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Chronicles of the Throne

An illuminated journey through the dynasties and rulers who shaped the destiny of Kashmir, from ancient times to the modern era.

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Introduction

The Royal Tapestry

This compilation details the monarchs of Kashmir, tracing a lineage from the establishment of the Gonanda dynasty around 1400 BCE. It chronicles the succession of rulers through various eras, including the ancient kingdoms, the medieval Sultanate, Mughal and Durrani rule, the Sikh period, and the Dogra Maharajas, culminating in the integration of Kashmir into the Republic of India in 1952.

Historical Sources

The primary source for the early history of Kashmir's monarchs is Kalhana's seminal work, the Rajatarangini. While this text provides invaluable insights, it is important to note that historical accounts, particularly for ancient periods, may contain mythological elements or variations in dating. Later periods are supplemented by inscriptions, coins, and chronicles from successive ruling powers.

Territorial Evolution

The extent of the Kingdom of Kashmir has varied significantly throughout its history. This list primarily focuses on the rulers who held sway over the Kashmir Valley and surrounding regions, acknowledging that periods of fragmentation and external domination altered the political landscape and the nature of rulership.

Major Dynasties

Gonanda Dynasty

The earliest recorded dynasty, believed to have ruled for over a millennium. Its history is largely derived from Kalhana's Rajatarangini, detailing rulers like Gonanda I, Ashoka (potentially the Mauryan emperor), and Jalauka.

Gonanda Dynasty (I)

  • Gonanda I (c. 1400 BCE)
  • Damodara I
  • Yashovati
  • Gonanda II
  • (35 kings, names lost)
  • Lava
  • Kusheshaya
  • Khagendra
  • Surendra
  • Godhara
  • Suvarna
  • Janaka
  • Shachinara
  • Ashoka (c. 2nd millennium BCE)
  • Jalauka
  • Damodara II
  • Hushka, Jushka, Kanishka
  • Abhimanyu I

Gonanditya Dynasty (I)

  • Gonanda III (1182 BCE)
  • Vibhishana I (1147 BCE)
  • Indrajit (1094 BCE)
  • Ravana
  • Vibhishana II (1058 BCE)
  • Nara I (Kinnara) (983 BCE)
  • Siddha (923 BCE)
  • Utpalaksha (893 BCE)
  • Hiranyaksha (855 BCE)
  • Hiranyakula (795 BCE)
  • Vasukula (Mukula) (735 BCE)
  • Mihirakula (665 BCE)
  • Vaka (Baka) (602 BCE)
  • Kshitinanda (572 BCE)
  • Vasunanda (520 BCE)
  • Nara II (460 BCE)
  • Aksha (400 BCE)
  • Gopaditya (340 BCE)
  • Gokarna (282 BCE)
  • Narendraditya I (Khingkhila) (246 BCE)
  • Yudhisthira I

Other Rulers (Various Dynasties)

  • Pratapaditya I (167 BCE)
  • Jalauka (135 BCE)
  • Tungjina I (103 BCE)
  • Vijaya (67 BCE)
  • Jayendra (59 BCE)
  • Sandhimati alias Aryaraja (22 BCE)

Karkota & Utpala Dynasties

The Karkota dynasty (c. 625โ€“855 CE) rose to prominence with rulers like Durlabhavardhana and the renowned Lalitaditya Muktapida. This was followed by the Utpala dynasty (c. 855โ€“1012 CE), marked by figures such as Avantivarman and the influential Queen Didda.

Karkota Dynasty (c. 625โ€“855 CE)

  • Durlabhavardhana (Prajnaditya) (598 CE)
  • Durlabhaka (Pratapaditya II) (634 CE)
  • Chandrapida (Vajraditya I) (694 CE)
  • Tarapida (Udayaditya) (703 CE)
  • Muktapida (Lalitaditya I) (703 CE)
  • Kuvalayapida (739 CE)
  • Vajraditya II (Bappiyaka) (746 CE)
  • Prithivyapida I (750 CE)
  • Sangramapida I (750 CE)
  • Jayapida (Vinayaditya); Jajja (781 CE)
  • Lalitapida (793 CE)
  • Sangramapida II (Prithivyapida II) (805 CE)
  • Chippatajayapida (Brhspati) (812 CE)
  • Ajitapida (830 CE)
  • Anangapida (867 CE)
  • Utpalapida (870 CE)

Utpala Dynasty (c. 855โ€“1012 CE)

  • Avantivarman (853/855โ€“883 CE)
  • Shankaravarman (883โ€“902 CE)
  • Gopalavarman (902โ€“904 CE)
  • Sankata (904 CE)
  • Sugandha (904โ€“906 CE)
  • Partha (906โ€“921 CE)
  • Nirjitavarman (921โ€“922 CE)
  • Chakravarman (922โ€“933 CE)
  • Shuravarman I (933โ€“934 CE)
  • Partha (2nd reign) (934โ€“935 CE)
  • Chakravarman (2nd reign) (935 CE)
  • Shankaravardhana (935โ€“936 CE)
  • Chakravarman (3rd reign) (936โ€“937 CE)
  • Unmattavanti (937โ€“939 CE)
  • Shuravarman II (939 CE)
  • Yashaskara-deva (939 CE)
  • Varnata (948 CE)
  • Sangramadeva (948 CE)
  • Parvagupta (948โ€“950 CE)
  • Kshemagupta (950โ€“958 CE)
  • Abhimanyu II (958โ€“972 CE)
  • Nandigupta (972โ€“973 CE)
  • Tribhuvanagupta (973โ€“975 CE)
  • Bhimagupta (975โ€“980 CE)
  • Didda (980โ€“1009/1012 CE)

Sultanate & Mughal Era

The transition to the Sultanate period saw the rise of the Shah Mir dynasty (c. 1339โ€“1561 CE), including figures like Sikandar Butshikan and Zayn al-Abidin. This was followed by the Chak dynasty and subsequent Mughal suzerainty, which integrated Kashmir as a province of the vast empire.

Lohar Dynasty (c. 1003โ€“1339 CE)

  • Sangramaraja (1003 CE)
  • Hariraja (1028 CE)
  • Ananta-deva (1028 CE)
  • Kalasha (1063 CE)
  • Utkarsha (1089 CE)
  • Harsha (d. 1101 CE)
  • Uchchala (1101 CE)
  • Sussala
  • Jayasimha (1111 CE)
  • Paramanuka (1123 CE)
  • Vantideva (until 1165 CE)
  • Vuppadeva (1172 CE)
  • Jassaka (1181 CE)
  • Jagadeva (1199 CE)
  • Rฤjadeva (1213 CE)
  • Samgrฤmadeva (1235 CE)
  • Laksmandadeva (1273 CE)
  • Simhadeva (1286 CE)
  • Sลซhadeva (1301 CE)
  • Rinchan (1320โ€“1323 CE)
  • Udayanadeva (1323 CE)
  • Kota Rani (1338โ€“1339 CE)

Kashmir Sultanate (c. 1339โ€“1589 CE)

  • Shah Mir Dynasty
  • Shamsu'd-Dฤซn Shฤh (Shฤh Mฤซr) (1339โ€“1342 CE)
  • Jamshฤซd Shฤh (1342โ€“1343 CE)
  • Alฤu'd-Dฤซn Shฤh (Alฤซ Shฤ“r) (1343โ€“1354 CE)
  • Shihฤbu'd-Dฤซn Shฤh (Shฤซrashฤmak) (1354โ€“1373 CE)
  • Qutbu'd-Dฤซn Shฤh (Hindฤl) (1373โ€“1389 CE)
  • Sikandar Shฤh (Shingฤra) (1389โ€“1413 CE)
  • Alฤซ Shฤh (Mฤซr Khฤn) (1413โ€“1418 CE)
  • Ghiyฤsu'd-Dฤซn Shฤh (Shฤhฤซb Khฤn) (1418โ€“1470 CE)
  • Haider Shฤh (Hฤjฤซ Khฤn) (1470โ€“1472 CE)
  • Hasan Shฤh (Hasan Khฤn) (1472โ€“1484 CE)
  • Muhammad Shฤh (Muhammad Khฤn) (1484โ€“1505, 1514โ€“1515, 1517โ€“1528 CE)
  • Fatฤ“h Shฤh (Fatฤ“h Khฤn) (1486โ€“1493, 1505โ€“1514, 1515โ€“1517 CE)
  • Ibrahฤซm Shฤh (Ibrahฤซm Khฤn) (1528โ€“1528 CE)
  • Nฤzuk Shฤh (Nฤdir Shฤh) (1528โ€“1530, 1540โ€“1552 CE)
  • Shamsu'd-Dฤซn Shฤh II (1537โ€“1540 CE)
  • Ismฤ'ฤซl Shฤh (Ismฤ'ฤซl Khฤn) (1540, 1555โ€“1557 CE)
  • Habฤซb Shฤh (Habฤซb Khฤn) (1557โ€“1561 CE)
  • Chak Dynasty
  • Muแธฅammad Humฤyลซn (Ghฤzฤซ Shฤh) (1561โ€“1563 CE)
  • Nasiru'd-Dฤซn (Husain Shฤh) (1563โ€“1570 CE)
  • Zahฤซru'd-Dฤซn Muhammad Alฤซ (Alฤซ Shฤh) (1570โ€“1578 CE)
  • Nasiru'd-Dฤซn Ghฤzฤซ (Yousuf Shฤh) (1578โ€“1579 CE)
  • Baihaqi Dynasty
  • Mubarak Ghฤzฤซ (Mubarak Baihaqi) (1579 CE)
  • Restored Chak Dynasty
  • Lohar Ghฤzฤซ (Lohar Khฤn) (1579โ€“1580 CE)
  • Nasiru'd-Dฤซn Ghฤzฤซ (Yousuf Shฤh) (1580โ€“1586 CE)
  • Ismฤ'ฤซl Shฤh (Yakub Shฤh) (1586โ€“1589 CE)

Mughal Kashmir (c. 1586โ€“1752 CE)

  • Akbar (1586โ€“1605)
  • Jahangir (1605โ€“1627)
  • Shayarar Mirza (1627โ€“1628)
  • Shah Jahan I (1628โ€“1657)
  • Aurangzeb (1658โ€“1707)
  • Muhammad Azam Shah (1707)
  • Bahadur Shah I (1707โ€“1712)
  • Jahandar Shah (1712โ€“1713)
  • Farrukh Siyar (1713โ€“1719)
  • Rafi ud Darajat (1719)
  • Shah Jahan II (1719)
  • Nikusiyar (1719)
  • Muhammad Shah (1719โ€“1748)
  • Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748โ€“1752)

Durrani, Sikh, Dogra Eras

Following Mughal rule, Kashmir came under the Durrani Empire, followed by a brief independent kingdom, and then the Sikh Empire. The modern era began with the establishment of the State of Jammu and Kashmir under Maharaja Gulab Singh of the Dogra dynasty.

Durrani Empire (c. 1752โ€“1762 CE)

  • Ahmad Shah Durrani (1752โ€“1754)

Kingdom of Kashmir (1754โ€“1762 CE)

  • Raja Sukh Jiwan Mal Sahni (1754โ€“1762)

Durrani Empire (Restored) (c. 1762โ€“1819 CE)

  • Ahmad Shah Durrani (1762โ€“1772)
  • Timur Shah Durrani (1772โ€“1793)
  • Zaman Shah Durrani (1793โ€“1801)
  • Mahmud Shah Durrani (1801โ€“1803)
  • Shah Shujah Durrani (1803โ€“1809)
  • Mahmud Shah Durrani (2nd reign) (1809โ€“1818)
  • Ali Shah Durrani (1818โ€“1819)

Sikh Empire Governors (c. 1819โ€“1846 CE)

  • Diwan Moti Ram (1819โ€“1820, 1821โ€“1825)
  • Hari Singh Nalwa (1820โ€“1821)
  • Diwan Chuni Lal (1825โ€“1826)
  • Diwan Kirpa Ram (1827โ€“1830)
  • Maha Singh (1830)
  • Bhima Singh Ardali (1830โ€“1831)
  • Kanwar Sher Singh (1831โ€“1834)
  • Mihan Singh Kumedan (1834โ€“1841)
  • Shaikh Gholam Muhyi Addin (1841โ€“1845)
  • Shaikh Imam-ud-Din (1845โ€“1846)

State of Jammu and Kashmir (Dogra Dynasty) (c. 1846โ€“1952 CE)

  • Maharaja Gulab Singh (1846โ€“1856)
  • Maharaja Ranbir Singh (1856โ€“1885)
  • Maharaja Pratap Singh (1885โ€“1925)
  • Maharaja Hari Singh (1925โ€“1952)

Key Historical Periods

Ancient Kingdoms

The early history is dominated by the Gonanda and subsequent dynasties, as chronicled in the Rajatarangini. This era saw the influence of figures like Ashoka, the Kushan kings Hushka, Jushka, and Kanishka, and rulers who patronized both Shaivite and Buddhist traditions.

Medieval Sultanate

From the 14th century, Kashmir transitioned into the Sultanate period, beginning with the Shah Mir dynasty. This era was characterized by the introduction of Islam, significant cultural developments, and periods of internal strife and succession disputes, notably involving multiple reigns by Muhammad Shah and Fateh Shah.

Imperial Rule

Kashmir was successively integrated into larger empires. The Mughals annexed the region in 1586, followed by the Durrani Empire. Later, the Sikh Empire conquered Kashmir in 1819, marking a period of significant administrative and economic changes before the rise of the Dogra state.

Modern Era

Dogra Dynasty

The Dogra dynasty, founded by Maharaja Gulab Singh, established the princely State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846. His successors, Ranbir Singh, Pratap Singh, and Hari Singh, ruled until the state's accession to India in 1947 and its official merger in 1952, marking the end of hereditary monarchy.

State of Jammu and Kashmir (Dogra Dynasty) (c. 1846โ€“1952 CE)

  • Maharaja Gulab Singh (1846โ€“1856)
  • Maharaja Ranbir Singh (1856โ€“1885)
  • Maharaja Pratap Singh (1885โ€“1925)
  • Maharaja Hari Singh (1925โ€“1952)

Accession and Merger

Following the partition of British India in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, integrating Jammu and Kashmir into the Dominion of India. This event marked the formal end of the princely state and its monarchy, ushering in a new constitutional era.

Related Topics

Key Figures

Explore the lives and contributions of pivotal rulers such as Lalitaditya Muktapida, known for his military campaigns and architectural patronage, and Queen Didda, who wielded significant political influence. The modern era is defined by figures like Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of the Dogra dynasty, and Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruling monarch.

Primary Sources

The historical narrative of Kashmir's monarchs is deeply intertwined with Kalhana's Rajatarangini, a chronicle spanning centuries. Understanding these primary sources is crucial for appreciating the complexities and evolution of Kashmiri rule.

Regional Context

Kashmir's strategic location has placed it at the crossroads of various empires and cultural influences, from ancient India and Central Asia to the Mughal, Afghan, Sikh, and British empires. This context shaped the nature of its rule and the succession of its monarchs.

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References

References

  1.  Obverse: Standing king with two figured seated below. Name "Pravarasena". Reverse: goddess seated on a lion. Legend "Kidร„ยra".
A full list of references for this article are available at the List of monarchs of Kashmir Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Historical Context and Accuracy

This page has been generated by an AI based on historical texts, primarily Kalhana's Rajatarangini and other scholarly sources. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the provided source material, historical accounts, especially for ancient periods, can be subject to interpretation and may include mythological elements. The dates and details presented are based on the best available information from the source and are intended for educational and informational purposes.

This is not a substitute for professional historical research or consultation. Users are encouraged to consult primary sources and academic literature for in-depth study. The creators are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided.