Kashmir: The Focus of Asiatic Civilization

The present work as a collection of essays on the history and culture of Kashmir, Bernier, confers the title of ‘Paradise of the Indies’ to eh Valley. Others have spoken about Kashmir, as ‘The Promised Land’, ‘Heaven on Earth’ and Iran-I-Sagir’. In the Buddhist Sutras, Kashmir has been mentioned as the valley of the blue forests, fit for the mediating Bikshus. The Valley is also known as the ‘Switzerland of the East’. Hassan (d. 1898), the famous historian, describes special qualities of Kashmir, it is a land of gardens, forests, meadows, springs and lakes. Vigne made a prophecy about Kashmir saying that Kashmir will become the focus of Asiatic civilization: a miniature England in the heart of Asia. Many Europeanschoalrs have referred to the Jewish origin of the Kashmirs. It was Babar, the first Mughal Emperor of India, who made mention of the Kash or Cush people, who gave a name to the Valley. Our Kashmiri historians, Khawaja Mohammad Azam, his Tarikh-I-Azami, Pandit Hargopal Koul in his Guldast-I-Kashmir, Ab-Qadir in his Hashmat-I-Kashmir and Hassan in Tarikh Aulia-I-Kashmiri have made mention of the tomb of Moses at Booth on Nebu Baal in Bandipura Kashmir, Rev. Robert Clark, a figure among the Christian Missionaries wrote in 1864 that the Valley was remarkably fitted to become a great Christian Missionary center for the vast countries of China, Yarkand, Afghanistan and Turkistan. This statement depicits the importance of Kashmir to the Christian world. It is very strange that one of our ancient Sanskrit works, Bhavishya Maha-Purana makes mention of the visit by the Son of the God, Ishwara Putram to Kashmir and his talk with the Raja Shalivahana. The famous Purana was composed by Suta in 1391 Lankika era corresponding to 115 A.D. But the following reference by the famous Kashmir historian Nadri is very significant. During the period, Hazrat Yuzu Asaph in Srinagar Kashmir attracts pilgrims and tourists from all around the world. Kanishka, the famour king of North India, convened his 4th Buddhist Council in Kashmir in about 78A.D. It goes to credit of this Council to have composed a code which was engraved on copper plates and deposited in Vihara in Kashmir. Kanishka issued gold and silver coins in commemorating the great event, with the legend: BODDO. New evidence has come to our knowledge to show that the Glorious Prophet did depute his emissary with a letter for Veenaditya, the noble king of Kashmir. This historic event is given in detail in the Persian works, Anwar-I-Kashmir, folio 61, Riaz-ul Hind by Hidayat-ullah. There is a clear reference to this event in Marasill-Kashmir Allahabad dated 30th June 1872. Kashmir is a blessed land where we have a very sacred and precious relic, the holy hair of the Glorious Prophet.