Epigraphs shine light on Kashmir’s rich cultural past

Sub: History

Sec: Art and Culture

Context:

Epigraphs or inscriptions, including calligraphic works, from 40 heritage sites in Kashmir are on display at Srinagar’s Kashmir Arts Emporium.

Key highlights:

Epigraphs from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, on display at a Srinagar exhibition, shine a light on Kashmir’s past.
It will tell about the domination of the Persian language, local Hindus’ praise for Sultan Sikander, and community wells constructed by the Mughals.
It maps architectural epigraphy from early modern Kashmir and puts a spotlight on inscriptions on khanqahs, mosques, temples, shrines and mausoleums.

What is Epigraphy?

Epigraphy in architecture is an important and essential part of what is defined as material culture.
Epigraphs have the potential to even correct the errors which have crept into our textual histories.
Epigraphy is a primary tool of archaeology when dealing with literate cultures.
The US Library of Congress classifies epigraphy as one of the auxiliary sciences of history.

Benefits of Epigraphs:

These epigraphs cover over four centuries of religious and literary writings, commencing with the establishment of Sultanate rule in Kashmir in the 14th century.
Deciphering some of the rarest texts written in Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit, the exhibition borrows from translations, photographs and recreated drawings offering a comprehensive mapping of our past.
Epigraphs help in understanding the ‘mizaj’ or socio-religious milieu of the period.
An epigraph from Khanmoh in Sanskrit mentions a ‘maath’ foundation during the reign of Zain-ul-Abidin.
It refers to his father as the illustrious Sikander.
Sikander is rather infamous as Butshikan (someone who destroyed Hindu statues).
Inscription from the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar highlights the reconstruction overseen by a native Kashmiri engineer, historian and administrator, Malik Haider of Chadoora area.
The inscription is from the period when the mosque was burnt during Emperor Jahangir’s time.
The calligrapher was a Kashmiri master i.e. Mulla Murad, famous as Shirin Kalam (Sweet pen).
However, the engraver was a Hindu, Hari Ram, whose name is also recorded.

Who is Sultan Sikander?

Sikandar was the seventh Sultan of Kashmir and a member of Shah Mir dynasty who ruled from 1389 until his death in 1413.
The only contemporaneous source that exists is the Rajatarangini by Jonaraja.
Jonaraja was the Brahmin court-poet of Sikandar’s successor Zain-ul-Abidin and was commissioned to continue Kalhana’s Rajatarangini.