There have been Sufis at all periods of history. In Kashmir they were designated as Rishis and the Valley was called the Rishi-Veir or the garden of Rishis. They were free from limitation of caste, creed, color or race. For them, the source of all religions is one and the same. However, envy, prejudice and antagonism between people have lead to the creation of dissensions. Basically, the basis of all religions is search of the truth. Those who seek the truth forget differences and try to reach the essence.
Islam was introduced in the Valley of Kashmir by a Buddhist King Gayalbo Rinchana (1320-1323), the last Buddhist ruler of Kashmir. He is credited to have brought peace to the country after the Mongal invasion. Jonaraja the contemporary historian is in praise for him for administration of justice to the people, irrespective of caste, creed or status. It is stated that Devaswami, Chief of the Brahmanas, refused to admit Gayalbo Rinchana, into the Shiva fold, for the king had been born as a Buddhist. He rejected the plea of the king to be granted the high status in the Hindu Caste system. |
