MUGHAL RULE (1586 A.D TO 1753 A.D.),AKBAR (1586-1605 A.D.)

With status as one of the Subhas of his empire,Akbar appointed Mirza Qasim as Subedar of Kashmir, assisted by a group of officers designated as Diwan(Chief Finance Officer), a Bakshi (Pay Minister), a Waqa Nivis (News Recorder) and Mir Bahr (Chief Superintendent of water ways). Mirza Qasim’s short tenure of one year was spent in restoration of peace and tranquility and crushing the resistant forces in the valley. The other Subedars appointed by Akbar from time to time were Mirza Yousuf Khan Razvi, Asif Khan and Mohmmad Quli Khan. Their main functioning was to implement the reforms/orders promulgated by the king.

Most of the time of the first Subedars was spent in subduing the warring elements particularly Chaks in the valley and for this period Akbar acquainted himself with the problems and very patiently thought over their solution. In order to take personal congnizance of the aspiration of the people, Akbar alongwith a team of capable administrators and poet payed a visit to the valley in 1589 A.D and stayed for about two months.

During his stay he toured the valley by river Jehlum and visited Anantnag, Bhijbehara, Nandmarg, Shihabudin Pura, Sopore and Baramulla. River places, floating gradens and more than a thousand boats were prepared in honour of the emperor. The administrative measures he ordered displayed intence concen for the rehabilitation of the state, and also his genius as an administrator. Many irrigation Canals cleaned and orchard were laid out at various places.On receiving some complaints Akbar ordered his soldiery to keep away from the local population and new town exclusively for soldiers and their attendants was built near Hari Parbat hillock. The people celebrated the occasion and in the words of Suka, “when the Yavanas had gone out of the old city the people held a festivity. They always blessed king Jalaludin ad were happy”.

The people of the valley were very much benefited during Akbar’s stay in the valley. He resorted permanent peace and tranquility and introduced certain reforms which proved instrumental instrumental in bringing prosperity in Kashmir.Many boats were converted into resisdential boats resembling the modern house boats.

Immediately after consolidating his position,he paid great attention to the maintenance of routers as the same were the only link between the Kashmir and the outside world.To make the routes passable for pack loads, officers were deputed from time to time to level and widen them. To provide Shelter to the travelers, inns were built and shady trees planted at different intervals. Safe and sound routes enabled the merchants to transport their goods to distant places in the country and to other countries of the world.

Akbar’s patronage of shawl gave further impetus to the shawl industry of Kashmir.Akbar was so much impressed by its delicacy and warmth that a shawl,as present was welcomed and appreciated by the king. Kashmir shawl was a part of the dress which Akbar prescribed fro his courtiers and other dignitaries.He was always in hunt of a good shawl and even stationed an officer in Kashmir to purchase the best shawl from the market. While in Kashmir , Akbar also realized that Kashmir is an agricultural country and almost entire population depends on it. Besides taking measures to increase the production of the soil, he strengthened revenue system and introduced new methods of taxation. He abolished certain hated systems like “Beggar” and put a stop on the payment of taxes or fines for performing certain rituals by non-muslims. To ensure security of the pleasant and abundance of crops to the state, “Akbar sent officers from Delhi for making assessment of the land revenue and fix the state share on the lines, Todar Mal had fixed in other parts of the empire.Sheikh Faizi, Kanwar man Singh and others fixed the state revenue at 22 lakh kharwas per annum but this assessment was shortlived as it was not based on actual facts.Mirza Yousuf Khan the Governor of Kashmir, in league with some officers, did not provide the team full information about the land. The revenue realized was much higher than assessed by Shiekh Faizi and his colleagues. The fraud was exposed by Tota Ram who presented himself before the Emperor.

Thereupon, Akbar sent Qazi Nur Ullah and Qazi Ali to investigate into the matter and suggest remedical measures. Finding the complaint of Tota Ram correct, Qazi Ali immediately confiscated all the lands granted in Jangir by the previous rulers as well as by the Mughal Subedars. He divided the Subha into 41 parganas and fixed the number of local militia to be maintained in each pargana. Pay and other emouluments of the soldiers were fixed and in future they were paid in cash.State share of the produce was raised from one third of the produce to the one half and the total revenue was fixed at 30,63,050 kharwas. But officials class as also the soldiery did not like the new assessment made by Qazi Ali and conspired to raise a banner of revolt against the emperor. Mirza yadgar was elected as leader and khutba was recited in his name.

On hearing the episode, Akbar decided to go to the valley in erson.A strong army was sent well in advance. They met the rebellious forces near Bimber and inflicteda crushing defeat on Mirza Yadgar’s forces. He was captured and beheaded by imperial troops.

The emperor entered the valley of Kashmir on 7^th of October. 1592 A.D. and remained here for about three weaks. During his stay, he enjoyed saffron blossoms at Pampore and also celebrated Diwali with pomp and show. Roofs, Tops and boats on the bank of Dal-lake were decorated with lamps. The occasion became more eventful and the festivities colorful when,in fasion with medieval society, Akbar admitted the daughter of Shams-ud-Din Chak to the imperial harem. His son Salim followed the foot steps of his father and without losing any time, married the daughters of Mubarak Khan and Hussain Chak. The king’s example was followed by his subjects and several other similar inter-marraiges were solemnized. The marriage of Akbar with Chak princes appears to have been attempt to win over the most formidable opponents but the later events show that the Chaks and some influential nobles, inspite of having matrimonial relations with the king did not reconcile to Akbar’s overlordship.Shams Chak and Hussain Chak were beheaded by Mughal forces when they showed some signs of unrest and rebellion and tried to organize an armed resistance against Mughals. As already mentioned, the constant fighting between Mughals and Kashmiris had shattered the economy of the state and people were reduced to miserable poverty.During his second visit, he took some measures to provide employment to the masses and also distributed money the poor. He issued orders for construction of a bastioned stone wall around the slope of Hari Parbat hillock. A palace and a small city was also constructed inside the fortification. There is, however, difference of opinion among the scholars about the date and the purpose underlying the construction of this wall but the fact remains that the constructed of the wall provided employment to a large section of the population, both males and females.Taxes like ‘baj’ and ‘tamgha’ were remitted and rules to collect land revenues were made easy and liberal.

Again in 1597 A.D., Akbar along with the two Europeans, Father Gerome Xavier and Bonoist de Gois, visited the valley and spend full summer here. This year Kashmir was caught in the grip of the severe famine which caused scarcity of food grains to such an excent that the Emperor, in order to minimize the suffering of the people, had to order for transportation of grain from Sialkot and other neighbouring states. A large number of free kitchens were opened at various places. Disastrous floods and outbreak of epidemics in the following years caused great concern to the Emperor.In 1605 A.D., Akbar died and was succeeded by his son Jahangir.