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[Pawan Durani]

The following brief is based on the recorded findings of Historians
including Muslim chroniclers and foreign non-Hindu travelers).

*TAPER TEMPLES*
Sikandar the iconoclast desecrated and destroyed this temple which was built
by Queen of Partapaditya II who reigned in Kashmir from 634 to 648 A.D.
Zain-Ul-Abdin (1420-70) A.D. used stones and idols in the construction of
Bund from the Naidkhal to Sopore.

*SHANKARACHARYA MANDIR (SRINAGAR)*
Noor Jehan, Queen of Jahangir, built the grand Mosque known as Pather Masjid
(Srinagar) with the sculptured beautiful stones which formed steps of the
mandir right from River Jhelum to the top of the hill.

*NARPARISTHAN MANDIR (SRINAGAR)*
Built by Likhana-Naraindraditya who reigned Kashmir from 178 to 191 A.D. has
been turned into a Muslim ziarat called Narparisthan.

*KALI MANDIR (SRINAGAR)*
Qutab-Ud-din usurped it (1373-89) A.D. to be converted into a mosque in
memory of Mir Syed Ali of Hamdan of Persia who had come to the Valley to
establish Islam. Hindu King Pravarsena ll. had dedicated the Kali-Shrine to
the Goddess Kali (79-139 A.D.).

*MAHASHRI MANDIR (SRINAGAR)*
It was turned into a graveyard, Wife of Sikander was buried in its interior.

*SKANDA BHAWAN (SRINAGAR Downtown)*
Its sacred springs and massive temple construction desecrated and spoilt, it
was christened as Ziarat of Pir Mohd. Basur.

*TRIBHAWANA-SVAMIN (SRINAGAR Downtown)*
This temple built by Chadrapida (684 to 693 A.D.) was laid to ruins and its
vast vicinity used as graveyard.

*KSHANA-GANVISHVARA*
Built in (950-58 A.D.) was desecrated. Its sculptured stones removed. DIDDA-
MATHA (Srinagar downtown) Temple converted into Tomb of Malik Sahib.

*VIKRAMISHVERA (VICHARNAG)*
Built (521-63 A.D.) It was destroyed by Sikander. Material utilized to built
a mosque nearby.

*AMRITA BHAWANA*
Constructed by Queen Magavahana (22 B.C -13 A.D.) There are other ruins of
Hindu temples in its vicinity which have been converted into Ziarats and
burial grounds and nothing is known about their antiquity.

*RANESHVARA (SHALIMAR GARDEN)*
Built by King Ramadatiya (414-74 A.D)

On the North Eastern corner of the Dal Lake, Pravarsena II, the founder of
Srinagar had built a Villa for a Hindu saint named Sukarna Swami. Bernier,
who visited Kashmir with Aurangzeb, gives an interesting account of the
garden in his travels and says that the doors and pillars made of stone were
used in the garden during Mughal era had come from some of the idol temples
demolished by Shah Jehan and that it was impossible to estimate their value.

*MARTAND*
Built by King Ramadeva (2936-3005 B.C) with large ornamented and beautifully
carved stones erecting it to the height of 50 yards. Regarding this British
Researcher Sir Walter Lawrence has remarked thus:

While the old Hindu buildings defy time and weather, the Musalman shrines
and mosques crumbled away. Other foreign travelers have recorded that Hindu
temples were built to endure for all time. Their solidity of construction
and their gigantic size strike one with wonder that puny man could have
built them. They often gazed upon them with amazement and lamented bigoted
Muslim fanatics who laid them to ruins with tremendous efforts.

*TEMPLE OF BUZMA*
It was usurped and converted into the Ziarat of Baba Bamdin. Another temple
close by was turned into the tomb of Rukh Din, disciple of Muslim Priest
Bamdin.

*SHRINES AROUND DAL LAKE*
The slopes of the mountains overlooking the Dal lake have adorned many
ancient shrines mercilessly destroyed by bigoted Muslim fanatics.

*SHARDA UNIVERSITY & ACADEMY OF LEARNING (VIJAISHORI, now BIJBEHARA)*
Sir Walter Lawrence records in his ''Vale of Kashmir'' that all books of
Hindu learning which bigoted Muslims could lay their hands on were sunk in
the Dal lake and Sikander flattered himself that he had extirpated Hinduism
from the Valley. Alberuni an Arab scholar recording his visit to Kashmir has
stated that in all their grandeur the Hindus of Kashmir never slackened in
their ardent desire of doing that which was good and right. He also records
they were men of noble sentiments and noble bearing. Books of science,
astronomy, space travel, medicine and the like were destroyed - The labor of
countless ages and countless researchers.

We quote here under from world famous work of *Mr. M. A. Stein:*
*Rajtarangini - Kalhana (Volume II)*
Moti Lal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
Delhi, Reprint 1989

*HILL OF SARIKA*
Eastern slopes of the latter are now occupied by extensive buildings
connected with famous ziarats of Maqaddam Sahib and Akhun Mullah Shah. It is
probable that Mohammadan shrines have taken here place of Hindu religious
buildings, just as at so many old sites of Kashmir.

Close to the foot of the southern extremity of the hill is a rock which has
from ancient times received worship as an embodiment of Ganesa under the
name of BHIMASVAMIN...... In fact, if we are to believe Jonaraja, the rock
image has changed its position yet a second time. This chronicler relates
that BHIMASVAMIN from disgust at the iconoclasm of Sikander Butshikan had
finally turned his back on city.
Page 446, para 95

*TEMPLE OF SIVA PRAVARESVAPA*
A short distance to the S. E. to the BHIMASVAMIN rock and outside Akbar's
fortress, lies Ziarat of Baha-ud-din Sahib, built undoubtedly with the
materials of an ancient temple. The cemetery which surrounds it contains
also many ancient remains in its tombs and walls. At the S.W. corner of this
cemetery rises a ruined gateway, built of stone blocks of remarkable size,
and still of considerable height. This structure is traditionally believed
by the Srinagar Pandits to have belonged to the Temple of SIVA PRAVARESVARA
which Kalahana mentions as the first Shrine erected by PRAVARESVARA in his
new capital.

...... Blocks majoring up to sixteen feet in length, with a width and
thickness equally imposing, were no convenient materials for the builders of
Muhammadan Ziarats, hammams etc. who have otherwise done so much to efface
the remains of ancient structures in Srinagar. The position of the ruins is
very central and might have well been chosen by the founder of Pravarapura
for prominent shrine in his new city.

*POSITION OF RAMASVAMIN TEMPLE*
Not far from Baha-ud-din Sahib's Ziarat, to the S.W. stands Jami Masjid, the
greatest Mosque of Srinagar. Around it numerous ancient remains attest the
former exist- ence of Hindu Temples. Proceeding still further to S.W, in the
midst of a thickly built city-quarter, we reach an ancient shrine which has
remained in a comparatively fair state of preservation probably owing to its
conversion into a ziarat. It is now supposed to mark the resting - place of
the saint styled Pir Haji Mohammed. It consists of an octagonal cellar of
which high basement and the side walls are sill- preserved. The quadrangular
court in which it stands is enclosed by ancient walls and approached by or
ornamented gateways. The position of this shrine has suggested me its
possible identity with the ancient temple of VISNU RANASVAMIN which Kalhana
mentions as founded by Ranaditya.This temple must have enjoyed considerable
celebrity up to a comparatively late period. Mankha refers to it an object
of his father's devotion, and Jonaraja in his comments on the passage speaks
of VISNU RANASVAMIN as one of the chief shrines of Pravarapura. The evidence
on which the suggested identification is based has been fully indicated in
note iii.453.
Page 447, para 96

*SKANDABHAVANA*
The site of vihara has been traced by me in the close vicinity of Ziarat Pir
Muhammad Basur. Certain ancient remains there were locally known and
worshipped till the middle of the present century as a tirth sacred to
Skanda. Near the SKANDABHAVANVIHARA there stood once the temple of
Sivaparavaguptesvara referred to by Kalhana as a foundation of King
Paravagupta. Page 448, Para 97

*SAMUDRAMATHA*
A little higher up, if we can trust local tradition, stood the ancient
temple of VARDHAMANESA mentioned already in King SAMDHIMAT'S reign. The site
so designated by the purohits of the adjoining mohalla is close to the
Malyar ghat. I have referred already in a previous note to the curious
manner in which an ancient linga supposed to be that of VARDHAMANESA was
recovered a few years ago from a neighbouring mosque and a Mahatmaya
composed for the newly established shrine.
Page 450 Para 99

*JUSKAPURA*
A tradition recorded already by General Cunninghum identifies this place
(Zukur) with ancient JUSKAPURA. Kalhana names the place as a foundation of
Turuska (i.e Kusana ) King Juska who also built Vihara there. The Muhammadan
shrines and tombs of the village contain considerable remains of the ancient
buildings. Page 456, Para 104

*AMARESVARA*
On the shore of the Anchar lies the large village of Amburher. It took its
name from a temple of Siva Amaresvara which Suryamati, Ananta's queen,
endowed with Agraharas and a matha.The ancient slabs and sculptured
fragments which I found in 1895 in and around the ziarat of Farrukhzad
Sahib, may possibly have belonged to this temple.
Page 456,457 Para 104

*VICHARNAG*
It is held be a manifestation of Ailapattra Nag who is mentioned also in
Nilamata. An earlier designation seems to be MUKAMULAKANAGA which is given
to the locality by Srivara and in the Tirthasamgraha. To the west of village
and near an inlet of Anchar are the ruins of three ancient temples now
converted into ziarats and tombs.

*TIRTHA OF SODARA*
Close to the mosque of Sodarbal and by the lake shore are two pools fed by
perennial springs. These according to local tradition, were in old times
visited by numerous piligrims. Now all recollection of this tirtha has been
lost among the Brahmins of Srinagar. But a name of the portion of the
village area, Battapor, points to a former settlement of Battas or Purohits.
It is curious too that we find only half a mile from the village the ziarat
of Hazatbal, perhaps the most popular of all muhammadan shrines in the
valley. It is supposed to be built over the remains of the miracle-working
Pir Dastagir Sahib. Is it possible that the presence of the rather
ubiquitous saint at this particular spot had something to do with the
earlier Hindu Tirtha?
Page 457, Para 104

*PADMAPURA*
The chief place of Vihi Pargana is now the town of Pampar, the ancient
Padmapura, about 4 miles south west of Khunmoh. It was founded in the
beginning of 9th century by Padma, the powerful uncle of puppet King
Cippata/Jayapida. Padma is said by the chronicle to have also built a temple
of Visnu-Padmasvamin. To this may possibly have belonged the scanty remains
of an ancient temple which have been described by General Cunningham. Close
by is the Ziarat of Mir Muhammad Hamadani with some fine ancient columns and
ornamented slabs which are likely to have been taken from the temple. Also
other Ziarats of the town show similar remains.

*SANARA*
Only a mile to the south east of Khruv is the village of Sar, until recently
the seat of flourishing iron-industry, Kalhana mentions it by the name of
Sanara as an Agrahara founded by King Sacinara------. The Ziarat of Khwaja
Khizar which stands here near small springs is built with the remains of the
Hindu Temple. Page 459, Para 105

About two miles south-west of Sar are found the well preserved ruins of a
temple near the village Ladu (not marked on survey map). They have been
described by Bishop Cowie, but I am unable to trace any old reference to
this shrine in the texts I have examined. It is remarkable for having a
circular cellar, the only one known to me in Kashmir. A small square cellar
to the east of this temple has been annexed to a neighbouring Ziarat.
Page 459-60, Para 105

*CAKRADHARA*
It was once the site of one of the oldest and most famous shrines of the
volley, the temple of Visnu Cakradhara.... The plateau is still as TSAKDAR
UDAR.... The shrine of Cakaradhara is often mentioned as Tirtha of great
sanctity. The temple seems to have been subsequently restored, and Jonaraja
mentions the statue of CAKRADHARA among those chief divine images which
Sikandar Butshikan destroyed.
Page 461-62, Para 107

*TEMPLE OF SIVA VIJAYESVARA*
The old Linga of Siva Vijayesvara seems to have been destroyed by Sikander
Butshikast.
Page 464, Para 109

*DISTRICT OF VAMAPARSVA*
It forms the modern Pargana of Khovurpor. An old site is undoubtedly the
large village of Hutmar. Its modern name seems to identify it with the
SAKTAMATA which Ksemendra names as one of the stations in peregrinations of
his heroin Kankali. The chief mosque of the place is built with the remains
of a Hindu temple and preserves in its walls some sculptured fragments of
remarkable beauty.

*SHRINE OF BHIMAKESAVA*
About a mile below Hutmar and on the bank of a branch of Lider lies the
hamlet of Bumzu which contains an ancient structure of considerable
historical interest. The Ziarat of Baba Bamdin Sahib is nothing but a well
preserved resting place of a Muhammadan saint.
Page 465, Para 110

*TEMPLE OF MARTANDA*
The ancient remains at the sacred spring itself are very scanty. All the
more imposing are the ruins of the great temple which King Lalitaditya
erected at a short distance of the presiding deity of the tirtha. The
destruction of the sacred image is ascribed to Sikander Butshikast.
Page 166, Para 111

*SAMANGASA*
About four miles to the north east of Kother and on a branch of Arpath river
lies the populous village of Sangas, the ancient Samagasa......... some old
carved slabs built into the chief Ziarat of the place attest its antiquity.
Page 467,468, Para 112

*DISTRICT OF KARALA*
In the lower portion of the district and on the left bank of Visoka, we have
the ancient Katimuso, the present village of Kaimuh. The place Is mentloned
by Kalhana as Agrahara, founded by Tunjina I, and contains some old remains
built into its chief Ziarat.
Page 471, Para 116

*PARIHASAPURA*
It has received its name from the ancient Parihasapura which King
Lilitaditya had built as his captal. The identity of the names Parspor and
Parihasapura is evident on phonetic grounds, and was well known to the
authors of the Persian abstracts of Rajatarangini. Yet curiously enough the
site of Parihasapura had remained unidentified until I visited the spot in
1892 and traced the ruins of Lalitaditya's great structures as described by
Kalhana on the Plateau known as Paraspor Udar.

The full destruction of the temples is attributed by Abu-l-fazal and the
Muhammadan chroniclers to Sikandar Butshikast.
Page 477 and 478, Para 121

*VARAHAMULA*
Varahamula, situated on the right river bank, has left its name to the
present town of Varahmul, usually called Baramulla by Punjabis and other
foreigners. The ancient temple of Varaha which seems to have been one of the
most famous shrines of Kashmir, is repeatedly mentioned by Kalhana.
According to the tradition of the local Purohits it stood near the site of
the present Kotithirtha, at the western extemity of the town and close to
the river bank. Some ancient Lingas and sculptures found at Kotitirtha may
have originally belonged to the temple. The destruction of its sacred image
is noted by Jonaraja in the reign of Sikandar Butshikast.
Page 482-483, Para 124

After India achieved freedom and Kashmir acceded to Union of India, temple
desecration was resumed. Temple lands, cremation grounds etc. of Hindus were
usurped for expansion of Islam. The famous Bhairavnath Temple of Chattabal,
Srinagar was got locked through police. The judicial case pending in court
concerning this temple was never allowed to be decided. Precious lands
around Hari Parbat hill, Durganag Temple of Srinagar and lands at several
Hindu placcs of worship in the valley were slowly and steadily turned into
lands under occupation of Muslim trusts (Maqboozai-Ahali-Islam). In 1967
Shivala Temple, Chotta Bazar, Srinagar was desecrated. Again in 1984 Shri
Hanuman Temple at Hari Singh High Street was damaged and in the same year
Arya Samaj Temple of Wazir Bagh, Srinagar was burnt. From 1986 the law and
order situation in the valley deteriorated day by day and temple desecration
became order of the day.

On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 7:17 PM, Shivam Vij शिवम् विज् <mail at shivamvij.com>wrote:

> Rage in Kashmir meets India's brute force
>
> http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-35279820080902
>
> By Alistair Scrutton
>
> SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - The world's largest democracy locks up
> protest leaders without charge, shoots dozens of demonstrators dead,
> beats and intimidates ordinary citizens and raids homes without
> warrants.
>
> Welcome to Indian Kashmir, where the biggest separatist protests in
> two decades have clashed with the might of the state.
>
> "They are ruthless, trigger happy," said Ghulam Rasool Bhat, a
> labourer who says he was beaten by federal police after he tried to
> buy milk for his two nephews under a curfew in Srinagar, the summer
> capital of Indian Kashmir.
>
> He lay in a bed, both legs bandaged where a soldier, shouting "Get
> your milk from Pakistan" had smashed a rifle into his shins. His legs
> felt, he said, as if in a continuous cramp.
>
> Police have shot dead at least 35 Muslim protesters in the
> Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley after a row over land for a Hindu
> shrine spiralled into marches and strikes against Indian rule.
>
> More than 1,000 people have been wounded in clashes over three weeks,
> hospital officials and police say, with the Kashmir Valley often under
> curfew. Hundreds of people have suffered police baton beatings and
> bullet wounds, doctors say.
>
> The Indian government says its security forces have been fired upon by
> protesters on several occasions, and said authorities had "acted
> within the law and with restraint".
>
> Witnesses said some protesters had thrown stones at police, but said
> that most were marching peacefully. India's hardline response to the
> protests has highlighted what critics say is its lack of strategy to
> find a solution to a problem that has already sparked two wars between
> India and Pakistan, who both claim the region in full but rule it in
> parts.
>
> The crackdown may also be counter-productive. Residents say the deaths
> and violent crackdown have fuelled anger against India and boosted the
> separatist cause after years of relative peace.
>
> "The government of India does not have a strategy," said Siddharth
> Varadarajan, diplomatic editor of The Hindu newspaper.
>
> "It is relying heavily on coercion, arresting top and middle-level
> leaders in the hope it will break the back of unprecedented protests."
>
> In rare criticism last week, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
> called on India to avoid using excessive force. It drew a rebuke from
> India for interfering in its affairs.
>
> SIMMERING RESENTMENT
>
> For decades there has been simmering resentment at the hundreds of
> thousands of Indian troops stationed in Kashmir, making it one of the
> most militarised regions on earth.
>
> Roadblocks, verbal abuse from soldiers and raids on homes have long
> been a part of daily life. But as protests spiralled in August, the
> government sent in battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force
> (CRPF), a federal police force of mainly Hindus who do not speak
> Kashmiri. Strangers to Kashmir, most residents appear to despise them.
>
> In interviews in Srinagar and nearby villages, tales were similar:
> CRPF beatings, night raids on homes, verbal abuse and smashed windows.
> Life has been worse than in previous years.
>
> "They are not human," said Raja, a villager from Newtheed less than an
> hour's drive from the city. She said soldiers smashed up her home,
> shouting "We'll show you what freedom is".
>
> In Srinagar, the CRPF has taken over from the local Kashmiri police to
> enforce curfews and riot control. Residents complain of abuse at the
> slightest provocation -- selling bread, buying milk.
>
> One surgeon, who asked to remain anonymous because of fear of
> retribution from Indian authorities, said he has received around 400
> wounded people in three weeks, 150 of them hit by bullets.
>
> "These are target killings. It's simple to see," said the doctor,
> explaining that many of the chest wounds were from weapons such as
> AK-47s. "Most of these were intended to kill. They were not to
> disperse a crowd."
>
> Shabir Ahmed Dar, 22, lay in one hospital bed after three operations.
> He was shot in the abdomen during a protest march to the Pakistani
> Kashmir border.
>
> "There was no warning from the police. They just fired."
>
> The police firings drew criticism from Human Rights Watch. "To end
> this cycle of tragedy, the government should order security forces to
> act with restraint," it said in a statement.
>
> It is not just a hardline response to street protests. Authorities
> have detained several separatist leaders without charge. Other
> leaders, many committed to democratic change and who publicly reject
> militant violence, were in hiding.
>
> Asiya Andrabi, chief of Kashmir's women's separatist group
> Dukhtaran-e-Milat (Daughters of the Muslim Faith) who had led some of
> the protests, has been detained under the Public Safety Act that
> allows for a year in jail without trial.
>
> The violence still pales in comparison with previous years when
> officials say more than 43,000 people have been killed in clashes
> involving Indian troops and Muslim militants since 1989. Human rights
> groups put the toll at about 60,000 dead or missing.
>
> Some analysts say authorities were in a difficult situation.
>
> "This is a place where security officials are getting attacked every
> second day," said Brahma Chellaney, professor of strategic studies at
> the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research, referring to the years
> of militant insurgency.
>
> For Shameema, a 35-year-old woman who sells bread, the fear of police
> was clear. She talked about how police smashed her and her family with
> batons for selling bread under curfew. Her husband displayed a wound
> to his head.
>
> She fell silent for a moment as a federal policeman official walked up
> to her shop, ominously tapping his baton. Then, realising he could not
> speak Kashmiri, she talked again.
>
> "I am scared," she said "But we have nowhere to go."
>
> (Additional reporting by Sheikh Mushtaq; Editing by Simon Denyer and
> Megan Goldin)
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