Peshawar) and conquered: Sindh, Kabul, Ghazni, Kandhar, Swat, Multan.
• He was a tolerant ruler.
• Treated all his subjects generously.
• Two important Hindu ministers:
  • Kota Bhat
  • Udyashri
• "Shihab-ud-Din Pura" (present day Shadipur) was founded by him.

4. Sultan Qutb-ud-Din (1373 - 1389 AD)

• Real name: Hindal.
• Arrival of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani in Kashmir during his reign.

NOTE

• Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani was accompanied by 700 syeds from Hamdan.

5. Sultan Sikandar (1389 - 1413 AD)

• Son of Sultan Qutb-ud-Din.
• In history, he is known as: "Aurangzeb of Kashmir".
• He is also known as: "But-Shikan" — Idol breaker.

REIGN OF SULTAN SIKANDAR

• During the initial years, he remained under the regency of his mother with the support of 2 ministers.
• Mother: Subhatta
• Ministers: Uddaka (or Rai Magre), Sahaka
• UDDAKA:
  • Led a successful campaign in Ladakh.
  • He then revolted against Sikander, but was suppressed and killed.
• Sikander sent his son (Prince Shahi Khan aka Zain-ul-Abideen) along with presents to the court of Timur to strengthen friendly relations.
• Timur invaded India in 1398 A.D.

SOCIO-RELIGIOUS REFORMS

• He made a deep impact on socio-religious life in Kashmir.
• Heavy influx of Muslims, Sayyad theologians & other learned men from Persia.
• Sikandar granted new immigrants land jagir to settle in his kingdom.
• He came under the influence of orthodox teachers.
• He decided to introduce pure Islamic law in the state.
• GUIDES of Sikandar:
  • Mir Mohd Hamdani (religious advisor)
  • Malik Shah Bhatt (Prime Minister)
• He banned Hindu rituals and practices.
• He was the 1st Indian ruler to abolish the custom of Sati.

PROHIBITORY ITEMS

• Wine
• Gambling
• Dancing of women
• Musical instruments
• Putting tilak on forehead by Hindus

OTHER REFORMS

• Shaikh-ul-Islam: Office established by Sikandar to enforce Islamic law.
• Imposed Jaziya.
• Died: 1413 A.D.
• Before his death, he appointed his son Mir Khan (Ali Shah) as his successor.

ARCHITECTURE

• Jamia Masjid, Srinagar:
  • Built by Sultan Sikandar
  • Example of Indo-Persian architecture
• Khanqah-e-Moula (Shah-e-Hamdan Masjid):
  • Built by Sultan Sikandar
  • Example of Wooden architecture
• Aali Masjid: Second largest mosque
• Amburiq Mosque: In Gilgit-Baltistan; built by Shah Hamdan
• Chaqchan Mosque: "The Miraculous Mosque" in Gilgit-Baltistan; built by Shah Hamdan

6. Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen (1420 - 1470 AD)

• Son of Sultan Sikandar.
• Real name: Shahi Khan
• Ascended the throne by the title: Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din Zain-ul-Abideen

TITLES

• "Akbar of Kashmir"
• "Budshah" — the Great King
• "Shahjahan of Kashmir"

KEY FACTS

• 8th Sultan of Shah Mir Dynasty.
• Ruled for 50 years.
• Main sources to study his time period:
  • Rajatarangini Divitiya of Jonaraja
  • Rajatarangini Tritiya of Srivara
• Empire extended over: Gandhara, Madra (Punjab), Sindhu, Rajapuri (Rajouri)

RELIGIOUS POLICY

• Tolerant ruler.
• Restored confidence of his non-Muslim subjects.
• Complete religious freedom.
• General invitation to Brahmins (who had been banished from Kashmir).
• Personal consultant: Shreya Bhatta
• Personal physician: Karpur Bhatta
• Astrologer: Rupya Bhatta
• He had interest in six schools of philosophy.
• He received instructions on the philosophy of Yoga.
• He participated in the festival of Diwali.
• He listened to songs from Gita Govinda, musically rendered by Srivara.

SIX SCHOOLS OF PHILOSOPHY

• Nyaya by Gautama
• Vaisheshika by Kanada
• Yoga by Patanjali
• Sankhya by Kapil
• Vedanta by Badarayana
• Mimansa by Jaimini

PATRONAGE TO LETTERS & EDUCATION

• He was a great linguist, scholar & poet; well versed in Sanskrit, Persian & Tibetan.
• His pen name was: Qutb.
• He was surrounded by learned men:
  • Mulla Ahmed, Syed Mohd Rumi, Qazi Sayyid Ali Shirazi
  • Sayyid Mohd Sistani, Maulana Kabir, Mulla Nadiri
  • Jonaraja, Srivara, Yodhabhatta, Nathsoma Pandit
• Biography of Zain-ul-Abideen:
  • Zina Charita — by Nathasome Pandit (in Kashmiri language)
  • Zain Prakash — by Yodhabhatta
• Jainvilasa:
  • Written by Bhattavatara
  • Contains sayings of Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen
  • Written on the lines of Shah Nama

SHAH NAMA

• Written by Firdousi
• Regarded as "National Epic of Iran"
• Regarded as a 'biography' of Mahmud of Ghazni

TRANSLATION & LIBRARY

• Jonaraja wrote the 2nd part of Rajatarangini (Divitiya) during Zain-ul-Abideen's reign upto 1458 AD.
• Mulla Ahmed & Mulla Nadiri (both historians) wrote history of Kashmir in Persian (separately).
• Translation Department was set up.
• Mulla Ahmed translated following books from Sanskrit to Persian:
  • Mahabharat
  • Dasavatara
  • Kalhan's Rajatarangini
• Establishment of a big Royal Library.

PATRONAGE TO ART & CRAFT

• Artists called him: "Vishwakarma" descended on earth.
• Chemists called him: "Nagarjuna".
• Some considered him: "Gorakhnath".

Famous Crafts started / flourished during Zain-ul-Abideen:

• Woodcarving
• Bookbinding
• Papermaking
• Glass blowing
• Pashmina shawl (from Tibet)
• Carpet weaving
• Introduced art of fireworks

He turned Kashmir into: "Smiling garden of industry".

ARCHITECTURE

• "Shahjahan of Kashmir"
• Towns / buildings built by Zain-ul-Abideen:
  • Nowshaher, Zaina Lank, Zainakot, Zaina-kundal
  • Zaina-pattan, Zain-por, Zaina-Tilak, Zain-Gir
• Gardens: Bagh-i-Zaingiri, Bagh-i-Zain Dab, Bagh-i-Zainpur
• Zaina Lank:
  • Artificial island in Wular lake
  • Greatest engineering achievement of Zain-ul-Abideen
  • Built a mosque and a garden there

OTHER ISLANDS IN DAL LAKE

• Sona Lank
• Rupa Lank

MUSIC & DANCE

• He himself composed lyrics and poems.
• Famous court musicians:
  • Odh Bhatta — wrote a book on music entitled 'Zain'
  • Srivara — known for handling the Lute
• Foreign musicians: Mulla Udi & Mulla Zada (from Khurasan)
• Iranian tunes adopted: Rast, Sagh, Chirag, Nava, Nauraz, Shahnawaz
• Famous female dancers: Tara, Utsava

BAHARASTAN-i-SHAHI

• Written by an anonymous author (presumably in 1614 A.D.)
• It is a chronicle of Medieval Kashmir.
• Main source of the cultural achievement of Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen.

MILITARY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Reorganised his army.
• Introduced gunpowder.
• Established artillery division in his army.
• Ordered to manufacture cannons in Kashmir.
• Suppressed the revolt of Khokhar (led by Jasrath).
• Re-occupied the area of Ladakh & Baltistan.
• Friendly relations with:
  • Khokhars of Punjab
  • Sultan Bahlol Lodhi of Delhi
  • Sultan Mahmud Bagrah of Gujarat
  • Jan Nizam-ud-Din of Sindh
  • Tonwar Raja of Gwaliar

ADMINISTRATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS

• Punishments were not harsh for minor crimes.
• Theft, robbery, drunkenness banished from the kingdom.
• Pricing control & end of black marketing.
• He engraved the laws on copper plates and put them in public places.
• Reappointment of Pandits in administration.
• Eradicated corruption.
• Reforms in judicial system.

AGRICULTURAL REFORMS

• Settlement of land revenue on scientific pattern.
• Divided country into number of Parganas.
• Unit of land measurement: Jarib.
• Constructed various canals:
  • Kakapur canal, Karla canal, Chakdar canal
  • Avantipur canal, Shahkul canal, Mar canal
• Distributed loans to the needy.

WHY IS ZAIN-UL-ABIDEEN KNOWN AS "AKBAR OF KASHMIR"?

• Liberal religious policy
• Abolished Jaziya
• Matrimonial relations with Hindus
• Promoted crafts
• Development of agriculture
• Control over market
• Love for music
• Progress in literature

NOTE

• Time Period of Akbar: 1556 - 1605 A.D.
• In medieval times, Zain-ul-Abideen constructed canals in Kashmir.
• In modern times, Ranbir Singh constructed canals in Kashmir.

7. Decline of Shah Mir Dynasty

• After Zain-ul-Abideen, weak rulers followed.
• After Zain-ul-Abideen's death, Sultan Haider Shah (Haji Khan) became the ruler.
• MIRZA HAIDAR DOUGHLAT:
  • Invaded Kashmir in 1532 A.D.
  • Cousin of Babur.
  • Wrote: 'Tarikh-i-Rashidi'
• Last ruler of Shah Mir Dynasty: Habib Shah.
• He was deposed by his military commander: Ghazi Chak.

8. JKSSB Previous Year Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Q1. Shah Mir ascended the throne under the name of:

• A) Sultan Sadr-ud-Din
• B) Sultan Shams-ud-Din
• C) Sultan Alauddin
• D) Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din

Q2. The Shah Mir Dynasty ruled Kashmir from:

• A) 1320-1561 AD
• B) 1339-1561 AD
• C) 1339-1600 AD
• D) 1323-1561 AD

Q3. Sultan Shihab-ud-Din is known as:

• A) Akbar of Kashmir
• B) Lalitaditya of Medieval Kashmir
• C) Shahjahan of Kashmir
• D) Aurangzeb of Kashmir

Q4. Sultan Sikandar is known as:

• A) Akbar of Kashmir
• B) Lalitaditya of Medieval Kashmir
• C) Shahjahan of Kashmir
• D) Aurangzeb of Kashmir

Q5. Sultan Sikandar is also known as:

• A) Budshah
• B) But-Shikan (Idol Breaker)
• C) Vishwakarma
• D) Nagarjuna

Q6. The office of Shaikh-ul-Islam was established by:

• A) Shah Mir
• B) Sultan Sikandar
• C) Zain-ul-Abideen
• D) Shihab-ud-Din

Q7. Sultan Sikandar was the first Indian ruler to abolish the custom of:

• A) Jaziya
• B) Sati
• C) Tilak
• D) Dowry

Q8. Jamia Masjid, Srinagar was built by:

• A) Shah Mir
• B) Zain-ul-Abideen
• C) Sultan Sikandar
• D) Shihab-ud-Din

Q9. Khanqah-e-Moula is an example of:

• A) Indo-Persian architecture
• B) Wooden architecture
• C) Mughal architecture
• D) British architecture

Q10. Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen is also known as:

• A) Aurangzeb of Kashmir
• B) Lalitaditya of Medieval Kashmir
• C) Akbar of Kashmir
• D) But-Shikan

Q11. Zain-ul-Abideen's real name was:

• A) Hindal
• B) Shahi Khan
• C) Mir Khan
• D) Haji Khan

Q12. Zain-ul-Abideen ruled Kashmir for:

• A) 30 years
• B) 40 years
• C) 50 years
• D) 60 years

Q13. The biography of Zain-ul-Abideen 'Zina Charita' was written by:

• A) Yodhabhatta
• B) Nathasome Pandit
• C) Jonaraja
• D) Srivara

Q14. 'Zain Prakash' was written by:

• A) Nathasome Pandit
• B) Yodhabhatta
• C) Jonaraja
• D) Srivara

Q15. Jainvilasa was written on the lines of:

• A) Rajatarangini
• B) Shah Nama
• C) Mahabharat
• D) Dasavatara

Q16. Shah Nama was written by:

• A) Kalhan
• B) Firdousi
• C) Jonaraja
• D) Srivara

Q17. Zaina Lank is an artificial island in which lake?

• A) Dal Lake
• B) Wular Lake
• C) Manasbal Lake
• D) Sheshnag Lake

Q18. The unit of land measurement introduced by Zain-ul-Abideen was:

• A) Bigha
• B) Jarib
• C) Kanal
• D) Marla

Q19. Mirza Haidar Douglat wrote:

• A) Zina Charita
• B) Tarikh-i-Rashidi
• C) Zain Prakash
• D) Jainvilasa

Q20. The last ruler of the Shah Mir Dynasty was:

• A) Haider Shah
• B) Habib Shah
• C) Ghazi Chak
• D) Ali Shah

Q21. The Kashmiri Sana was introduced by:

• A) Shah Mir
• B) Zain-ul-Abideen
• C) Sultan Sikandar
• D) Shihab-ud-Din

Q22. Shihab-ud-Din Pura (present day Shadipur) was founded by:

• A) Shihab-ud-Din
• B) Zain-ul-Abideen
• C) Sultan Sikandar
• D) Shah Mir

Q23. The first wooden bridge on the Jhelum was built by:

• A) Shah Mir
• B) Zain-ul-Abideen
• C) Sultan Sikandar
• D) Shihab-ud-Din

Q24. The art of fireworks was introduced in Kashmir by:

• A) Shah Mir
• B) Zain-ul-Abideen
• C) Sultan Sikandar
• D) Shihab-ud-Din

Q25. Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani arrived in Kashmir during the reign of:

• A) Shah Mir
• B) Sultan Qutb-ud-Din
• C) Zain-ul-Abideen
• D) Sultan Sikandar

9. Summary: Shah Mir Dynasty at a Glance

Ruler	Period	Key Achievements/Events
Shah Mir	1339-1342 AD	Founder; Sultan Shams-ud-Din; Kashmiri Sana
Shihab-ud-Din	1354-1373 AD	Lalitaditya of Medieval Kashmir; conquered Sindh, Kabul, Ghazni
Sultan Sikandar	1389-1413 AD	Aurangzeb of Kashmir; But-Shikan; abolished Sati; built Jamia Masjid
Zain-ul-Abideen	1420-1470 AD	Akbar of Kashmir; Budshah; Shahjahan of Kashmir; Zaina Lank
Habib Shah	-	Last ruler of Shah Mir Dynasty; deposed by Ghazi Chak

Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC

• Shah Mir Dynasty: 1339-1561 AD; founded by Shah Mir (Sultan Shams-ud-Din)
• Kashmiri Sana: Introduced by Shah Mir to commemorate Rinchan's conversion (1320 AD)
• Shihab-ud-Din: Lalitaditya of Medieval Kashmir; conquered Sindh, Kabul, Ghazni, Kandhar, Swat, Multan
• Sultan Sikandar: Aurangzeb of Kashmir; But-Shikan (Idol Breaker); abolished Sati; built Jamia Masjid
• Zain-ul-Abideen: Akbar of Kashmir; Budshah; Shahjahan of Kashmir; ruled 50 years
• Zaina Lank: Artificial island in Wular lake — greatest engineering achievement
• Jonaraja: Wrote Rajatarangini Divitiya (2nd part) during Zain-ul-Abideen's reign
• Mirza Haidar Douglat: Cousin of Babur; wrote Tarikh-i-Rashidi; invaded Kashmir (1532 AD)
• Last ruler: Habib Shah (deposed by Ghazi Chak)

High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Shah Mir Dynasty)

Q1. Shah Mir ascended the throne under the name of:

Correct Answer: B. Shah Mir ascended the throne under the name of Sultan Shams-ud-Din, marking the beginning of the Shah Mir Dynasty and Muslim rule in Kashmir.

Q2. Sultan Shihab-ud-Din is known as:

Correct Answer: B. Sultan Shihab-ud-Din is known as "Lalitaditya of Medieval Kashmir" for his military conquests including Sindh, Kabul, Ghazni, Kandhar, Swat, and Multan.

Q3. Sultan Sikandar is known as:

Correct Answer: D. Sultan Sikandar is known as "Aurangzeb of Kashmir" and also as "But-Shikan" (Idol Breaker) for his iconoclastic policies.

Q4. Sultan Sikandar was the first Indian ruler to abolish the custom of:

Correct Answer: B. Sultan Sikandar was the 1st Indian ruler to abolish the custom of Sati. He also banned wine, gambling, dancing of women, musical instruments, and putting tilak on forehead by Hindus.

Q5. Jamia Masjid, Srinagar was built by:

Correct Answer: C. Jamia Masjid, Srinagar was built by Sultan Sikandar and is an example of Indo-Persian architecture.

Q6. Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen is also known as:

Correct Answer: C. Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen is known as "Akbar of Kashmir", "Budshah" (the Great King), and "Shahjahan of Kashmir" for his liberal policies and cultural achievements.

Q7. Zain-ul-Abideen's real name was:

Correct Answer: B. Zain-ul-Abideen's real name was Shahi Khan. He was the son of Sultan Sikandar and ascended the throne by the title Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din Zain-ul-Abideen.

Q8. Zaina Lank is an artificial island in which lake?

Correct Answer: B. Zaina Lank is an artificial island in Wular lake, considered the greatest engineering achievement of Zain-ul-Abideen. He built a mosque and a garden there.

Q9. Mirza Haidar Douglat wrote:

Correct Answer: B. Mirza Haidar Douglat, cousin of Babur, wrote 'Tarikh-i-Rashidi'. He invaded Kashmir in 1532 AD.

Q10. The last ruler of the Shah Mir Dynasty was:

Correct Answer: B. Habib Shah was the last ruler of the Shah Mir Dynasty. He was deposed by his military commander Ghazi Chak.