Prof. Suresh Chander
It may be worth to recall observations of Baron Charles Hugel in his book Kashmir and the Punjab, written in 1830s about composite culture of Kashmir. His observations in those days speak volumes of his genius.
Charles Hugel traveled extensively in India particularly Punjab and the state of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He also had the honour of holding famous Koh-i-Noor in his hand at the insistence of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The original text is in German. Hugel, a doctor, was from Austria.
“It is often a problem of great difficulty to solve, in what the peculiarities of nations consist and whence they arise; whether from the religious or civil laws in force among them. It may be either of these; for we know that laws do operate powerfully on the daily current of events, and that the very system of religion will exercise a mighty influence over the minds of nations whose manners and habits of thinking are widely different.
It cannot admit of a question that the changes of Government which have taken place in Kashmir must have materially affected many original characteristics of the people. Subjugated in succession by Mohammedans from Central Asia, who subverted their ancient and patriarchal institutions and Government; by the Emperors of Delhi, who brought among them, in their search after new pleasures, a voluptuous and luxurious court abandoned to pomp and prodigality; by the fierce Afghans; and finally, by the Sikhs, who now dwell in those long-deserted imperial halls, what can remain of originality to these inhabitants of the Valley, after so many changes of rulers, each in turn eager to destroy the works of his predecessor? It is, however, important to notice, that Hindúism, once obeyed, is hardly ever to be eradicated from the minds of its followers, even though they may be compelled to exchange their faith for another; nay, even though their conversion may seem purely voluntary and unconnected with political events.* (Emphasis added)
It needs no argument to prove that the civilization of a people depends on a thousand contingencies of place and time, on the mingled influences of external and internal circumstances favourable to its development.
Hence the statesman and legislator will exercise little power over institutions and customs unless he has well weighed the causes which have produced what he desires to change or modify; nor will his laws ever endure to after times unless they are framed so as to harmonize with the present state of feeling among those for whose government they are intended.”**
It may interest the readers about his journey to Kashmir valley. In his own words “… This finally determined me to take the direction of the lowest range of the Himálaya, and to travel by way of Bilaspoor, Jwalá Mukhi, and Narpoor; from thence, according to circumstances, to move forward to Kashmir either by Kishtwar or the Pir Panjal, preferring this route to the plain country of the Panjáb and Bimber.
My preparations were all made; but, although I had consulted my comforts as much as possible, I had made up my mind to relinquish anything which might in the slightest way impede my onward progress, and expected to be compelled to abandon my large tents, and even to leave my ponies to await my return from Kashmir, at the foot of the mountains, making my Jampan render me good service. The Jampan is a solid sedan-chair, supported between two thick bamboo poles, and borne by four men, twelve being the complement of bearers usually taken on a journey. It is the customary conveyance on a mountain excursion; butt, to my own mind, I relied more on my own two legs than on the twenty-four legs of my bearers.”
*In present times, this is what is being destroyed. The exodus of Kashmiri Pandit in 1990 was an attempt to eradicate that composite culture from Kashmir that remained in tact during various ups and downs over centuries.
* Present opinion makers, and the powers that be may take a note of it.
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