Ancient During the reign of
Ashoka (304–232 BCE), Kashmir became part of the
Maurya Empire, and
Buddhism was introduced in the region. During this period, many
stupas, several shrines dedicated to
Shiva, and the city of Srinagari (
Srinagar) were built.
Kanishka (127–151 CE), an emperor of the
Kushan Empire, conquered Kashmir and established the new city of Kanishkapur.
Medieval The
Karkota dynasty (625–855 CE) ruled over the
Kashmir and parts of northern
Indian subcontinent and their rule saw political expansion, economic prosperity and emergence of
Kashmir as a centre of culture and scholarship.
Lalitaditya Muktapida (724–760 CE) was a powerful ruler of the
Karkota dynasty of
Kashmir region in the
Indian subcontinent. After the seventh century, significant developments took place in Kashmiri Hinduism. In the centuries that followed, Kashmir produced many poets, philosophers, and artists who contributed to Sanskrit literature and Hindu religion. Among notable scholars of this period was
Vasugupta () who wrote the
Shiva Sutras which laid the foundation for a
monistic Shaiva system called
Kashmir Shaivism. After the dawn of the
Lohara dynasty, Islam had spread into regions surrounding Kashmir. In the absence of support from the Hindu majority, Rinchana sought the support of the Kashmiri Muslims.
Shah Mir's coup on Rinchana's successor secured Muslim rule and the rule of
his dynasty in Kashmir. == Demography ==