Shah Mir–Lohara War

Shah Mir–Lohara War
Date1338–1339
Location
Kashmir Valley
Result Shah Mir victory
Territorial
changes		 Kashmir conquered by Shah Mir dynasty
Belligerents
Kashmir Sultanate
(Shah Mir dynasty)		 Lohara dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Shamsu'd-Din Shah Mir
Jamshid Shah Miri
Alau'd-Din Shah Miri		 Kota Rani
Bhatta Bhikshana

The Shah Mir–Lohara War (Kashmiri: شاہ میر–لوہارا جنگ; Shah meer–Lohara Jang), which took place in 1338–1339, was a military conflict between the Royal forces of the Hindu Lohara dynasty and the rebellious Muslim Shah Mir dynasty led by former courtier Shah Mir.[1] It resulted in the overthrowing of the Loharas and the revival of the Kashmir Sultanate.[2]

Background

With the decline of the Hindu rule, a Buddhist prince from Ladakh, Lhachen Rinchan, entered the service of the Kashmiri commander-in-chief Ramachandra.[3] At the start of 1320, a Mongol invader Zulju, along with his army, invaded Kashmir. King Suhadeva fled the country without putting up a fight, and after a great deal of havoc, Zulju sacked and left the country.[4] Rinchan, after secretly assassinating Ramachandra, won the favour of the majority of the nobles and ascended the throne as Rinchan Shah. He also married Suhadeva's widow, Kota Rani.[5]

Rinchan converted to Islam after the teachings of saint Bulbul Shah and took the title of Sadr'ud-Din Shah.[6] He also appointed a trader from Swat, Shah Mir, his close associate, and a courtier.[7] Rinchan ruled until 1323 when he died after sustaining an injury on his head in a civil war while his son, Haidar, was given in the care of Shah Mir.[8] Lohara rule was initiated again when Suhadeva's brother Udyanadeva was installed on the throne on the orders of Kota Rani. Even though Udayanadeva ruled as a king, the real power was wielded by Kota Rani herself.[9]

War

In 1338, Udayanadeva died, and Kota Rani ascended the throne while appointing Bhatta Bhikshana as her Prime Minister ignoring Shah Mir. She also moved the capital from Srinagar to Andarkot.[1] This angered Shah Mir as he considered himself as the top contender for the post of the Prime Minister and raised a revolt against her.[2] Through a conspiracy, he assassinated Bhatta Bhikshana[10] and threatened the Queen that he'll send his army to Andarkot if she didn't agree to marry him and share power. Kota Rani declined and prepared to face Shah Mir's forces. Shah Mir sent his forces and defeated the Royal army at the outskirts of Andarkot.[1]

The majority of her chiefs and troops deserted her and joined Shah Mir. Kota Rani, seeing no other way to contend with Shah Mir's army, surrendered and agreed to marry him.[11] Although the marriage was formally solemnized, Shah Mir didn't trust Kota Rani, nor did she. Shah Mir threw Kota Rani and her two sons in prison and assumed full powers as Shamsu'd-Din Shah.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Hasan, Mohibbul (2023-09-26). Kashmir Under the Sultans. London: Routledge. p. 44. ISBN 978-1-032-66670-9.
  2. ^ a b Pandit, K. N. (1991-01-01). BAHARISTAN-I-SHAHI A Chronicle of Mediaeval Kashmir (1st ed.). Firma KLM Private Limited. pp. 17a.
  3. ^ Hasan, Mohibbul (2023-09-26). Kashmir Under the Sultans. London: Routledge. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-032-66670-9.
  4. ^ Pandit, K. N. (1991-01-01). BAHARISTAN-I-SHAHI A Chronicle of Mediaeval Kashmir (1st ed.). Firma KLM Private Limited. pp. 11a.
  5. ^ Hasan, Mohibbul (2023-09-26). Kashmir Under the Sultans. London: Routledge. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-032-66670-9.
  6. ^ Hasan, Mohibbul (2023-09-26). Kashmir Under the Sultans. London: Routledge. p. 39. ISBN 978-1-032-66670-9.
  7. ^ Dutt, Jogesh Chunder (2012-01-01). Rajatarangini of Jonaraja. New Delhi: Gyan Publishing House. p. 23. ISBN 978-81-212-0037-0.
  8. ^ Hasan, Mohibbul (2023-09-26). Kashmir Under the Sultans. London: Routledge. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-032-66670-9.
  9. ^ Chādūrah, Ḥaydar Malik (1991). History of Kashmir. Delhi: Bhavna Prakashan. pp. 104a.
  10. ^ Dutt, Jogesh Chunder (2012-01-01). Rajatarangini of Jonaraja. New Delhi: Gyan Publishing House. p. 29. ISBN 978-81-212-0037-0.
  11. ^ Chādūrah, Ḥaydar Malik (1991). History of Kashmir. Delhi: Bhavna Prakashan. pp. 105b.
  12. ^ Hasan, Mohibbul (2023-09-26). Kashmir Under the Sultans. London: Routledge. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-032-66670-9.