Brahmā’s curse

Více o knize

This book explores the often-overlooked social and political conditions of Kashmir, particularly the Islamization of the Valley during the early modern period. Recent research has primarily focused on textual sources, especially in religious and philosophical contexts, neglecting the region's social turmoil, disasters, violence, famines, epidemics, and wars that have shaped its history. This narrow focus has contributed to a romanticized image of Kashmir, perpetuating the myth of an idyllic past in a glorious Hindu era before Islam's arrival. The two chapters aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of premodern life in Kashmir. The first chapter addresses the long-standing stereotype of Kashmir as a "Happy Valley," scrutinizing the perception of the Brahmin class as inherently non-violent and pacifist. The second chapter examines the concept of an "idol" (mūrti) from Hindu, Buddhist, and Abrahamic perspectives, contrasting the views of iconoclasts and their victims. It analyzes historical instances of idol destruction in Kashmir, both pre-Islamic and Islamic, and discusses the rationale behind iconoclasm as debated by Hindu and Muslim factions. The chapter concludes with a look at the methods used to desecrate Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries, rendering them ineffective for future worship. The title reflects a belief among Hindu Kashmiris that their suffering stems from a curse by Brahmā.