It may be noted that Goverments of both countries, India and Pakistan have allowed muslim population of Kashmir to cross the line of actual control and have allowed trade as well across the border , both these countries are not allowing Kashmiri Hindus to visit the above shrine despite many requests.

Prior to independence, Hindu Pandits were settled in great numbers, in the Northern areas of Kashmir. Sharadi is a small village in Northern parts of Kashmir, which was famous for an ancient temple of Goddess Sharada. A Kashmiri Pandit family headed by Thusu Ladarwani was settled in this village. This Thusu family was compelled to migrate to Srinagar from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) and again due to the terrorists and their activities, had forcibly to shift to Jammu and stay in a transit camp there.
At present, Shri Shambhunathji Thusu from this family is ninety four year old and possesses an exceptionally remarkable memory. He is well versed in Urdu, and Kashmiri language . Shri Shambhunathji provided me a map in Urdu prepared by him, giving details of the “Sharda Temple”. He has successfully retained many memories, about the “Sharda Temple” right from 1920 A.D. Shri. Shambhunathji reiterated that there was no idol of the Goddess Sharda in the temple, but there was only a stone plinth, admeasuring six feet long, seven feet wide and one and half feet high. “Just outside the temple, not very far, was a Shivaling.( i.e . symbolic idol of Lord Shiva). The devotees worshipped at both the places.

Shri. Shambhunathji was born and brought up in Shardi and he spent his prime youth there only. His family owned a business there. He aptly recollects the fair held at Shardi in the month of Bhadrapada (the sixth month according to Hindu Calendar) on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha i.e. a fortnight of rising moon.

He makes a mention of the briefings by a scholar in History from “Shardi”, about the assistance rendered, by a Gaud King to the “Sharda Temple Complex”. The village Shardi is situated at a distance of 130 Kilometers from Srinagar and 140 k.m.s. from Muzaffarabad. This place, presently, has the following postal address in Pak occupied Kashmir. (POK).
Village Shardi, Tehsil Atta Mukam, District Muzafferabad.

Since olden times, the village Shardi was renowned for the following two things
1. temple of Goddess Sharda, and
2.  Sharda Peetham (Centre for Advanced studies)

Prior to the partition, a fair was held at village Shardi in the month of Bhadrapada and on the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha, and devotees from all over India, flocked the place in thousands, for receiving the blessings of the Mother Sharada deity. There is a place called “Tikkar” at a distance of one and half kilometers from Kupwara, in Kashmir. From here, there is a short cut for going to Shardi which measures 40 k.m. Many Pilgrims treaded this path only.          
  
   Prior to the partition of India, many Kashmiri Pandit families were settled in “Shardi”. Those professing as priests and traders had their shops   and   establishments   in the   near vicinity of the Sharda Teerath. Besides,   many  saints,   ascetics and their associates/disciples and their servants also lived there.

Shri. Pradeep Kaul, from Srinagar, informed that every scribe offered his writings to Goddess Sharda, for obtaining her blessings. The following alleged legend in this regard runs as follows. The Kashmiri Scribes, kept their Bhurjapatra manuscript covered in a platter overnight, in front of Goddess Sharda, for obtaining her blessings. If the pages of writings remained undisturbed, it was taken for granted that the works had the blessings of the Goddess. If, however, the pages of the works were found sifted, the works were considered as disapproved by the Goddess.

Presently , the Sharda Temple lies within POK territory and one has to travel from Muzaffarbad to Thitwal – 80 K.M. from Thitwal to Karna-20 k.m., from Keran to Dudhe Niyal – 24 km, and from Dudhaniyal to Shardi- 16 K.M., to reach Shardi.

Prior to 1947, some travellers went to “Udi” from Barahmulla, and then from “Udi” to Shardi, via Muzaffarabad. In Shardi, the Sharda temple is on the right bank of river “Krishnaganga”. At this spot, there is a confluence between river Madhumati and river Krishnaganga. In Sanskrit, the word Sharda denotes both Goddess “Saraswati”, and Goddess “Durga”. An old styled, stringed musical Instrument called “Veena” is also addressed as “Sharda”. The Kashmiri Pandits, rever this Goddess Sharda as a symbol of strength. The brief history of “Sharda” in Kashmir is as follows.

“Kashyapmir” aka Kashmir means the Land of “Kashyap: Rishi the ascetic. Kashmir was a home of erudites and scholars. Here was an University of the extremely learned Pandits and philosphers in all branches of knowledge. The epic, Mahabharata, refers to Kashmir as “Kashmir Mandal”. Ancient History of India describes that there was a temple of “Goddess Sharda” in Kashmir also. There was a centre for providing education, Sharada Peetha had four doors facing four direction. The southern door was always closed and no one from South ever entered from this door. “Shankaracharya” in 8th cent A.D. opened this door and entered the Centre . He defeated all the scholars there and won the highest hierarchial position of Acharya. An ancient volume “Shakti Sangam Tantra” has a stray reference to “Sharda complex”. The volume describes Kashmir as a Land from Sharda Complex to “Saffron mountain ” Keshara Parbat extending upto 50 yojana.

At present, in POK, the valley of river Krishnaganga lies at a distance of 125 k.m. from Muzaffarabad towards North. It is now being addressed as “Neelam Valley” by Pakistani authorities.

The village “Shardi” lies in between Gurej and Karna: the two places in Neelam valley. At Shardi, wreckaged remains of the temple of Goddess Sharda can be seen. One can reach Shardi within 4 hours from Muzaffarbad. The following are the lines from the verse of “Goddess Sharda” (residing in Kashmir) in praise of her.

Prior to Division of Kashmir in last century Mr. Bamzai, a Kashmiri Pandit, has very aptly described the Sharda Temple had the main girdle of 22 feet dia. It had an entrance door in the west. The other entrances had arches over them, and these arches were 20 feet in height .The main entrance had foot steps. On both sides of the porch, there were two square shaped pillars, 16 feet high and 2′6″ x 2′6″ in sectional size. Carved out of a solid stone Block. The construction inside the temple was very plain and unadorned . The temple was situated on a hillock, on the right’ bank of river Madhumati”. The rectangular sanctum had 63 foot steps, each 9′ wide. The name and fame of this Sharda Teerath was well spread throughout ancient India.

Kalhan, the famous Historian, who wrote “Rajtarangini has given a reference to “Lalitaditya” of the eighth’s century. He says, disciples of the Gaud King had come all the way from Bengal to Kashmir to pay a visit to this Sharda Mandir.

Alberuni, the famous traveller of the 10th century has made a mention of this “Sharada Mandir”. He narrates “After traversing the interior portion of the valley of Kashmir, one reaches the Bolair Mountain, which is mid way between “Ladakh” and “Gilgit’. Many pilgrims come here for receiving the blessings of Goddess Sharda”. Albe-runi further states that this “Sharda Teerath is equally famous like Som Nath of Gujarat, the Vishnu Temple of Thaneshwar, and the Sun-Temple of Multan.

“Bilhan” Pandit the famous author of the Later half of the 11th Century has also made a mention of the :Sharada Teerath”. Though settled in South India over a long period, “Bilhan” has dedicated all his Literary works to Goddess “Sharda”.

Between the period 1088 A.D. and 1172 A.D., an erudite, Shri Hemchandra had completed his “Prabhav Karta” a voluminous treatise. Under the auspices and patronage of King “Jay Singh” of Gujarat, he was required to compile a volume on “Grammar”. So, king Jay Singh deputed his representative to Kashmir, and made available to Shri Hemchandra a manuscript of the subject of grammar, from the Library of Sharda Teerth. This enabled Shri. Hemchandra, to complete his treatise called “Hemkandra” (Siddha Hemkandra) . This amply proves, how the name and fame of the library of “Sharda Teerth” was well-known in ancient India and as to, how abounding was the Library of “Sharda Peeth”.

Historian Jon Raja has made a reference, as to, how Sultan of Kashmir Zain-ul-Abidin visited this place in 1422 A.D.
Abul Fazal has also made a reference to this place. The stone crafted Sharda Mandir, he adds, a beautiful temple at that-is situated on the bank of river Madhumti (Krishna Ganga). Gold was often found in the river basin here. A fair is held here, on the eighth day of every month of the (Shukla Paksha) fortnight of the rising moon. After the Mughals, the Dogra regime assumed power in Kashmir and the then Collector of Muzaffarabad, Col. Gundu repaired the temple and provided a new ceiling made of wood. He got fixed an annuity for the priest of the temple, under the orders of Maharaja Gulab Singh of Kashmir.

The Northeast province of our vast country India is Kashmir. Kashmir has its own style of temple Architecture. This style was developed, during the reign of King Lalitaditya (724 A.D.) and in 9th Century reached its Zenith, during the regime of Avantiverman. There are a few ancient temples in Kashmir. Among these, the Rudrash temple at Ludo, the sun-temple at “Martand” and the “Shankaracharya Temple at Srinagar are conspicuously famous. Generally, a temple in Kashmir has two parts, a square sanctum and a porch in front of it. These structures have centres and subcentres of Learning associated with them.
Experts opine that the pillars and columns of Kashmiri temples compare favourably with those of Derrik style. There is an expansive courtyard around the temple. This ancient Sharda Mandir is in (P.O.K.) today and has nurtured all the Salient features of Kashmiri style of Architecture.

Yograj Razdan and Mr. Ratan Kaul made available this rare photograph of Sharda Mandir from Sharadi. It is at their instance, it was available to me.

Kashmir, in olden days, was a centre for education , pursuit of knowledge and studies of various sciences. That is exactly why, Kashmir is also called Land of Goddess Sharda, City of Goddess Sharda and Sharda Peetham (University).
The famous Chinese traveller, Hue-en-tsang visited Kashmir in the year 632 A.D. and lived there for almost two years. His notings assert that at Shardi, there are Pandits who are exceptionally brilliant, endowed with perspicacious wits and acumen and are genius in the real sense of the term. There is a narrative, regarding Goddess Sharda in Hindu Scriptures. When Pandits refuse to perform the sacred thread ceremony of “Shandilya” the son of ascetic “Vashishta”, he (Shandilya) under instructions of his father, went to Kashmir, to offer his services to Goddess Sharda. He bathed in the water tank near Sharda temple and got his body, transformed into radiant gold, afterwards, he, by the grace of Goddess Sharda obtained accomplishment and became famous as Shandilya Rishi the ascetic.

The Sharda Shastranam Stotra is a canticle depicting Goddess Sharda as follows :-
Goddess Sharda is “Sheeladevi” (A Goddess in stone) she sits on a stone seat and has a pleasantly smiling face. Her form and appearance resemble those of Goddess Parvati (Wife of Lord Shiva). She holds a Sword in one hand. Her eyes are glowing and radiant like the Sun, the moon and the god fire, she is the Supreme controller of all the three “Lokas” (According to Hindu Mythology, there are three lokas i.e. worlds swarga (the heaven) Mrutya (the Earth) and Patal (the under world). She has six arms and sports the sacred thread of Yagyopavit Shandilys, the ascetic. Her devotees are blessed with the eternal light from the outer world.

The members of the Gujar and Pahadi Communities, residing in the nearby area of the “Shardi” village had an abiding and unalienable faith in the sheeladevi shakti peeth (a source of power). They offered cow’s milk and cereals and other agricultural produce to Goddess Sharda. In the recent times, Swami Nandlalji a famous Yogi (a hermit) from Kashmir had his hermitage near the Sharda temple, and his disciples were both’ Hindus This is how the imposing and magnificent history of Goddess Sharda for a few centuries in the post goes. The following lines from a Sanskrit canticle are enough and sufficient to stress the importance of the history of Goddess Sharda.
 

Article Courtsey Author : Mr Sanjay Godblode  ;

No matter how much the media tried to hide the facts , the truth is there for everyone to see.

The Temples of Kashmir having been looted and destroyed by Islamic fanatics even in the capiltal city Srinagar . One of the temple is just a stone throw away from the ’secure’ area near world famous Dal Lake.

And the world continues to remain silent !!!

Nicknames
Lovers
A nickname, says Hazlitt, is the hardest stone that the devil can throw at a man, yet the Kashmiris have shown the unparalleled endurance to bear this hardest stone Pleased with their ‘devotion’ he (Mr. Devil) seems to have gifted this stone to them (Kashmiri) for ever. Love of nicknames is mixed in the blood of Kashmiris, nay, they have nurtured this art with their blood, for generations together. They give it without asking for and make full use of ordinary events, actions, habits and even physical feature of persons to coin new and newer nicknames. Raja Tarangini is full of references of nicknames. Shalok I6I of Sixth Taranga uses the word Kankanavarsa, which is a nickname given to a person. Yudhishthira, a king of Kashmir, was on account of his small eyes nicknamed as the ‘blind Yudhishthir’. At one place, an aspirant to the throne was nicknamed as lame. The verse reads, “what is his fitness for the throne, who keeps awake during the nights being addicted to sexual pleasures and sleeping by day, is marred by his inability to get up and has therefore obtained the nickname of ‘the Lame’ ” A certain king was nicknamed for having fallen in love with a lady. “As his mind became absorbed in Didda, the daughter’s daughter of Sahi, the king came to be known by the humiliating epithet of Diddaksama.”A merchant is said to have carried in the lap a black cat (pet). He bore the designation of a cat merchant which relegated his proper name to oblivion. Kalhan further reports that the furious tribe of Damras once nicknamed their master as snow king. For they believed that he can occupy the throne only after snow melts.

Humour
Kashmiris never lose their sense of humour. Even adversity has not killed their instinct of humour. It has on the other hand, sharpened it to boost their morale and love of boisterous life. Hamidullah, a resident of remote meadow village of Nobog Nai, has not only exposed the ruthless Sikh bureaucracy of Kashmir in his Bebujnamah, but has proved himself a caricaturist par excellence as well as a non-conformist as for as Sikh administrative system was concerned. This work contains allegorical names and characters. “It is steeped in symbolism depicting the glaring traits of bureaucracy under Sikh rulers from the Patwari upto the Nazim or Governor. According to the author, the whole lot of them was responsible for all sorts of the sufferings of the peasantry, especially their aim being simply to grease their own palms and to sustain Sikh power by force. The significance of the names he has coined for prominent members of the bureaucracy in the Revenue Department, such as, ‘Kazibrathar’ for Qanungo; ‘Adawat Koul’ for Patwari; ‘Fasad Bhat’ for Harkara, ‘Rishwat Baba’, for Qazi, can better be guessed than described. Similarly to describe the state of general administration, he introduces characters like ‘Gurez Singh’ for Mir Shamshere; ‘Adbar Singh’, for Mir. Bakshi; ‘Shahmat Singh’ for Chief Police Officer, ‘Mafajat Qulli’ for Chief Cavalry Officer, ‘Rahzan Bandey’, for Chamberlian, ‘KhalaJat Razdan’, for Munsif; ‘Tawan Koul’, for Amil,’ ‘Nuqsan Thaplu’, for mutasaddi, ‘Dewali Dass’, for chief storekeeper of grains; and ‘Chughl Beg’, for news reporter. They are glaring illustrations. The selection of these names as their meanings show, represents the basic characteristics of the holders of the public office. While talking about allegories, we must not forget to mention that Master Caricaturist of ancient Kashmir, Kshemendra, who has in a lyrical language exposed a Kayastha, a prostitute, a Brahmana and many others. His ‘Narmala and ‘ desopdesa ‘ are available in a printed form.

Aversion
It may not be right to say that Kashmiris have never shown an aversion to the nicknames. Pandit Anand Koul has quoted a classical example of resistance shown against a nickname by a poor Pandit whose name was ‘Vasadev’. He had a mulberry tree in his courtyard, and was, therefore, called Vasadev Tul. Tul being the Kashmiri name of mulberry. In order to get rid of this nickname he cut down the mulberry tree. But a Mond (trunk) remained and he was called, ‘ Vasadev Mond’. Irritated Pandit immediately removed the trunk; and a Kkud (depression) was caused and henceforth he was known as ‘Vasadev Khud’. Continuing his battle against nickname givers he got the depression filled up and the ground became a Teng (a little elevated). Thus he was re-nicknamed as ‘Vasadev Teng’. He had, however, to give in before the limitless arrows in the quiver of nickname givers and accepted gracefully his latest nickname, which has become a family name of his progeny.

Permanent
Kashmiri’s never forget a nickname once coined for a particular person, even if he makes all the amends in his behaviour, which had served as the source of his nickname. A certain gentleman by name of Karim was once found uralking bare-footed in the street. He was instantly called ‘Karim Nanvor’ (i.e., Karima the bare-footed). He is reported to have later on put on very attractive and fashionable shoes. But people will only whisper “Look! Look! how beautiful shoes have ‘Karim Nanvoroo’ put on!”. Another incident commonly related is that of an unfortunate family which gave a dinner party on some occasion of happiness. But the cook employed for preparing the dishes is reported to have spoiled all the dishes and a strange smell (Fakh) was found coming out of all the preparations. Thus the family was nicknamed as Fakh (dirty smell). The head of the house, in order to get rid of the contemptuous appelation, gave a luncheon to the members of his Biradari. Every dish was prepared cautiously and under strict supervision of an expert cook. The party was a grand success. But the plight of the head of the family can better be imagined than described, when he overheard two men conversating ‘Yar, these Fakhs have this time given really a grand party!’

The arrows of nicknames do not make a difference between a richman and poorman, a gentleman and a rogue. It hits its target with no consideration of caste, creed, or sex. A pious saint was nicknamed as Zanana Zoi, for the devout women surrounded him all the time. A Pandit by name of Maheshwar Nath was called Maheshwar Mahlami, because he used to distribute free of cost an ointment to the needy. The ointment in Kashrniri means Malham. Another devout Pandit used to bathe and worship his Saligram everyday and would throw the flowers and water of pooja in the Jehlum river, early in the morning. He was nicknamed as Madhav Nirmali.

Strange Sources
Strange are the sources of nicknames and stranger are the consequences of certain nicknames. A London-based Pakistani teacher, Mohamed Haseen, was nicknamed ‘Mr. Vortical’ at a junior school in which he was teaching because of the way some children in his school pronounced ‘Vertical’. His complaint of a racial discrimination was rejected by an Industrial Tribunal, when he was banned from being employed in State Schools because of his accent. He alleged that he was called ‘Paki-bastard’ by a student and no action was taken against him. An Indian girl in England with a nice name like Suneeta has been nicknamed as Snoteater (one who eats her own phlegm). Khushwant Singh recalling his childhood experiences with the nicknames writes that “for some reason I was nicknamed Shali which I did not mind too much. But when it came to be rhymed; Shali Shooli Bagh Ki Mooli (radish in the garden) I minded it very much. For some reason- Shali died out. I was re-nicknamed Khusrau which I did not mind too much. But when Khusrau had its tail docked and I was labelled Khusra (eunuch) I minded it very much”.

Ancient
Nicknames in one form or the other existed in ancient India. “A boy was called Balaki because he was brought up in the company of girls. Gargiya, his son would be referred to by his own name along with the epithet associated with his father, thus, Gargiya, Balaki i.e. Gargiya the son of Balaki. Sometimes the personal name was fallowed by the name of country or locality from which a man or his ancestor came, eg., Bhima Vidharbha or Bhima belonging to Vidarbha. Names could also be taken from one’s locality of birth, e.g., Vyasa, compiler of the Mahabharata, was born on an island (dvipa) and was surnamed Dvaipayana. Also common was the use of the ‘Viruda’ or (praise) name, often given to kings and heroes. It was not unknown in Vedic days, as can be seen by the eulogistic titles bestowed on certain kings, e.g., Puranjaya, ‘City conqueror’. Vikram, and Parakrama, signifying one boldly striding or advancing were among the royal titles used in medieval times.

Universal Practice
Nicknames are a universal phenomenon. Some names derived from nicknames are: white, brown, longfellow, drinkale, drinkwater, makepeace, gathergood, scattergood, gotobed (used in England). Names like Angell, Pope, King, Knight were attached to those who had acted such parts in medieval pagents.’ Imagine the agony of an obese child being called Bessie or Billy Bunter, Fatso or Motu! or of a thin child being called skinny! A long nosed one being a Concorde! A thick lipped being a Lipso.

Kram Names
Nicknames these days survive in the form of Kram names. Another name given to Kram is Zat and it is in no case akin to the jati as used in the Hindi-speaking areas of India. Kram, says Madan, is derived from a Sanskrit word and is used as a synonym for Zat. “It means a ranked category and suggests that internal ranking was, as it still is, characteristic of Brahmans of Kashmir. Whether the basis of ranking earlier was politico-economic as it is now, or involved other considerations also, is a subject on which I lack any data at present.

Origin
It is really an interesting job to trace the origin of Kashmiri Krams (nicknames). The sources of these surnames are often funny incidents or deliberate attempts to malign a person. Kashmiri Krams are not the gotra names but pure specimen of nicknames. Late M. D. Fauq has, in his Aqwami Mardam Kashmir, made a scholarly analysis of these nicknames. We have tried to reclassify these nicknames under the following heads: (i) Profession/occupation, (ii) Locality (iii) Abnormal/extra-ordinary physique or temperament, (iv) Peculiar circumstances / incident, and (v) Religious/ official/academic epithet.

Anglicisation
Classification and finding out of the origin of Kashmiri Krams has been rendered difficult by a craze for anglicising these surnames. Many abnoxious and absurd-looking Krams have been Westernised or Indianised beyond recognition. Thus Khar has become Kher, Wali became Vali, Thalal became Atal, Sar became Sir, Gor became Gaur and so on. There may be some justification in reshaping or modifying an awkward-looking surname. But to change the quite pretty and beautiful surnames like Kaul and Razdan ls really a deplorable attempt. For example, Kaul is often anglicised as Kaula and Razdan as Rosedon. Such deliberate modifications sometimes give rise to very absurd situations. Kaul is derived from Maha Kaul, which is a name of Lord Shiva. Kaul,therefore means a devotee of Shiva, but Kaula on the other hand stands for a big fool. See the difference yourself. This madening craze for anglicising ones names made Kashyapa Bandhu, a noted social reformer and political leader, to remark sarcastically.

Continuous Process
The evolution of nicknames and permutation and combination of different surnames is a continuous process. Laurence records that new and newer Krams are sprjnging up “in Zainagiri I found the large number of famlies rejoicing in the Kram (Chang). Their ancestor was a man who played on the Jews’ harp (chang). Azad the Pathan tyrant, sliced off the ears of an old and faithful servant because he was slow, and banished him to Lolab. His descendants are numerous, and their Kram is Kanchattu, the ‘crop-eared’. In Lolab a young Kram is arising known as Dogra. For two generations they have been in the service of Dogra rulers of the country”.
Moreover, to obliterate all traces of lowly origin men have assumed surnames or nicknames borrowed from familiar animals, insects, trades, occupations and places, e.g. Gegroo (rat); Dand (bullock); Bror (cat) Pisu (flea) etc.

Lawrence further records that one of the leading merchants of Srinagar is known by the name of Jackal. Another man of considerable influence, has adopted the unpleasent word ‘Latrine’ as his family appellation …It would serve no useful purpose to give a list of nicknames. Many are extremely coarse, and neither the giver nor the recipient of some of them is to be congratulated either for generosity or wit, and it is strange that men should have quietly allowed such names t.o be handed down in their families from’ generation to generation.

Jewish Influence
Bernier and Younghusband imagine without much authority, that Kashmiris are the lost tribes of Israel. Advocates of this theory agree with the Quadiani sect of Muslims that the ‘Lord Christ’ is buried in Srinagar. Younghusband records that the ‘people are in appearance of such a decided Jewish caste that it arouses curiosity that such a theory should exist; and certainly, these are real Biblical types to be seen everywhere in Kashmir, and especially in upland villages Here the Israelitish shepherds tending their flocks and flocks may any day be seen.”

Some local authors have also agreed with the theory and declare Hebrew language as the source of Kashmiri language. They also argue that the surnames of Kashmiris, as for instance Magre, Dand, Pare, etc., are borrowed from the Jewish surnames. More Kashmiri surnames like Raina Kichloo, Haptu, Varikoo Nehru, etc., are said to be akin to the surnames of Jewish people. Moreover, the word ‘Bal’ and ‘Hom’ at the end of certain places names is considered similar to the Jewish place names. Examples of such place names are Gandarbal, Manasbal, Gagribal, Dudarhom, Burzahom, Dropahom, Balahom, etc.

Joo
Bernier established the Jewish identity in Kashmiris by the frequent use of affix ‘Joo’ with their names. This title is frequently given by way of respect or an endearment. To quote Lawrence, ‘when a man has won the title “JU”, he ceases to use his real Kram name. Thus Habib Ju, the well-known silver smith, is probably Habib Gadh. Sul Ju the cloth merchant, is really Sultan Guzarban. In the villages, too, the affix Ju displaces the Kram name. Thus Kadir Ganai of Bhawan is called Kadir Ju, and Ahad Dar of Nanil is always addressed as Ahad Ju.’

The controversy over the origin of the affix ‘Joo’ has not been settled so far. Commenting upon the use of ‘Aryaraja’ by Kalhana in Shaloka 110 and Taranga II of Rajatarangini, R. S. Pandit says that Aryaraja means chief of the Aryas. ‘The term Arya is used to differentiate from the Anarya, the non-Aryans, or barbarians. Arya also means gentlemen. In early times, the pater-families was addressed as Arya and the wife in the Indian household addressed her husband as Arya-Putra (son of the Arya). It is interesting to find the survival of this term Arya through the Prakrata Ajja in the modern “ji” used as a suffix for respect and as a term of address’. The affix ‘joo’ seems, therefore, to be a Kashmiri version of the Hindi honorific ‘ji’ (which literally means life or soul).

Profession/Occupation
1. Aram – Some of their ancestor had been employed to collect the taxes from the vegetable growers and in the due course of time the word Aram became their nickname. Rajatarangini has used the word Aramak for them.

2. Kral - There are many localities in Kashmir known by the word Kral viz., Kralpur, Kralgund in Kupwara district. In the city of Srinagar we have two Mohallas known as Kral Khud and Kralyar. The Pandits employed for collecting taxes from ‘Krals’ (potters) were nick named as Kral.

3. Gooru – A milk man and a cowherd is called Goor in Kashmiri. Pandits did neither of these jobs However, certain Pandits were employed as Patwaris to keep the accounts of their cattle heads and collect the Government taxes from them. In the course of time their original family names became obscure and were known as Gooru.

4. Bakaya – An officer of the rank of a Tehsildar was appointed in the time of Sikhs and Pathans to realise the outstanding taxes from the people. His descendants were nicknamed as Bakaya.

5. Manwati - Manwati used to be a standard weight in Kashmir. It was equal to two and a half seers. Government used to levy a tax of one Manwati of rice on the tenants and an official employed to collect this tax was known to people by the name of Manwat. His descendants also lost their original family name and the nickname Manwati became an irremovable attachment to their names.

6. Guzarwan – A Guzarwan was an Official-incharge of an excise check-post on the outskirts of a town. Every article coming to the town from outside was to be checked and tax at a previously fixed rate to be realised. A Guzarwan was also to check the smuggling and unauthorised entry of articles to the town. An official employed, thus to perform this duty became famous by the name of Guzarwan. His children, whatever their profession might have been, were also known by this name.

7. Bakshi – It is a common Punjabi surname. A Pandit employed as an Assistant to a Punjabi officer, having Bakshi his surname, was also known as Bakshi. Mr. Fauq says a Pandit employed as a clerk of the Army was known as Bakshi or Mir Bakshi.

8. Jawansher - Jawansher was a famous Afghan Governor of Kashmir. He had a Pandit as his Peshkar (Assistant) who became famous by the name of his master. Jawansher is the nickname of many families bearing different surnames.

9. Munshi - It is a common surname among many linguistic groups of India. K. M. Munshi was a Gujrati and a famous Indologist. Munshis exist in almost all the Hindi-speaking areas of India. Munshi means a clerk. Mr. Fauq says that a certain Pandit of Tikoo family was employed as a Munshi during the rule of Sikhs or Pathans. He was the most intelligent and efficient Munshi Kashmir had ever seen. Therefore, he became famous by his professional name and his children were also known by this name.

10. Misri – A Pandit employed in service of a trader who had come from the Egypt (Misr) was known by the nickname Misri. One more probability is that some Pandit had gone to Egypt and when he came back he was known by the name of the country he had visited. Some describe it to be the nickname of those Pandits whose ancestor was employed by a trader dealing in Michari Kandi.

11. Turki – A Pandit was employed as a clerk by a Turk trader and was nicknamed as Turki. Fauq mentions Pandit Tab Ram Turki to have been a famous poet who wrote ‘Jangnama of Sikhs.’ A ‘Turki’ friend has been re-nicknamed as ‘Istambol’. Perhaps, because, Istambole is the capital of Turkey.

12. Gandnoo - ‘Gandan dasta’ is kind of toy and a decoration piece and ‘Posha Gandun’ is the flower vase. A pandit manufacturing or selling these articles was nicknamed as Gandnoo.

13. Kuli - ‘Tarkuli Khan’ and ‘Noor Kulikhan’ were two Afghan chiefs during the rule of ‘Durani’ kings. Pandits employed by them as Government servants were known as Kuli.

14. Wazir - The Pandits employed in the service of Wazirs of Kashmir during Pathan and Mughal rule became gradually famous by the name of Wazir.

15. Ambardar – Ambar means a huge store. Land revenue was being realised in kind, instead of in cash, in the past. Naturally certain people were employed to look after these stores of levy rice. They were called Ambardar and their later generations also were identified by this name.

16. Chakbast – ‘Chak’ in Kashmiri is the name given to a large piece of land. Chakdari was a common £eature of Kashmir’s agrarian system. It was abolished after the end of Dogra regime in 1948. Before the passing of Agrarian laws large pieces of land would be given to influential zamindars as the ‘Chaks’ on a nominal rent. Therefore, the officers entrusted with the job of keeping a regular- account of these land holdings were known as ‘Chakbast.’ They were also known as Kanoongo.

17. Bhan - It is an ancient Kashmiri nickname given, perhaps, to those who sold the utensils. Bhan is the name of the Sun also but this name does not justify itself to be a source of a nickname or a family name. There is a locality, known as, ‘Bana Mohalla’, in Srinagar.

18. Langar or Langroo - Some of their ancestor must have been the manager of a Government kitchen. His descendants were, therefore, nicknamed Langar or Langroo.

19. Fotedar – It is an Arabic and Persian word and was used as a nickname for those Pandits who were entrusted with the duty of looking after the royal treasury, during the rule of Mughal kings.

20. Wattal – It is a very derogatory term and is used for a low caste tribe. It is also used for a person who indulges into very mean and lowly acts. It is presumed that some Pandit must have been appointed as an officer of Wattals, who himself was later on known by this very name. Fauq says that during Hindu rule many people swept the premises of temples, without any compensation, out of devotion to the presiding deity of the temple. They and their descendants were later nicknamed as Wattal. One more theory being forwarded is that the Pandits whose family name is Wattal are the descendants of some famous saint by the name of Wattal Nath.

21. Hakim – It is the family name of such families whose ancestors have been hereditary Hakims.

22. Waza – It literally means a cook. Mr. Fauq is of the view that it was a nickname given to the professional cooks. It may be true of the Muslim Wazas, of whom there is a separate Mohalla by the name of Wazapora in Srinagar. Among Hindus of Kashmir the profession of a Waza is by no means an honourable one. It is adopted only under compelling circumstances, and Waza or a Kandroo (baker) is never addressed by the name of his occupation. But the families known by the name of Waza never feel ashamed of this suffix to their name. It is argued that some of their ancestor was highly fond of good dishes and had gained sufficient knowledge of preparing palatable dishes for himself. He is said to have won the nickname of Waza which continued its company with his descendants, whether or not they had any knowledge of cookery.

23. Katwa - Mr. Fauq describes it to be a branch of professional cooks, who earned this nick name for being in habit of using small Patilis (utensils) for cooking.

24. Sultan – Their actual family name is ‘Koul’. Some of their ancestor was employed as a clerk with the Sultans of Kashmir and became famous by the name of his employers.

25. Nala - Mr. Fauq says that there is no family of this name in Srinagar. An ancestor of this family must have been a guard of some Nala (Rivulet). Their gotra is Dattatriya.

26. Nehru - It is a nickname which originated from a canal. Probably any ancestor of this family was Mir Munshi of canals (i.e., a supervisor or an overseer of canals). They originally belong to Koul family and are commonly nicknamed as Naroo. A Naroo in Kashmiri means a pipe. It is possible that any of their ancestor was as thin as a pipe and was, therefore, called Naroo, which in due course of time became Nehru. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru in his autobiography sees the genesis of the word Nehru under a different situation. He says, ‘we were Kashmiris. Over two hundred years ago, early in the eighteenth century, our ancestor came down from that mountain valley to seek fame and fortune in the rich plains below. Raj Koul was the name of that ancestor of ours and he had gained eminence as a Sanskrit and Persian scholar in Kashmir. He attracted the notice of Emperor Farrukhsair during the latter’s visit to Kashmir, and, probably at the Emperor’s insistance, the family migrated to Delhi about the year 1716. A Jagir with a house situated on the banks of a canal had been granted to Raj Koul and from the fact of this residence ‘Nehru’ (from Nahar, a canal) came to be attached to his name; this changed to Kaul Nehru; and in later years, Kaul dropped out, and we became simply Nehrus.’ The above statement of Pandit Nehru has been disputed by many on the grounds of historical facts as well as usage of language. Firstly, Farukhsair is never reported to have visited Kashmir. Aurangzeb was the last Mughal King to visit Kashmir. Secondly, Delhi was the home of Urdu language and literature. Naturally the adjectival form of Nahar (canal) would be Nahree and not Nehru. We see many people by the name of Lucknowee, Jullandaree, Ahmadabadi etc., but none with the name of Lucknowoo, Jullandaroo or Ahmadabadoo etc. Kashmir, however, has a tradition of using ‘oo’ instead of ‘ee’ viz., Kathjoo, Waloo, Chagtoo, Saproo, Wangoo, Ganjoo, etc. Therefore, it is almost certain that the ancestor of Nehrus who had gone from Kashmir had taken the nickname ‘Nehru’, from the valley itself, with him. Taking up of residence at a canal bank is only a coincidence.

27. Bazaz – Some ancestor of the family must have been a cloth merchant.

28. Taimani – It is presumed some Pandit must have been under the service of Taimini Pathans of Kabul and earned this nickname. Fauq believes it to be a word of Hindu or Buddhist origin and considers this family to be the followers of some Rishi or Muni. At the same time, it is suspected that some ancestor of this family might have been of black colour, and was called Tamini as the Tamun in Kashmiri means the carbon formed on the bottom of the utensils.

29. Mattu – It is derived from the Sanskrit word Math. Some of the ancestor of this family must have either been a founder or a manager of some Math.

30. Darbari - It means a courtier. Some ancestor of the family was a courtier of some Pathan or Sikh Governor’s court.

31. Bhandari – Some ancestor might have been the in-charge of some Governmental store (Bhandar).

32. Akhoon – During the Muslim rule a teacher was called Akhoon. Some elder member of this family was teaching Persian and Arabic to the pupils and was known by the name of his profession rather than by his family name.

33. Mirza - Some ancestor was in the service of a Mirza family.

34. Hashia - They were professionals engaged in putting margin on papers.

35. Nasti - It is nickname of a family whose ancestors sold the snuff. (Naswar).

36. Vani – A petty shopkeeper.

37. Hak - Growers of Hakh.

38. Kotha – It means a granary in Kashmiri. An official-in-charge of the Government granaries was given this nickname.

39. Kandhari – Some ancestor of this family was an employee of the traders from Kandhar.

40. Diwan - An officer in the Sikh Court.

41. Chagtu – An employee of Chagutais.

42. Hastwaloo – An employee of the Royal Court in-charge of elephants.

43. Durrani – Ahmad Shah on becoming an independent ruler of Afghanistan styled himself as Durri-Durran (pearl of the age). His successors were known as Durrani. In Kashmir this nickname was given to those Pandits who were the employees of Durrani Pathans.

44. Bamzai - Employees of Bamzai Pathans.

45. Jallali - Clerks employed by Jallali Shias were known as Jallali.

46. Chak – Employees of Chak Kings.

47. Zradchob – Traders of turmeric (Haldi) or their employees.

48. Khaibari - Khaibaris were influential chiefs of Kashmir. Their Pandit employees received this nickname.

49. Zalpuri – Employees of traders from Zablistan. It is often mispronounced out of Kashmir as Zalpari.

50. Khazanchi – Some ancestor must have been a Cashier.

51. Khar - It means an ass in Kashmiri. A Pandit employed to realise taxes from donkey drivers (Markaban).

52. Araz Begi – A person employed to read out petitions in the Sikh and Pathan Courts.

53. Hazari – A servant of Hazari Pathan’s got this nickname.

54. Lal - Some ancestor of this family was serving with a Punjabi Lala.

55. Karwani - Some elder member must have been selling Kara (i.e., Peanuts).

56. Nagari – A Pandit employed as an officer of the royal heralds during Mugal rule got this appellation.

57. Aoonth - This nickname was used for a family whose some elder member was employed in Government service, and entrusted with the duty of collecting taxes from camel drivers.

58. Kalapoosh – It was a kind of lady’s cap used by Pandit as well as Muslim woman to cover their skull over which traditional Tarang or Kasab (traditional headwear of women) would be used. A Pandit selling these Kalpushas or having at anytime used a Kalpush for himself, was nicknamed Kalpush.

59. Dral - A name given to those families whose ancestor was working as a broker. It’s Hindi equivalent is Dalal and is used as a surname by many families in Hindi-speaking areas of the country.

60. Nazir – Fauq states it having been a nickname of a person and his descendants, who was manager of a Government Kitchen. Nazir is also used for a clerk in the court. Pandit Jia Lal Nazir was an efficient teacher and historian.

61. Zaraboo - Those Pandits are called Zaraboo whose some ancestor was in-charge of a Government mint.

62. Ogra – It means watery rice, just like a Kheer. Fauq states that a Pandit was entrusted with the duty of distributing cooked rice to the hungry during a famine. Once he found the quantity of rice was less and the number of hungry people more. He ordered to get prepared a Wugra, and distributed among the needy. Thus Wugra became a part of his name. It is now written as Ogra.

63. Badam - An almond merchant must have been nicknamed as such.

64. Tufchi - An ancestor of this family was employed either as an officer of gunners or was himself a gunman during Muslim rule. Tufchi is a corrupted form of Top (a cannon).

65. Cheru - A few families of this name reside in Anantnag city. A common ancestor of these families is reported to have been trading into Charkha rods made of apricot wood. An apricot is a succulent orange pink fruit known as Cher in Kashmiri.

66. Khachoo – A Khoch in Kashmiri means a special kind of boat used for transporting the goods from one place to another. An ancestor of this family was employed to collect taxes from these special boatmen and was thus nicknamed as Khachoo.

67. Mirakhur – Some ancestor of this family was officer of the department entrusted with the duty of maintaining the Royal horses.

68. Shora - An ancestor of this family was either a Government officer in-charge of gunpowder makers, or was himself a trader of the explosive material. Shora in Kashmiri means gunpowder.

Religious/Official/Academic Epithet
1. Sahib – It is an honorific. Some elderly Pandit who had attained highest stage of spiritual perfection or was well-versed in the religious Scripture was out of reverence called as Sahib. There is a spring of sweet water known as Sahibi Spring near Chashma Shahi Sahib Koul was a great saint from this family.

2. Pir - Pir Pandit Padshah, during the reign of Shah Jahan, has been a famous saint of Kashmir. His miracles and spiritual attainments brought many people from different walks of life, under his banner. His desciples were known as Pir.

3. Sadhu – Some of the elder member of this family were as faultless and self-realising person as a real Sadhu. So they were known by the name of Sadhu. Another explanation is that some ancestor of this family had proved himself as an honest person under very conspiring and hostile circumstances. He won the public applause and was known as Saidh (the antonym of a thief).

4. Sedhu – Some ancestor of this family is reported to have been a Sidha Pursha (attained soul). Another version, of the events leading to this nomenclature, given is that head of this family was a simpleton and was, therefore, nicknamed as Sedhu. A few families of this name live in village Mattan of district Anantnag.

5. Sher – Fauq reports an elder of this family musthave killed a lion and was named Sher for his extra-ordinary valour. This guess does not seem to be correct, as is natural, such a brave person would have been called Sah (Kashmiri word for lion) and not a sher. Most probably this name must have originated from the continued association of the head of this family with some Sher Khan or Sher Singh, etc.

6. Shair – There must have been a distinguished poet among Kashmiri Pandits, who was better known by the word Shair than his real family name. Naturally the epithet became a part of the names of his progeny.

7. Zutshi – It is a corrupt form of the word Jyotshi. Zutshis are reported to have been distinguished astrologers and Sanskrit scholars.

8. Razdan – The census report of 1819 states that Razdan is a corrupted form of ancient Sanskrit epithet Rajanak. Stein is of the view that ‘the title Rajanak, meaning literaly “a king”, used to be given for services rendered to the King. The title has survived in the form of Razdan as a family name of very free occurrence among the Brahmans of Kashmir. It was borne by Rajanaka Ratanakara, the author of the Haravijaya (9th Century), and by many Kashmirian authors of note enumerated in the Vamsaprasasti which Anama Rajanaka (17th Century) has appended to his commentary on the Nisadhacarita. As the designation of certain high officials (Muhammadans), the term Rajanaka is often used by Srivara and in the fourth chron (also in the shortened form Rajana).’ R. S. Pandit states that the title Rajanaka was continued under Muhammadan rule and was conferred on Muslim officers.

9. Tikoo – It is said to have originated from the ‘Trika’. The members of this family were special devotees of the goddess ‘Tripura’. Fauq has given one more explanation stating that an ancestor of this family adopted a non-Brahman boy who was deemed to have become a Brahman by a Tika (a sacred mark on the forehead of a Brahman). He and his descendants were later nicknamed as Tiku.

10. Dhar - It is stated to be a pure gotra name. Dhar Bharadvaja is the name of their gotra. However, many scholars are of the view that Dhars are the descendants of Damras, the war lords and a troublesome non-Brahmanic tribe of ancient Kashmir.

Locality
1. Khan-Mushu – A village towards north-east of Srinagar is known as Khanmoh. Emigrants from this place, became known as Khanmush, in Srinagar.

2. Vichari - There is a sacred spring, at the outskirts of Srinagar, near Soura. It is said Lord Shiva had meditated for sometime here. This place is known as Vicharnag. The Pandits coming from this place to Srinagar were nicknamed Vichari.

3. Ishbari - Nickname of those Pandits who came to settle down from Ishabari, a village near Nishat garden.

4. Kathjoo - Pandit family residing at Kathleshwar in Tanki Pora (a mohalla of Srinagar) was nicknamed Kathjoo.

5. Sopori - Pandits of Srinagar, whose ancestors migrated from Sopore, or the descendants of Soya Pandit (founder of Sopore) were known as Sopori. Kashmiri Pandits of this nickname in plains have hanged the word Sopori into Shivpori.

6. Thussoo – Emigrants from a village Thus, in Kulgam Tehsil, to the Srinagar city became known by the name of their native village.

7. Zadoo – It is said that a certain family residing near a marshy land was called Zadoo (as Zadoo in Kashmiri means a wet and marshy land). They are mispronounced outside Kashmir a as Jadoo (a groom).

8. Zaboo – This name is also derived from a marshy and wet land.

9. Kakroo - The name to a family who came from a small village Kokargund, near Achhabal. There are a few families of Kakroos in Achhabal also.

10. Kar - This name is used for the Pandits who came from a village known as Karhama in Handwara Tehsil. Swami Krishan Joo Kar was an illustrious saint, produced by this family.

11. Pampori - Pandits of Pampore, irrespective of their family names, are known by the name of their locality.

12. Saproo – Dr. Iqbal, who was the worthy descendant of a Pandit family whose surname was Saproo, wrote to Mr. Fauq about the word Saproo as follows. He wrote that Mr. Dewan Tek Chand M.A., who was a Commissioner in Punjab, had a taste for linguistic research. He told Mr. Iqbal that the word Saproo had its genesis from the Ancient Iranian Kings ‘Shapur’. Saproos are those Iranians who had settled down in Kashmir much before the advent of Islam and because of their sharp intellect were absorbed soon with Brahmans of Kashmir. Dr. Iqbal has further written that his father used to say that ‘Saproos’ are the descendants of those Kashmiri Brahman families who were first to learn Persian and other Islamic studies, during the Muslim rule. Saproo means a person who is first to learn a new thing. This name was given to them out of contempt by other Brahmans. The latter analysis is nearer in the approach of a common Kashmiri and the former assertion needs full investigation.

13. Kanzroo – They are the descendants of the Pandits of Kanzar, a village near Tangmarg.

14. Momboi – There is no family with this nickname at present. However Mr. Fauq was informed by one Mr. Tarachand Trisal that some contributors to a certain magazine used to write ‘Mombai’ with their name. It is presumed that some Kashmiri family had temporarily settled at Bombay for sometime and, its members used the epithet Mombay with their names, when they came back. According to another story, a Muslim named Mohammad (Momma) was so gentle that he would not react even to a harsh and abusive language. He became known as Moma Bayoo. It is thought that some Pandit must have been as gentle as Mombayoo and he was along with his descendants nicknamed as such. Yet one more thesis forwarded is that it was a nickname given to those Pandits who came down to Srinagar from Bumai village of Kulgam Tehsil.

15. Purbi – Genesis of this term has been discussed in the chapter of “Kashmiri Surnames” in full. Mr. Fauq has quoted an interesting statement of Rai Bahadur Pandit Amar Nath Purbi (ex-Inspector General Customs, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir), saying that his grandmother after adopting his father, (Pt. Dila Ram) who was serving on a good post with the Nawabs of Lucknow, migrated to Delhi. Delhi people began to call them Purbi as they had come from the eastern part of the country. Mr. Fauq further writes that there were a few families of Bhai Purbi in Srinagar, who according to census report of 1891 were the offspring of a widowed Panditani by a Purbi (coming from the eastern part of the country), whom she secretly re-married. Any person coming from U.P. is still called by the name of ‘Bhaia’, just as every Kashmiri in plains of Punjab is called as a ‘Hato’.

16. Madan – Residents of a Mohalla of Srinagar. viz., Madanyar. Madan is a word used for a romantic man. Some of the ancestor might have been of this nature and earned the appellation Madan. Another story forwarded in this connection is that an ancestor of this family was an employee of ‘Madan Talkies’ owned by a Parsee of Bombay. He and his descendants were, therefore, nicknamed as Madan.

17. Haksar – Emigrants from a village named Hakchar in district Baramullah.

18. Trisal – A boy of Dhar family was adopted by Pt. Neko Pandit of Trisal. When he came back to settle down in Srinagar he and his descendants were called Trisal (name of a village in Pulwama district).

19. Chhachabali – Pandits who took up their residence, during Afghan rule, in the then suburban area of Srinagar viz., Chhatabal, were known as Chhachabali.

20. Chakru – Name given to the families having come from Chokur village.

21. Krid – Krid in Kashmiri means a thorny creeper. A few families in Shangas Nawgam bear this name. Their ancestors took up residence near a Krid and became known by its name.

22. Nad – A family residing near a ravine in the same village is known by the name of Nad. It means a ravine in Kashmiri.

23. Baghati – A family having a number of orchards or having taken up their residence in or near an orchard were nicknamed Baghati. Bhag is also a nickname of the same category.

23. (a) Hangloo – Pandits of Hangalgund near Kokar Nag.

24. Mujoo – It means a raddish in Kashmiri. Ancestors of this family are said to have come from Mujja Gund, a village in district Baramullah.

25. Haloo – Emigrants from the village Hal in Pulwama district. Haloo in Kashmiri means a Tidi (grasshopper) also.

26. Parmoo – The ancestors of this family must have come from the other side of Pirpanchal range, to settle down in Kashmir valley. Parmoo is a corrupt form of Aparium (i.e., one who lives or has come from the other side). It is, even now, used for any non-Kashmiri person, particularly for a Punjabi. As a matter of fact, Punjabi and Parium have become synonymous terms.

27. Nagri – It is different from Nagari. It is an epithet used for the Pandits who had some connection with Nagri Malapora a village in Handwara.

28. Ganz – lt is a nickname given to a family which was residing at a place where some bad smell used to come from a stagnant pool of water.

29. Danji – One or two families in the village Mattan are having this family name. Danji in Kashmiri means a small ravine and in fact, these families are still residing in a small ravine on the bank of Chaka stream.

30. Kilam – Emigrants from the village Kilam of Kulgam Tehsil.

31. Booni – A family residing near a big Chinar tree were known by its name.

32. Sum – It means a small bridge connecting the two banks of a small rivulet, a pond or a lake. A family residing near such a mini bridge got the appellation ’sum’.

33. Rafiz – Shia Muslims, in Kashmir, are called by the name of Rafiz. Some Pandit family for its nearest association with Rafizs or having lived in a locality of Rafizs, got this nickname.

34. Bali – A family having lived near a mountain or having some connection with the Bal’s (i.e., mountains) was called Bali. It is in no way connected with the Sikh surname Bali.

35. Kadal Buju – A nickname of those Buju families which lived near a bridge. Buju nomenclature has been discussed elsewhere.

36. Raina – It is stated that the Pandits who originally belonged to Rainawari and later settled down in the main city were known as Raina. Mr. Fauq states that Rainawari was the capital of the famous King Rana Datta 436 A.D.-497 A.D. There was also a large garden of this king situated at the site of present Rainawari and Vari in Kashmiri means a garden. Thus Rainawari meant a garden belonging to the king Ranadatta. Another view expressed is that it, like Razdan, is a corrupted form of the title Rajanaka.

Peculiar Circumstance/incident
1. Waloo or Wali – A fire chimney in Kashmiri is called Wol. One who got constructed a fire chimney in his house at first was immediately nicknamed as Wol, which in due course of time became, Waloo and Wali.

2. Sas – It means a thick Dal in Kashmiri. It is often cooked along with wopal hakh (a vegetable) and is, thus, known as Saswopalhakh. It is said that some one was irritated to have been served with this (for him unpalatable) dish at a dinner or lunch party. He was asked by some one what dishes were served at the party and instantly came the reply ‘Sas’ (using half the name to make his anguish more expressive). He and his descendants were later on called ‘Sas’ by every one.

3. Kotru – Some of the elder member of this family had kept a number of pigeons as his pets. He was forever nicknamed as Kotur (Pigeon).

4. Wantu/Wanchu – Wantu in Kashmiri is used for a hard walnut. It is impossible to get a full Kernel (GIRI) out of a hard walnut, even if it is broken into pieces. Some of the ancestor of this family must have been a top class miser and was compared to a ‘Wont doon’ (hard walnut). Thus was this nickname started to continue for generations.

5. Mantoo – It means one and a half seer in Kashmiri. It is said that some ancestor of this family underwent a bet to eat a manut (one and a half seer) of rice at a time, which he won. This victory brought its reward in the form of a nickname.

6. Wakhul – It is a flat bottomed stone mortar used for shrinking and washing the woollen clothes. In the past the professional washermen were not as abundant as they are now. Therefore, every mohalla had kept at least one Wokhul for the washing purposes. The family in whose premises this Wokhul was kept was in the long-run known by its name. Another explanation forwarded is that the head of this family was in the Government service with a duty to realise taxes from Wakhul makers.

6. (a) Kenoo – It is used for a wet and watery thing. It is reported that a certain Pandit of Rainawari who had taken a distasteful dish at some party, was asked by a saint (Mian Shah) about the taste of the dish he had taken. He is reported to have replied that it was as tasteless as a Kinoo. Immediately the Pandit lost his real identity and became known as Kinoo.

7. Kallawat – It is said a Pandit by the name of Kailash was working as personal assistant of Colonel Watt, who constructed the Pahalgam Road during the rule of Maharaja Partap Singh. Kalla is the short form of Kailash, and colleagues of the Pandit connected with it the surname of the Colonel and, thus, originated a new name e.g., Kalawat. The descendants of the unfortunate assistant also lost their real family name and were known by the name of Kallawat since then.

8. Wangnoo – It stands for a brinjal in Kashmiri. An ancestor of this family is reported to have been highly fond of brinjals and was, therefore, nicknamed after his favourite vegetable. Another explanation given is that Wangnoo is, perhaps, the only vegetable which is cooked with almost all the vegetables. Therefore, a man who could mix with anybody and won over even his foes was nicknamed as Wangnoo; Kashmiri Pandits as a whole were also called as Wangnoo for having successfully mixed up with all the races and religions, without losing their identity. This is perhaps a misnomer for a race who could save its identity only after having submerged its ninety per cent population with other races and religions. A friend sarcastically, but very correctly, remarked that gone are the days when they (Pandits) were called Wangans. Now they are only Wangan Hachi (dried brinjals).

9. Labroo – The head of a certain family was for tunate enough to win prefix in any venture he under took. He was nicknamed Labh (profit), which in due course of time became Labroo.

10. Taku – An ancestor of this family was fond of taking his meals in a fresh taku (an earthen plate) everytime. He and his descendents were, therefore, known as Taku.

11. Safaya – A certain Pandit is reported to have been a lover of cleanliness and was known as Safai, which later on became Safaya.

12. Chengaloo – An ancestor of this family is reported to have been of a light heart and would not conceal his happiness and excitement even over small gains. Chengun in Kashmiri means to be jubilient. There are a few families of this nick name in the village Mattan of Anantnag district.

13. Jogi – An elder member of their family had become a Jogi.

14. Buju – There was an old woman in a Mohalla. She had two or three sons who were called Bujihandi (i.e., Sons of the old woman). This became their permanent nickname and their descendants came to be known as Buju.

15. Sukhia – The head of this family is reported to have played the role of a Sakhi (girl friend) in the Krishan Leela drama and was nicknamed as Sakhi, which later on became Sukhia. Another version of facts is given that a parent had named his son Sukh which became later his nickname.

16. Peshin – It means the time of afternoon in Kashmiri. A Pandit who was a Government servant had to attend to his job at the afternoon. He was nicknamed Peshin.

17. Gamkhwar – A Pandit was a born sympathiser. He would share the sorrow of one and all. Somebody out of envey nicknamed him Gamkhar. Mr. Fauq reports that one Sadanand Koul was given the title of Gamkhar by the Mughal King Shah Jahan. His progeny was also known by this title.

18. Bula – One of the ancestors of this family is reported to have been a foolishman. That is why he was called Bula (fool).

19. Choor – An ancestor of this family had been caught red-handed while committing a theft, or was a shareholder of the professional thieves. He was labelled as Chsor (thief) for all the time to come.

20. Zaroo – A Pandit was a habitual gambler or had allowed gambling den to operate in his house, he was therefore, rightly nicknamed as Zaroo (a gambler). Another explanation given is that a certain Pandit was in habit of taking rash decisions without giving a proper thought to the facts. He was nick named as a Zaroo.

21. Chrangoo – It means a handful in Kashmiri. A certain Pandit was known for being a parsimony. He would not give to any begger more than a handful of grain. This led people to call him and his descendants as Chrangoo.

22. Musa – After a long and tedious journey or after doing some hard work a man, naturally, relaxes for sometime to refresh himself. This process of refreshing is called ‘Muskadun’ in Kashmiri. There are two or three families of this name in village Mattan of Anantnag district. They are professional Pandas having their Jajmans (clients) spread all over the Jammu region and the Punjab State. Every year these Pandas go to their clients during winter seasan to collect their annual Dan and Dakshina. It is said that some ancestor of these families would continue to relax and refresh himself for months together, after coming back from a long, tedious and risky journey, over the peaks of Pir Panchal. He was in the long-run nicknamed as Musa and his progeny is known now by this name.

23. Brayth – It is a Kashmiri form of the Sanskrit word ‘Brasht’, which means a deliberate deviation from the religious path. Some of the ancestor of this family must have been found guilty of some non-religious act and was declared Brashta, which became Brayth in the long-run.

24. Band – With the curious exception of Akingam (a village in District Anantnag) the Bands are all Muslims. ‘The story of Akingam Baghats,’ says Mr. Lawrence, is peculiar. Brahmans considered acting to be degrading, and even now the Brahmans of Kashmir the Akingam play as with contempt. But the Brahman plays say that they took to the stage by the express order of goddess Devi. The legend relates that many years ago Devi appeared to the Akingam Pandits, and, placing a fiddle in his hands, said, ‘play upon this fiddle’. He protested his inability, but on the goddess persisting, he took up the blow and played unearthly music. He was bidden by Devi to sit under the deodars of the Akingam and play in her honour. For some years he and his sons obeyed the goddess behest but unable to withstand the prejudices of his caste, he finally declined to play any more. On this he was striken with blindness and wondered away to the Lidder Valley. In a dream Devi appeared to the Magistrate of the Lidder, and told him to take old Pandit to Akingam. On reaching Akingam the Pandit recovered his sight and since that day he and his descendants fiddled away without further protest. These Pandits never send their children to school, as they believe that Devi would resent it and would kill their children. This state of things has now completely changed. Bands of Akingam (Mohripora) have left this vocation since long but the name has persisted.

25. Gadva – A Pandit was seen always with a Ghadva (a metal tumbler) in his hand going to purchase milk or curd, or even throwing the ‘Nirmal’ in the river was nicknamed Gadva. Another explanation offered is that a certain Pandit had collected, as a hobby, a large number of different varieties of ‘Gadvas’ and got this appellation.

26. Yachh – It is a corrupt form of the Sanskrit word Yaksha. However, in Kashmir a certain rarely visible animal possessing supernatural powers is now called Yachh. Pandits offer Khichri and other sweetmeats to this animal extra-ordinary on Yaksha Amavasi in December-January, every year. It so happened that a certain Pandit either used to make sounds like a Yachh (i.e., Bas, Bas) or was some how specially linked with the characteristic Yaksha Pooja. He along with his descendants was nicknamed Yachh. The latter assumption seems more true in the light of the fact that this nickname is used mostlv by Gor families.

27. Bohgun – It means a cooking vessel made of brass. Some Pandit is stated to have had a hobby of collecting different varieties of Bahgun, or was fond of the food prepared in a certain type of Bohgun, and was nicknamed as such, because in appearance he was as fat and round as a ‘Bohgun’. Another explanation given is that it is a corrupt form of the Sanskrit word Bahuguna (possessor of many qualities).

28. Nakab – It means a veil. Kashmiri Pandit ladies did not wear a veil in the past. But a family having introduced this practice at first, during Muslim rule, got this nickname.

29. Thalchoor – It means a plate thief. A Pandit was either caught red handed while stealing thals (plates) or was accused of such a theft. He and his descendants got the appellation of Thalchoor.

30. Kakh – An elder brother, uncle or a cousin was out of reverence called as Kakh. Some Pandit for his good and generous nature seems to have won the public respect and was called Kakh by the people, other than his family members. He lost his real appellation and was along with his progeny known as Kak. However, there are repeated references of the family name Kak in Rajtarangini. Shaloka 1311 of Taranga VII reads, ‘As his passage was blocked by warriors of the Kaka and other educated families, he retreated from. . .’ R. S. Pandit in a footnote to above Shaloka says that the Kaka family is repeatedly referred to by Kalhana. Shaloka 180 and 599 of Taranga VIII says, ‘holders of high military rank and others, brave men such as Tilka of the family of Kaka. . .’. ‘From the very midst of …, Sufi captured alive in battle the brave knight Sobhka sprung from the family of Kaka…’ Kaks in the ancient Kashmir, therefore, belonged to a military class.

31. Chilam – Some ancestor of this family was a chilam smoker and got this name.

32. Thapal – A few families of this name live in Anantnag city. Some of the common ancestor of these families must have been a habitual snatcher and got this nickname.

33. Kuchur – It means penis in Kashmiri. An ancestor of the family is reported to have been moving without trousers or a Kacha and thus unmindful of his exposed penis. He was along with his progeny nicknamed as Kuchur.

34. Jad – It means the eldest ancestor in Kashmiri. An elder member of this family is reported to have been behaving like an old and experienced man even during his childhood. He was therefore, nicknamed as Jad.

35. Jalla – A family of Rainawari Pandits was residing on the bank of Dal Lake (now turned into a quagmire). This part of the lake abounded in delicious fish. The fishermen catching the fish, would generally spread their nets on the compound wall of this family, to dry them up. A fish net in Kashmiri is called a Zal. This family was, therefore, nicknamed as Zalu, which in the long run became Jala.

36. Puran – A few families of this nickname live in village Zainapora. One of their common ancestor is reported to have been in habit of quoting from the Puranas on every occasion. He was, therefore, known as Puran.

37. Zaharbad – An ancestor of this family is reported to have been suffering from a serious type of Carbuncle on an exposed part of his body. He was, therefore, nicknamed as Zaharbad. Another reason related is that some ancestor of this family was a terrible mischief monger and was intolerably unpleasant man. The people expressed their displeasure for his mischievous character by an equally unpleasant nickname (i.e., Zaharbad).

Abnormal/Extra-ordinary Physique or Temperament
1. Mushran – An awkward and ugly man with a huge and powerful body is called Mushran. Some ancestor of this family must have been nicknamed as mushran because of his unusual physique and, later his descendants continued to be called by this name.

2. Kuraz – It is a name given to a very dangerous water animal. Some elder member of this family must have been of a fierce nature and was nicknamed Kuraz.

3. Shagali – Shagalis had come along with Pathans, under the leadership of Gulshagali. He was a long and healthy young man. A pandit was having an extraordinary physique like Gulshagali and was accordingly nicknamed.

4. Sharga – It is corrupt form of Shogo (a parrot). Some member of the family was having small eyes and a long nose like a parrot.

5. Handoo – This nickname was given to a Pandit who was fat and fresh like a sheep or to those Pandits who somehow were connected with flocks of sheep.

6. Atal – It is a corrupt form of Thalal (i.e., a Samashar). A Pandit with a broad forehead as if a forceful smasher, received this nickname.

7. Gurtu – It is a nickname given, perhaps, to those Razdans whose some ancestor was of Gurtu (yellow) colour. Gurtu is now used for those Pandits who do not cook meat and fish on the Shivratri festival.

8. Shangloo – Some elder member of this family is reported to have had six fingers in his hand and became known as six-fingered (She Angul).

9. Mota – A fat man’s nickname.

10. Langoo – Some elder of the family was a lame man.

11. Kaboo – Any ancestor of this family is reported to have been a hunch backed (Kaboo) man.

12. Marchawangan – A thin and a red faced man may have been nicknamed as a red pepper. It is also possible that some ancestor of the family was in possession of a hot and pungent temperament, ormay be some one of the family elders was a pepper trader.

13. Raghu – A thin and a frail man must have won the appellation.

14. Kachroo – Some ancestor must have been as red haired as an Englishman.

15. Kichloo – It means a long-beared in Kashmiri Some elder of the family must have developed a long beard and received this nickname.

16. Chakoo – Chouk means ‘bottom’ as well as ’sour’ in Kashmiri. It is reported that some elder of the family was a sour-tempered man. Mr. Fauq connects it with an amusing and interesting story. A man named his twelfth son as Chauk (i.e., bottom) of the chain of sons and he (the son) became famous by the name of Chauk. It is amusingly and often awkwardly mispronounced as Chakoo (a Knife) outside Kashmir.

17. Khashoo – A left hander.

18. Ganjoo – A bald man’s nickname or an appellation for a man who was put in-charge of Ganj (treasury).

19. Gagroo – It was the nickname of a person who was very small and swift.

20. Kharoo – A bald man.

21. Zoroo – A deaf man.

22. Kariholu – A nickname given to an elder of the family, whose neck was a little curved.

23. Kaw – An ancestor af this family was as black as a crow.

24. Daraz – A long-heighted ancestor of the family was given this name.

25. Mam – It means maternal uncle in Kashmiri. A man was in habit of poking his nose in everybody’s affairs. He and his children were, therefore, nicknamed as Mam.

26. Chacha – The word Chacha is used by Kashmiri Muslims for a paternal uncle. A Pandit who unnecessarily involved himself in other peoples’ affairs must have received this nickname.

27. Tut – A man with a long chin was nicknamed Tut.

28. Bambroo – An ancestor of this family was as dark complexioned as a black bee. It is also said that some elder member of this family was in habit of making sounds like a beetle when alone. That is why he and his descendants came to be known as Bambroo.

29. Kalla – It means head in Kashmiri. An ancestor of this family had a conspicuous head and was named as Kalla.

30. Sikh – It is said that an ancestor of this family had grown a long beard to conceal the white patches on his face. He and his family members were nicknamed as Sikh.

31. Hakhoo – It was used as a nickname for a thin and frail person. His descendants were also labelled as Hakhoo, even if some one among them may be as fat as an elephant.

32. Trakroo – This nickname was given to a man who was of very hot temperament and, of course, a hard task master. The nickname became part and parcel of his descendants also. Trakur in Kashmiri is used for anything hard.

33. Miskeen – A man was very kind to poor and needy. He was nicknamed as Miskeen (poor). Another explanation is that a well-to-do man used to feign as a poor man. He was along with his progeny called as Miskeen.

34. Chhot – It means a short statured person. Some elder of the family was unusually of a short stature and won this nickname for himself and his descendants.

35. Braroo – An ancestor of this family must have been a blue eyed man and was nicknamed as Braroo (the cat).

36. Kaloo – It means a person unable to speak. The name is Kaloo (just like a dumb-man).

37. Nikka – It is an ‘affectionate name’ given to small boys in Kashmiri families. Such a name generally gets discarded as soon as the boy grows up to be a youth. However, some Pandit seems to have been called Nikka, even after he attained his adulthood, and thus got the nickname. Another reason could be that an ancestor of this family was a short and small statured that even in his youth and old age, he looked like a boy and was called a Nikka.

38. Kissu – It means a small finger. Some ancestor of the family is reported to have been in possession of an extra-ordinary Kis, or was in habit of displaying his small finger in a peculiar way and got the appellation.

39. Mandal – In Kashmiri mandal means buttocks. An ancestor of the family is reported to have been a large rumped person and, thus, got this nickname.

40. Dev – Some Pandit seems to have been nicknamed as such, either for his extra-ordinary valour or having the habit of taking too much food or sleep – the peculiarities of a Dev. A Dev is an imaginary being like a Jinnie of Arabian nights.

41. Dasi – A few families of this name live in Anantnag town. An ancestor of this family is reported to have been a spend thrift and would become bankrupt in every trade and occupation he owned. He was thus nicknamed as Dasi, meaning a person who would finish and destroy everything.

42. Vokhu – An ancestor of this family is reported to have been of abnormal physiqueas well as temperament.

43. Pedar – An ancestor of this family is reported to have a deformed foot which looked like a cloven hoof and was thus nicknamed as Padar.

Kashmiri Names

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Mirpur has a special place in sub-continent’s history. The famous battle between Alexandar and Porus was fought here in 323 BC.  A large number of Hindus lived in Mirpur once . Today Mirpur doesnt have any hindus living in there.

Please find below the state of Hindu temples in Mirpur …

“

Shiva Temple - Mirpur [Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

RaghuNath (Ram ) Temple in Old Mirpur [ Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

Raghunath Temple in Evening – Mirpur Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

Raghunath [ Ram

Pictures Courtsey : Mohsin

For a Change , besides usual Politics , I would be introducing the readers of this blog to the youth of Kashmiri Hindu Community , their talent and their contribution to the society.

These youth are the future of Panun Kashmir.

To start with , please find below video of Priya Raina , who now hails from Jammu at “India Got The talent Show” . This show featured on 19th July 2009.

Pls do vote for Priya Raina

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed a resolution unanimously today expressing support to the demand of Union Territory for Kashmiri Pandits in the valley of Kashmir. The resolution was moved by Mr. Umashankar (MLA) and supported by Mr. Deshraj Singh (MLA) and state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mr. Kailash Vijay Wargi. The resolution was passed at 6:15pm today after an hour long discussion on the subject. The resolution besides other things demanded that the Government of India should in the meanwhile establish a commission of enquiry to find reasons for the plight of Kashmiri Pandits which includes their exodus from Kashmir. It also demanded that Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) including an economic package be announced for the community. It also demands that a bill to protect temples and shrines of Kashmiri Pandits be introduced with the concurrence of Kashmiri Pandit representatives for which a dialogue should be initiated with ‘Panun Kashmir’ the representative body of the community. The resolution further demanded that the Government of the country should take all necessary measures to ameliorate the sufferings for the community.

When the bill was introduced, discussed and passed in the Madhya Pradesh Assemby; a team of community members was present in the Speaker’s Gallery of the Assembly, besides others who were present included Dr. Agnishekhar, Convener, Panun Kashmir and Shri Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, President, Panun Kashmir.

Source : PTI , Yahoo , Hindustan Times , Zillr ,

Pls download the day actvity of Madhya Pradesh assembly MP – PK Resolution  HERE…

Story Courtsey : Rahul Pandita

There it is. Huddled among other dolls and a few shreds of cloth. It is wearing a blue dress. I don’t remember what mine wore, for it has been sixteen years since I saw it. It might not be there anymore, but I would like to believe that it is there, invisible to the new occupants of my house. It is a dancing girl made of earth, decorating a corner of my friend’s drawing room. Touch it a little and it will start dancing, moving her neck gracefully. My dancing girl, mother bought it, when I was a child, from a potter selling his stuff on a pavement in Lal Chowk.

And sixteen years later, as I speak to you, there is no significant noise outside my room. No guttural voice and no sound of my mother’s U-shaped walker making its presence felt through the small corridor of my house. Mother fell down from her bed again this morning.

23 years ago, in Srinagar, a team of health officials was to arrive at our school. Their aim was to administer cholera vaccines to children. But for that we were supposed to take the written permission of our parents. Back home I told my father and as expected he wrote ‘No’ on my home task diary. I found it very insulting. Tomorrow all my classmates would take the vaccine and sing laurels of their bravery. And me, I would be hidden in some corner, red-faced with shame. It was not acceptable to me. So I erased father’s nay and wrote ‘Yes’ on the diary. Next morning as the needle of the syringe pierced my left arm, I did not even flinch once. I became an instant hero. But as it is with most acts of heroism, I had to pay a price for mine as well. By late afternoon, a lump had formed in my arm. By the time I reached home I was feverish and drenched in sweat. As I pulled off my shoes, mother saw me and in one instant she knew what had happened.

It was August and even by Kashmir valley’s standards, it was hot. I flung myself on the bed. Mother came and sat next to me. She gave me a glass of milk and kept her fair arm on my forehead. It felt very soothing and cold; like a spring. I went off to sleep. Next morning as I opened my eyes, the fever was gone.

Mother handled the affairs of the house like a seasoned ascetic would control his senses. She knew what was kept where. Rice, coal powder, woollen socks and gloves, soap – she kept a tab on everything. Her daily routine was more or less defined. She would wake up in the wee hours of the morning, wash clothes in the bathroom, sweep and mop the floor of every room and corridor, put burning coal dust in Kangris in winters and ultimately take stock of the kitchen. She did not believe much in spending time in worship. She was not an atheist but her belief was restricted to occasionally folding hands in front of the Shivalinga. Her God was her home and hearth.

But mother was in awe of nature. She feared its fury. Sometimes, when a storm blew, she would close all doors and windows and sit in one corner. When she no longer could face it, she would ask my father, “Will this storm stop?” Father would usually try to pacify her, but ultimately he also lost his patience. “What do you think? Would this storm last till the doom’s day?” he would snap at her. But the same meek heart turned into brave heart when any family member struggled with adversity.

It was in the mid of 1988 that my father had a mild heart attack. Actually father had a pain in the stomach and an injection prescribed by a gastroenterologist reacted, which led to the attack. Everyone in the family was too shocked to react. But not my mother. She single-handedly took my father to the hospital in an auto rickshaw. At the hospital, mother recalls, a doctor appeared like an angel. He had a black mark on his forehead, a result of praying five times a day. The moment the doctor started examining him, my father vomited. Mother says it was so intense that it went right into the doctor’s shoes. But not once did he raise his brow. He kept on treating my father.

By the end of 1989, men like that doctor somehow became rare in Kashmir. One day mother came back from office and she was crying. In the bus someone had tried to help an old Hindu lady in getting down from the bus. Another woman, who was a Muslim, criticised that man saying that the woman he helped was a Hindu and she should have been kicked out of the bus. Mother didn’t know whether what she heard was true or whether it was a nightmare. But what she had heard and seen with her naked eyes was what seemed like holding a mirror in front of Kashmir in a few months time. The time had come, once again, to leave our homeland. The migration began. Salvaging whatever little we could, essentially a few utensils and educational degrees of my college-going sister, we reached Jammu.

After spending a couple of nights in a hotel, father hired a room in a marriage house. It was situated in the old city, amidst a bristling market of saris and dupattas. Every now and then marriage ceremonies were solemnised in the marriage house. When the crude ovens, laced with mud and gas cylinders arrived at the house, we would understand that a marriage was taking place that evening.
In the ten by ten feet room, ants held a sway. No matter what you put outside, it would be swarmed by ants in a matter of minutes. They appeared in hordes, hundreds of them, attacking every edible item. It was similar to how people would come out on streets in Srinagar, few months before we were forced into exile. Mother obviously could not put up a fight with them, but she always managed to save a bowl of curd from the marauding ants, by keeping it in a basin of water. I always felt that whenever mother took out that bowl of curd, a secret smile would pass her lips. It was like a symbolic victory for her or so I thought.

And one night, that smile was also snatched from my mother’s lips.

I remember that evening. Somebody was getting married in the marriage house. The entire compound was filled with men, women and children, dressed in shimmering clothes. The stereo with huge speakers played popular Bollywood numbers as some of the guests danced on the tunes. And a few metres away, we had closed ourselves in the room.

When the bride was taken away and the noise had eased, there was a knock on our door. Mother opened the door and found a young man standing there. He was holding a plate in his hand. He said that he had been told that there were refugees living here and so he came to offer us some food. Before mother could say something, he handed over the plate and turned back. Mother lifted the cover and I caught a glimpse of the food inside. There was rice, dal and some vegetables. Mother kept on staring at it for some time and then she cried.

After this incident, Mother developed a strange habit. She would tell all, whether they cared to listen or not, “ Our house in Kashmir had 22 rooms”.

For the next few years, we would keep on shuttling from one place to place, becoming victim of the whims and fancies of landlords. We stayed at various places. After the marriage house, we stayed in a window-less room in a dilapidated lodge, where the number of mosquitoes was probably more than the cells constituting our bodies. Then we rented a single room where we ate, studied, slept, cooked and ate our food as well. Then there was another house. The bathroom there had no door and we had to keep on coughing for obvious reasons. Amidst these episodes of Greek tragedy, mother kept her struggle on. Everyday was a battle. From filling water from a leaking tap to bathing under the tap of an adjacent vacant plot, life threw numerous challenges at us.

It was years later that I completed my education somehow and came to Delhi. Few years ago, we bought a 2-bedroom flat in Delhi. But the struggle of Jammu has left a mark on mother. She cannot walk now. Her left leg is paralysed. Sometimes she falls down as she tries to drag her leg. As it happened this morning. She cannot even speak now. Degenerative neurosis, whatever that means. With each passing day, her condition is worsening.

I walk on the road. There is a sea of vehicles moving; endless. Sometimes I feel that there are more vehicles than humans in Delhi. And when I cannot bear the noise any longer, I feel like shouting, “Our house in Kashmir had 22 rooms.”

[ This story is a personal experiance of young and famous Kashmiri pandit journalist Rahul Pandita ]

I am beholden to P.V. Rawal of Jammu for sending me a photograph of Allama Iqbal’s Kashmiri Brahmin family taken in Sialkot in 1931. At this time Iqbal was in his mid-fifties. He had already risen to the top as the greatest Urdu poet, at par with Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib. Although he was proud of his Brahmin descent, he had nothing to say about his Hindu relations. In this picture, the elderly lady seated in the middle is his grandmother, Indirani Sapru, nicknamed Poshi, wife of Pandit Kanhaya Lal Sapru. The man standing on the left in a shawl is Iqbal’s cousin, Amarnath Sapru; note the close resemblance to the poet.

The family traces its origin to one Birbal. They lived in the village of Saprain (hence, the surname Sapru) on Shopian-Kulgam road. Then the family moved to Srinagar where Iqbal and most of his cousins were born. Birbal had five sons and a daughter. The third one, Kanhaya Lal, and his wife, Indirani, had three sons and five daughters. Kanhaya Lal was Iqbal’s grandfather. His son, Rattan Lal, converted to Islam and was given the name Nur Mohammad. He married a Muslim woman ? Imam Bibi. The Saprus disowned Rattan Lal and severed all connections with him. There are different versions of Rattan Lal’s conversion. The one given to me by Syeda Hameed, who has translated some of Iqbal’s poetry into English, maintains that Rattan Lal was the revenue collector of the Afghan governor of Kashmir. He was caught embezzling money. The governor offered him a choice: he should either convert to Islam or be hanged. Rattan Lal chose to stay alive. When the Afghan governor fled from Kashmir to escape its takeover by the Sikhs, Rattan Lal migrated to Sialkot. Imam Bibi was evidently a Sialkoti Punjabi. Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877. As often happens, the first generation of converts are more kattar than others. Iqbal thus grew up to be a devout Muslim. It is believed that once he called on his Hindu grandmother, then living in Amritsar. But there is no hard evidence of their meeting and of what passed between them; Iqbal did not write about it. Though he had many Hindu and Sikh friends and admirers, he felt that the future of Indian Muslims lay in having a separate state of their own. Iqbal was the principal ideologue of what later become Pakistan. Iqbal’s mother-tongue was Punjabi but he never wrote in it. He used only Persian and Urdu, as did many Urdu poets before him.

There are many aspects of Iqbal’s personal life which have not been fully researched by his biographers. We know he married two or three times and that his favourite son was Javed, who became a judge of the Lahore high court. Iqbal’s affair with Atia Faizi of Bombay when they met in London is well-known. There must have been some correspondence between them to show the kind of relationship they had. When in Heidelberg, he was taken up by his young German tutor, Emma Veganast. This secret was divulged by the mayor of Heidelberg in a speech in which he named a part of the bank of the river Neckar after him ? Iqbal Weg. The Pakistani ambassador to Germany had the mayor’s speech mentioning the girl’s name suppressed. Iqbal and Emma continued to write to each other till the end of his life. The correspondence should be available in archives in Lahore and Heidelberg. Lovers of Iqbal, among whom I count myself, deserve to be presented with a fuller picture of their idol. We have biographies of Rabindranath Tagore revealing all his love affairs but none of the Allama telling us of the kind of man he was.
written by:Khushwant Singh
source:The Telegraph,India

१९ जानेवारी १९९० साली धर्मांध मुसलमानांनी काश्मीरमधून हिंदूंना हाकलून लावले. तेव्हापासून साडेचार लाख काश्मिरी हिंदू त्यांच्याच देशात विस्थापित जीवन कंठत आहेत. १९ जानेवारी रोजी असलेल्या `काश्मिरी हिंदू विस्थापनदिना’च्या निमित्त त्यांची विदारक स्थिती येथे देत आहोत.

विस्थापित हिंदूंची छावणी

काश्मिरी हिंदूंच्या विस्थापितांच्या छावण्यांमध्ये ३०० जणांसाठी एकच प्रसाधनगृह आहे.
३ ते ४ मजली भव्य घरांमध्ये पिढ्यान्पिढ्या रहाणार्‍या काश्मिरी हिंदूंना विस्थापित म्हणून एका खोलीत २० जणांबरोबर गेल्या २० वर्षांपासून रहावे लागत आहे.
विस्थापित छावण्यांमध्ये साप व विंचू यांचा वावर असतो, सांडपाण्याची व्यवस्था नाही, छावण्यांभोवती विटभट्टी आहे इत्यादी प्रतिकूल परिस्थिती सहन न झाल्याने ५ हजार काश्मिरी हिंदूंचे जीवन कामी आले.
(काश्मिरी हिंदूंच्या या व्यथा नव्हे, नरकयातना कायमच्या हिंदूंच्या डोळयांसमोर राहिल्या पाहिजेत किंवा त्यांची सल मनात कायमची राहिली पाहिजे. तशी जर राहिली, तरच आपण हिंदु धर्माचे रक्षण करण्याची काहीतरी शक्यता आहे. तसे जर आपल्या स्मरणात काही राहिले नाही, तर हा हिंदु समाज नष्ट होण्याच्याच लायकीचा आहे, याची खूणगाठ हिंदूंनी बाळगावी ! – संपादक)

काश्मिरी हिंदूंचे विस्थापन हे भारत सरकारचे नव्हे, तर पूर्ण शासनव्यवस्थेचे अपयश !
`विशिष्ट राज्यकर्तेच नव्हे, तर सारी शासन पद्धतीच काश्मिरी हिंदूंवर होत असलेले अत्याचार, त्यांचे विस्थापन रोखण्यात अपयशी ठरली आहे. भारतीय शासनकर्ते व त्यांच्या सार्‍या पद्धती सदोष आहेत. त्या मोडून काढायला हव्यात. त्यावर टीका करणे म्हणजे देशद्रोह नव्हे. शासनपद्धती किंवा व्यवस्था व राष्ट्र यांत आपल्याला फरक करता यायला हवा. आम्हाला सुरक्षादलांचा भरोसा वाटायचा; पण ते असतांनाही काश्मिरी हिंदू विस्थापित झाले; कारण शेवटी त्यांच्या दोर्‍या व्यवस्थेकडे आहेत.’ – श्री कुलदीप रैना, महासचिव, पनून कश्मीर

As my mouse keeps following its own trajectory, I am trying to write a few words about India, Pakistan and in British words, “the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir”.

You can take the man(i.e me: Sunil Kumar) out of India, but you can’t take India out of the man.

The Kashmiri student in my class, set me thinking about how central the valley is to the future of our country.

The Mughal emperor, Jahangir, once said, “If there is heaven on earth, then this is it!”. For the uninitiated, I am referring to Kashmir.

When Britain, the colonial master, of half the world, decided to leave India, they left scars which unfortunately have taken a long time to heal.

2008 Mumbai, the city which epitomises Indian dreams, is bombed by a technically sophisticated but underpaid bunch of Pakistanis from the city of Multan, Faridkot and other cities in Pakistani Punjab.

Why does Pakistan spew so much venom against India? Why are half their missiles named after Muslim conquerors?

The reason, as somebody from MTV or Shakespeare put it, is in the stars. Or as Ajmal Amir Kasab put it, he was fated to bomb Mumbai, or, so he regrets, in Indian custody.

India is a splendid country, a land of great contrasts, widespread violence and a lot of injustice. As in every country around the world, people want to get richer and make money.

But I have digressed from the main point. Indian and Pakistani Kashmir have a long and troubled history. Our first intellectual Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a Pandit from the valley who lived in Prayag or Allahabad.

Nehru’s list of achievements are many, he was a visionary, who started the Indian Institutes of Technology, brainpower for half the world, and India’s greatest intellectual export.

But in his hurry to become the Prime Minister of India, Nehru made some drastic Orwellian mistakes.

India’s first Machiavallian home minister, Sardar Patel, was instrumental in getting most of the states into the Indian union. Patel took India’s first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw into confidence, and ordered him to liberate Kashmir.

As the Dogra ruler of Kashmir, Raja Hari Singh, dithered in signing the “Instrument of Accession”, Pathan tribesmen, managed to get as far as the outskirts of Srinagar.

India’s greatest martial race, the Sikhs, beat back the invasion and managed to send the Baluchs and the Pathans back to their adopted homeland.

But in leaving India, the British left behind, one of the greatest hotspots and potentially the most dangerous flashpoint in the world.

Here another day in Mumbai, where the world continues to live, as nonchalantly as I left it. But what if there is a nuclear apocalypse, the whole city gets wiped out in a matter of seconds.

Einstein, great Piscean, my star-sign, potentially saw the dangers of the great equation, he gave the world, E=mc(Squared). The atomic bomb, a result of the equation he gave the world, can become the instrument of the greatest potentially evil.

Stanley Kubrick’s famous masterpiece, “Dr. Strangelove or: How I learnt to stop worrying and love the Bomb” was a a funny, disturbing satire, that mocked the scientific community at the time of the Cold War and was a great political critique of the system.

Why talk about an old movie in 2008 India or England? As India and Pakistan have fought four wars over Kashmir and can possibly fight another one, Kashmir remains the bone of contention.

1998, India under, the Vajpayee Government and against global wishes, carries out a series of nuclear tests. Pakistan responds with equal vigour carrying out even more blasts.

China, India’s insidious neighbour, pretentious friend, and greatest enemy has assisted Pakistan in its nefarious designs.

According to a Times of India article today, China parted with the entire blueprint for a nuclear bomb to Pakistan and started training Pakistani scientists as early as 1990. This in turn let the Pakistanis respond as early as they could to Indian nuclear tests.

Even, right now, China persists in helping Pakistan against India and denying India any strategic advantage. China’s hegomony in Asia can only be maintained if it persists in maintaining the “status quo”. A weakened India is in the interests of China.

As a new president Barack Obama comes into power in the United States, India has to re-examine the global geopolitical scenario for its own strategic advantage.

The United States has always been “The Land of the Free, Home of the Brave”. The greatest worldwide marketing machine, the U.S.A has mostly intruded if and only if, it saw its worldwide dominance being challenged.

Where does India fit into the global scene? If it is not “bled by a thousand cuts”, or split apart by internal fratricide, as an idea, India is the greatest example of a nation-state the world has ever seen. 61 years since India’s tryst with destiny, the moment has still not come when India can redeem the famous pledge Nehru gave us.

Nehru’s famous lines were, “At the stroke of the midnight hour, as the world sleeps, India will awake to light and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.”

The soul of India is still caught in a quagmire and should not be condemned to eternal damnation. Probably a passage through purgatory, and then into a semi-static heaven.

International moot on KashmirCall to purge Kashmir of religiouselements

Geneva: Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Chairman United Kashmir Peoples National Party (UKPNP), has said the people of Kashmir are pro-peace and pro-democracy. They demand that a culture of accountability and transparency be established in the polity of entire Jammu Kashmir without any distinction.Addressing a conference on “Kashmir Issue, Terrorism and Human Rights” at the United Nations offices in Geneva, he said we are against the teachings, preaching and education of communal hatred. And the forces which are using religion as a weapon must be discouraged and their infrastructure be dismantled anywhere in the region under any name.”We support and endorse reconciliation and the need of roundtable discussion of the political leaders, civil society of all divided parts of former princely state. We oppose proxy war and proxy politics, which left enormous effects on the daily life of the people of Jammu Kashmir. Today the entire population of the state is compelled to live in threat and harassment by the different non-state actors in the region.”We strongly demand from the government of Pakistan to abolish all discriminatory clauses from the constitutional act of 1974 which bars freedom of thoughts, freedom of assembly as well as discriminate and violates universal charter of fundamental rights of the local people.He said human rights must be protected without the distinction of caste, colour, creed, gender, social and political orientation. Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri said today entire population of Jammu Kashmir has become hostage to terrorists, which are still freely and independently operating and moving everywhere in Pakistani administered Kashmir. The government of Pakistan is still not successful to draft a modern day foreign policy out of the pressure of its military influence. He alleged that Pakistan is promoting, importing and still exporting terrorists and training camps are still intact in various parts of Pakistan, as well as in some far most remote areas of the mountainous region of so called Azad Kashmir.”For us, Kashmir comprises 85,000 square miles, including the Kashmir valley, which encompasses 8,000 square miles. Jammu, which constitutes 12,000 square miles, Ladakh, which has 35,000 square miles, Gilgit Baltistan and Hunza which cover the area of 28,000 square miles, and Pakistani-administered Kashmir (Azad Kashmir), 4,000 square miles. For us, Kashmir is a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-ethnic State encompassing the most important strategic areas in the South Asian region in terms of its political and economic significance in today’s globalized world.But for some Kashmiri leaders, Kashmir is only the Valley of Kashmir and the rest is meaningless to them. Yet when we describe Kashmir as a land of peace, harmony, brotherhood, love and tolerance, these are not just words: Kashmir and its 13 million inhabitants from east, west, north and south truly reflect these noble sentiments of humanity to each other. Wular and Dal lakes set off the Valley of Kashmir; the Tawi  and Chenab rivers water the fertile fields of Jammu; the Gilgit and Indus rivers give life to the land of northern Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan; and the River Poonch flows in the Poonch area, where people grow rice, wheat, corn and vegetables. The State of Jammu and Kashmir is replete with natural resources: five major rivers and many small streams, Sweetwater lakes, the world’s longest mountain ranges, such as the lofty Great Himalayas, and the world’s second-highest mountain, K2, situated in this many-sided area. From a cultural perspective Kashmir features unique diversity: in the Valley of Kashmir, we can catch a glimpse of old Persian and eastern European cultural influence, in Jammu, the vibrant Dogra culture encompasses historical Sanskrit letters and poetry, songs and dances; while in Ladakh and Gilgit Baltistan, eastern European and Buddhist cultures and languages have left their mark on the everyday lives of the inhabitants. Kashmir has produced a host of renowned political leaders, intellectuals, musicians, historians, artists, writers and singers. To give just a few examples – and I could go on at length – the poetry of Lal Ded ,Habba Khatoon,Shahi Hamdan, is full of love and her writings afford us fascinating insights into Kashmiri society. The poems of Dina Nath Nadim convey the pain, misery and plight of the Kahsmiri people in the early 19th century. Later, Fauq and Krishan Chandar  gave Kashmiri literature a boost in the 20th century. Similarly, intellectuals, musicians and academics in all other regions of the former Princely State of Kashmir and Jammu have valiantly endeavoured to preserve centuries-old culture, music and literature in these areas despite present-day divisions.The geographic and strategic location of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir made it vulnerable, first in the 19th century, as the sun began to set over the far-flung British Empire, then after the Second World War. At the time, the British were preparing to leave the subcontinent, which featured vast amounts of inhabitants, resources and land and could pride itself on centuries of peaceful coexistence.We must remember that, although Mughals conquered India and ruled for several centuries,with lot of conversion took place besides  the sentiments of harmony, peace, and love coexisted side by side. Yet the British divided people into Muslims and non-Muslims, promoting a two-nation theory. Not only Muslims in India met the definition of a separate nation: many other nationalities enjoyed their own language, culture, traditions and religion, occupying substantial areas of the land. Divide-and-rule has been a centuries-old tool of occupying forces. Today, however, occupying forces are relying on the tactic of confuse-and-rule.To give you an inkling of Kashmir’s rich history, many believe that the Mauryan emperor Ashoka founded the city of Srinagar. Moreover, Kashmir was a seat of Buddhist learning in days of yore. History tells us that Buddhism came to China from Kashmir. In 1349, after Muslim rule was ushered in, Islam became the dominant religion in Kashmir valley because of mass conversion by then the muslim rulers from afghan and arabs. The Muslims and Hindus of Kashmir coexisted harmoniously by and large, as the Sufi-Islamic way of life of ordinary Muslims in Kashmir dovetailed with the Rishi traditions of Kashmiri pundits. The outcome was a syncretic culture where Hindus and Muslims prayed at the same shrines. Today, Kashmiris refer to the Rajatarangini, the chronicle of the kings of Kashmir, as the sole ancient record of Kashmir’s history and existence.At this point, I would like to give you a glimpse of recent history so that you can understand the present-day conflict in Jammu and Kashmir. By the early 19th century, control of the Kashmir valley had shifted from the Durrani Empire of Afghanistan and four centuries of Muslim rule under the Mughals and Afghans to the conquering Sikh armies. This change began in 1780, after the death of Ranjit Deo, the Rajah of Jammu, when the Kingdom of Jammu was captured by the Sikhs under Ranjit Singh of Lahore. Gulab Singh, Ranjit Singh’s subordinate, took the valley, annexing it to Jammu in 1819. With the help of his army officer Zorawar Singh, Gulab Singh seized Ladakh and Gilgit Baltistan to the east and north-east of Jammu. In 1845, when the First Anglo-Sikh war broke out, Gulab Singh skilfully managed to avoid involvement until the battle of Sobraon (1846), when he acted as a useful mediator and a trusted advisor of Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence. Two treaties were then signed. Under the first, the state of Lahore, that is West Punjab, ceded to the British, as the equivalent of one Crore of indemnity, the hill countries between Beas and Indus.Under the second, the British gave Gulab Singh for 75 lakhs all the hilly or the mountainous country situated to the east of Indus and west of Ravi (that is, the Vale of Kashmir). Thus, the Kingdom of Jammu became a tributary of Sikh power in 1846. Not long after Gulab Singh died in 1857, his son Ranbir Singh swallowed up the emirates of Hunza, Gilgit and Nagar.The Princely State of Kashmir and Jammu, as it was called at the time, came into being between 1820 and 1858. It brought together heterogeneous regions, religions and ethnicities; to the east, Ladakh was ethnically and culturally Tibetan with inhabitants who practised Buddhism, to the south, Jammu was a mixture of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs; in the Kashmir valley, the vast majority of inhabitants were Sunni Muslims apart from a small minority of Brahmans and pundits; to the north-east, thinly populated Baltistan had a population which was ethnically related to Ladakh but practised Shia Islam; to the north, the area of Gilgit Agency featured a mix of Shia and Sunni Muslims; and to the west, Poonch contained Muslims who were ethnically dissimilar to those of the Kashmir valley.After the subcontinent was partitioned, rulers of princely states were given a choice to decide their future: either to accede via union to India or Pakistan or in special cases to remain independent. However, a tribal invasion from Pakistan frightened the Maharajah of Kashmir into signing an instrument of accession with India. This instrument specified that the wishes of the Kashmiri people had to be taken into account and that India would protect the life, liberty and property of the Kashmiri people.” Property” in this respect meant that India had to do more to clear those areas which were illegally occupied by Pakistan by then still we are not sure what is future of our generation with pakistan. It was Pakistan which occupied the most significant regions of the State, and the presence of its military forces in the State materially changed the entire situation. United Nations Security Council resolution 47 was adopted on 21 April 1948. After hearing arguments from both India and Pakistan, the Council increased the size of the Commission established by United Nations Security Council resolution 39 to five members, instructing the Commission to go to the subcontinent and help the governments of India and Pakistan restore peace and order to the region and prepare for a plebiscite to decide the fate of Kashmir. The resolution recommended that in order to ensure the impartiality of the plebiscite, Pakistan withdraw all tribesmen and nationals who had entered the region for the purpose of fighting and that India leave only  very little  Troops as to safe guard the whole J&K needed t o keep civil order because of  evil sight on the occupied will never are not interested to do so . The Commission was also to send as many observers into the region as it deemed necessary to ensure that the provisions of the resolution were enacted. Yet Pakistan never complied with the stipulations of the Security Council or UNCIP recommendations. It has not recognized these provisions and has continued to press for a plebiscite to ascertain the wishes of the people. Pakistan set up its own Kashmir, called Azad Kashmir, in a minute Western chunk controlled by it. The much larger region of Pakistani Kashmir in the north-west, which was a province named Northern Areas in the erstwhile State, hardly features in the laws and Constitution of Pakistan. Yet the military establishment and secret agencies claim that these areas are part of Pakistan and have nothing to do with the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The silence of the pro-Pakistan group APHC regarding these areas is also meaningful and regrettably shameful.We lost Aksai Chin in 1962 because of war  between India and China and Pakistan who helped china in this regard also gave Saksham valley to china for goodwill gesture .

New approaches on Kashmir whenever and whoever suggested were largely resisted by certain forces, both in Pakistan and India including Kashmiri’s on both sides. Those interests are entwined with the status quo. Such idea was initially advanced in early 50s and early sixties when dialogues between Bhutto and Sawarn Sigh were conducted to resolve this complex issue based on the changed ground realities and shared regional interests. The approach was advocated by the US then to persuade Ayub Khan that it is the time to come to recognize the ground realities and not to miss the opportunity when India was inclined to compromise on the changing situation. And when Sheikh Abdullah visited last time Pakistan, he had suggested along the same lines to Ayub Khan too.Opportunities were missed on both occasions when Patel asked Liaquat Ali Khan to take Kashmir and leave Hyderabad before ending up for nothing. But Pakistan leadership’s shortsightedness couldn’t see beyond the wall and helped India to keep both, Kashmir and Hyderabad. After 1965 lost war and 1971 Pakistan’s division – because of its own policies to marginalize the Bengali politically and economically – it was time or Pakistan to review its flawed and failed policies over all, on Kashmir and within its own provinces could have helped Pakistan to secure its economic and geographical interests. But military’s growing political interests and control over power led it to resist any change that was deemed necessary to keep this country’s larger interests ahead to the military institution. The unchanged policies and unchallenged military’s direct and indirect control over the political power in Pakistan has seriously discouraged every new approach that was suggested to resolve the conflict of Kashmir; that eventually resulted in the prolonged confrontation, hostilities and proxy war that strengthened the extremist forces across Pakistan and region, and military in Pakistan.Nawaz Sharif was first who had tried to depart from the traditional policy by inviting Vajpayee and signing Lahore Declaration which was thwarted through Kargil misadventure of Mushraf and eventually he was ousted from the power. Later, the same Mushraf agreed, who had accused Nawaz for sell-off Kashmir under the global pressure, on the new approaches on Kashmir suggested by the former Indian PM Mr. Vajpaee to soften the borders. Though the idea of soft borders has been advocated by many political scientists and practitioners since ago, at least to start with in order to mitigate the grievances and sufferings that division and barriers had caused or inflicted upon the people, was finally endorsed in 2004 after six decades of destruction and death. But again forces opposed to new ideas and fresh approaches are seen to be disenchanted with the utility of it and insist to embark upon the old notions, ideas and approaches of fighting for Kashmiri cause without winning it.Reasons and aims are obvious because in six decades military dominated politics and policies were largely advocated on both sides but especially in Pakistan without questioning its merits. However, India succeeded to keep military out of politics and its successive governments changed priorities of Indian politics from military to build Economy. But somehow Kashmir aspect has been determining factor between both countries relations whether it was under the two-nation theory in Pakistan, or secularism in India. As a result only military was strengthened on both sides but this mindset further entrenched in policy making to make military might unchallengeable on both sides which helped Pakistan military to take the charge of everything by demonizing and ridiculing the political leadership of country. The growing military control and interests in Pakistan I hope issue of our sides be resolved with the interest and wishes of the peoples of both sides not only in Indian side Kashmir.

The Kashmiri Hindus, or Kashmiri Pandits, as they are generally known, have a rich culture and peaceful traditions that they have managed to maintain over five thousand years of recorded history. Most Kashmiri Pandits are devout Shaivites, The wedding of Kashmiri Pandits consists of elaborate rituals. Beautiful clothes, traditional gifts, quaint ceremonies and mouth-watering meals prepared by the family cook, mark this happy occasion with ceremonies like Devgon, Duribat, Livun, Wanwun, Maanziraat, satraat, Roth Khabar to make it unforgettable for the couple and all those invited. Some common Surnames of Kashmiri Pandits are: Kamboj, Sandhu, Gill, Bedi, Siddhu, Sodhi, Ahluwalia, Garewal, Kairon, Rarewala, Chimni, Sukhurchakia, Kaul, Raina, Matoo, Tikoo, Dhar, Razdan, Haksar, Pundit, Kar, Bhatt.

We recognize our social responsibility and use every opportunity to find suitable match for Kashmiri Pandit bride and grooms. So if you are looking for a Kashmiri Brahmin life partner there’s no need to go anywhere, We at matrimonials.kashmirmart.com help you to find a wonderful life partner and make sure that when you meet your Kashmiri pandit Life partner, you both tie the knot of traditional Kashmiri Pandit shaadi with the blessing of God and your elders.

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Muslim extremists order Mosul Christians to convert or face death, officials say

Officials: 13 Christians killed; more than 900 families have fled Mosul

Deputy governor: Election-related protests may have triggered the killings

Leaflets in Christian neighborhoods threatened families, official says

From Mohammed Tawfeeq
CNN

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — At least 900 Christian families have fled Mosul in the past week, terrified by a series of killings and threats by Muslim extremists ordering them to convert to Islam or face possible death, officials said Saturday.

Christians protest in Mosul last month ahead of elections. An official says protests may have led to the attacks.

1 of 2 The attacks may have been prompted by Christian demonstrations ahead of provincial elections, which are to be held by the end of January, the deputy governor of Nineveh province said.

Deputy Gov. Khasro Goran said 13 Christians have been slain in the past two weeks inMosul, about 260 miles (420 kilometers) north of Baghdad. Fleeing Christians have sought refuge in monasteries and churches and with family members in other towns, an Interior Ministry official said.

The attacks began after hundreds of Christians took to the streets in Mosul and surrounding villages and towns, seeking greater representation on provincial councils, whose members will be chosen in the local elections.

Duraid Mohammed Kashmoula, Nineveh’s governor, told The Associated Press that the exodus was “a major displacement.”

“Of course, al Qaeda elements are behind this campaign against Christians,” Kashmoula told AP.

The Interior Ministry official said the homes of three families were destroyed with explosives Saturday after the occupants left. No injuries were reported.

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A week ago, leaflets were distributed in several predominantly Christian neighborhoods, threatening families to “either convert to Islam or pay the jizyah or leave the city or face death,” said the Interior Ministry official.

Historically, jizyah is a tax paid by non-Muslims in exchange for protection.

Goran said that a few days after the leaflets were passed out, gunmen set up checkpoints in parts of Mosul, stopping vehicles to inspect identification papers, searching for Christian names or other signs of religious affiliation. Many of the Christians killed were targeted in this way, he said.

Bashir Azoz, 45, told AP he fled his Mosul home after gunmen warned a neighbor to leave or be killed.

“Where is the government and its security forces as these crimes take place every day?” asked Azoz, a carpenter who is staying with his wife and three children in a town about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Mosul, according to AP.

The Rev. Bolis Jacob, of Mosul’s Mar Afram Church, told AP he couldn’t understand the attacks.

“We respect the Islamic religion and the Muslim clerics,” he said. “We don’t know under what religion’s pretexts these terrorists work.”

Goran said police have set up security checkpoints in Christian neighborhoods.

In response to the violence, Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qader al-Obaidi visited Mosul on Saturday morning, conducting meetings with local authorities and military commanders.

His spokesman, Mohammed al-Askari, said that in addition to ordering more checkpoints in Christian neighborhoods, al-Obaidi ordered more troops deployed, additional security patrols and an increase in aerial surveillance of Christian areas.

Al-Obaidi also ordered more guards for Christian clerics, al-Askari said.

English translation of Chairman Balawaristan National Front (BNF) Abdul Hamid Khan’s telephonic address to a public gathering at Gahkuch dated June 8, 2008

Balawaristan: BNF Chief Abdul Hamid Speech to a Historic Gathering

My dear brothers, sisters of Gilgit-Baltistan, Ladakh, Chitral and Kohistan; youth of BNSO, GBDA Leaders and distinguished guests,

I am proud of the fact that after ten years’ separation, I have the opportunity to address a public gathering at Gahkuch today. My brothers, sisters and respected elders, I am not a leader nor a Quaid but a servant of my people. The word leader or Quaid is not a self-proclaimed title but a trust of a nation. Whoever a nation likes bestows the honor on him. This can only be possible when a person remains steadfast in his struggle for a national cause and stand by his nation, not the one who takes side with the usurpers. If anyone of you comes forward and dedicates himself to the struggle for taking the nation out of the whirpool and lead the people, the nation will choose him/her as their leader.

I want to let you know, I never keep my nation in dark by make cheap and emotional statements. I try to clear my stand according to the international laws and principles. Our stand does not only fulfil UNO but also matches with the legal stand of Pakistan. But this an ironic that Pakistan has always been discouraged our peaceful and democratic struggle, whether it’s so-called democratic government of Military dictatorship. This was not because our illegal stand, but because of the double standard of government of Pakistan itself. The stand of Pakistan to its public and national media was different than its international and legal stand, this was the reason the treatment of every consecutive governments of Pakistan either Military of civilian were pro-people. Sometimes Pakistani regimes were being avoiding to give our deserved rights by the pretext of sensitivity of our country (Balawaristan) and sometimes by the pretext of Kashmir dispute and its own constitution. In spite of all that if any one dared to raise any question or challenge their occupation, Pakistan has been trying to eliminate such people from its way. This was the reason, my life was under threat when I brought its inhuman treatment and illegal occupation to the UN and other member countries of the democratic world. Our bosses (not our rulers, because we never caste any vote to them) do not like bitter truth and whoever speaks truth they use bullet to silence his/her voice, like what they did with 80 years old Balochi leader Nawab Akbar Bugti. Government of Pakistan also wants to eliminate me forever, because I am alone ,who presents the true face of Pakistani occupation forces in Balawaristan (Occupied Gilgit Baltistan) to the international community.

As you know that I did not leave my country because of livelihood of me or my children, but because to save my life as well as the life of 2 million enslave people of this region. I have to inform the international community about the misery caused due to the illegal occupation of Pakistan since 16th Nov. 1947. This will be your assessment and you are the judge, whether I have been able to put your case in good direction or not.

I would like to tell something about religious or sectarian violence. This is a kind of diseases, which has been injected in to the bodies of our nation, when our people stood united against the occupation of Pakistan and it’s ill-treatment and un-democratic behaviour since 1971. The deceased national leader of Punyal Fazlur Rahamn Alamgir and Adv. Sher Wali who is luckily present among you, were released from Jail by breaking it by the public when we were united without religious and sectarian differences. Since then Pakistani occupying regime and its intelligence agencies are creating sectarian tension among us. As a result hundreds and hundreds innocent people lost their lives, but no one has been given punishment even for a single day so far. The reason of giving free hand to the murderers and conspirators, because the murderer, conspirator and judge were the same occupation regime. How a killer and conspirator can diliver judgement against himself? This was the reason behind our 60 years long slavery. Our motherland has become the last colony of 21st Century. We don’t have any share and any right to say anything in our house (motherland). We were innocent and simpleton, that why we querrled each other on sectarian basis and the enemies (Pakistan Pathans and Punjabis) ruled us without hindrance because of our disunity. Today we have no control over our water resources, we don’t have control over our mountains and plains. All kind of our resources are plundered by Pakistani occupying regime, who do not face any challenge from us, because we don’t fight them and we don’t have any institutional or representative body to challenge their authority. I appeal to the sisters, brothers, don’t involve in to any kind of crime like killing a religious or sectarian culprit, if we need our properties and motherland is under our control. You should not kill anyone on the basis of religious differences even if anyone provokes you. If you kill anyone it means you are fulfilling the evil design of our enemy, whose design is to divide us by sectarian clashes and then rule on us without any hindrance. I hope that you all will promise to be united and don’t involved yourself in to sectarianism. Revive your historical blood relation without any discrimination and get your rights guaranteed.

Some people blame us that we are anti-Pakistan and want to break Pakistan. This is wrong and misinterpretation of intelligence agencies and their puppets.

As a country we are not against Pakistan. But we are against the illegal occupation of Pakistan and it’s wrong policies since 16 Nov. 1947.

I sent congratulation to the Pakistan Muslim League N and Pakistan People’s Party, when they got success in recent elections against the Military dictator. This is because we support democracy and do not support dictatorship and monarch and kingdom throughout the world. This congratulation to Pakistani Political parties does not mean that we have changed our stand and accepted the illegal occupation and atrocities of Pakistan NO NEVER.

We don’t take any plea for making dispute our motherland with the J&K. This was Pakistan which has made this area as disputed part of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) for its own interest not for us. This was Pakistan long stand in UN and other international fora that Balawaristan (Gilgit Baltistan) is not part of Pakistan because it’s a disputed part of J&K. If we quote the same thing, that Gilgit Baltistan is not part of Pakistan then why government of Pakistan and it’s agencies become ferocious and try to eliminate such people who speak the truth.

You are the witness in the past that we did not take part in the elections of Pakistan and you observed recently, that the 2 million people of Balawaristan have no right in the elections of Pakistan. What does it mean, because we are not Pakistani citizens. We don’t have any involvement in the elections of Pakistani President, Prime Minister and Ministers and even members of Pakistani Assemblies. There is no single word in the constitution of Pakistan about our area. If we are not a part of Pakistan , then how the question of breaking it arises and how we can break it. There is no logic behind this blame, that we the nationalists of Balawaristan are trying to break and disintegrate of Pakistan.

We don’t have any evil intention against Pakistan. We don’t want to disintegrate Pakistan. Pakistanis themselves are involved in the disintegration of Pakistan, because of its long Military rule. Pakistanis themselves broken Pakistan in 1971 by killing and raping Bengalis. Now Pakistani are trying to break Baluchistan and Sindh provinces by killing them and creating terror. Pakistan have 4 provinces and 8 tribal regions. Pakistan compromises on these 4 Provinces and 8 Tribal agencies. Pakistan can be divided in to pieces or can be disintegrated, if and when any of its province or Tribal agency is separated. Pakistan does not break or disintegrate if and when Balawaristan gets FREEDOM, because its not part of Pakistan. Its the obligation of Pakistan to end its occupation over Balawaristan and its occupied J&K according to UNCIP resolutions.

According to UNCIP resolutions, the stage of Balawaristan and J&K to annex or merge in to Pakistan OR India is still awaited.

But Pakistan could have given Special Provincial powers OR it occupied J&K like setup till the decision of the whole J&K issue. But Pakistan cannot make this part as its own territory or province in the presence of UN resolutions. The people who demand for province of Pakistan or Pakistani constitutional rights are either sycophants and want to get personal benefits and do not bother about the interest of the people and don’t bother about the International laws. Due to such people the hatred and opposition among the people of Balawaristan against Pakistan is on the high ever today.

The audience, instead of rulers, when I say Boss or masters, some people may raise objection. Objection and different opinion is the soul of the democracy and we accept it. But we don’t consider those as our rulers, who we did not elect by our votes. Those can be termed as rulers and are respected as rulers, who have become elected by our votes. Pakistanis do impose themselves on us without any legal agreement or any justification, because we did not vote them and we did not endorse them. Pakistani do impose them by the force. Some time they choose the designation of Minister of Kashmir and Northern Areas Affairs (KANA) with full powers like an ancient king and sometimes they use the designation as Chief Executive and no Chairman, whatever the designation the same Pakistani imposed Minister is acting as king with impunity and above the law.

My dear brothers and sisters, I am very happy that the youth of our nation has gained political wisdom and our nation is awakening today. This is a result of the struggle of all of you. The main proof of this national awakening is that the nation and especially our colleagues in GBDA did not waste even a second and informed the nation about the hollowness of the so-called package announced by Pervez Musharraf. This was a sign of unity of the nation too.
You know that what are the obstacles and hindrances in the path of freedom. A propaganda has been launched against me in connivance with the occupiers since 1999 in which some of our constrained brothers in the media are also involved. It has been made a crime even to take my name. Last year when I stepped into a free world from the life of solitude and started to represent you in the European Parliament and other international forums, the intensity of the smear campaign against me intensified at the national and international levels. I am happy to say that our people through their wisdom and sagacity have foiled the conspiracies of the usurpers and their agents. It shows that our destiny is not far away, because the nation is not in slumber and illusion like in the past. The nation now understands that sectarianism and lack of political awareness are the main causes of slavery.
My brothers and respected colleagues, you tell me is there any nation in the world who accepts slavery of others in the name of religion. Don’t you deserve freedom? Will you not remain Muslim if you got independence? Were we not Muslims before Pakistan occupied us? In fact, before 1947, we were good Muslims and good human being but as soon as our interaction with the Pakistanis increased our standard of character started to degrade. To be a good Muslim, a person should possess a good moral character and should not fall prey to the shenanigans of occupiers and their agents. These people exploit your resources by enslaving you and push you to the abysmal depth of immorality by eliminating your culture, history and identity.
Pakistan very cleverly made us its slave in 1947 due to our innocence and political immaturity. It also made the area liberated by our forefathers disputed without even their information. On April 28, 1949, the United Nations through a resolution asked Pakistan to withdraw its troops from Gilgit-Baltistan within seven weeks. Pakistan sought twelve weeks to implement the UN resolution which was acceded to by the world body. Besides, Pakistan was also asked to ensure self-rule in Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Did the Pakistani troops went back or self-rule was ensured in the area? No, instead of implanting the UN resolution Pakistan kept on consolidating its occupation. Look at Pakistan’s sincerity: the day when the UN asked it to withdraw its troops from the region on April 28, 1949, Pakistan entered into a bogus agreement with Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas and Sardar Ibrahim of Kashmir to perpetuate its rule on you. Later, Sardar Ibrahim himself declared the so-called pact fake. Even our revolutionary troops and the so-called Mirs were kept out of the bogus agreement.
Pakistan has also looted our land and resources like war booty. The construction of Basha Dam is also a part of the conspiracy to drown our land and destroy our culture and history.
Dear friends, under the divide and rule policy, Pakistan has succeeded to divide the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on sectarian lines and deprive them of their rights. Pakistan’s so-called leaders sent thousands of NLI personnel to Kargil like mercenaries and when they sacrificed their lives the credit was given to the so-called mujahideen. In this war, our 3,000 brothers were killed and hundreds others made paralyzed. Ironically, Pakistan accepted the dead bodies of its citizens but refused that of our brothers terming them mujahideen. As a result, scores of bodies of our brothers were buried in the mountain of Kargil. Through human rights organizations we appeal to the elected government of Pakistan to arrange the return of the NLI personnel’s bodies to bury them in their hometowns. We also demand that Musharraf should stand trial for killing 3,000 NLI personnel in the Kargil misadventure.
My brothers and sisters, our elders were sent to jail when they demanded a separate province; when they talked of constitutional rights they were put behind bars and when they sought right to vote they were also imprisoned. When emergency was declared in Pakistan, the whole Pakistanis rose in revolt, but no one cares about Gilgit-Baltistan where two million people have been rotting under a perpetual martial law –like rule for the last over 60 years. Did our elders liberate Gilgit-Baltistan only to live a life of slavery in the 21st century.
Our brothers are not trusted for the posts of a DCO or an SSP. Government officials from Gilgit-Baltistan are looked down upon. Have we no right to become the prime minister, president, chief justice of the Supreme Court or the army chief? But if you join Pakistan your destiny would be to become voters of Pakistani leaders only. We have not one but hundreds of able personnel in the NLI and outside in the presence of whom people like Ziaul Haq and Musharraf have no quality even to become a Havaldar. But as long as we remain under the control of Pakistan our destiny would remain the same.
Ladies and gentlemen, Pakistan always refers to the UN resolutions due to which it cannot amalgamate Gilgit-Baltistan in its constitution nor can make it its province. In the constitution, there is no mention of Gilgit-Baltistan, because the international community does not recognize Gilgit-Baltistan as part of Pakistan, but a disputed part of Kashmir. As a result, the demand by some of our friends for the constitutional rights or a separate province is not given much importance, because Pakistan cannot include Gilgit-Baltistan in its constitution by separating it from the Kashmir dispute. By making it a province or allocating a few seats in parliament, Pakistan cannot take the risk of violating its own stance or that of the UN. However, the region can be given a special provincial status without bringing it under the constitution of Pakistan.
But Pakistan has treated us as its slave for the last over 60 years, not due to constitutional constraints but because of the ill intentions of its rulers. Pakistan has maintained its control on Gilgit-Baltistan not through any law or principle but under the fake law of April 28, 1949. Now the time has come we exposed the fakeness of the document and take action against those behind the bogus document. Now our nation should expedite efforts to become a respectable nation of the world instead of remaining slaves of others by dividing itself on sectarian lines.
Dear friends, you should never pin any hope on these occupiers of our land who divided you on sectarian basis and destroyed your unity besides looting your natural resources. In the presence of the usurpers, our rights and honor can never remain safe. To expect anything good from those who have kept us in slavery for the last over 60 years would be equal to deceive your future generation.
My dear brothers and sisters, today we have to ask ourselves whether we have to further waste our time in struggling to become voters of Pakistani leaders or have to think of attaining our own rights and live as an independent nation in the civilized world. This is a decision which you have to take. As far as BNF is concerned, we have long ago decided not to live a slave’s life, not to remain Pakistan’s voters, we do not need the continuation of judicial commissioner but need our own high court and supreme court which would not be under the control of Pakistan. We do not need NALA but want an independent legislative assembly. The NA council has been renamed as NALA as it deserved. This is not a legislative assembly but is in a true term has become a Nallah of Pakistani cities. The Nallah is not of the pure water flowing down from our land but a congestion of gutter and sewage which has become stinking like Nallah Lai of the 1970s. The members of NALA cheat not only themselves but the whole nation by considering themselves as equal to MNAs. Since 1970s, these councillors have always preferred their own interests on the interests of the people. Today a responsible citizen of Pakistan understands the injustices done with the people of the region but for these councillors even the interest of a PWD engineer has more value than that of the nation and the region. These councillors have always felt proud of meeting an SP or a DC and have betrayed the people and supported the usurpers. They have never raised a voice for the rights of the masses and always preferred their own vested interests. This does not mean that I have personal grudge with a few councillors but I am referring to all the members of the council as a whole who have kept our people in the dark. These opportunist members of NALA are equally responsible, along with the Pakistani rulers, for keeping our people deprived of their basic human and constitutional rights. I know that from today these NALA members will go two steps forward than the security agencies and their cohorts in spreading propaganda against me. But I do not care and would continue to inform my people about the actual situation and hope that the people would never be carried away by deception of the rulers like introduction of a package etc.

We appeal government of China to handover back our lands the part of Hunza, which had been given to it during British Empire before 1947 and the portion of Shimshal Hunza given by Pakistan in 1963. China is urged not to help Pakistan’s illegal and immoral occupation by constructing Railway track throughout Balawaristan and not to construct the disputed Diamar Dam. We also appeal government of China for not occupy our land and mountains by the pretext of mines lease of Yasen area and other places. It should be noted, that Pakistan has no legal authority to give any lease or to make any agreement on behalf of the people of Balawaristan, because it’s a disputed land and Pakistan has no legal authority. China is a super power of Asia and it should not involve itself in the occupation process of Pakistan.
We demand that the government of Pakistan withdraw its troops and civilian officials from Gilgit-Baltistan in accordance with its promise, Retrieve the land given to outsiders and allot it to the local owners. Our people do not need any NALA but an independent legislative assembly, we do not want the continuation of chief commissioner in the name of chief and appellate courts, we need an independent supreme court. We do not want a Balochistan type of identity but want an independent Balawaristan.
Long live GBDA

Abdul Hamid Khan
Chairman
Balawaristan National Front (BNF)
Head Office: Majini Mahla, Gilgit, Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan)
Website:

My dear brothers, sisters of Gilgit-Baltistan, Ladakh, Chitral and Kohistan; youth of BNSO, GBDA Leaders and distinguished guests,

I am proud of the fact that after ten years’ separation, I have the opportunity to address a public gathering at Gahkuch today. My brothers, sisters and respected elders, I am not a leader nor a Quaid but a servant of my people. The word leader or Quaid is not a self-proclaimed title but a trust of a nation. Whoever a nation likes bestows the honor on him. This can only be possible when a person remains steadfast in his struggle for a national cause and stand by his nation, not the one who takes side with the usurpers. If anyone of you comes forward and dedicates himself to the struggle for taking the nation out of the whirpool and lead the people, the nation will choose him/her as their leader.

I want to let you know, I never keep my nation in dark by make cheap and emotional statements. I try to clear my stand according to the international laws and principles. Our stand does not only fulfil UNO but also matches with the legal stand of Pakistan. But this an ironic that Pakistan has always been discouraged our peaceful and democratic struggle, whether it’s so-called democratic government of Military dictatorship. This was not because our illegal stand, but because of the double standard of government of Pakistan itself. The stand of Pakistan to its public and national media was different than its international and legal stand, this was the reason the treatment of every consecutive governments of Pakistan either Military of civilian were pro-people. Sometimes Pakistani regimes were being avoiding to give our deserved rights by the pretext of sensitivity of our country (Balawaristan) and sometimes by the pretext of Kashmir dispute and its own constitution. In spite of all that if any one dared to raise any question or challenge their occupation, Pakistan has been trying to eliminate such people from its way. This was the reason, my life was under threat when I brought its inhuman treatment and illegal occupation to the UN and other member countries of the democratic world. Our bosses (not our rulers, because we never caste any vote to them) do not like bitter truth and whoever speaks truth they use bullet to silence his/her voice, like what they did with 80 years old Balochi leader Nawab Akbar Bugti. Government of Pakistan also wants to eliminate me forever, because I am alone ,who presents the true face of Pakistani occupation forces in Balawaristan (Occupied Gilgit Baltistan) to the international community.

As you know that I did not leave my country because of livelihood of me or my children, but because to save my life as well as the life of 2 million enslave people of this region. I have to inform the international community about the misery caused due to the illegal occupation of Pakistan since 16th Nov. 1947. This will be your assessment and you are the judge, whether I have been able to put your case in good direction or not.

I would like to tell something about religious or sectarian violence. This is a kind of diseases, which has been injected in to the bodies of our nation, when our people stood united against the occupation of Pakistan and it’s ill-treatment and un-democratic behaviour since 1971. The deceased national leader of Punyal Fazlur Rahamn Alamgir and Adv. Sher Wali who is luckily present among you, were released from Jail by breaking it by the public when we were united without religious and sectarian differences. Since then Pakistani occupying regime and its intelligence agencies are creating sectarian tension among us. As a result hundreds and hundreds innocent people lost their lives, but no one has been given punishment even for a single day so far. The reason of giving free hand to the murderers and conspirators, because the murderer, conspirator and judge were the same occupation regime. How a killer and conspirator can diliver judgement against himself? This was the reason behind our 60 years long slavery. Our motherland has become the last colony of 21st Century. We don’t have any share and any right to say anything in our house (motherland). We were innocent and simpleton, that why we querrled each other on sectarian basis and the enemies (Pakistan Pathans and Punjabis) ruled us without hindrance because of our disunity. Today we have no control over our water resources, we don’t have control over our mountains and plains. All kind of our resources are plundered by Pakistani occupying regime, who do not face any challenge from us, because we don’t fight them and we don’t have any institutional or representative body to challenge their authority. I appeal to the sisters, brothers, don’t involve in to any kind of crime like killing a religious or sectarian culprit, if we need our properties and motherland is under our control. You should not kill anyone on the basis of religious differences even if anyone provokes you. If you kill anyone it means you are fulfilling the evil design of our enemy, whose design is to divide us by sectarian clashes and then rule on us without any hindrance. I hope that you all will promise to be united and don’t involved yourself in to sectarianism. Revive your historical blood relation without any discrimination and get your rights guaranteed.

Some people blame us that we are anti-Pakistan and want to break Pakistan. This is wrong and misinterpretation of intelligence agencies and their puppets.

As a country we are not against Pakistan. But we are against the illegal occupation of Pakistan and it’s wrong policies since 16 Nov. 1947.

I sent congratulation to the Pakistan Muslim League N and Pakistan People’s Party, when they got success in recent elections against the Military dictator. This is because we support democracy and do not support dictatorship and monarch and kingdom throughout the world. This congratulation to Pakistani Political parties does not mean that we have changed our stand and accepted the illegal occupation and atrocities of Pakistan NO NEVER.

We don’t take any plea for making dispute our motherland with the J&K. This was Pakistan which has made this area as disputed part of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) for its own interest not for us. This was Pakistan long stand in UN and other international fora that Balawaristan (Gilgit Baltistan) is not part of Pakistan because it’s a disputed part of J&K. If we quote the same thing, that Gilgit Baltistan is not part of Pakistan then why government of Pakistan and it’s agencies become ferocious and try to eliminate such people who speak the truth.

You are the witness in the past that we did not take part in the elections of Pakistan and you observed recently, that the 2 million people of Balawaristan have no right in the elections of Pakistan. What does it mean, because we are not Pakistani citizens. We don’t have any involvement in the elections of Pakistani President, Prime Minister and Ministers and even members of Pakistani Assemblies. There is no single word in the constitution of Pakistan about our area. If we are not a part of Pakistan , then how the question of breaking it arises and how we can break it. There is no logic behind this blame, that we the nationalists of Balawaristan are trying to break and disintegrate of Pakistan.

We don’t have any evil intention against Pakistan. We don’t want to disintegrate Pakistan. Pakistanis themselves are involved in the disintegration of Pakistan, because of its long Military rule. Pakistanis themselves broken Pakistan in 1971 by killing and raping Bengalis. Now Pakistani are trying to break Baluchistan and Sindh provinces by killing them and creating terror. Pakistan have 4 provinces and 8 tribal regions. Pakistan compromises on these 4 Provinces and 8 Tribal agencies. Pakistan can be divided in to pieces or can be disintegrated, if and when any of its province or Tribal agency is separated. Pakistan does not break or disintegrate if and when Balawaristan gets FREEDOM, because its not part of Pakistan. Its the obligation of Pakistan to end its occupation over Balawaristan and its occupied J&K according to UNCIP resolutions.

According to UNCIP resolutions, the stage of Balawaristan and J&K to annex or merge in to Pakistan OR India is still awaited.

But Pakistan could have given Special Provincial powers OR it occupied J&K like setup till the decision of the whole J&K issue. But Pakistan cannot make this part as its own territory or province in the presence of UN resolutions. The people who demand for province of Pakistan or Pakistani constitutional rights are either sycophants and want to get personal benefits and do not bother about the interest of the people and don’t bother about the International laws. Due to such people the hatred and opposition among the people of Balawaristan against Pakistan is on the high ever today.

The audience, instead of rulers, when I say Boss or masters, some people may raise objection. Objection and different opinion is the soul of the democracy and we accept it. But we don’t consider those as our rulers, who we did not elect by our votes. Those can be termed as rulers and are respected as rulers, who have become elected by our votes. Pakistanis do impose themselves on us without any legal agreement or any justification, because we did not vote them and we did not endorse them. Pakistani do impose them by the force. Some time they choose the designation of Minister of Kashmir and Northern Areas Affairs (KANA) with full powers like an ancient king and sometimes they use the designation as Chief Executive and no Chairman, whatever the designation the same Pakistani imposed Minister is acting as king with impunity and above the law.

My dear brothers and sisters, I am very happy that the youth of our nation has gained political wisdom and our nation is awakening today. This is a result of the struggle of all of you. The main proof of this national awakening is that the nation and especially our colleagues in GBDA did not waste even a second and informed the nation about the hollowness of the so-called package announced by Pervez Musharraf. This was a sign of unity of the nation too.
You know that what are the obstacles and hindrances in the path of freedom. A propaganda has been launched against me in connivance with the occupiers since 1999 in which some of our constrained brothers in the media are also involved. It has been made a crime even to take my name. Last year when I stepped into a free world from the life of solitude and started to represent you in the European Parliament and other international forums, the intensity of the smear campaign against me intensified at the national and international levels. I am happy to say that our people through their wisdom and sagacity have foiled the conspiracies of the usurpers and their agents. It shows that our destiny is not far away, because the nation is not in slumber and illusion like in the past. The nation now understands that sectarianism and lack of political awareness are the main causes of slavery.
My brothers and respected colleagues, you tell me is there any nation in the world who accepts slavery of others in the name of religion. Don’t you deserve freedom? Will you not remain Muslim if you got independence? Were we not Muslims before Pakistan occupied us? In fact, before 1947, we were good Muslims and good human being but as soon as our interaction with the Pakistanis increased our standard of character started to degrade. To be a good Muslim, a person should possess a good moral character and should not fall prey to the shenanigans of occupiers and their agents. These people exploit your resources by enslaving you and push you to the abysmal depth of immorality by eliminating your culture, history and identity.
Pakistan very cleverly made us its slave in 1947 due to our innocence and political immaturity. It also made the area liberated by our forefathers disputed without even their information. On April 28, 1949, the United Nations through a resolution asked Pakistan to withdraw its troops from Gilgit-Baltistan within seven weeks. Pakistan sought twelve weeks to implement the UN resolution which was acceded to by the world body. Besides, Pakistan was also asked to ensure self-rule in Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Did the Pakistani troops went back or self-rule was ensured in the area? No, instead of implanting the UN resolution Pakistan kept on consolidating its occupation. Look at Pakistan’s sincerity: the day when the UN asked it to withdraw its troops from the region on April 28, 1949, Pakistan entered into a bogus agreement with Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas and Sardar Ibrahim of Kashmir to perpetuate its rule on you. Later, Sardar Ibrahim himself declared the so-called pact fake. Even our revolutionary troops and the so-called Mirs were kept out of the bogus agreement.
Pakistan has also looted our land and resources like war booty. The construction of Basha Dam is also a part of the conspiracy to drown our land and destroy our culture and history.
Dear friends, under the divide and rule policy, Pakistan has succeeded to divide the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on sectarian lines and deprive them of their rights. Pakistan’s so-called leaders sent thousands of NLI personnel to Kargil like mercenaries and when they sacrificed their lives the credit was given to the so-called mujahideen. In this war, our 3,000 brothers were killed and hundreds others made paralyzed. Ironically, Pakistan accepted the dead bodies of its citizens but refused that of our brothers terming them mujahideen. As a result, scores of bodies of our brothers were buried in the mountain of Kargil. Through human rights organizations we appeal to the elected government of Pakistan to arrange the return of the NLI personnel’s bodies to bury them in their hometowns. We also demand that Musharraf should stand trial for killing 3,000 NLI personnel in the Kargil misadventure.
My brothers and sisters, our elders were sent to jail when they demanded a separate province; when they talked of constitutional rights they were put behind bars and when they sought right to vote they were also imprisoned. When emergency was declared in Pakistan, the whole Pakistanis rose in revolt, but no one cares about Gilgit-Baltistan where two million people have been rotting under a perpetual martial law –like rule for the last over 60 years. Did our elders liberate Gilgit-Baltistan only to live a life of slavery in the 21st century.
Our brothers are not trusted for the posts of a DCO or an SSP. Government officials from Gilgit-Baltistan are looked down upon. Have we no right to become the prime minister, president, chief justice of the Supreme Court or the army chief? But if you join Pakistan your destiny would be to become voters of Pakistani leaders only. We have not one but hundreds of able personnel in the NLI and outside in the presence of whom people like Ziaul Haq and Musharraf have no quality even to become a Havaldar. But as long as we remain under the control of Pakistan our destiny would remain the same.
Ladies and gentlemen, Pakistan always refers to the UN resolutions due to which it cannot amalgamate Gilgit-Baltistan in its constitution nor can make it its province. In the constitution, there is no mention of Gilgit-Baltistan, because the international community does not recognize Gilgit-Baltistan as part of Pakistan, but a disputed part of Kashmir. As a result, the demand by some of our friends for the constitutional rights or a separate province is not given much importance, because Pakistan cannot include Gilgit-Baltistan in its constitution by separating it from the Kashmir dispute. By making it a province or allocating a few seats in parliament, Pakistan cannot take the risk of violating its own stance or that of the UN. However, the region can be given a special provincial status without bringing it under the constitution of Pakistan.
But Pakistan has treated us as its slave for the last over 60 years, not due to constitutional constraints but because of the ill intentions of its rulers. Pakistan has maintained its control on Gilgit-Baltistan not through any law or principle but under the fake law of April 28, 1949. Now the time has come we exposed the fakeness of the document and take action against those behind the bogus document. Now our nation should expedite efforts to become a respectable nation of the world instead of remaining slaves of others by dividing itself on sectarian lines.
Dear friends, you should never pin any hope on these occupiers of our land who divided you on sectarian basis and destroyed your unity besides looting your natural resources. In the presence of the usurpers, our rights and honor can never remain safe. To expect anything good from those who have kept us in slavery for the last over 60 years would be equal to deceive your future generation.
My dear brothers and sisters, today we have to ask ourselves whether we have to further waste our time in struggling to become voters of Pakistani leaders or have to think of attaining our own rights and live as an independent nation in the civilized world. This is a decision which you have to take. As far as BNF is concerned, we have long ago decided not to live a slave’s life, not to remain Pakistan’s voters, we do not need the continuation of judicial commissioner but need our own high court and supreme court which would not be under the control of Pakistan. We do not need NALA but want an independent legislative assembly. The NA council has been renamed as NALA as it deserved. This is not a legislative assembly but is in a true term has become a Nallah of Pakistani cities. The Nallah is not of the pure water flowing down from our land but a congestion of gutter and sewage which has become stinking like Nallah Lai of the 1970s. The members of NALA cheat not only themselves but the whole nation by considering themselves as equal to MNAs. Since 1970s, these councillors have always preferred their own interests on the interests of the people. Today a responsible citizen of Pakistan understands the injustices done with the people of the region but for these councillors even the interest of a PWD engineer has more value than that of the nation and the region. These councillors have always felt proud of meeting an SP or a DC and have betrayed the people and supported the usurpers. They have never raised a voice for the rights of the masses and always preferred their own vested interests. This does not mean that I have personal grudge with a few councillors but I am referring to all the members of the council as a whole who have kept our people in the dark. These opportunist members of NALA are equally responsible, along with the Pakistani rulers, for keeping our people deprived of their basic human and constitutional rights. I know that from today these NALA members will go two steps forward than the security agencies and their cohorts in spreading propaganda against me. But I do not care and would continue to inform my people about the actual situation and hope that the people would never be carried away by deception of the rulers like introduction of a package etc.

We appeal government of China to handover back our lands the part of Hunza, which had been given to it during British Empire before 1947 and the portion of Shimshal Hunza given by Pakistan in 1963. China is urged not to help Pakistan’s illegal and immoral occupation by constructing Railway track throughout Balawaristan and not to construct the disputed Diamar Dam. We also appeal government of China for not occupy our land and mountains by the pretext of mines lease of Yasen area and other places. It should be noted, that Pakistan has no legal authority to give any lease or to make any agreement on behalf of the people of Balawaristan, because it’s a disputed land and Pakistan has no legal authority. China is a super power of Asia and it should not involve itself in the occupation process of Pakistan.
We demand that the government of Pakistan withdraw its troops and civilian officials from Gilgit-Baltistan in accordance with its promise, Retrieve the land given to outsiders and allot it to the local owners. Our people do not need any NALA but an independent legislative assembly, we do not want the continuation of chief commissioner in the name of chief and appellate courts, we need an independent supreme court. We do not want a Balochistan type of identity but want an independent Balawaristan.
Long live GBDA

Abdul Hamid Khan
Chairman
Balawaristan National Front (BNF)
Head Office: Majini Mahla, Gilgit, Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan)
Website:

Report on Pandit killings rekindles communal fissures in Valley

Kashmiri Pandit groups have reacted sharply to media reports that the Jammu and Kashmiri Police has prepared a report saying that ‘only’ 209 Kashmiri Pandits have been killed in the Valley since 1989. The police, however, deny having prepared or published any such report.

Some recent media reports had claimed that the first such report by the J&K police said that 209 Kashmiri Pandits had been killed by militants since 1989. In only 24 of these cases had chargesheets been filed whereas in 115 cases the killers remain unknown. The 24 chargesheets resulted in 31 local militants being booked but the only conviction that has taken place is of three militants for gunning down rights activist HN Wanchoo on 5 December 1995.

“We have not prepared any such report and don’t know what these media reports are alluding to,” Kashmir IGP SM Sahay told Sakaal Times. The six pages long report is said to list more names of more than 1500 minorities, but most of them Sikhs and non-Pandit Hindus from Jammu.

“This is a grossly under-reported figure,” said Agnishekhar of Panun Kashmir. “I have myself made a presentation before Amnesty International in 1993 about 450 killings and AsiaWatch NGO has recorded 1,200,” he told Sakaal Times from Jammu. He demaded that this list of 209 be published so that families of those who have not been named can make there representations before the police.

“That it took them 18 years to even make such a report speaks of their callousness,” said Agnishekhar of Panun Kashmir. “It shows they never wanted to do it in the first place as they want to hide the truth about the ethnic cleansing and Islamic communalism.” He alleged that this comes at a time when the government is trying to force the Pandits to return to the Valley without a guarantee of peace. “It is part of an effort to hoodwink the nation and the world,” he told Sakaal Times.

Ajay Churjoo of another faction of Panun Kashmir said that the Relief Commissioner recognizes 750 killings and even in the 90’s the J&K government recognized 450 and granted ex-gratia compensation to more than 350. “Many killings were not even recorded. Instead of investigating them they are busy reducing the figure,” he said.

“Even if one goes by a layman’s account of Pandits killed in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989 the number would be higher than 1000 but it isn’t about mere numbers,”  said one of Kashmiri Pandit organization.

“The Panun Kashmir website itself lists around 300 names. I don’t know how they claim 1,200″ said Zahiruddin, editor of the Kashmiri paper Etalaat. “Even if one Pandit was killed it is bad enough. It is not about numbers,” he said, adding, “but some groups want to exaggerate the numbers and then compare it with the Holocaust. That does not make sense.” The website http://www.kashmiri-pandit.org/projectr3/ lists names and details of 363 Pandits killed between 1990 and 2003.

Khurram Parvez of the Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society said that while the killing of even one Pandit was condemnable, his organization is investigation how many of the known Pandit killings were due to the religious identity of the victims and how many due to their political identities. “If a Kashmiri Pandit politician or intelligence agent was killed he is not killed because he was a Pandit,” said Parvez, adding, “And many are listed as unknown. If you don’t know their identity how do you know they were Pandits?” He alleged that the police was denying making such a report as the elections are approaching and the ruling Congress party does not want to alienate the small but powerful voting block of Pandits in the Valley who have traditionally been Congress voters.

The alleged report has rekindled communal fissures in the valley. Khurram’s colleague Parvez Imroz said, “A lot of people in the majority community (Muslims) who have sympathy for the plight of the Pandits are discomfited when Pandits get national media attention but not the killing of innocent Muslims. The recent discovery of a mass anonymous grave of over 900 Muslims has been largely ignored by the Delhi media,” he said.

Amongst the accused for Pandit killings are Yasin Malik and his organization, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front. JKLF member Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karatay, called “Butcher of Pandits” by Pandit groups, was released in 2006 for want of evidence. He had already spent 16 years in jail. JKLF president Yasin Malik refused to comment. “There are no charges against me and I have nothing to say,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition in the J&K Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather of the National Conference said the the reason for almost no conviction was a practical problem: “When militancy was at its peak in the valley nobody would dare to come out and be a wwitness. Militants would often be masked and kill in the night. You couldn’t identify them,” he said.

Agreeing with him, People’s Democratic Party spokesperson Mehbooba Mufti told Sakaal Times: “Conviction rates are low even for killings of Muslims as well. We can’t see violence against Pandits in isolation. And why forget the Sikhs of Chattisinghpora or the Hindus of Jammu who have been killed?”

She refused to comment on the Pandit groups’ demand for an enquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation or by a committee heahed by a Supreme Court judge. However, Mukul Sharma of Amnesty International supported such a demand, adding that one good option for an inquiry are the UN agencies who have been banned from doing so in Kashmir by the Indian government.

With the election of Maj.Gen.Sardar Mohammad Anwar Khan, former Vice-Chief of the General Staff, as the so-called President of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) on August 1,2001, POK has been brought under virtual military rule, with Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, the elected Prime Minister, reduced to a figurehead.  Maj.Gen. Anwar Khan had earlier taken premature retirement from the Army on July 30,2001, to enable him to contest the election.

As already reported, Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan, of the Sudhan tribe, is believed to be related to Lt.Gen.Mohammad Aziz Khan, one of the two Corps Commanders at Lahore, who is the clandestine Chief of Staff of Pakistan’s Army of Islam, consisting of Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda, the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM), the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET), the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM) and the Al Badr, of the East Pakistan notoriety.

Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan has been operating more from the GHQ in Rawalpindi than from Muzaffarabad, the capital of POK, and has already started imposing his will on the POK administration.  He rejected a proposal from Sikandar Hayat Khan for the inclusion of Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, son of Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan of the Muslim Conference, in his Cabinet.

Gen.Pervez Musharraf, the self-reinstated Chief of the Army Staff, the self-styled Chief Executive and the self-promoted President of Pakistan, has been unhappy over the statements issued by Qayyum Khan last year welcoming the initiatives of Mr.A.B.Vajpayee, the Indian Prime Minister, for peace in Jammu & Kashmir. He had earlier ruled out the election of Qayyum Khan as the President of the POK and has now made Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan disapprove the inclusion of his son as a Minister.

The swearing-in of the new Cabinet was delayed by a fortnight since Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan wanted the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Muree, Major General Shahid Aziz, to clear all the names before they were sworn in.  Ultimately, a Cabinet consisting of the following eight members was announced on the night of August 13, 2001: Syed Mumtaz Ali Gilani and Mufti Mansoor from Muzaffarabad, Sardar Ameer Akbar Khan from Bagh, Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan from Rawalakot, Raja Nisar Ahmad Khan from Kotli, Chaudhry Masood Khalid from Mirpur, Shah Gulam Qadir and Hafiz Raza.  The place of origin of the last two Ministers is not known.

It is reported that while the pay and allowances of the first six Ministers would be paid from the budget of the POK, which is actually prepared by Abbas Sarfaraz Khan, Federal Minister for Kashmir and Northern Areas Affairs, and got approved by the so-called Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council presided over by Musharraf, those of the last two would be met partly from the budget of the ISI-run Kashmir Liberation Cell and partly from the zakat fund.  The reasons for this difference are not clear.

Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan, who has reportedly been entrusted with the task of intensifying the terrorist activities of the jehadi organisation in J & K, has already had separate meetings with the United Jehad Council headed by Syed Salahuddin of the Hizbul Mujahideen and the leaders of the constitutent units of the Army of Islam.  Both the meetings were reportedly held in the Kashmir House in Islamabad.

He is also reported to have already ordered a series of measures to revamp the working of the Muzaffarabad-based Kashmir Liberation Cell—such as stepping up its psywar activities through radio, TV and Internet with greater focus on audio recordings and video clips recording the intifada of the Palestinians against Israel in order to motivate the Kashmiris to emulate the Palestinians, greater co-ordination of the ground operations etc.

He has also taken up the priority task of pressurising the local leadership, administration, non-governmental organisations and public opinion to give up their opposition to the proposal initiated by the Musharraf Government last year to increase the height of the Mangla Dam in order to make more water and electricity available to the farmers of Punjab.

There were widespread demonstrations against the proposal all over the POK last year and the previous Government of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) headed by the then Prime Minister, Barrister Sultan Mahmud Chaudhury, had also strongly opposed it.

There was a running dispute between the former POK Government and the military junta in Islamabad over the following questions:

* The Federal Government’s failure to share with the POK administration the profits from the Mangla Dam constructed in POK territory for the benefit of the farmers and electricity consumers of Punjab in the 1960s.  A spokesman of the previous PPP Government in Muzaffarabad said: “Mangla Dam, one of the major projects of the country, is constructed within the territorial limits of AJ&K (Azad Jammu & Kashmir) and the net profit earned by the authority (the Water and Power Development Authority of Pakistan ) from the dam should have been shared with the Government of AJK, but WAPDA did not do so.”  He also said that the WAPDA had earned a net profit of Rs 87,772,560 million from the Mangla Dam since its commissioning, but it had not shared a single rupee out of this with the POK Government.

* Reimbursement to the POK Government of the expenditure incurred by it on the construction of the power transmission and distribution network inside the POK. According to the previous PPP Government, “the agreement signed by the WAPDA and the AJK government at the time of the dam’s construction had provided that the construction of the power supply infrastructure in AJK was the liability of WAPDA, but WAPDA could not do so. Consequently, the AJ&K government completed this job by incurring an amount of Rs 3500 million from its own pocket and also maintained the same.” The previous PPP Government was demanding that this amount should have been reimbursed to it by the Federal Government, which it has not done so.

* The refusal of the previous PPP Government to pay to the WAPDA outstanding dues amounting to Rs 1,567 million for the period ending March 2001.  The WAPDA has been claiming this for the power supplied by it to the consumers in the POK.

* The refusal of the previous PPP Government to pay General Sales Tax on the power supplied by the WAPDA on the ground that the WAPDA had no jurisdiction to levy GST in POK territory.

 In a statement issued on August 6,2001, the President of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation League (JKLL) and former Chief Justice of the POK High Court, Abdul Majeed Malick, said there was no justification for raising the level of the Mangla Dam.  He added:”The people of Mirpur should not be disturbed once again and if there is a water crisis in Pakistan, then the Federal Government should construct the Kalabagh Dam (outside the POK).”He disputed the WAPDA’s claim that only 40,000 people would be displaced as a result of the extension and asserted that around 100,000 people would be displaced and two tehsils of district Mirpur would be submerged.  He pointed out that the people of the POK, who were displaced by the original construction of the dam in the 1960s, had not been provided with any relief so far.  According to him, they were promised alternate land in Punjab, but this promise was never kept.

There has been considerable pressure on Musharraf from the Punjabi farmers and from the Punjabi Generals, many of whom come from rich Punjabi land-owning families, for the implementation of the project for raising the height of the dam.  Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan has given indications that he might be inclined to go along with Islamabad on this issue provided effective measures were taken for the relief of the affected people.

In the meanwhile, there were three explosions in POK organised by unidentified elements coinciding with the election of Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan as the President.  One Pakistani Army soldier was killed and two others were injured when a bomb exploded in a bus in POK near Forward Kahuta village on August 3, 2001.  In another incident the same day, three armymen were killed and four others injured when a vehicle in which they were travelling from Muzaffarabad fell into the Jhelum river near village Tandali after an explosion.  The previous evening, there was another explosion on the roof of a passenger bus, killing a soldier and injuring another soldier and a passenger near Tungeri village in Bagh district of POK.  The bus was proceeding to Rawalpindi. 

It is a matter of pride for all Kashmiri pandits, that perhaps the oldest Kashmiri Pandit organization, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference has a website of its own.

In 1931 under the able and bold leadership of Late Pt. Hargopal Koul, Known as Sher-e-Kashmir, “ROTI MOVEMENT” Was Launched and All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference Was formed Officially.

The Website has the following address http://askpcsheetalnath.org/index.html

Kashmir, if literally translated, means land desiccated from water: “ka” (the water) and shimeera (to desiccate). Tradition says that Kashmir was originally a lake that was drained by the great saint of ancient India Kashyap. It was included in the empire of Ashoka Maurya who is credited with the foundation of the city of Srinagar around the year 250 BC.

During this period Buddhism spread in Kashmir and flourished under the Kushans. During the reign of Kanishka, the third Buddhist council took place in Kashmir which has been attested by the 7th century Chinese traveler Hien Tsang. But Hinduism held its sway in the region. The 7th Century AD witnessed the establishment of a dynasty called the Karkota whose foundation stone was laid by Durlabhavarrdhana. The most famous ruler of this dynasty was Lalitaditya Muktapid who built the world famous sun temple (Martand) in kashmir. The Karkotas were supplanted by the Utpalas in 855 AD. The most important ruler of this dynasty was Avanti-verman. He recovered Kashmir from utter political and economic disorder into which Kashmir had fallen during the rule of his predecessors. Didda, a Gupta widowed queen, ruled Kashmir until 1003 AD when the Lohara dynasty took over. Didda was a very unscrupulous and willful lady and led a very immoral life. But in spite of these drawbacks, she ruled the valley with firm hands.

The last Hindu ruler of Kashmir was Udyan Dev. His chief Queen Kota Rani was the de facto ruler of the kingdom. She was a very brave lady, shrewd and an able ruler. With her death in 1339 the Hindu rule in Kashmir came to an end and thus was established the Muslim rule in Kashmir under Sultan Shamas-ud-din whose dynasty ruled the valley for 222 years. The greatest ruler of this dynasty was undoubtedly Sultan Zain-ul-Abdin. Under his rule Kashmir was culturally and politically at its zenith. The kingdom was annexed into the Mughal Empire in 1586 and thus was extinguished the freedom of Kashmir.

In 1757 Kashmir came under the control of Ahmed Shah Durrani, the Afghan who invaded India many times. In 1819 Kashmir was annexed by Ranjit Singh and made a part of his Sikh empire. The two Anglo-Sikh wars fought between the Sikhs and Ranjit Singh resulted in the complete extinction of the Sikh sovereignty in Kashmir. The British gave away Kashmir to Ghulab Singh for the sum of 75 lakhs of rupees under the Treaty of Amritsar. This entitled Ghulab Singh to have his complete sway over the dominion. He extended his territory by annexing Ladakh. Ghulab Singh died in 1857 and was replaced by Rambir Singh (1857-1885). Two other Marajahs, Partab Singh (1885-1925) and Hari Singh ruled in succession. Maharaja Sir Hari Singh ascended the throne in 1925. He continued to govern the state till 1950. In 1932 Kashmir’s first political party – All Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference was formed by Sheik Abdullah The party was later renamed the National Conference in 1939 and continues to be a major political party in Kashmir today.

मुसलमानांना घरे मिळत नसल्याची ओरड करणार्‍या शबाना घरातून हुसकावण्यात आलेल्या काश्मिरी हिंदूंबद्दल गप्प का ! <!– 18-08-2008 by shashi –>हिंदी चित्रपटांतील एक जुनी नटी शबाना आझमीने आपणाला हिंदु वस्तीत रहाण्यास घर मिळत नसल्याची तक्रार केली आहे. शबानाला किंवा मुंबईतील मुसलमानाला राहत्या घरातून अजून कुणी हुसकावून लावलेले नाही; पण काश्मीर खोर्‍यातून पाच लाख हिंदूंना राहत्या घरातून हुसकावण्यात आले आहे. ते हिंदू कोठे रहात आहेत, याची चौकशी शबाना करणार आहे का ? या हिंदूंची घरे सुरक्षित राहिले पाहिजेत आणि ती त्यांना परत मिळाली पाहिजेत, यासाठी शब्द खर्चण्याची उदारता शबाना दाखवणार का ? हिंदी चित्रपटांतील एक जुनी नटी शबाना आझमीने `भारताच्या राजकारणात मुसलमानांना न्यायपूर्ण वागणूक मिळत नाही. हिंदूंकडून त्यांना पक्षपाती वागणूक मिळते’, असे उघड आरोप केले असून आपणाला हिंदु वस्तीत रहाण्यास घर मिळत नाही, असे उदाहरण दिले आहे. जावेद अख्तर हा शबानाचा नवरा. तो चित्रपटांत संवाद लिहितो. चांगले लिहितो. हिंदूंनी या दोघांवर त्यांच्यात जेवढे कलागुण आहेत, त्या तुलनेत अधिकच प्रेम केले आहे. उषाकिरण नटीची मुलगी तन्वी हिने शबानाच्या भावाबरोबर लग्न केले. त्यावर हिंदूंनी मोर्चा काढलेला नाही. तरी सी.एन्.एन्.-आय.बी.एन्.वर `इस्लाम खतरेमें’ थाटात शबाना का किंचाळते, ते तपासले पाहिजे. हिंदू मुसलमानाला काही देत नसतील, तर त्यामुळे शबानाला जर राग येत असेल, तर मुसलमान हिंदूला काही देत नसतांना पाहूनही तिला राग यायला पाहिजे. बाबा अमरनाथच्या यात्रेकरूंना दोन महिन्यांसाठी दिलेली भूमी खोटीनाटी कारणे देऊन मुसलमानांनी परत घेतली. `भूमी देणार नाही’, असे ओमर अब्दुल्लाने लोकसभेत सांगितले. `काश्मीरमध्ये सैन्याला दिलेली भूमी काढून घ्या’, अशी मागणी गिलानीसारखे नेते करत आहेत. शबानाला आता राग यायला पाहिजे. `हा अन्याय आहे’, असे तिने म्हटले पाहिजे. भिवंडीमध्ये महाराष्ट्र शासनाला पोलीस ठाणे स्थापन करायला जागा हवी आहे. मुसलमान ती देत नाहीत. रागावून मुसलमानांनी भिवंडीतील दोन पोलिसांची हत्या केली. त्यांच्या मृतदेहाची विटंबना केली. हा अन्याय आहे, असे शबानाने म्हणावे, अशी अपेक्षा आहे. गृहमंत्री आबा पाटील यांच्यासमवेत भिवंडीला जाऊन तेथील मुसलमानांची समजूत शबानाने काढली पाहिजे. शबाना बाई आहे. बाईची दु:खे तिला कळतात. काश्मीरमध्ये इस्लामी आतंकवाद्यांच्या भीतीने हिंदु स्त्रियांची मासिक पाळी वयाच्या तिसाव्या वर्षी बंद होते. शबानाने तेथे गेले पाहिजे. हिंदु स्त्रियांची चौकशी केली पाहिजे. घर मिळत नसल्याची तक्रार शबानाने केली आहे. शबानाला किंवा मुंबईतील मुसलमानाला राहत्या घरातून अजून हुसकावून लावलेले नाही; पण काश्मीर खोर्‍यातून पाच लाख हिंदूंना राहत्या घरातून हुसकावण्यात आले आहे. ते हिंदू कोठे रहात आहेत, याची चौकशी शबाना करणार आहे का ? शबानाचे फारूख अब्दुल्लाशी चांगले संबंध आहेत. या हिंदूंची घरे सुरक्षित राहिली पाहिजेत आणि ती त्यांना परत मिळाली पाहिजेत, यासाठी शब्द खर्चण्याची उदारता शबाना दाखवणार का ? काश्मीरचे महाराज हरिसिंग यांना शेख अब्दुल्ला आणि नेहरू यांनी मिळून काश्मिरातून हाकलून दिले. ते परत कधीही स्वत:च्या राज्यात जाऊ शकले नाहीत, हे शबानाला माहीत आहे का ? पाकिस्तानच्या निर्मितीच्या वेळी मुसलमानांनी घरात घुसून हिंदु स्त्रियांवर बलात्कार केले ते न्यायसंगत वर्तन होते का ? शबाना किंचाळते आहे; कारण जम्मूचे आंदोलन भारतभर पसरणार आहे, हे तिला कळले आहे; म्हणून आतापासूनच चोरांच्या उलट्या बोंबा मारायला तिने सुरुवात केली आहे. स्वत:चे भवितव्य धोक्यात आहे, याची जाणीव हिंदूंना होऊ लागली आहे. अशी जाणीव होते, तेव्हा मन्वंतराची चाहूल लागते. अशा वेळी गिधाडे अभद्र स्वर काढत असतात ! – सुघोष | मित्रांना पाठवा | 1 – वाचक संख्या | छापील प्रत

निगडीत वृत्त : शरसंधान

Chicago : Demand for Amarnath Land & Justice was witnessed on Chicago roads.

To check the complete album , please click HERE

And in NEW JERSEY :

To view the complete album : pls click HERE & HERE

And in BOSTON too :

Amarnath yatra
Amarnath is yet another name of lord Shiva. I had the pleasure of going to Amarnath twice. You can go to Amarnathji via The beautiful town of pehalgoan(pehalgam).This route will take you around 2-3 days to reach Amarnathji depending on your pace. This particular route have some of the best vistas one can see and enjoy. The typical route is pehalgam-16kms-Chandanwari- 12kms-Pissu top&sheshnagh-(12kms)-Mahagunus top&
Panchtarni -6kms-Holy cave.(total 46 kms from pehalgam)
There is a shorter route also available which has its base at Baltal. Nowadays it is mandatory to get yourself registered which you can do from Delhi, Jammu And Srinagar.From Jammu one can go directly to pehalgam.This beautiful town is situated at
The height of 7200 feet above sea level. Pehalgam is a part of lidder valley and one can easily get lost in the natural beauty
of this area. This town is surrounded by thick deodar tress and the smell of these trees is blissfully intoxicating. The beautiful lidder river flows right through the town.Chandanwari
is around 16 kms from pehalgam and is situated at around
9500feet above sea level. One can walk through the distance or even drive up to chandanwari. Actual ascend starts from Chandanwari and the stretch between chandanwari to pissu top is indeed very steep and thus makes it really
difficult for the pilgrims.Pissu top is situated at the height of around 11500feet above sea level.From pissu top till amaranth cave one can hardly find trees. From pissu top till sheshnag(12000feet) It is relatively easy walk.Sheshnag lake is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen. It’s crystal clear
blue waters are very soothing to eyes. According to Rajtarangni, there is another lake just above shashnag which is known as zamturnag(son-in-law of Sheshnag).The route from sheshnag to panctarni(12500feet) is easily the most difficult stretch
as one has to pass through Mahagunus top. Mahagunus means the great snake in kashmiri.This is the highest point of this yatra
and the height at Mahagunus top is 14800 feet above sea level. One finds exhausted at this height due to lack of oxygen.
The name of this top has been changed by India army to Mahaganesh top as they were not aware of the local history & culture and they could not understand kashmiri.From Mahagunus top till panctarni, the route is descending .Panchtarni is the last stop before amarnath cave.From panchtarni there is again ascend, but not as steep as pissu top or Mahagunus top. One has to pass through a glacier which is approximately half kilometer long, before one reaches the holy cave(13500 feet). Before having the darshan, one has to take a bath in Amravati river which flows right in front of the cave.Inside holy cave, there is a natural Ice linga of lord Shiva. According to local kashmiri legend which we have heard from our elders, It was here in this holy cave, lord shiva had narrated the story of secret of creation which makes one amar(immortal).Legend also says that there was a pair of pigeons(unlike some news channels which claimed that there were eggs of pigeons who heard the story?) who overheard this story and hence they also became”amar”. One more thing which I would like to share with you is that there has been occasions in the past when shiva linga was not formed(last year also same thing happened and again due to lack of local Kashmir history regarding this yatra the present governor Mr. Sinha had ordered an artificial linga which created controversy.Mr sinha is an able man & has done a lot for development of SASB-Sri amaranth shrine board ).One can go back through pehalgam or through a shorter route from baltal, which was earlier 14kms and now this distance is reduced to 12kms.From baltal one can go to srinagar.One should carry woolens for this yatra as the weather is really unpredictable. have a great journey……….