R L Bhat’s ‘Kashmir After Kalhana’ challenges prevailing narratives on region’s history

Jammu, Nov 11: In a notable gathering of writers, intellectuals and prominent figures at the Writers Club in Jammu, SAMPRATI – the organisation of Kashmiri writers – released the book “Kashmir After Kalhana” by R L Bhat. The book, published by Gulshan Books, Srinagar, delves into the historical landscape of Kashmir challenges prevailing narratives and sheds light on the region’s history.
The event was presided over by Padma Shri Prof KN Pandita, a modern historian of Kashmir, with renowned litterateur Prof R L Shant as the chief guest. Eminent linguist Prof P N Trisal introduced the work to the audience. The function, conducted by scholar Pradeep Koul Khodbali, was welcomed by noted poet and critic R L Jawhar, President of SAMPRATI.
Welcoming the audience, Tej Sagar, Vice President of SAMPRATI, extended the vote of thanks. The event aimed to bring attention to the groundbreaking work that challenges historical narratives about Kashmir.
According to a press release, the speakers lauded Bhat’s effort to put the history of Kashmir on a “reasoned basis”. “Kashmir emphasizes the fact that Kalhana’s Raajatarangini, ending in the mid-12th century, was updated in Sanskrit right up to the middle of the 16th century. These updations are eye-witness accounts, written during the reign of Muslim kings. Yet the history of Kashmir after the mid-12th century, i.e. after Kalhana’s Raajatarangini, has been generally taken from Persian chronicles which were all written after the 17th century. This has been a basic flaw in the historiography of Kashmir, leading to countless aberrations. ‘Kashmir After Kalhana’ takes the history of Kashmir back to the earliest records.”
The speakers highlighted that the book draws on eyewitness accounts, providing a more accurate understanding of medieval Kashmir. They said the work is not based on hearsay or folklore but meticulously examines the earliest records of the period.
R L Bhat’s work reveals “historical inaccuracies” and brings forth a nuanced understanding of Kashmir’s history, particularly the three centuries after Kalhana, the speakers said.
“Contrary to the impression created by later Persian history, ‘Kashmir After Kalhana’ shows that this was not a dark age but an era of stability, continuity and prosperity in Kashmir. This prosperity was enough to entice immigrants to Kashmir. One of these immigrants, Rinchana turned ungrateful, terrorised his benefactors and ruled Kashmir but only for two years, after which the earlier house was restored,” according to the press release.
“Again, contrary to the current narratives, the book shows that Rinchana never converted and that Udayana Deva got him attacked,” it adds. “Shahmiir had no rule till the middle of the 14th century, Achala was no Turk and Kashmir continued in its earlier ways till the end of the 14th century. The work established these points through profuse references to the earliest records.”