KASHMIR AND KASHMIRIS IN " TAWAREEKH UL HIND" BY AL BIRUNI

                                 A view of koker-naag Garden of kashmir    .                             

KASHMIR AND KASHMIRIS  IN " TAWAREEKH  UL HIND" BY AL BIRUNI

Al-Biruni (973_1049 AD )  celebrated  Mathematician and astronomer came to India   along with the Invading forces of sultan  Mahmud of Ghazni  In 11^th Century AD.  He was an erudite scholar with interest in Religion , Culture and  Astrology  . His enquiry into  India Popularly known Tawareekh  Ul Hind   in Arabic is erudite and a classic of its kind  or a historic chronicle.

Al Biruni   was a Shiite  of Iranian origin and  a master of many languages including sanskrit, Turkish and Hebrew. Before his country Khwarizm was invaded by sultan Mahmud of Ghazni , Al-Biruni was close to many kings and kingdoms including Sahi Hindu kings of Gandhara. Tawareekh  ul Hind was written around 1030 AD during the reign of sultan Mahmud of Ghazni  and  has exhaustive notes on Mimasa ,Vedas, Upnishads,Puranas, Manusmriti, Tantras,Samhita, Astrology Astronomy and Indian Mathematics. Al-Biruni gives details of almost all the rivers OF INDIA including Chenab and Jhelum. He is very clear not only about the existence of river Sarswati but also about its path which he describes clearly.

One is amazed by the range of Al-Biruni's interests. He not only writes about religious and cultural aspects of India, he also writes about food ,dresses, games,law suits, weights and measures, pastimes, climates, superstitions  etc.Yes he is silent about politics. Perhaps that was not his interest in India. Some historians have called Al-Biruni as a person of Agnostic beliefs while the majority calls him a muslim by conviction with a deep rooted quest for universal knowledge. The literal translation of his name Al-Biruni is THE OUTSIDER.

Al-Biruni makes mention of writing a Sanskrit book for his  friend and scholar Sayavabala (A brahmin from kashmir page 268 ). From study of his book  ,Al Biruni seems to be fascinated by Kashmir and the scholarship of its residents . He goes on to write :-

“ Long before our time Vasukra the famous kashmiri Scholar took upon himself the task of explaining and committing to writing the VEDAS "

" varanasi and kashmir are the high schools of Hindu Science. Sidhamatrika originated from kashmir and the people of  kashmir use it. The most generally known alphabet of Hindus is called Siddhamatrika.Like greeks hindus write from left to right."

" In inner Kashmir , about three days journey from the capital towards the mountain of Bolor ,the idol of Sharda is much venerated and frequented by Pilgrims."

"In the mountain of Harmakata ( Harmukh ) the snow never melts nor disappears . Behind these mountains is the country of Machacin or China ”

“The inhabitants of Kashmir are pedestrians . They have no riding animals . The noble among them ride palankis called HATT which is carried on the shoulders of men. They are particular about natural strength of their country and therefore always keep a strong hold on the entrances and roads leading into it. They do not allow any Hindu whom they do not know personally to enter their country , much less other people " 

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" There is a book by Utpala a kashmiri scholar called Rahunarkarna  and another book called karanapata dealing with Astronomy " 

"The city of kashmir covers a space of four FARSAKH being built along both banks of river Jailam which are connected with each other by Bridges and ferry boats .”

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