Transcript Kashmir - College of the Holy Cross

Kashmir
Cultured Past, Tortured Present
Geography
Shrinagar
=
Shri + Nagar
Kashmir Valley from the East
Sri Nagar
Saffron
Saffron crocus is a perennial bulb. The
flowers are pale lilac with narrow
ribbed, slightly variegated leaves. The
stigmas, the part used, are a bright
orange-red
Silk
/HORSE
Route
Buddhism into Western China
via Central Asia by 124 CE
Kashmiris wealth
in trade, culture
instrumental to
Silk Route trade
Spices, Saffron
created fortunes
Material Wealth and
Cultural wealth on a
major trade route
Vibrant Center of Ancient Indic Cultures
Kashmir
Hindu Traditions
• Vedic traditions
• Sun Temple, Martand
• Kashmiri Shaivism
• Center of Aesthetic
theories
Many Hindu Temple Ruins
Avantipura Shiva Temple
Payara Shiva Temple
Kashmir Shaivism proposes the theory of
reflection (pratibimbavada). This theory
explains that the universe is created in the
same way that the image of an object, such
as a house, can be reflected in a mirror. In
the case of Shiva, however, there is no
object such as the house which exists
independently from the mirror of God
Consciousness.
The Kashmir Shaivism theory proclaims that
nothing can exist outside of God
Consciousness,
because
only
God
Consciousness exists.
Therefore, the Shaiva explains, the only thing
that exists is the house appearing in the
mirror. There is no external object, no
separate house, being reflected in the
mirror. There is only the mirror of God
Consciousness.
What then causes the "reflection" to appear in
the "mirror" of Shiva's awareness? To this
question the Shaiva answers, it is
svatantrya, the absolutely independent will
of Lord Shiva that creates this whole
universe in the mirror of his awareness by
his absolutely independent will (svatantrya),
his freedom.
Kashmiri Shaivism
RASA
The Sanskrit term for a deep feeling of
Aesthetic Cultivation
basic aesthetic ideal is rasa. From
the classical era onwards, and as
as Salvation Practice
definitively expounded by its chief
articulator, the eleventh century
Kashmiri scholar Abhinavagupta,
Indian aesthetics has focused on the
articulation of and evocation of the
different rasas.
The various medieval Sanskrit treatises
highlight 10 rasa-s:
erotic love (sringāra); heroism (vīra),
disgust (bībhatsa), anger/fury
(raudra), mirth (hāsya), terror
(bhayānaka), compassion (karuna),
wonder (adbhuta), peace (shanti),
and paternal fondness (vātsalya).
The Sanskrit artist working in the
classical tradition wrote for an
In Indic aesthetic philosophy, great
audience of highly refined and
attention is paid to explaining the refined
cultured individuals.
attitude of the “rasikas,” those who enjoy
immersing themselves fully in a
particular artistic experience.
Center of Indian Medicine and Cultural Production
Second Great Center of Indian Buddhism
Kashmir
At its peak, 400 Buddhist
monasteries in 680 CE
Center of philosophical
vibrancy, ritual performance,
artistic creation
Ashoka
ruled 273-236 BCE
East meets WEST, 300 BCE
Alexander the Great
Alexander defeated by Indian princes
Weakened states in NW draw Mauryas of NE India
to conquer and form alliances, creating the largest
land empire in Indian history
Ashoka’s Edicts on Pillars and Rocks
across Empire
After Alexander was defeated
Some Greeks remained
in NW India….
Greek Gymnasium in Afghanistan…
….papyrus manuscript in Greek style
And some convert to Buddhism…
called “Yavana”s for the next 1000 years
Merchants who crossed
India’s trade routes
Gandhara
Takht-I-Bahi
KASHMIR: Center of Buddhist arts that
influenced other areas of South Asia,
including Nepal and Tibet
Favorite Retreat of Mughal Rulers
Favorite Retreat of Mughal Rulers
Kashmiri Islam:
Tolerant and drawn to
Sufi mysticism
Nishat Gardens
Shahi Hamdan, Sufi Shrine
Kashmir Under British Colonial Rule
British Develop Himalayas
Hill stations for monsoon and heat seasons
Western Himalayas:
Shimla, Mussoorie,
Darjeeling, Ooty,
Jammu, Kashmir.
Eastern Himalayas
Darjeeling, Gangtok,
Kalimpong,
Kurseong, Mirik,
Shillong, Imphal
British Military Recruitment:
Employment of “Hill Men” of India and Nepalese “Gurkhas”
British cede Kashmir including
Ladakh to the Hindu Dogras in 1846
Hindu rule in Kashmir continued until Independence in 1947
Ladakh part of India until today
1840-1: Kashmir vs. Tibet War
Dogra invasion of Tibet repulsed;
Tibetans defeated in Ladakh, territory
remains with raja of Kashmir
Maharaja of Kashmir, 1900
Era of Indian Independence
POST 1947
Kashmir, Nehru, the
British
Muslim ruler of Kashmir agrees
to sign on with India, and
Nehru makes exception to
the rule of partition:
“in cases of majority population
land goes to Pakistan in
border regions”......
... Pakistan objects, Indian sends in new army to Kashmir, and war breaks out in
1947-8, ending in the “LINE OF CONTROL” still extant today...
1965 War
Conflict’s Context:
US [Pakistan] vs. USSR [India] Global Cold War
1999 Kargil Skirmish
Context:
Both nations
nuclear powers
Kashmir Today
Insurgency and Terrorism, State and Proxies
Hindu Kashmiri Panditas terrorized, flight into
refugee camps in Jammu
Still:
Kashmiris not allowed to decide their own fate
Kashmir now
located in the
“War against
terror”
Stalemate Continues....