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Showing posts with the label Sikh Rule in Kashmir

Understanding Kashmir

Kashmir Valley Kashmir has been at the heart of a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan ever since the two nations separated in 1947. Both claim Kashmir. In fact, Kashmir is divided into three political entities: Jammu & Kashmir under India (J&K) Azad kashmir or Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) China Occupied Aksai Chin (South Tibet) Kashmir Political Geograpy Bollywood movie - Kashmir Files (2022) has re-ignited this debate. The film is produced by pro-BJP Zee Studios, written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri, and represents a fictional story line about the murders and final exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley during 1990s.  Origin of Kashmir In the  Rajatarangini , a history of Kashmir written by  Kalhana  in the 12th century, it is stated that the valley of Kashmir was a big lake, When the lake drained out through the passage of Varah-Moola (Baramula), the people began to settle there as it was a peaceful heaven f...

Kumedan Mihan Singh - Sikh Governor of Kashmir

Sardar Mihan Singh, Kumedan of Sikh Empire Last week, the SGPC authorized volunteers doing Kar Seva at Golden temple complex for a new building, excavated an archeologial site. Some Sikh organization stopped the excavation accusing the volunteers of digging a deep pit without taking care of the heritage structure beneath. Are these sites related to Sikh Gurus, Sikh Misl period, or Maharaja Ranjit Singh? Excavated Building in Amritsar Dr. Sukhpreet Singh Udhoke has done some research on these buldings and he mentions this building as part of networks of "Bunga" built by various Sikh Misl leaders and Sardars of the Sikh empire. One name he mentioned was the Bunga of Kumedan Mihan Singh . So who was Kumedan Mihan Singh? My Personal Connection Kumedan Mihan Singh was a commander of a Sikh infantry battallion of Maharaja Ranjit Singh . He joined the Sukarchakia Misl and rose to the rank of Commander ( Kumedan in Punjabi ) in the Sikh army. He established his jagir in Gujranwala a...