Kashmir (1946)

The State of Kashmir was founded in 1840 by Gulabsingh. Kashmiri, Dogri, Panjabi, Gojari and Pahadi are the five dialects which are in use in different parts of the State. Motia and Shina are the other two dialects spoken in Ladakh and Gilgit. These dialects have no scripts or a writing system of their own. Instead the people use Sharada  or Urdu script. Literary  works are almost not found in the Kashmiri language. Literacy is barely seven per cent.

Till 1340 A.D., there was no Muslim in Kashmir (page 50). It appears that Muslims of Kashmir were originally Hindu who changed their faith. Sultan Bhat, Jamal Bhat, Ahmed Rather are the Muslim names indicating their Hindu origin. Yet,the majority of people were Hindus. They were called Darad. There was harmony between Hindus and Muslims. There were many traditional practices and life styles  common to both the communities. They had common culture. The ancestors of Shaikh Abdullah were Brahman. The Muslim descendant of Hindus is called Shaikh. People generally called Sunnies Muslims. There is a total ban on cow slaughter in Kashmir. There is neither Bael (Aegle marmelos) nor Tulsi plants grown in Kashmir. The God Shankar is offered leaves of Dhup plant. In the Shiva temple, Nandi is not seen placed in front of the deity. 

In Kashmir, long-established practices are primarily considered in the administration of justice . If a particular practice is not proved, Hindu or Muslim law is applied. Animosity between the two communities started manifesting after 1932. It is said, when Maharaja of Kashmir attended the Round Table Conference in London along with Indian leaders, he proudly said that there was a complete harmony between Hindus and Muslims. This British Government did not like. Yet it can be said that Kashmiri Muslims have a resilience to thwart the hostility. 

In Ladakh, one member from every family is supposed to become lama.  The Maths of  lama  practise money lending, which  is benevolent to the debtor. 

There is a practice of having a common wife among all brothers. However, the practice has now been banned by law. 

It is said that in Ladakh, it does not thunder nor  lightning flashes.  In Kashmir, gold is found at the altitude of 18000 to 26,600 feet. 

Maths : Religious centre

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