The Shah Mir Dynasty is considered the first Muslim dynasty that witnessed the arrival of some influential personalities that helped to spread Islam as well as produce great kings who changed the society from social, economic, political to moral domains. Sikandar Shah (Sikandar Butshikan) was the sixth sultan of Kashmir's Shah Mir dynasty, reigning from 1389 to 1413. In this article, we will discuss Sikander Shah (1389-1413 CE) of Shah Mir Dynasty which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Sikander Shah - Background

• Sikandar was Shah Mir's great-grandson; he was the eldest child of Qutubu'd-Din and Queen Sura (var. Subhata) and was born around 1380.
• Because he was a minor when his father died in 1389, his mother had to act as regent for a time.
• Sura agreed to Prime Minister Rai Magre (var. Uddaka), her cousin, burning his own daughter and son-in-law Muhammad, son of fellow minister Sahaka, on charges of plotting against Sikandar.
• Magre then poisoned Haybat, Sikandar's younger brother and Sahaka. Sensing a possible usurpation, Sikandar chose to assert himself as ruler.

Sikander Shah - Religious Intolerant

• All other sultans between 1354 to 1470 were tolerant of other religions, but Sultan Sikander Shah was an exception who was more of an iconoclast.
• He imposed taxes on non-muslims, forced conversion to Islam, and earned the title But-Shikan for destroying idols.
• The state encouragement to Islam took an extreme turn during his reign as he issued an order that all Hindus, specially the brahmins living in his Kingdom should embrace Islam or leave his Kingdom.
• It is perceived that these orders were issued at the instance of his minister, Suha Bhatt, who was earlier a Hindu but had to convert to Islam and was bent on harassing his former co-religionists.

Sikander Shah - Cruelty against Hindus

• Sikandar's main concern with Hindus was convincing them to convert to Islam. He used various cruel methods to convert Hindus to Islam.
• Because of the destruction he caused to Hindu temples and Idols of Hindu gods, Sikandar earned the moniker Butshikan (Idol breaker).
• Many Hindus converted to Islam as a result of his cruel actions and torture, and many others fled or were killed by him.
• He prohibited Hindu and Bhuddhist aesthetic activities such as dance, drama, music, and iconography.
• He forbade Hindus from applying Tilak to their brows. Blowing a conch shell was illegal, and those who did so faced harsh punishment.
• It was also a crime to ring a bell. Hindus and Buddhists had to pay a 4 tola silver tax to cremate their dead bodies.
• The cruelties increased after the arrival of Sufi Mir Mohammad. Sultan Sikandar carried out Mir Mohammad's orders to establish Islam and eliminate Hinduism in Kashmir.
• Sikandar built a city called Sikandarapora on the ruins of Hindu temples. He demolished Praversena and Tarapida's Maha-Shri temples.

Destruction of idols

Sikander Shah - Military Campaign

• Sikandar did not annex any new territory, with the exception of a successful invasion of Ladakh led by Rai Magre.
• Magre instigated a rebellion and assassinated Shobha's brother (Khunjyaraja) before turning against Sikandar with his loyal proteges shortly after this victory.
• The rebellion was successfully suppressed with the assistance of Laddaraja's men, and Magre was imprisoned, from which he committed suicide.
• Palas, a Persian tribe, were also brutally suppressed.
• After Firuz, the Hindu Shahi ruler of Ohind, refused to recognise Sikandar's suzerainty, a successful war was waged against him around 1400.
• Sikandar then married Firuz's daughter Mera while giving one of his daughters to Shobha for marriage to Firuz.
• Another successful campaign was launched against Pala Deo, the Rajah of Jammu, after he refused to pay taxes.
• Jasrath Khokhar was installed as a vassal, and Sikandar entered into another matrimonial alliance with his daughter while giving away another of his daughters to Pala Deo.

Slikander Shah - Art and Architecture

• Sikandar built the Nowhatta neighbourhood, and his royal palace followed soon after.
• He built the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, which is considered the finest example of Indo-Saracenic architecture in Kashmir, as well as two other mosques in Bijbehara and Bavan.
• The latter was two-story and surrounded by a garden; it also served as Sikandar's spring retreat.
• Sikandar also commissioned a new royal and elite burial ground, Mazar-i-Salatin, on the bank of the Jhelum near Zaina Kadal in downtown Srinagar.
• A four-armed Brahma, the first stone sculpture in Kashmir and one of the finest in its history, was sculpted in 1409 by the son of a Buddhist Sanghapati and dedicated to Sikandar.
• Sayiid Ahmad of Isfahan drafted a commentary on a Firazi text as well as epistles; Sayyid Muhammad Khawari wrote a commentary on Lum'at ul-I'tiqaad as well as another work (Khwar Nameh) of unknown genre, and Muhammad Baihaqi composed poems eulogising Sikandar.

Conclusion

In 1413, Sikandar is said to have died of elephantiasis after a long and painful death. After his death, Sikandar's eldest son Mir was anointed as Sultan, taking the name Ali Shah. Mir was succeeded by Shadi Khan, who took the name Zain-ul-Abidin two years later.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate Sikander Shah's impact on Kashmir's religious and cultural landscape.

Answer: Sikander Shah’s rule marked a transformation in Kashmir with increased Islamic influence. Known for his religious zeal, he promoted Islamic principles, impacting Kashmir's cultural and social dynamics. His policies led to an alignment of administrative practices with Islamic norms, fostering a lasting cultural shift. However, his strict enforcement of religious practices also affected traditional practices, leading to a polarized legacy.

Q2: Analyze the administrative changes introduced by Sikander Shah during his rule in Kashmir.

Answer: Sikander Shah introduced reforms to centralize authority and integrate Islamic principles into administration. These changes enhanced governance efficiency, aligning the legal and administrative frameworks with religious doctrines. His approach to governance reflected his commitment to religious principles, influencing future administrative policies in the region.

Q3: Discuss the significance of the Shah Mir Dynasty in the history of Kashmir.

Answer: The Shah Mir Dynasty was pivotal in establishing Islamic rule in Kashmir, shaping its religious and cultural evolution. With rulers like Sikander Shah, the dynasty fostered a period of socio-religious transformation, reinforcing Islamic influence in governance, law, and culture. This era set a foundation for Kashmir's identity, making the Shah Mir Dynasty significant in its history.

Previous Year Questions on  Sikander Shah

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2016

Question: Which dynasty played a key role in the spread of Islam in Kashmir?

Answer: The Shah Mir Dynasty, including rulers like Sikander Shah, was instrumental in establishing Islamic rule in Kashmir. Its influence laid the groundwork for the region's religious transformation, introducing reforms that aligned with Islamic values. This dynasty's role remains crucial in the religious and cultural history of Kashmir, shaping the socio-political fabric of the region for generations.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2015

Question: Examine the role of the Shah Mir Dynasty in shaping Kashmir's history.

Answer: The Shah Mir Dynasty profoundly impacted Kashmir by introducing Islamic governance and cultural norms. Under rulers like Sikander Shah, the dynasty strengthened religious identity and transformed administrative practices to reflect Islamic values. These policies significantly influenced Kashmir's social fabric, fostering a unique Islamic heritage. The dynasty’s contributions laid a lasting foundation for Kashmir’s religious, cultural, and political structures, marking a distinct chapter in the region's historical narrative.