Akbar’s reign in Kashmir

In May 1589 Akbar himself came to Kashmir by travelling on horseback or on foot. To bo precise like Abu’l Fazl, “His Majesty planted his standards in the city of Srinagar on 25th Khurdad, (5th june 1589) after 8 hours 24 minutes.” Pandit Suka mentions that “Jalal-ud-Din on the seventh bright lunar day of Ashadha pleased the Brahmana boys with gifts of gold and they blessed him. He then went to Martanda and gave cows adorned with pearls and gold to Brahmanas. He was glad to see Kashmira with its vines and walnut trees and of high and charming woods.”

Three Well Known Qasidas On Kashmir:

Akbar spent a month in visiting towns, villages, springs, and streams, of which the most important are Pampar, Bijbihara and Islamabad (Anantnag). Malik -us- Shuara Abu’l Faiz Faizi refers to his progress of Akbar in a beautiful Qasida (eulogistic poem) of 98 couplets.

The Poet ‘Urfi also accompanied the emperor, and also wrote the well known Qasida.

Andrew Wilson writing in 1875 says:- “It must be delightful to come to this Jhelum valley, in April or May, from the burned up plains of India, and it might revive even a dying man.”  And so ‘Urfi is not alone,- two centuries after ‘Urfi, Andrew wilson Corroborates him. So did Sir Lancelot Graham, ex-Governor of Sind, when he told me at Sonmarg in 1943 that he was dying and that Kashmir climate had revived him. It must not be imagined that this was merely a pleasure trip to the happy valley. Akbar respected the feelings of his subjects by proclaiming that no soldier should molest any citizen. He fixed the camp of his army at Shihab-ud-dinpor or Shadipor about nine miles in a direct line to the north-west of Srinagar, and himself halted in Bagh Hasan Shah Chak, Khwaja Bazar, Nauhatta, Srinagar. On the representations to the Emperor of the Subadar, Sayyid Yusuf Khan Rizavi Mashhadi, that the assessment was excessive Qazi Narullah and Tota Ram had been directed by the Emperor to submit a report on land produce, and also to make the tax thereon uniform. But as the intended measure jeopardized the interests of both officials and landholders, the authorities deputed by the Emperor were considerably hampered in their task. Qazi Nasrullah reported the matter to the Emperor, who dispatched Hasan Beg and Shaikh ‘Umar to help him. The Qazi fixed the pay of Kashmir army in cash instead of Kind. This participated the storm that was already brewing. Suka also blames the Qazi for his harshness which was responsible for quarrels caused among the Mughuls themselves. The Subadar’s officials and landowners both united. And Yadgar Mirza, his cousin, left in charge to act as Nazim in the absence of Sayyid Yusuf Khan Rizavi Mashhadi who had himself escorted Akbar out of the valley, was declared as a king. Kashmir was once again in revolt. But it did not take long to suppress the rebellion, which lasted only fifty one days. Yadgar Mirza was taken prisoner and beheaded. Prince Salim interceded on behalf of Sayyid Yusuf Khan Rizavi Mashhadi, whom the emperor pardoned. as a result of this insurrection Akbar asked Shaikh Faizi, Mir Sharif Amuli, khwajagi Muhammad Husain to scrutinize the accounts of Mar-raj while Khwaja Shams-ud-din Khafi and Kuar (Kanwar) Man Singh were sent to examine those of Kam-raj. Though the autumn crop was over, yet they were able by their skill to make an estimate of it. Suka notes that, at this time, the Emperor ordered Shaikh Faizi ” to distribute one thousand pieces of silver among Brahmanas and beggars who dwelt in villages and in woods, and in other places.” Akbar appointed Qalich Khan governor of Kashmir. Qalich continued in this office for six years. He spent this period chiefly in extirpating the Chaks and suppressing the malcontents.

References

Sufi,G.M.D (1996). Kashmir Under The Mughals. Kashir: Being A History Of Kashmir(pp.244-248) Delhi:Capital Publishing House.