The Seven Exoduses of Kashmiri Pandits

Background

Several Buddhists and Hindu dynasties ruled Kashmir, an important centre of Indic civilization until the advent of Islam in the valley. Traders, preachers, Muslims who were being persecuted in Persia by Taimur and other places were welcomed and given refuge by the Hindu rulers Suhadeva and Ramachandra.

Bulbul Shah, a prominent Sufi from Turkestan (in Kazakhstan) and Rinchan, a Buddhist, also came to settle in Kashmir. Rinchan who was employed by Hindu king Ramachandra treacherously murdered Ramachandra and took over the throne. Under the influence of Bulbul Shah and Shah Mir, he converted to Islam along with 10,000 Brahmins.

Rinchan changed his name to Sadruddin Shah and became the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir from 1320–1323 CE.

Shah Mir succeeded Rinchan and became the founder of the Islamic rule in Kashmir. He encouraged inter-religious marriages and royal patronage was given to Islamic missionaries for religious conversions.

Shihab-ud-Din succeeded Shah Mir. There was an intense and quick Islamisation of Kashmir during his reign.

Qutub-ud-Din took over the throne later. During his reign, Sufi Syed Hamadani from Persia came to settle in Kashmir with a large number of followers. The Sufis always had great influence on the political decisions of Sultans. Hamadani dictated Sultan Qutub-ud-Din to make the persecution and torture of the Kashmiri Pandits a state policy.

Sufi Syed Hamadani led the demolition of the Kalishree temple in Srinagar and built a mosque over it known as Khanqah-i-Mulla. He managed to convert 37,000 Kashmiri Pandits to Islam.

First Exodus

Sultan Sikandar (1389–1413 CE) too was deeply influenced by Sufi Syed Hamadani. He attempted to establish Sharia. Hindu festivals, rituals, processions and music were banned. Applying Tilak was not allowed. Religious tax Jizya tax was levied. Traditional arts irrelevant to Islam were ruined.

Temples were destroyed and Idols made of gold and silver were melted. The riches were used to build mosques. Martand Temple, significant to the Hindu civilization was destroyed during this time.

One lakh Kashmiri Pandits were drowned in Dal lake and were burned at a location in Srinagar which is known as Bhatta Mazaar (the graveyard of Kashmiri Pandits). Hindu women were raped and sold. To avoid brutalities, many committed suicide by jumping into rivers or wells.

Hindus were given a choice between converting, exile or getting killed. They fled to neighbouring regions of Kishtawar and Bhadrawah and also to various provinces of India resulting in the first exodus of Kashmiri Pandits.

Second Exodus

Sultan Ali Shah (1413–1420 CE) continued the practices of his father and he did not like that Pandits were moving out of Kashmir and thriving in other places. He posted watch guards to prevent people from moving out. Many Hindus committed suicide while some managed to escape. Many died during their escape due to the harsh conditions of nature. Those who managed to escape had to beg for survival.

In Kashmir, more artwork and literature were destroyed by the ruler. Despite paying Jizya, Brahmins could not pray in temples, apply Tilak or carry out religious ceremonies.

This was followed by the rule of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (1420–1470 CE) who was known for his tolerant nature. He was tolerant and had made all efforts to rehabilitate the Kashmiri Hindus in the valley. He reversed the cruel policies of the previous rulers. He promoted art and literature and undertook a lot of development activity in the valley. Kashmir flourished under his rule. The great historian Jonraja was the court historian of Zain-ul-Abidin.

This period of peace did not last beyond his rule as it was followed by his cruel son Hyder Shah.

Third Exodus

Hyder Shah (1470–1472 CE) restarted the fanatic ways of previous Islamic rulers. The noses and arms of Pandits were chopped off while many others preferred to drown themselves in Jhelum river to escape torture.

Hyder Shah was followed by the reign of Hasan Khan, a puppet of Shia tyrants — Shams Chak, Shringar Raina and Musa Raina. Mir Shams-ud-Din Iraqi, a renowned Shia missionary from Herat was a follower of the Nurbakhshiya order of Shia sect who came to Kashmir on a mission to eradicate idol worshippers with the sword.

Shams-ud-Din Iraqi and Musa Raina, a convertee, whose original name was Soma Chandra had issued orders that everyday 1,500 to 2,000 Hindus be brought to the doorstep of Iraqi and remove their sacred thread and administer Kalma to them, circumcise them and make them eat beef. 24,000 Hindu families were converted to Iraqi’s faith by force and compulsion.

The introduction of the Nurbakhshiya order developed hostility between Shias and Sunnis in Kashmir. This resulted in the downfall of the Sultans, the rise of Chaks and ultimately paved the way for Mughals.

The Chaks also belonged to the Shia sect who like all other Muslim rulers adopted the policy of conversion by coercion, loot, arson and butchering of Kashmiri Pandits. The Shias were intolerant of Sunni Muslims too and so they were converted forcefully. The Buddhists of Kargil had the same fate as Hindus. This explains how Kargil is predominantly Shia till date.

Fourth Exodus

Mughals ruled between 1586–1752 CE. Akbar conquered Kashmir in 1586 CE. He was tolerant, abolished Jaziya and granted rent-free villages to Hindus. Pandits were also given important positions in the middle level of the government.

Later, both Jahangir and Shah Jahan were less tolerant towards Hindu practices. But Aurangzeb was the worst of all, Jaziya tax was imposed and forced conversions began. Hindus could not wear tilak or the sacred thread. He imposed a strict dress code on Kashmiri women.

It is during Aurangzeb’s reign that tortured Hindus approached Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bhahadur for help which ultimately led to Aurangzeb beheading the Guru and creation of Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh to fight the oppressors.

Governors of Aurangzeb continued terrorising Hindus as a result of which many left the valley.

Fifth Exodus

In 1720 CE, Muhat Khan was appointed as the superior authority of Islam. He instructed the governor to persecute non-Muslims or kafirs with six commandments –

1. No Hindu should ride a horse; not should he wear shoes.
2. They should not wear Jama (Mughal style clothing).
3. Should not move out with their arms covered.
4. They shall not visit any garden.
5. Are not permitted to have a tilak mark on their foreheads.
6. Their children should not be educated.

The governor, Ahmed Khan, refused to follow the above instructions. Hence, Muhat Khan instigated his followers against Hindus and came to power under the title of Dindar Khan. Under his orders, Hindus were killed and tortured. Several survivors hid in mountain areas. He pursued the anti-Hindu policies of Aurangzeb. His campaign against the Hindu dress, language and culture destroyed social harmony.

He persecuted and tortured both the Hindus and Shia-Muslims. His son who became the superior authority after him continued the same.

This resulted in the fifth exodus of Pandits from Kashmir.

Sixth Exodus

The Mughal period was followed by Afghan rule between 1753 to 1819 CE. Under Afghans, Kashmir entered into an even darker phase of violence and poverty. During the period Kashmir was ruled by twenty-eight governors as heavy taxes were levied on the Kashmiris and a big part of revenue was drained away to Kabul.

Afghan rule in Kashmir was a period of brutal tyranny. Below is a list of what all the Hindus were subjected to, under Afghan rule-

1. Hindu granthas were confiscated and used to construct a bund along a tributary of Jhelum, now called Suth.
2. When killing with sword got monotonous, the Hindus were put in pairs, tied in grass sacks and drowned in the Dal Lake. Later leather sacks were used instead of grass sacks.
3. Muslims were free to jump on the back of Hindus to take rides. This practice was called Khos.
4. Tilaks, turbans, and wearing of shoes were banned for Pandits.
5. To save their daughters from the lust of Afghans, many had to shave their heads or cut off their noses.
6. Many Pandits were appointed as Kardars or agricultural tax collectors. If the crops failed and ample tax was not brought — these Kardars were tortured in any way as the governor pleased.
7. There was a concentration camp near Nishat garden where Hindus were tortured.

Hindus faced the worst atrocities consistently during the rule of various Islamic sects and ethnicities.

Kashmir was under Sikh rule between 1819 CE and 1846 CE. In 1846, J&K State was formed and came under the Dogra rule from 1846 to 1947. Under Sikh and Dogra rule, the Hindus in Kashmir got respite from Islamic oppression.

Seventh Exodus

Violence was unleashed on Pandits in 1931, to bring down the Dogra rule. With the support of Nehru and the British, Sheikh Abdullah launched the Quit Kashmir Movement (May 10, 1946) against the Maharaja. Jinnah called for ‘Direct Action’ on 16 August, 1946, demanding a divided India or a destroyed India. This had resulted in the widespread unleashing of terror by Muslims on Hindus.

After independence and accession of Jammu & Kashmir state to India, Kashmiri Pandits were pushed back to the Afghan era. The administration of Sheikh Abdullah adopted malicious methods and under the pretext of economic reforms, Pandits’ jagirs were confiscated and distributed among the Muslim peasants. Hindu temples were plundered. Minor girls of the community were forced to embrace Islam and marry the Muslim youth.

Between 1950s and 1970s Sheikh Abdullah was arrested several times for anti-India activities. While the 70s seemed relatively peaceful, radical elements began to gain momentum with Pakistan’s collaboration with radical Islamic and anti-India elements in Kashmir. Local youth began to be trained by Pakistan and heavy radicalization of local Muslims started in the Madrassas.

During Sheikh Abdullah’s rule from 1977 to 1982, Kashmir saw vigorous Islamization. Friday shows in cinemas were cancelled due to Jummah (Friday) prayers. Large funds were given to terror outfits, and their schools, and organizations by Pakistan and various Arab countries. Islamic revolution was openly called for. Mosques and Islamic institutes were built over government land and pre-Islamic culture of Kashmir was erased.

Sheikh Abdullah’s son, Farooq Abdullah, had intimate ties with the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and Pakistan. Kashmir became the breeding ground of terrorists which included Sikh Khalistani terrorists. On the death of Brindranwale in 1984, agitated Khalistanis targeted the Hindus, killing 15.

Students of Kashmir University were encouraged to strengthen their Islamic identity and Farooq Abdullah promoted Muslim unity. Most elections he won were rigged. “Pakistan zindabad” was shouted openly in cricket stadiums while the CM Farooq Abdullah watched silently.

Seeing his growing anti-India and anti-Congress stance, Indira Gandhi made Farooq’s brother-in-law G.M.Shah the CM after throwing Farooq out of power. This led to a period of misrule, bomb blasts and endless curfews. From 1985 to 1986 there were a series of attacks against Pandits.

In March 1986, Governor’s Rule under Jagmohan, was imposed. Bold anti-corruption steps were taken along with other developmental activities. This threatened radical Islamic organisations and other vested interests. The corrupt politicians and anti-social elements began a movement against the Governor.

In the meanwhile, Farooq Abdullah and Rajiv Gandhi’s deep friendship resulted in a political alliance. During this time the Muslim United Front was born that threatened the prospects of NC-Congress alliance, which then indulged in malpractices during elections and won. Shooting and arrests of the protesting Muslim United Front members post rigged elections threw the Valley into flames as the youth and party members took up arms that Pakistan supplied. What followed was more than two decades long civil unrest in Kashmir.

With the aim of creating an Islamic State, the then President of Pakistan, Zia-ul-Haque launched ‘Operation Topac’ in 1988. In the first phase, the JKLF started the agitation in the valley with the slogan of ‘Azadi’.

In 1989, Farooq Abdullah released 23 top terrorists. The National Flag was burnt right in front of the police and Pakistan’s independence day was celebrated on 14th August while on 15 August 1989 Indian flags were burnt and black-out was enforced by terrorists in the evening. Bomb blasts, attacks on buses, central government officers became common. Schools were burnt, bars were shut, liquor trade was closed down, and terrorists controlled everything.

Large-scale corruption and misrule became the norm under Farooq Abdullah’s leadership. All policies favoured Kashmiri Muslims. Even people in the government collaborated with terrorists. In 1989, Mufti Mohammad Syed, the Home Minister of India at that time, had his daughter kidnapped. The demand of terrorists was the release of 5 JKLF cadres. People celebrated the release of terrorists and anti-India slogans echoed in Kashmir.

Between 1989–1990, roughly 25000 Kashmiri youth were trained for jihad by Pakistan. Selective killings of prominent Pandits were done. To instil fear, Hindus were subjected to brutal torture before they were murdered.

On January 4, 1990, local newspapers published a press release given by Hizbul Mujahideen asking Pandits to leave the Valley. Mosques made such announcements too. Pandits were given a choice to convert to Islam, leave, or get killed.

The period from 1989–90 witnessed the seventh horrific exodus of Hindus as well as some Sikhs, out of Kashmir. Properties of Hindus were grabbed, houses plundered and many localities were charred. Around half a million Hindus were forced to flee from their homes. Post-partition, this was the single largest forced exodus of a particular ethnicity.