Back of the Book It is an encyclopedic work on Kashmir that encompasses the valley's social, cultural & political history of centuries. The work is essentially a narration of history of Kashmir in a chronological order from ancient to present times referenced in primary & secondary sources which could be appreciated as one goes through it. The story of Kashmir is of great interest & absorbing. As Kashmir's ancient past was dominated by Brahman Rule, a confused mass of myths & legends have been attached to the valley, its environs & places, & the same have percolated down to the modern times. As these vital facets of the valley's history have not been touched upon earlier comprehensively in a thoroughly critical & objective manner, this work is presented to throw some light on many hidden facets of Kashmir's political, social, cultural & economic life of centuries.........
About the Book It is an encyclopedic work on Kashmir that encompasses the valley's social, cultural & political history of centuries. The work is essentially a narration of history of Kashmir in a chronological order from ancient to present times referenced in primary & secondary sources which could be appreciated as one goes through it The story of Kashmir is of great interest & absorbing. As Kashmir's ancient past was dominated by Brahman Rule, a confused mass of myths & legends have been attached to the valey, its environs & places, & the same have percolated down to the modem times. As these vital facets of the valley's history have not been touched upon earlier comprehensively in a thoroughly critical & objective manner, this work is presented to throw same light on many hidden facets of Kashmir's political social, cultural & economic e of centuries. The work addresses first the question of origin of the valley, associate myths, legends & stories surrounding it. & its environs & places, in the light of scientific explanations & explorations. The work then deals with the aborigines, Nagas & Pisacas, of the valley, their demonisation & replacement by immigrant or settler-Brahmans Aryan ancestry of Kashmiris persecution of Buddhists & re-establishment of Hindu Rule & Brahman settlements during early Hindu Rule of Kashmir, Hindu dynasties of Kashmir from Gonandya Ill down to Lohara Second with its end in 1320 AD & all imageries associated with Gonandiya I & II are critically evaluated. The civil wars between Brahman Rajas & Buddhists, and then between ruling Brahman-class & feudal-agriculturist dass, non Brahman castes of the valley & tribals in adjoining hills of North & South of the vailey during Hindu Period till the dawn of Islam in beginning of 14" century are elaborated. Save a small Brahman community, all other castes, sub- castes, groups & sub-groups of the inhabitants of the land had by the end of 14 century embraced Islam as their Faith. The work gives a narration of Kashmiri Brahmans or Pandits, their role in the society, their rank & position in the administration & political life of Kashmir during Muslim Period [1320-1819), Sikh Period [1819-1846), Dogra Period (1846-1947] & post colonial Indian Rule after 1947 till date. All accusations of Kashmiri Pandits in different periods of history against some Muslim Rulers & Muslims of Kashmir which include Iconoclast charges against Sultan Skandar are critically addressed in the light of the historical & archeological record. The distortions of historical, archeological & geo-ecological facets of the valley have been duly addressed to at related places of the work. The work highlights the Pandit poets & their contribution to Kashmiri literature in different periods of history & the nicknaming & sumaming among Kashmiris with its roots deep in the history. Muslim Period of five centuries, contribution & achievements of Muslim Rulers & Muslims in general in the fields of architecture, art, music, literature, poetry, culture, multiple craft and industry, growth of educational & healthcare systems of Kashmir in history are comprehensively narrated in the light of historical, archeological & numismatic record. The last one hundred years of Kashmir's tumultuous history from 1924 bill 2021/completion-date of this work through different phases of early political awakening to rise and fall of politics, growth of institutions, emergence of new narratives, & counter narratives in politics, emergence of new players & parties in political life, decisions & repercussions, death and destruction, constitutional guarantees, promises & failures to keep promises, till annulment of special status of JK in 2019 have been narrated chronological order in this monumental work till the end of 2021.
About the Author MJ Aslam is a born scholar. He is author, academician, historian & freelance columnist. As a born academician, with multiple interests of research, MJ Aslam is "well known in the field of legal authorship.... with his usual dextenty" per Ex Judge SC of India, Dr. Arijit Pasayat), who has authored several books on law which include Legal Aspects of Bank Lending, Law relating to Guarantees, BGs & LCs with scholarly approach", per, Justice M Jaganadha Rao, twice Chairman Law Commission of India & ex-Judge SC of India], Law & Practice of SARFAESI Act, 2002, Muslim Law of Divorce [a masterly piece of literature on Muslim Divorce Law" per Mr. Justice S Abdul Nazir, Judge SC of India)........latest, MJ Aslam's Law of Contract [Two Volumes 2017, Thomson Reuters Publication), which has been described as " a must for every law chamber & library", by Mr. Justice Dr. Arijit Pasayat of the SC, & of immense use for all concerned, bench, bar, researchers & students", according to Late Eminent Jurist, Prof. N R Madhavan Menon, and MJ Aslam has also authored a book that contains his allegories and short stories entitled "Inside the Vault".
He has been Guest Faculty at University of Kashmir Hazratbal Srinagar (UGC Staff Academic College] & Central University of Kashmir. He taught Law at Commerce & Law Faculties of University of Kashmir Hazratbal, Srinagar before joining JK Bank, the latter was more as a tryst with destiny than choice. He is former Assistant Vice President (Law) of J&K Bank which includes a six years' term of Principal JK Bank Staff Training College, Srinagar from 2011-2 He has contributed hundreds of scholarly articles on 11-2016. multiple subjects of law, history, politics, culture, art, sociology, literature, etc, to leading newspapers, journals & magazines of Kashmir & beyond, and online news & literary portals of India. He has B.Sc. LL.B (Hon's] [Gold Medalist) & LLM [Gold Med] from University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar to his name.
Book's Contents and Sample Pages
