WEAVER'S WORLD / SRINAGAR / HISTORY

WEAVER'S WORLD / SRINAGAR / HISTORY

Srinagar is the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies in the Kashmir valley on the banks of the river Jhelum, one of the tributaries of the mighty Indus river. A once extremely vibrant city of gardens, fountains, lakes, Srinagar is well-known for its dried fruits and extremely fine handloom fabrics.

Ancient Srinagar city was named Parvasenpur by the King Pravarasena II some 2000 years back. Noted historian Kalhana has mentioned that the Maurya emperor Ashoka had actually built Srinagari in the 3rd century B.C which was a part of the vast Mauryan empire, one of the largest in the continent. He also introduced Buddhism to the valley, that spread far and wide across the kingdom. Initially the Kushans from Pakistan and Afghanistan in the 1st century A.D. ruled Srinagar. Several other rulers also like Vikramaditya of Ujjain, Hindu Shahis of Kabul etc. ruled at different times in the region.

Srinagar was under Buddhist and Hindu rulers till in the 16th century, Emperor Akbar established Muslim rule in Kashmir. Then years later came the British rule, Independence of India and followed by the accession of states.