1. Ancient Period (Up to 6th Century CE)

This era covers early settlements, Vedic references, and the rise of influential Hindu dynasties.

• Pre‑historic settlements: Stone‑age tools found at Burzahom (c. 3000 BCE).
• Vedic references: The Rigveda mentions “Kashmira”; the Mahabharata calls it “Kashmira‑desa”.
• Buddhist influence: Emperor Ashoka sent missionaries (3rd century BCE). Kushan king Kanishka (c. 120 CE) convened the 4th Buddhist Council at Kundalvan (Harwan).
• Karkota Empire (c. 625‑855 CE): Founded by Durlabhavardhana. Notable ruler Lalitaditya Muktapida (724‑760 CE), known as the “Alexander of India,” built the Martand Sun Temple.
• Utpala Dynasty (c. 855‑1003 CE): Avantivarman (855‑883 CE) stabilized the valley and built the Avantiswami temple.

Key Highlight: Lalitaditya’s conquests extended from Tibet to Kannauj, marking the zenith of early Kashmir’s power.

2. Early Medieval Period (1000‑1320 CE)

This period saw the last major Hindu dynasty and the establishment of Muslim rule.

• Lohara Dynasty (c. 1003‑1320 CE): Founded by Queen Didda (958‑1003 CE). Notable kings include Sangramraja and Harsha (1089‑1101 CE), the last great Hindu king and patron of Kalhana’s chronicle, Rajtarangini.
• First Muslim Incursions: Mahmud of Ghazni raided Kashmir in 1015 CE but did not establish rule.
• Establishment of Muslim Sultanate: In 1320 CE, Shah Mir founded the Shah Mir dynasty after the last Lohara king, Udayanadeva.

3. Sultanate Period (1320‑1586 CE)

Mnemonic 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 became a subah (province) of the Mughal Empire.
• Jahangir’s Love for Kashmir: Frequent visits; laid out Shalimar Bagh (1619) and Nishat Bagh (1633).
• Shah Jahan: Continued garden construction; built the Pearl Mosque (Motī Masjid) in Srinagar.
• Aurangzeb: Enforced stricter Islamic policies; Mughal authority declined after his death (1707).
• Administrative Impact: Introduction of the mansabdari system, uniform revenue settlement (zabt), and Persian as the court language.

5. Afghan Durrani Rule (1752‑1819 CE)

• Ahmed Shah Abdali invaded Kashmir in 1752 after Mughal decline, appointing Khwaja Ahmad Khan as governor.
• This was a period of instability marked by frequent rebellions, heavy taxation, and plunder.
• Key Highlight (1801): Afghan governor Jabbar Khan signed a treaty with Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh, paving the way for Sikh rule.

6. Sikh Rule (1819‑1846)

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed Kashmir in 1819 after defeating Afghan governor Jabbar Khan.
• Administration: Ruled through Sikh governors (e.g., Mihan Singh). Gulab Singh served as a jagirdar.
• Economic Policies: Promoted agriculture, the shawl trade, and introduced the rupee as currency.
• Treaty of Lahore (1846): After the First Anglo‑Sikh War, the British ceded Kashmir to Gulab Singh (Dogra) for ₹7.5 million.

7. Dogra Princely State (1846‑1947)

Administrative Setup: Praja Sabha (legislative council), separate judicial system, Dogra revenue settlement (bandobasti).

Socio‑economic Changes: Growth of tourism (houseboats, Gulmarg), spread of education, and emergence of political consciousness.

8. Accession to India & Early Post‑Independence (1947‑1950s)

• Oct 22 1947: Pakistani tribal invasion (Operation Gulmarg).
• Oct 26 1947: Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession to India; Indian troops airlifted to Srinagar.
• Jan 1 1948: India referred the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council; UNCIP formed.
• A Cease‑fire line (later the Line of Control, LOC) was established under UNCIP Resolutions (1948‑49).
• Article 370 (1949): Granted J&K special autonomy. Article 35A (1954): Defined permanent residents and restricted property rights for outsiders.

9. Political Evolution (1950s‑1980s)

• 1952: Delhi Agreement between Sheikh Abdullah and Nehru; monarchy abolished; Sheikh Abdullah became Prime Minister of J&K.
• 1953: Dismissal and arrest of Sheikh Abdullah; Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad became PM.
• 1957: J&K Constituent Assembly adopted its own constitution, declaring the state an integral part of India.
• 1965: Indo‑Pak war; Tashkent Agreement (1966) enforced a ceasefire and withdrawal to pre‑war positions.
• 1971: Indo‑Pak war; Simla Agreement (1972) converted the ceasefire line to the LOC, emphasizing bilateral settlement.
• 1975: Indira‑Sheikh Abdullah Accord restored Sheikh Abdullah as Chief Minister, upholding Article 370.

10. Militancy & Political Turmoil (1980s‑2000s)

• 1987: Alleged election rigging fueled discontent, leading to the rise of armed insurgency.
• 1989‑1990: Outbreak of militancy (JKLF, Hizbul Mujahideen); 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) became Chief Minister.
• 1999: Kargil Conflict (May‑July); Indian forces regained control of Kargil heights.

11. Abrogation of Special Status & Reorganisation (2019)

Key Legal Points: Article 35A ceased to exist; the Centre can now legislate on all matters; delimitation of constituencies resumed (2020‑2021).

12. Important Personalities (Quick Reference)

13. Key Treaties & Agreements (Exam‑Friendly)

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