Shah Mir

Shams-ud-Din Shah Mir (Urdu; شَمسُ الدین شاہ میر) (reigned 1339–42) was a ruler of Kashmir and the founder of the Shah Miri dynasty named after him.[1]

Jonaraja, in his Dvitīyā Rājataraṅginī mentioned him as Sahamera. He came from Swat according to some sources.

Shah Mir arrived in Kashmir in 1313 along with his family, during the reign of Suhadeva (1301–1320), whose service he entered. In subsequent years, through his tact and ability Shah Mir rose to prominence and became one of the most important personalities of his time. Later after the death in 1338 of Udayanadeva, the brother of Suhedeva he was able to assume the kingship himself.[2]

Shah Mir from Swat, Rinchan from Ladakh, and Lankar Chak from Dard territory near Gilgit came to Kashmir, and played a notable role in the subsequent political history of the valley. All the three men were granted Jagirs by the King Suhadeva. Among them Rinchan became the ruler of Kashmir after the death of Suhadeva for three years, later Shah Mir inaugurated the Shah Mir dynasty, which he established in 1339 that lasted till 1561.

Early life

Shah Mir came to Kashmir from Swat Valley. Joanaraja, a Kashmiri historian of the Medieval period recorded Shah Mir's forefathers to have converted to Islam and were kashtriyas.[3] This was further recorded by Abu'l Fzal in the Akbarnama and Farishta. During the reign of Sehadeva (1301-?), a Tatar chief Dulucha invaded Kashmir from the north and ravaged it. King Sehadeva fled the country and his general Ramachandra occupied the throne. In the confusion Rinchan (reigned 1320–23),[4][5] the Ladhaki prince, organised an internal rising and seized the throne. He married Kota Rani, the daughter of Ramachandra. The Hindu religious leaders of the time refused to admit into their fold. Rinchan embraced Islam and took Muslim name of Sultan Sadruddin. He was attacked by rebels and was badly wounded and died in 1323 A.D. Just before his death Sultan Sadruddin (Rinchan) summoned his trusted minister, Shah Mir, and entrusted his son, Hyder, and wife, Kotarani, to his care. He had a son, Haidar by his queen Kota Rani. After the death of Rinchan, who was assassinated, Kotarani married Udayanadeva, the brother of Sehadava.

The last Hindu ruler of Kashmir was Udyanadeva. It was his chief Queen Kota Rani, who practically governed the state. She was a very brave, shrewd and an able ruler. Though she tried her best to save her kingdom, odds were too heavy for her. The Kashmir Valley was once again invaded from the north by a Mongol-Turk invader Achalla, and Udayanadeva fled to Tibet. But the Queen defeated (killed) Achalla and drove away all the foreign troops.

Finally in this age of chaos Shah Mir organized an uprising against Queen Kota Rani and defeated her at Jayapur (modern Sumbal). The defeat upset her and seeing the indifference of the Hindu grandees and general public, she stabbed herself to death, because Shah Mir wanted to marry her. Her death in 1339 paved the way for the establishment of Shah Mir dynasty rule in Kashmir.

Descendants

As listed in the Rajataranginis he was succeeded by Jamshed 1342–1344, Alau-ud-Din 1344–1355, Shahab-ud-Din 1355–1373, Qutub-ud-Din 1373–1389, Sikandar Butshikan the book-burner 1389–1413, Alishah 1413–1419, Zain-ul-Abdin 1420–1470, Haidershah 1470–1472, Hassanshah 1472–1484, Mohammadshah 1484–1486, Fatehshah 1486–1495 Mohammadshah 1495–1496, Fatehshah 1496–1497, Mohammadshah 1497–1509, Ibrahimshah (s/o Mohammadshah) 1509 Nazukshah (s/o Fatehshah) 1529 (one year), Mohammadshah 1530–1535.[6]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The Pearson Indian History Manual for the UPSC Civil Services Page 104 "However, the situation changed with the ending of the Hindu rule and founding of the Shahmiri dynasty by Shahmir or Dhams-ud-din (1339–1342). The devastating attack on Kashmir in 1320 by the Mongol leader, Dalucha, was a prelude to it. It is said ... The Sultan was himself a learned man, and composed poetry. He was ..."
  2. ↑ History of Civilizations of Central Asia Volume IV By M.S. Asimov C E Bosworth Page 307
  3. ↑ Rājānaka Jonarāja, Jogesh Chandra Dutt, Shyam Lal Sadhu Medieval Kashmir – being a reprint of the Rajataranginis 1993.
  4. ↑ Majumdar, R.C. (2006). The Delhi Sultanate, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, pp.372–80
  5. ↑ Kashmīr Under the Sultānsby Mohibbul Hasan, Aakar Books, 2005
  6. ↑ Rājānaka Jonarāja, Jogesh Chandra Dutt, Shyam Lal Sadhu Medieval Kashmir – being a reprint of the Rajataranginis 1993 Volume 3 – Page 330/Page 331 Jamshed 1342–1344 3. Alau-ud-Din 1344–1355 4. Shahab-ud-Din 1355–1373 5. Qutub-ud-Din 1373–1389 6. Sikandar 1389–1413 7. Alishah 1413–1419 8. Zain-ul-Abdin 1420–1470 9. Haidershah 1470–1472 10. Hassanshah 1472–1484 11. Mohammadshah Apr.1484-Oct.1486, .....12. Fatehshah 1486–1495 13. Mohammadshah 1495–1496 14. Fatehshah 1496–1497 15. Mohammadshah 1497–1509 16. Ibrahimshah (s/o Mohammadshah) 1509 17. Nazukshah (s/o Fatehshah) 1529 (one year) 18. Mohammadshah 1530–1535 .

External links

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