SULTAN ZAIN-UL-ABIDIN (1420-1470 A.D)

Born of a vituous lady, namely Merja, Shahi Khan assumed sovereignty of Kashmir under the tiltle of Zain-ul-Abidin.Already he had attained great fame and earned the good will of the people for his meritorious services as Prime Minister of his brother Sultan Ali Shah. Therefore, his accession to the throne was hailed with joy and there was merry-making throughout. As a king also, ha came up to best expectations of his subjects and proved to be a worthy and benevolent ruler which earned him the title of ‘Budshah’, The Great King.

Zain-ul-Abidin believed that the material prosperity of the subject was very essential to ensure the political stability of the country. So, he directed all his energies and resources towards achieving the internal development of country rather than expanding the territorial limits of his kingdom. He could not, however, leave the neighbouring territories of Balistan, Ladakh and Kulu untouched and reduced them to subjugation as they were a great strategic importance. He diplomatically averted the foreign invasions by establishing friendly relations with the rulers of neighbouring countries, especially those of India States.

In the field of administration, Zain-ul-Abidin introduced various reforms which display the great originality and mental vigour of Sultan. The administrative machinery which had broken down was reorganized and capable and honest persons were appointed to high posts and were made accountable. The day to day in Government Business in Government Offices was carried on smoothly and efficiently and important files and orders were preserved in record offices Suyapora(Sopore). To keep himself informed about the conditions of the subjects and conduct of government officials, the sultan efficiently organized espionage system throughout the kingdom which helped to eradicate corruption, black marketing and many other social evils. The revenue demand was fixed at 1/6 of the produce and the money realized was deposited in the royal treasury and an official of high status called “Kosesa” exercised control over it. The aacounts of income and expenditure were regularly audited by the officer called “Ganadhipati”. The sultan introduced the system of proper registration of important documents to prevent fraudulent market regulations which included the fixation of price of essential commodities and their inscription on copper plates.

In order to settle various kinds of disputes (economic. Religious, social etc.) and dispense justice quickly, the Sultan established various law courts whose fuctioning was above all supervised by a minister called “Dharamadhikari”, Like Ashoka, the Sultan had his code of laws inscribed on copper plated and placed them at important points in villages and towns for enlightenment of the people.

Zainul-ul-Abidin introduced reforms in the military administration as well. He laid more stress on discipline among the forces and better equipments for the soldiers. The recruitment of soldiers and disbursement of their salaries was entrusted to the care of”Mir Bakshi”. The army of the Sultan consisted of five main divisions: Cavalary, Infantry, Elephant and Camel Corps, Chariota and Artillery.

Agriculture being the mainstay of the people, received the primary consideration. To provide irrigation facilities to the peasants, the king built a net work of canals (Kuls) throughout the valley and repaired the old ones, famous among these; Kakapora Canal, Safapora Canal,Karla Canal, Avantipora Canal, Martland Canal, Chakdar Canal etc. To drain the contaminated water from the Dal Lake, the king built a canal called as Nalla Mar. The canal flowed through the interior of the city Srinagar and as such, served an important means of communication. But due to lack of maintenance and encroachment, the canal latter on got blocked at various places of mosquitoes.In recent past, the canal was converted into mettled road called as Nalla Mar road. Marshy lands at various places were drained and made suitable for cultivation.Besides, floating islands were built in the Dal Lake on which crops were grown.All these measures led to the increase in production.

Kashmir is greatly indebted to Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin for the introduction of various arts and crafts such as carpet-weaving, paper machie, wood-carving,shawl making etc. He sent Kashmiri craftsmen to Iran and Turkish to receive training in these arts and at the same time invited competent craftsmen from other countries to train the Kashmiri people in different arts.

Kashmir attained great heights in the field of culture during the reign of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin.Music and fine arts made significant progress.Drama and dancing, which had previously received a set back, were re-introduced. Fairs and festivals both of Hindu and Muslims, were held with great pomp and show and the Sultan often graced these occasions with his presence.The Sultans reputation as a great patron of learning attracted scholars from outside and prominent among them were Sayyid Ahmad Rumi, Qazi Ali Shirazi, Sayyed Mohammad Luristani,Qazi Jamal and others. Persian Scholars and historians, Mulla Ahmad and Mulla Nadiri and Sanskrit scholars and historians, Jonaraja and Sirivara flourished in his court.The Sultan got translated some Persian works Sanskrit and Sanskrit into Persian.

Zain-ul-Abidin had a great passion for designing and town planning.He embellished the country with a number of buildings,places and towns and associated his name with each of them. The towns of Zainnagar (present Nowshahr,Srinagar), Zainagir, Zainapur, Zainkut were founded by him and adorned with magnificent buildings.In Zainnagar, his capital, the Sultan is said to have constructed a twelve storeyed beautiful palace of wood.s He also erected the tomb of his mother and the Khanqah of Sayyid Mohammad Madini and laidout the charming island of Sona Lank and Rupa Lank in Dal Lake and Zaina lank in the Wullar Lake. He also built the first wooden bridge in Kashmir over Jehlum known as Zaina Kadal.His penchant for architect has compelled historians to name Zain-ul-Abidin as Shah Jahan of Kashmir.

Zain-ul-Abidin is also known in history for his high sense of toleration. He made Kashmir the real paradise in which men of all religions and nationalities lived together and shared one another’s joy and sorrows. Himself a staunch Muslim, The Sultan allowed the Hindus who were living abroad, to return to their motherland promising them complete freedom of worship and security of life and property. Religious taxes such as Jazia and Cremation tax were abolished and the sultan repaired the Hindu temples and constructed some new ones. He visited Hindu shrines,performed havens and participated in Hindu festivals. The closing phase phase of Zain-ud-Abidin’s reign was however, clouded with disturbances. The dissensions among his son led to a bloody civil strife, and as a result, much of the glory of Kashmir petered out. In 1470 A.D when Sultan died . Haji Khan had an edge over his counter parts and thereby got himself installed on the throne of Kashmir.

The death of Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah) was deeply mourned by all his subjects. Sirivara says, that no one cooked food on that day. The king was buried in Mazar-i-Salateen beside his father Sultan Sikander.