Glimpses of the Socio-political History of Kishtwar (Medieval Period)

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The present work deals with the socio- political history of Kishtwar from early to later medieval period.

The book deals with the origin of Kishtwar with its geographical location and different nomenclatures. It explains the foundation of Kishtwar by Raja Kahan Pal, his origin and annexation of rule from the Panjasasis (a ruling tribe from Punjab). The chronology of important Rajas from Raja Kahan Pal to Kirat Singh and economy of Kishtwar has been discussed in detail. The army of Kishtwar and the source of income to maintain the army has been discussed. The relations of Kishtwar with the neighbouring states like Kashmir, Jammu, Bhaderwah, Balor Basoli, Chamba, and the mighty Mughal rulers have been explained. It provides an insight how geographical, political, social and religious conditions played a vital role in the varying nature of relations of Kishtwar with these states. The work explains the factors which led to successful resistance by the Rajas of Kishtwar against the mighty Mughal emperors. Special focus has been made to study the society which mainly included the Hindus, Muslims and the Buddhists. This work contains study of languages and rituals, fairs and festivals of the people of Kishtwar. Witch craft a social practice prevalent in Kishtwar has been dealt at length.

The author has consulted both primary sources and modern works including the works of important contemporary writers. The accounts of travellers, archaeological evidence, archives, gazetteers and official reports have been studied for the completion and survey of this work.

Rajni Bhagat (b. 1971) is presently, Principal, Government Degree College, Katra, Reasi, J&K, UT. She completed her graduation, post- graduation and University of Jammu, M.Phil. from J&K, UT. She completed her Ph.D. from Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab. She was appointed as Assistant Professor, History in 1999 and Principal in Higher Education Department J&K, UT in 2020. She has a number of papers of national and international importance to her credit. She has also acted as Assistant Coordinator of IGNOU Study Centre, Jammu.

Surendar Bhagat (b. 1962) is a retired Senior, JKAS Officer, J&K, UT. He has graduated from University of Jammu and did his P.G. in History from University of Jammu. He also served as Junior Engineer and later on joined as Revenue Officer in J&K Revenue Department. He served the Revenue Department in different capacities, i.e. Assistant collector 1st class, Executive Magistrate 1st class. He has also served as officiating Principal, Government Revenue Training Institute, Jammu and as Sub-Registrar, Registration Department, J&K, UT.

Kishtwar is presently a district in the Jammu Division of J&K, UT and is an important area with geographical, political, social, cultural and religious point of view. It enjoyed a unique position due to its geographical location and climatic conditions. The history of Kishtwar dates back to ancient times, which is traced back to the ancient and medieval period in respect of changes that took place in its culture, religion and political sphere. The early history of Kishtwar is based on legends, but from the fifth century onwards, the historical evidence and records could be studied from different historical works. Kishtwar was one of the Punjab Hills States during the medieval period. Some of the socio-political attributes continue even in modern times. Some scholars have studied different aspects of the history of Kishtwar pertaining to the ancient, medieval and modern period. But many aspects have been left untouched and unexplored.

Through this work, a sincere effort has been made to bring out the unexplored and hidden aspects of socio-political, religious and economic life of the people of Kishtwar during the ancient and the medieval period. Both primary sources and other modern works, including the works of important contemporary writers, the accounts of travelers, archaeological evidence, Gazetteers and official reports, have been studied for this book.

Forts, palaces and religious shrines, i.e. temples, mosques and Ziarats have been visited to compare the available historical information with the existing monuments and the remnants of the old structures. The archives and libraries have been visited to make this work more authentic and reliable. The available literary works and other information has been compared with the presently available evidence to prove the facts. The field study has corroborated the historical opinion during the visits to the Kishtwar region. To understand the factual conditions of Kishtwar during the ancient and medieval period interviews of the people were conducted. The works of local writers and historians have been studied. One of the local writers was personally consulted and interviewed for detailed historical information on the society and culture of Kishtwar. The Persian, Urdu and Hindi works of different writers have been consulted. The accounts of officers who visited Kishtwar and served Kishtwar in different capacities have been studied and analyzed after comparing them with the other available sources of information.

The inspiration and idea for this work on Kishtwar for the particular period with specific aspects came to me because I have done P.G. in medieval India and have done M.Phil with research on Kishtwar. However, it was found that there was much more scope to explore the History of Kishtwar. Many aspects of the History of Kishtwar have either been left untouched or unexplored. Through this work, an attempt has been made to explore the political, social, religious and economic aspects of history of Kishtwar.

This book has been divided into seven chapters starting with the chapter first titled Introduction. It describes the geographical position and location of Kishtwar along with latitude, longitude and its height above the sea level. The rivers and streams flowing through the territories of Kishtwar and the mountain passes connecting Kishtwar with Kashmir have been discussed. This chapter traces back the history of the ancient period of Kishtwar with the medieval history of Kishtwar. Different nomenclatures of Kishtwar with their background have been discussed in this chapter. Further the role of geographical, political and climatic conditions in the nomenclatures of Kishtwar has been explained. It has been explained how the nomenclatures of Kishtwar were affected due to the Rishis and other important personalities who settled in Kishtwar.