Popular history shows that Kashmir has had its past in the Hindu and Islamic rule.
 THE HINDU PERIOD:
ASHOKA: The well-known historian Kalhan records the history of Kashmir dating back to the first recorded Hindu king, Gonanada I around the time of the Mahabharat war. Mauryan emperor Ashoka is said to have ruled Kashmir and founded the city of Srinagar.
BUDDHISM IN KASHMIR: Huen - Tsang mentions the arrival of Buddhist monks. Many Buddhist scholars, missionaries, and intellectuals permanently settled in the valley. This can easily explain the reasons for the influence of Buddhism in this valley.
THE KUSHANS: The Kushan kings also played an important role in the Kashmir valley; they built many temples and Vihars. It is believed that one of the greatest kings in Kashmir belonged to the Karkota dynasty, Lalitaditya Muktapid. Another important ruler of the times was King Harsha. One of the important philosophies during the Hindu rule was the Shiva school of thought. Another distinct school of philosophy was the emergence of Mahayana Form of Buddhism during the time of Kanishka. The influence spread to regions of China, Japan, Tibet and Ladakh.
THE MUSLIM PERIOD:
SULTANS IN KASHMIR: The Muslim period begins with Shah Mir, a period where Islam was firmly established. One of the important rulers includes Sultan Zain-ul-Abdin. It is said that this Sultan had a high sense of justice and truth and maintained friendly relations with other countries. Agriculture and irrigation interested him immensely. He was highly tolerant of the Hindus and their religion. The Mogul period is mostly remembered for Akbar's rule. Jehangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb are amongst other familiar names in the history of Kashmir rule.
AFGHAN RULE: Kashmir was ruled by Kabul rulers till 1819. It is recorded that the Kabul rulers were great despots who ruled ruthlessly. It is believed that a life of struggle for the Kashmiris began at this period. The chief victims of these fiends were the Hindus, Shias and Bombas of Jhelum valley.
SIKH RULE: The Pathan rule ended to give way to the Sikh rule which is said to have brought immense relief to the civilians. It was around 1885 that several progressive reforms were carried during the rule of Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh. Land revenue systems, water reservoirs, telegraphs and telephones eventually came to this valley. In Jan 1957, the rule of the monarchs in the valley came to an end with the Constituent Assembly.
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The cultural heritage of Kashmir is a varied and diversified one. The diversity comes from its geographical, regional, ethical and social entities. Islam and Hinduism and the influences of Buddhism have existed peacefully in the heydays.
MYTHOLOGY AND HISTORY
 | It is believed that Bhagwan Ram had come to Kashmir in search of Sita. |
| It is believed that in the Mahabharata the forces of the King of Kashmir had taken part in great Indian war from the side of the Kauravas |
| During the Buddhist period, Kashmir was a great center of Buddhism. It then spread, through Khotan, to China, Mangolia, Japan and Turkey |
| Gandharadesh, the present Afghanistan and Kashmir were part of the same region in olden times |
| After Takshila and Nalanda, the Centre of Sanskrit studies shifted to the Sanskrit University Brajbihara in Kashmir. This was, along with its huge library, later destroyed by Sikander Butshikhan. |
| A majority of the major poets and scholars of Sanskrit of India were Kashmiris: - Kalidas, Kshirswamin, Kalhan, Bilhan, Mammat, Anand Vardhan, Vaman, Kshemendra, Abhinav Gupta, Rojanak Shitianth and others. |
Kashmir has been the home of Vedic Culture and religion, Buddhist faith, Sanskrit scholarship, Shaivism, Islam, Sufism and Sikhism.
MUSIC AND CUISINE: Kashmir's cultural extravaganza at its best is a combination of luncheons and dinners, in big and small comfortable boats; the House Boats, Dungas and Shikara, plying on the famous Dal Lake, and the original cuisine, Qehva, Shier Chay, cookies and sweets. Sufiyana music to the, accompaniment of Sitar, Saz, and Dukra (Tabla), or sound of exciting choral Chhakri-lyrical songs, with Nuot, Tumbaknar and Roani beating time and Sarangi playing to the tune, come from some of the boats, all heading slowly towards the 'Mughal' and other gardens, 'Chinar' groves, Shrines and springs situated here and there, on or near the shores of the lake.
A big dinner, called a cooking, is called a Vura.Sal, or a Vazavan, is still cooked in a Vurabal, which is an open-air kitchen. The land is also rich with its folk tales.
MARRIAGES ARE MADE IN HEAVEN:
Have you ever wondered how the weddings happen in Kashmir? With the background of guns rattling, it is commendable that the Kashmiris organize weddings, for the awe stuck people of the valley these are the moments to be relished. Let us see how a Kashmir wedding takes place. More
KASHMIR'S HIGH POINT - TRAVEL AND HANDICRAFT: Tourism has been one of the major industries in Kashmir. The active areas that benefit from tourism are the Hotel and the transport industry, travel agencies, houseboats and the boatmen, small-scale industries and handicrafts, traders and guides included. Mountaineering, trekking, fishing are the popular tourist attractions here. There has always been an increasing demand for the craftsmanship in Kashmir seen in their artifacts, silverware and carpet weaving being the most popular.
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BORDER DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION SADBHAVANA:
Operation Sadbhavana is a goodwill exercise undertaken to help the local villagers residing in the border villages. The operation aims at providing basic amenities like education, medical facilities and transport facilities to the local people.
The focus of Sadbhavana is rehabilitation, herein the treatment and rehabilitation of children is undertaken. It also includes the health component, which treats wounded people and congenital defects as well. A number of projects including the establishment of science laboratories in schools, water supply schemes, construction of bus shelters and holding of medical camps in remote villages. The work is going great guns with volunteers, some at the rehabilitation camps and others at the Sadbhavana School.
Vocational training centers that are a part of Sadbhavana have initiated a lot of job opportunities for the women in Kashmir…carpet weaving looms, sewing skills and traditional art forms through the cosmopolitan face of a multinational firms and sponsorships and co operatives.
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