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The first Muslim king of Kashmir Sadr al-Din owed his conversion to darwesh Bul Bul Shah in the early part of 14th century. Towards the end of the same century the progress of Islam was furthered by Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani. He was accompanied by 700 people who came from Iran, Iraq, Kabul, Kandhar, Bhukara, and other areas. They established hermitages all over the country and by their influence people appear to have assured the acceptance of the new religion. They were responsible for a whole overhauling in the political, social and economic life of kashmir.
”No one can deny the debt kashmir owes to Islam. Fanatics among Hindus may say anything they like, but it is undeniable that the services rendered by the new faith at the time when Hinduism had become bankrupt in Kashmir and lost its moral stamina, were inestimable. If the soul of the people was not lost, it was not a little due to the moral regeneration brought about by this new faith.”1
Sir M.A. Stein in his introduction to english translation of Rajtarangni says, “Islam made its way into Kashmir not by forceable conquest, but by gradual conquest”.
“The rule of Muslims came as a blessing not only politically but intellectually and spiritually. It popularized Islam in Kashmir, which revolutionised the thinking of the people and their whole attitude to life. Politics had dehumanized the Kashmiris, Islam made them men again”.2
“An important work of Sayyid Ali Hamdani is Dhakhirat-Al-Muluk. Its essential purpose is to guide Muslim rulers in the discharge of their duties towards their subjects in the light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The essence of Sayyid’s admonitions to rulers inadequately brought home in the modern assesment of his work- is his concern for rendering equitable justice, irrespective of religious differences”.3
These people along with Hamdani proved to be originators of renaissance for whole Kashmir. To boom the degrading economic conditions of Kashmiris they brought along with them different Arts and Crafts, thus paving way for the development of handicrafts and thus the economical and social conditions of the valley became better.
”The introduction of Arts and Crafts can easily be attributed to Sayyid Ali, as he opened the gates of interaction between Iran and kashmir which has no precedent. More than 700 people arrived in Kashmir with Sayyid Ali and all of them were not religious scholars or Islamic preachers and all of them were not even Sayyids. But there is no doubt that they were representatives of Irani culture and Islamic legacy.Thus apart from bringing new sciences, culture and values from Iran to Kashmir, Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani created a new congenial atmosphere for the promotion of various arts and crafts of Iran in the valley”.4
The interaction between Iran and Kashmir facilitated the emergence of new Arts and Crafts like Najari, Hamam Dari, Naqashi, Kafash Duzi, Kala Pachapazi, Dazandagi, Kabab Pazi, Harisa Pazi, Halwa Pazi, Shreeni Pazi, Gilkari, Zargari, Sahafi, Qaligiri, Khimah Duzi, Lihaf Duzi, Hakaki, Zarda Duzi, Kakaz Duzi, Qalamdan Saazi, Misgari, Maharkunji, Kharati, Kaman Gari, Kullah Duzi, Roghan Kashi, Namda Saazi or Namda Gari,Sozan Kari, Checken Duzi, Pasham Saazi, Kundan Giri, Nadafi, Cheet Saazi, Koza Gari, Jild Saazi, Etc. Other Arts include shawl making, Paper Machie, Calligraphy, Cap making, etc.
Thus Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani unlike other Sufis in the rest of the world enlightened and revolutionised three spheres influencing life i.e social life he revolutionised by teaching the fundamental tenets of Islam. Political life he influenced by his book Dhakhirat-Al-Muluk which was also translated into Latin in 1825 and into French in 1829. Economic life he influenced by bringing with him 700 people and Ali Hamdani himself adopted cap making as the source of his earning.
Thus Shah-i-Hamdan or Ameer-e-Kabeer as he is known to common masses made Kashmir a minor Persia (Iran-e-Saghir).
References:
1. Inside Kashmir-Prem Nath Bazaz, Gulshan Publishers And Exporters, Kashmir, Page 275.
2. The History of Struggle for Freedom in Kashmir Cultural And Political From Earliest Time To Present Day-Prem Nath Bazaz, Gulshan Publishers And Exporters, Kashmir,-2003 Page 47.
3. Kashmir’s Transition To Islam;The Role Of Muslim Rishis-Mohammad Ishaq Khan, Monohar Publishers And Distributors, Delhi 2002-Page 4.
4. Saints and Saviours Of Islam-Dr. Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi, Sarup & Sons, Delhi 2005 Page 255-56.
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