Author: M K Raina

Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin ruled Kashmir from 1420 to 1470 AD. Son of Sultan Sikandar, under whose rule Islamic zeal attained fanatical proportions, Zain-ul-Abidin proved to be the most tolerant and benevolent ruler that Kashmir had known. It has been correctly remarked that ‘history can give few examples where the policy of the father was so completely reversed by his son. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin’s rule was in the words of Srivara ‘like the cooling sandal paste after the heat of a summer in a desert had departed.’
When Sultan Zain-Ul-Abdin was on death bed, and all his royal physicians had failed miserably to cure him of some dangerous disease, there appeared a noble man on the scene, who volunteered to treat the King with his knowledge and healing powers. Though there are different theories about the kind of illness, which the great king was suffering of, it is well established that he was cured by one and the only Shri Bhatta, a Yogi and renowned Hakeem of his times. Continue reading “Shri Bhat – A Great Hakeem & Yogi”

Avantivarman, the founder of Utpala dynasty, came to power in 855 AD and ruled Kashmir for 28 years. His peaceful and just reign was a period of consolidation, when Kashmir rose once again to great heights in the realms of philosophy, letters, art and architecture. He is well remembered for his founding the city of Avantipura, 17 kms. from Srinagar on the banks of river Jhelum, which is still called by the same name. During his rule, he also constructed the temple dedicated to Shiva Avanteshwara. The ruins, adjacent to to Jammu-Srinagar highway are among the most imposing monuments of ancient Kashmiri architecture, ranking next only to the Martand temple. Continue reading “Suyya Pandit – A Great Engineer”