History of Baramulla (Varahamula) in Kashmir ⛰️

 Baramulla (Varahamula) in Kashmir ⛰️

The city was earlier known as #Varahamula which is #Sanskrit for "boar's molar".

Origin:

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The name Baramulla is derived from the Sanskrit Varahamula (#वराहमूल), a combination of varaha (boar) and mul (root or deep) meaning "boar's molar."

According to Vedic teachings, the Kashmir Valley was once a lake known as #Satisaras (Parvati's Lake in Sanskrit). Ancient Vedic texts relate that the lake was occupied by the demon #Jalodbhava (meaning "originated from water") until Sree Vishnu assumed the form of a boar and struck the mountain at Varahamula. This created an opening for the water to flow out of the lake.

The modern Baramulla was called Varahamulaksetra or Varahaksetra in the ancient days. Originally, it was a suburb of Huviskapura (modern Ushkur). Associated with the Adivaraha, the boar incarnation of Visnu, it was considered very sacred. Consequently, many #temples and #monasteries were built in the 9th and 10th centuries, during the region of #Lalitaditya Muktapida, (Queen) Sugandha, and Ksemagupta, when the sect of Sree Visnu flourished there.

History:

Ancient and medieval

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The city of Baramulla was founded by Raja #Bhimsina in 2306 B.C. A number of visitors have traveled to Baramulla, including #Xuanzang from China and a British historian named Moorcraft. Additionally, Mughal emperors were fascinated by Baramulla. Gateway of the Kashmir Valley, Baramulla was a way station during their visits to the valley. In 1508 A.D., Emperor Akbar, who entered the valley via Pakhil, spent several days at Baramulla. According to Tarikh-e-Hassan, the city was decorated during Akbar's stay. Emperor Jahangir stayed at Baramulla during his visit to Kashmir in 1620.

From the beginning, Baramulla has had religious importance. Hindu Teertha and Buddhist Vihars (monasteries) made the city sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. During the 15th century, it became important to Muslims as well. Syed Janbaz Wali, who visited the valley with his companions in 1421, chose Baramulla as the center of his mission and was later buried there. His shrine attracts pilgrims from throughout the valley.

In 1620, the sixth Sikh Guru, Shri Hargobind, visited the city. In Baramulla Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Sikhs lived in harmony and contributed to its culture.

Baramulla was the oldest and most-important town in northern Kashmir and Jammu (princely state) and "Gateway to the Kashmir Valley" (by the Rawalpindi-Murree-Muzaffarabad-Baramulla Road) until 27 October 1947. It was ceded to India when the Maharajah signed the instrument of accession on 26 October 1947. The city is the headquarters of the Baramulla district.

October 1947

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Pashtun tribesmen from the South Waziristan region of Pakistan attacked Kashmir to seize the state. They moved along the Rawalpindi-Murree-Muzaffarabad-Baramulla Road on 22 October 1947. They were assisted by Pakistani soldiers in civilian clothes. Muzaffarabad fell on 24 October 1947, and the soldiers captured Baramulla the following day. They looted, raped, killed, burned and vandalized shrines and temples.

On the morning of 27 October, India airlifted troops from Delhi to the Srinagar airfield while the tribal forces were still at Baramulla, harassing and looting the people.

When Jammu and Kashmir acceded to the “Union of India” in 1947, it did not bring joy to the native Kashmiri Hindus. Instead a new storm of destruction gathered, as hapless victims to a tyrannical order the state governments of all political parties worked out the single-point programme of marginalising them out for ethnic cleansing. The temple lands and cremation grounds approved by relevant documents as properties, faced immediate onslaught and were first held in dispute by resorting to “tampering of records.” In 1978 various SROs issued by the government not only strengthened the Muslim Auqaf Act but also Fated the Muslims to grab the temple lands without check. 

• Not fewer than 70 temples and lands attached with them were cruelly snatched from the possession of the Pandits who proffered their claims supported by relevant revenue records but were arbitrarily dismissed. 

• The temples of historical importance were assaulted and huge portions from them sliced away to be offered to the Muslims as booty in a platter.

• The destruction of Hindu symbols and especially temples did continue in the coming decades and following are some examples of the temples destroyed in Baramulla by Pakistani sponsored terror.

• Shailputri Temple, Baramulla - The temple has been completely burnt. The main idol of the Shailputri riding on an ox was attacked and its arms and legs axed. The whole complex is devastated. The walls surrounding the area have been damaged. The idol of Shailputri in its mutilated form is in the protective custody of B.S.F. personnel. The propaganda launched from various media agencies about the execution of repairs to the devastated temple complex with the aid of locals has been only a lie among many lies told about the secular polity of Kashmir lying in shambles.

• Raja Ram Mountains - These mountains lie between Tangadar and Teetwal. The idol of Ram has been desecrated, broken or looted.

• Khoj Bagh Temple, Baramulla - It was a Shiva Temple and has been burnt.

• Hanjivera Temple, Pattan, Baramulla - The Samadhi of an unknown saint within the temple premises has been demolished.

• Venkara Temple, Baramulla - The temple has been burnt.

• Palhalan Temple Baramulla - It stands burnt to ashes