Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 17: Sanjeevni Sharda Kendra (SSK) organised a workshop on Kashmir history (Hindu period). The resource person on the occasion was noted scholar of Central Asian Studies, Padamshri Prof K N Pandita.
The programme was presided over by Brig (retd.) Suchet Singh, who heads the State unit of Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS). Prof T N Shalla, president Sanjeevni Sharda Kendra was also in the presidium.
While speaking in the function Brig. Suchet Singh detailed Prof Pandita’s contributions in the field of historical research. Adding further, he said that Prof Pandita is perhaps one among very few historians who has a deep and penetrating insight on the various contours of Islamic Jihad and its roots in Central Asia and Iran.
Avtar Krishen Trakroo, senior trustee of the Kendra, informed that the Kendra will organize such types of seminars on a routine basis so that the new generation is made to understand the glory of the Kashmir when it was a bastion of Hindu culture.
The topic of the workshop was introduced by Pradeep Kaul.
Prof Pandita in his presentation made it amply clear, that Kashmir was all along a part of India in its cultural and political dimension. While making a special reference to King Matrigupta who was a courtier in the court of Chandergupta Vikramamditya, he said Kashmir represents us brilliant examples where people gave preference to learning than to dynasty while electing their kings. Prof K N Pandita traced the cultural links of Kashmir to the period of Mahabharata and made a special reference to Yashomati the first queen of Kashmir. Adding further he said that Kashmir reached the glory of power in the days of Lalityaditya who was the first King to raise alarm against the march of advancing Arab onslaught in early 8th century and in whose rule the borders of Kashmir touched the frontiers of China and Iran.
Paying glowing tributes to Pandit Kalhana, Prof Pandita said that the research methodology, adopted by him, while writing his famous history of Kashmir is not only scientific but also impartial. He emphasized the need to understand Kashmir in its real perspective which can prove to be a potent weapon in exposing the false propaganda carried on by proponents of falsehood and jihad in Kashmir. Noted writer Dr M K Bharat conducted the proceedings.