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What was the “true spirit” of Sufism in Kashmir? Historical evidence shows that what Sufis brought to Kashmir was genocide, violent conversion, destruction of temples to build Islamic structures & Dhimmitude for Hindus. Much of this is testified by Islamic chronicles themselves
What was the “true spirit” of Sufism in Kashmir? Historical evidence shows that what Sufis brought to Kashmir was genocide, violent conversion, destruction of temples to build Islamic structures & Dhimmitude for Hindus. Much of this is testified by Islamic chronicles themselves
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In 1379, Saiyid Ali Hamadani (Shah-i-Hamadan), Sufi scholar from Hamadan Persia, fled from Timur with 600 disciples seeking refuge in Kashmir. Sultan Qutb-ud-din was eager to welcome him. The very first thing Hamadani did was to take over the temple of goddess Kali in Srinagar.
In 1379, Saiyid Ali Hamadani (Shah-i-Hamadan), Sufi scholar from Hamadan Persia, fled from Timur with 600 disciples seeking refuge in Kashmir. Sultan Qutb-ud-din was eager to welcome him. The very first thing Hamadani did was to take over the temple of goddess Kali in Srinagar.
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The beautiful land belonging to the Kali temple was given away by Qutb-ud-Din to be converted into Hamadani’s residence & its name changed to Khanquah-Maula. A mosque was built with dismantled remains of the Kali temple & turned into the center of Islamic activities in Kashmir.
The beautiful land belonging to the Kali temple was given away by Qutb-ud-Din to be converted into Hamadani’s residence & its name changed to Khanquah-Maula. A mosque was built with dismantled remains of the Kali temple & turned into the center of Islamic activities in Kashmir.
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Hamadani & his Islamic warriors started spreading out to towns & villages to preach & vilify the tolerant traditions of Kashmiri life as unacceptable to Islam. Hamadani first set about influencing Qutb-ud-din to transform Kashmir into a “true” fundamentalist islamic state.
Hamadani & his Islamic warriors started spreading out to towns & villages to preach & vilify the tolerant traditions of Kashmiri life as unacceptable to Islam. Hamadani first set about influencing Qutb-ud-din to transform Kashmir into a “true” fundamentalist islamic state.
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Hamadani made Qutb-ud-din strictly implement the policies elaborated in his book “Zakhirat-Al-Muluk” on how rulers should deal with Zimmis (non-Muslims). The first 2 conditions were that NO temples or shrines were allowed to be built or repaired for idol worship.
Hamadani made Qutb-ud-din strictly implement the policies elaborated in his book “Zakhirat-Al-Muluk” on how rulers should deal with Zimmis (non-Muslims). The first 2 conditions were that NO temples or shrines were allowed to be built or repaired for idol worship.
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Rules 3 & 4 said Muslims could stay in any Hindu temple for 3 days & must be treated as honored guests. Rule 5 specified that no Hindu could be a spy in a Muslim state. Rule 6 said that anyone willing to convert to Islam would be saved from persecution that Hindus had to suffer
Rules 3 & 4 said Muslims could stay in any Hindu temple for 3 days & must be treated as honored guests. Rule 5 specified that no Hindu could be a spy in a Muslim state. Rule 6 said that anyone willing to convert to Islam would be saved from persecution that Hindus had to suffer
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Rules 7 & 8 stipulated that Hindus had to honor Muslims & leave the assembly as soon as a Muslim entered the premises. Rules 9 & 10 specified that Hindus must dress differently from Muslims so they could be easily identified & they were not allowed to take Muslim names.
Rules 7 & 8 stipulated that Hindus had to honor Muslims & leave the assembly as soon as a Muslim entered the premises. Rules 9 & 10 specified that Hindus must dress differently from Muslims so they could be easily identified & they were not allowed to take Muslim names.
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Hindus could not ride a harnessed horse or carry weapons. They could not wear diamond rings or eat pork. Idols were banned & Hinduswere not allowed to build houses near Muslims. Hindus could not dispose or mourn their dead near Maqbaras, nor could they have Muslim slaves.
Hindus could not ride a harnessed horse or carry weapons. They could not wear diamond rings or eat pork. Idols were banned & Hinduswere not allowed to build houses near Muslims. Hindus could not dispose or mourn their dead near Maqbaras, nor could they have Muslim slaves.
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Above all if any Hindu disobeyed the rules, then it was Halal (lawful for Muslims) to KILL the Hindu! The Sufis transformed Kashmir from the land of Kashyap to the Dar-al-Islam (Abode of Islam) where Hindus lived lives worse than animals while being massacred & enslaved.
Above all if any Hindu disobeyed the rules, then it was Halal (lawful for Muslims) to KILL the Hindu! The Sufis transformed Kashmir from the land of Kashyap to the Dar-al-Islam (Abode of Islam) where Hindus lived lives worse than animals while being massacred & enslaved.
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Qutb-ud-din was succeeded by Sikandar & Hamadan’s son Muhammad became Sikandar’s advisor. Muhammad was even more fanatic & wanted full-blown Jihad. His first victory was to convert Sikandar’s prime minister Suha Bhatt into Malik Saifuddin by marrying his young daughter.
Qutb-ud-din was succeeded by Sikandar & Hamadan’s son Muhammad became Sikandar’s advisor. Muhammad was even more fanatic & wanted full-blown Jihad. His first victory was to convert Sikandar’s prime minister Suha Bhatt into Malik Saifuddin by marrying his young daughter.
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Timur’s invasion gave Hamadani the perfect way to launch Jihad against Hindus. Timur demanded a tribute of 30,000 horses & 100,000 silver Tankas from Sikandar. A terrified Sikandar was told that destroying Hindu temples & melting Murtis would provide the money to satisfy Timur
Timur’s invasion gave Hamadani the perfect way to launch Jihad against Hindus. Timur demanded a tribute of 30,000 horses & 100,000 silver Tankas from Sikandar. A terrified Sikandar was told that destroying Hindu temples & melting Murtis would provide the money to satisfy Timur
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Sikandar sanctioned destruction of temples & Hamadani’s men had an orgy of violence. As Jonaraja says “ There was no city, no town, no wood, where Suha Bhatt the Muslim left temples of the Gods unbroken. Of the images that once existed, only the name alone was left.”
Sikandar sanctioned destruction of temples & Hamadani’s men had an orgy of violence. As Jonaraja says “ There was no city, no town, no wood, where Suha Bhatt the Muslim left temples of the Gods unbroken. Of the images that once existed, only the name alone was left.”
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The grandest ancient temples of Kashmir were destroyed to ruins, such as the Martanda sun temple, Chakradhara, Tripureshvara, Sureshvara, temples at Avantipura & Paraspor. So many temples were destroyed that Sikandar got the coveted title of “Butshikan” - destroyer of idols.
The grandest ancient temples of Kashmir were destroyed to ruins, such as the Martanda sun temple, Chakradhara, Tripureshvara, Sureshvara, temples at Avantipura & Paraspor. So many temples were destroyed that Sikandar got the coveted title of “Butshikan” - destroyer of idols.
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But destruction of temples was not enough for the Sufis. Their aim was to obliterate Hinduism from Kashmir & so the atrocities began. Sati was abolished leaving helpless Hindu widows vulnerable to rape. Tika on forehead was banned & Jizya imposed to crush Hindus economically
But destruction of temples was not enough for the Sufis. Their aim was to obliterate Hinduism from Kashmir & so the atrocities began. Sati was abolished leaving helpless Hindu widows vulnerable to rape. Tika on forehead was banned & Jizya imposed to crush Hindus economically
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“Ralive, Tsaliv ya Galive (convert, leave or die) became a reality for Kashmiri Hindus. So much Hindu literature was sunk in the Dal Lake, that an entire causeway called Sad-i-Ishbari was built on top of them. Drinks, music & festivities were forbidden to establish pure Islam.
“Ralive, Tsaliv ya Galive (convert, leave or die) became a reality for Kashmiri Hindus. So much Hindu literature was sunk in the Dal Lake, that an entire causeway called Sad-i-Ishbari was built on top of them. Drinks, music & festivities were forbidden to establish pure Islam.
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The Jama Masjid, Khanqah Maula mosque, mosques in Bavan & Bijibhara were all built from the material of demolished Hindu temples & the spacious courtyard of the Lokeshvari temple in Srinagar was converted into the Mazar-i-Salatin, its temples converted into tombs.
The Jama Masjid, Khanqah Maula mosque, mosques in Bavan & Bijibhara were all built from the material of demolished Hindu temples & the spacious courtyard of the Lokeshvari temple in Srinagar was converted into the Mazar-i-Salatin, its temples converted into tombs.
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Muslim historians likes Firishta give detailed descriptions of unspeakable atrocities, temples obliterated, Hindu Murtis being melted to construct mosques, etc. Saiyids, ulama & new converts persecuted Hindus so much that Brahmins resorted to suicide, & others submitted.
Muslim historians likes Firishta give detailed descriptions of unspeakable atrocities, temples obliterated, Hindu Murtis being melted to construct mosques, etc. Saiyids, ulama & new converts persecuted Hindus so much that Brahmins resorted to suicide, & others submitted.
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In 1413, Sikandar’s son Ali Shah succeeded to the throne. Suha Bhatt & the Mullahs intensified their brutal Jihad. Hindus were forced to convert under threat of death, pressured with extremely heavy taxes & discriminatory laws. Brahmins became the primary targets of torture.
In 1413, Sikandar’s son Ali Shah succeeded to the throne. Suha Bhatt & the Mullahs intensified their brutal Jihad. Hindus were forced to convert under threat of death, pressured with extremely heavy taxes & discriminatory laws. Brahmins became the primary targets of torture.
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The extent of torture was so brutal that Jonaraja’s Dvitīyā Rājataraṅginī describe Brahmins eating poison, hanging, drowning, jumping off cliffs or burning themselves. Those who could - fled from Kashmir. The Sufis had forever destroyed the ancient Hindu culture of Kashmir
The extent of torture was so brutal that Jonaraja’s Dvitīyā Rājataraṅginī describe Brahmins eating poison, hanging, drowning, jumping off cliffs or burning themselves. Those who could - fled from Kashmir. The Sufis had forever destroyed the ancient Hindu culture of Kashmir
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Historical evidence clearly attests that what Sufi Islam brought to Kashmir was heinous religious intolerance, brutal discrimination, & uncontrolled savagery against Hindus - to establish supremacy of Islam. Is this the spirit that we should seek to revive?
Historical evidence clearly attests that what Sufi Islam brought to Kashmir was heinous religious intolerance, brutal discrimination, & uncontrolled savagery against Hindus - to establish supremacy of Islam. Is this the spirit that we should seek to revive?
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What the Sufis contributed to Kashmir's Hindus were horrifying broken remains of our temples, restless spirits of millions of massacred ancestors, & haunting fragments of our defaced gods. There was nothing tolerant, harmonious or syncretic about Sufi Islam in Kashmir.
What the Sufis contributed to Kashmir's Hindus were horrifying broken remains of our temples, restless spirits of millions of massacred ancestors, & haunting fragments of our defaced gods. There was nothing tolerant, harmonious or syncretic about Sufi Islam in Kashmir.
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It is ignorant at best & incredibly insensitive at worst to ignore the horrific genocide of Kashmir's ancient Hindu culture at the hands of Islamic Sufis. Instead we need a Holocaust Museum highlighting the atrocities that Sufis perpetrated on the ancient land of Devi Sharada.
It is ignorant at best & incredibly insensitive at worst to ignore the horrific genocide of Kashmir's ancient Hindu culture at the hands of Islamic Sufis. Instead we need a Holocaust Museum highlighting the atrocities that Sufis perpetrated on the ancient land of Devi Sharada.
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References:
Parmu, Radha Krishna. "A history of Muslim rule in Kashmir 1320-1819." People’s Publishing House (1969).
All Images: by @MumukshuSavitri using Midjourney AI
References:
Parmu, Radha Krishna. "A history of Muslim rule in Kashmir 1320-1819." People’s Publishing House (1969).
All Images: by @MumukshuSavitri using Midjourney AI
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