Kashmiriyat Through the Ages

About the Book The concept of Kashmiriyat has become a target of controversy between the two groups of scholars; one claiming that this has political overtones; and the other group advocating a non- political approach to this concept.

This controversy prompted this book. an anthology on the subject. containing views of various scholars from within and outside the State. The book traces and gives a historical sweep of Kashmiri culture; socio-political and spiritual panorama. The reader will get a deep insight into the Kashmir legacy as understood by great scholars and historians of the modem times.

The book also contains some latest findings of the recent researches undertaken by the scholars of the state and also by the foreign researchers.

About the Author Sufi mystic Haji Fida Mohammad Khan Hassnain was bom in the year 1924 at Srinagar, Kashmir, India.

Having graduated from the University of Punjab, Lahore he completed his post graduation in history and law at the Muslim University, A1igarh, India.

He started his career as a professor of history in S.P College, Sri nagar, Kashmir, 1947. Later he joined the national archives of India, New Delhi and obtained diploma in archives. He was promoted by government of India as the Director of Archives, Archeology, Research and Museums in 1953 and continued as such till his retirement in 1983. He is credited with having salvaged hundreds of manuscripts in Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian and Urdu by preserving this heritage in the oriental research libraries and the three archives repositions at Ladakh, Jammu and Srinagar.

In 1969 he was invited by several Japanese Universities to give extension lectures on Buddhist culture and history. Since then he has visited various cities in Asia and Europe and has given lectures on history, culture and Sufism. He is a recipient of several degrees and awards from various institutions in India, Japan, Switzerland, Germany and Mexico. He was granted the title of Rastra Sanskrit Samrat or the Emperor of National Culture in 1987. The Jammu and Kashmir government has bestowed upon him the prestigious lifetime achievement award.

He is the author of about two dozen books on history, culture and mysticism which has been published In India, UK, Russia, Italy, Spain and USA.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages