History of Jammu &Kashmir (UT) – Concise Revision Notes
(Designed for JKSSB Accounts Assistant – General Knowledge)
1. Ancient Period (up to 6th century CE)
- Pre‑historic settlements – Stone‑age tools found in Burzahom (c. 3000 BCE).
- Vedic references – Rigveda mentions the “Kashmira” region; Mahabharata calls it “Kashmira‑desa”.
- Buddhist influence – 3rd century BCE: Emperor Ashoka sends missionaries; Kushan king Kanishka (c. 120 CE) convenes the 4th Buddhist Council at Kundalvan (present‑day Harwan). – Hindu dynasties – – Karkota Empire (c. 625‑855 CE) – founded by Durlabhavardhana; notable ruler Lalitaditya Muktapida (reigned 724‑760 CE) – “Alexander of India”, built the Martand Sun Temple.
- Utpala dynasty (c. 855‑1003 CE) – Avantivarman (855‑883 CE) stabilised the valley; built the Avantiswami temple.
- Key highlight – Lalitaditya’s conquests extended from Tibet to Kannauj; his reign marks the zenith of early Kashmir polity.
2. Early Medieval (1000‑1320 CE)
- Lohara dynasty (c. 1003‑1320 CE) – founded by Didda (queen regent, 958‑1003 CE); notable kings: Sangramraja, Harsha (1089‑1101 CE) – last great Hindu king, known for patronage of arts and the Rajtarangini chronicle by Kalhana. – First Muslim incursions – 1015 CE: Mahmud of Ghazni raids Kashmir but does not establish rule.
- Establishment of Muslim Sultanate – 1320 CE: Shah Mir (also known as Sultan Shah Mir) founds the Shah Mir dynasty after the death of the last Lohara king, Udayanadeva.
3. Sultanate Period (1320‑1586 CE) | Sultan (Reign) | Notable Contributions |
| —————- | ———————– |
| Shah Mir (1320‑1323) | Founder; adopted Persian court culture. |
| Jamshed (1323‑1333) | Consolidated power; built Jamia Masjid, Srinagar. |
| Alauddin Sikandar Shah (1339‑1342) | Extended control to Ladakh & Baltistan. |
| Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah) (1420‑1470) | “Akbar of Kashmir”; promoted Hindu‑Muslim syncretism, introduced shawl industry, built Zaina Lanka (island in Wular Lake). |
| Habib Shah (1470‑1478) | Last independent sultan; internal strife weakened the kingdom. |
| Mirza Haidar Dughlat (1540‑1551) | Mughal governor; wrote Tarikh‑i‑Rashidi. |
| Yusuf Shah Chak (1579‑1586) | Last sultan; defeated by Mughal forces under Akbar. |
- Mnemonics for Sultanate order – “Shah Joined Allauddin Zain Habib Mirza Yusuf” → S‑J‑A‑Z‑H‑M‑Y.
4. Mughal Rule (1586‑1752 CE)
- Akbar’s annexation (1586) – Kashmir becomes a subah (province) of the Mughal Empire; administered by a Subahdar. – Jahangir’s love – frequent visits; laid out the Shalimar Bagh (1619) and Nishat Bagh (1633).
- Shah Jahan – continued garden construction; Pearl Mosque (Motī Masjid) in Srinagar.
- Aurangzeb – stricter Islamic policies; decline of Mughal central authority after his death (1707). – Administrative impact – introduction of mansabdari system, uniform revenue settlement (zabt), and Persian as court language.
5. Afghan Durrani Rule (1752‑1819 CE)
- Ahmed Shah Abdali invades Kashmir (1752) after Mughal decline; appoints Khwaja Ahmad Khan as governor.
- Period of instability – frequent rebellions, heavy taxation, and plunder.
- Key highlight – 1801 – Afghan governor Jabbar Khan signs a treaty with the Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh, laying groundwork for Sikh takeover.
6. Sikh Rule (1819‑1846)
- Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexes Kashmir (1819) after defeating Afghan governor Jabbar Khan.
- Administration – Sikh governors (e.g., Mihan Singh, Gulab Singh as a jagirdar).
- Economic policies – promotion of agriculture, shawl trade, and introduction of rupee as currency.
- Treaty of Lahore (1846) – after the First Anglo‑Sikh War, the British cede Kashmir to Gulab Singh (Dogra) for ₹7.5 million.
7. Dogra Princely State (1846‑1947)
| Ruler | Reign | Major Events |
|---|---|---|
| Gulab Singh | 1846‑1857 | Founder; purchased Kashmir; built Ranbir Canal. |
| Ranbir Singh | 1857‑1885 | Established Ranbir College (now GCU); railway line Jammu‑Sialkot initiated. |
| Pratap Singh | 1885‑1925 | Introduced Praja Sabha (1934); land‑reforms; hydro‑electric projects. |
| Hari Singh | 1925‑1947 (last ruler) | Faced 1931 uprising; signed Instrument of Accession (Oct 26 1947). |
- Administrative setup – Praja Sabha (limited legislative council), separate judicial system, Dogra revenue settlement (bandobasti).
- Socio‑economic changes – growth of tourism (houseboats, Gulmarg), spread of education, emergence of political consciousness (Muslim Conference, later National Conference). ### 8. Accession to India & Early Post‑Independence (1947‑1950s)
- Oct 22 1947 – Pakistani tribal invasion (Operation Gulmarg).
- Oct 26 1947 – Maharaja Hari Singh signs Instrument of Accession to India; Indian troops airlifted to Srinagar.
- Jan 1 1948 – India refers the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council; UNCIP (United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan) formed.
- Cease‑fire line (later Line of Control, LOC) established under UNCIP Resolution of Aug 13 1948 & Jan 5 1949. – Article 370 (1949) – grants J&K special autonomy; Article 35A (1954 via Presidential Order) – defines permanent residents & restricts property rights to outsiders.
9. Political Evolution (1950s‑1980s)
- 1952 – Delhi Agreement between Sheikh Abdullah & Nehru; abrogation of the monarchy; Sheikh Abdullah becomes Prime Minister of J&K.
- 1953 – Dismissal & arrest of Sheikh Abdullah (Kashmir Conspiracy Case); Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad becomes PM.
- 1957 – J&K Constituent Assembly adopts its own constitution; declares the state an integral part of India.
- 1965 – Indo‑Pak war; Tashkent Agreement (Jan 10 1966) – ceasefire, withdrawal to pre‑war positions.
- 1971 – Indo‑Pak war; Simla Agreement (July 2 1972) – converts ceasefire line to Line of Control; bilateral settlement clause.
- 1975 – Indira‑Sheikh Abdullah Accord – Sheikh Abdullah returns as Chief Minister after agreeing to uphold Article 370. ### 10. Militancy & Political Turmoil (1980s‑2000s)
- 1987 – Alleged rigging of state elections fuels discontent; rise of armed insurgency.
- 1989‑1990 – Outbreak of militancy (Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front, Hizbul Mujahideen, etc.); exodus of Kashmiri Pandits (≈ 1 lakh).
- 1990 – Imposition of Governor’s Rule; later President’s Rule (1990‑1996). – 1996 – Return to democratic process; Farooq Abdullah (National Conference) becomes CM.
- 1999 – Kargil Conflict (May‑July); Indian forces regain control of Kargil heights; Pakistan withdraws under international pressure.
11. Abrogation of Special Status & Reorganisation (2019)
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Aug 2019 | Presidential Order C.O. 272 – abrogates Article 370 (except clause 1) via parliamentary recommendation. | Ends J&K’s special autonomy; extends all Indian laws to the region. |
| 6 Aug 2019 | Parliament passes Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. | Splits the state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature). |
| 31 Oct 2019 | Appointment of Lieutenant Governors – GC Murmu (J&K) and RK Mathur (Ladakh). | Administrative transition completed. |
| Key legal points | – Article 35A ceases to exist (automatically with Art. 370). – Centre can now legislate on all matters (including land, education, employment). – Delimitation of constituencies resumed (2020‑2021). |
Aims at integration, development, and security normalization. |
12. Important Personalities (Quick Reference)
| Name | Role | Period | Why Remembered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lalitaditya Muktapida | Karkota king | 724‑760 CE | “Alexander of India”; Martand Temple. |
| Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah) | Sultan | 1420‑1470 CE | Hindu‑Muslim harmony; shawl industry. |
| Gulab Singh | Founder of Dogra State | 1846‑1857 | First Maharaja of J&K. |
| Sheikh Abdullah | Popular leader; CM | 1940s‑1980s | “Sher‑e‑Kashmir”; Article 370 architect. |
| Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad | CM | 1953‑1963 | Infrastructure (roads, power). |
| Farooq Abdullah | CM (multiple terms) | 1980s‑present | National Conference stalwart. |
| Mufti Mohammad Sayeed | CM; PDP founder | 1990s‑2000s | Alliance politics; Agra Summit 2001. |
| GC Murmu | First LG of J&K UT | 2019‑2020 | Oversaw post‑abrogation administration. |
| RK Mathur | First LG of Ladakh UT | 2019‑present | Focus on Ladakh’s development. |
13. Key Treaties & Agreements (Exam‑Friendly)
| Treaty/Agreement | Year | Parties | Main Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treaty of Lahore | 1846 | British & Gulab Singh | Sale of Kashmir to Gulab Singh for ₹7.5 M. |
| Treaty of Amritsar | 1846 | British & Gulab Singh | Formalised Dogra rule; defined boundaries. |
| UN‑CIP Resolution | 1948‑49 | UN, India, Pakistan | Cease‑fire; plebiscite proposal (never held). |
| Tashkent Agreement | 1966 | India & Pakistan | Withdrawal to pre‑1965 lines; no territorial gain. |
| Simla Agreement | 1972 | India & Pakistan | LOC; bilateral dispute resolution. |
| Indira‑Sheikh Abdullah Accord | 1975 | Indira Gandhi & Sheikh Abdullah | Restoration of Article 370; Sheikh as CM. |
| Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act | 2019 | Parliament of India | Abrogation of Art. 370; creation of two UTs. |
14. Cultural & Economic Highlights (for GK)
- Handicrafts – Kashmiri shawls (Pashmina, Jamawar), carpets, papier‑mâché, walnut wood carving.
- Horticulture – World‑renowned Apple, Saffron (Pampore), Almonds, Walnut.
- Tourism – Dal Lake (houseboats, shikaras), Gulmarg (skiing), Pahalgam (trekking), Vaishno Devi (Jammu), Amarnath Yatra.
- Education – University of Kashmir (1948), Islamic University of Science & Technology (2005), IIT Jammu (2016), AIIMS Jammu (2020). – Infrastructure – Jammu‑Srinagar National Highway (NH‑44), Banihal‑Qazigund Railway Tunnel (11.2 km, Asia’s longest), Udhampur‑Srinagar‑Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) under construction.
15. Mnemonics for Quick Recall 1. Dynasties (Ancient‑Medieval)
- Karkota, Utpala, Lohara, Shah Mir, Mughal, Afghan, Sikh, Dogra → “K U L S M A S D” → Kashmir’s Unique Legacy Shines Like a Majestic Sapphire Diamond.
2. Key Rulers of Dogra Era
- Gulab Singh, Ranbir Singh, Pratap Singh, Hari Singh → “G R P H” → Great Rivers Protect Heritage.
3. Post‑1947 Agreements (India‑Pak)
- Tashkent, Shimla, Lahore (1999) → “T S L” → Try to Solve.
4. Article 370 Abolition Steps (2019)
- Presidential Order, Reorganisation Act, Lieutenant Governor appointment → “P R L” → People’s Resolution Led.
16. Last‑Minute Bullet‑Point Checklist
- Pre‑historic & Vedic: Burzahom (3000 BCE); Rigveda & Mahabharata references.
- Ancient Dynasties: Karkota (Lalitaditya), Utpala (Avantivarman).
- Medieval Muslim Rule: Shah Mir dynasty → Zain‑ul‑Abidin (Budshah).
- Mughal Era: Akbar’s annexation (1586); gardens (Shalimar, Nishat).
- Afghan & Sikh: Abdali’s rule → Ranjit Singh’s annexation (1819).
- Dogra State: Gulab Singh (1846) → Hari Singh (last ruler).
- Accession: Instrument of Accession (26 Oct 1947); UNCIP & cease‑fire line.
- Special Status: Art. 370 (1949), Art. 35A (1954).
- Political Shifts: Sheikh Abdullah (1950s), Farooq Abdullah, Mufti Sayeed.
- Conflict: 1965 & 1971 wars; Tashkent & Simla agreements.
- Militancy: 1989‑90 outbreak; Pandit exodus.
- 2019 Reorganisation: Abrogation of Art. 370; two UTs (J&K & Ladakh).
- Economy: Shawls, saffron, apples, horticulture, tourism.
- Culture: Gardens, houseboats, Hajj pilgrimage (Amarnath), Vaishno Devi. – Administrative: Lieutenant Governor (J&K), Lieutenant Governor (Ladakh).
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End of Notes – Review the tables and mnemonics; they are designed for rapid recall during the JKSSB Accounts Assistant GK paper. Good luck!
