SHAH - I - HAMDAN
On the bank of Rive Jhelum in old Srinagr is the first mosque ever built in the city in 1395. it is the mosque of Shah - e- Hamadan, the saint and scholar , credited with spreading Islam in Kashmir.
Shah - e - Hamadan (Mir Sayed Ali Hamadan) was born in Hamadan , Persia . he came to Kashmir in the 12 th century and stayed in Khanqah - i - Mualla , the monastery dedicated to him . he visited Kashmir several times to teach people about Islam . Such was his spiritual hold on the people that in just a few years, most of the people in the valley embraced to Islam . No wonder he was called Amir- i - Kabir or The Great Leader .
Illness cut short his third and last visit to Kashmir and he returned to Central Asia where he passed away in 1386 . On the way back , he established a mosque at Shey, near Leh in Ladakh which to this day attracts devotees from far and wide.
Shah - e - Hamadan's influence , however , was not limited to religion .he has been one of the principal historical figures who shaped the culture of Kashmir , its arts and economy . The seven hundres followers who accmpanied him were men of arts and crafts who flourished in Kashmir . They popularized shawl making, carpet manufacturing , cloth , weaving , pottery , callighrapy and wood carving .
it was because of its arts and crafts introduced by Shah - e - Hamdan and his followers that Allama Iqbal wrote, had turned Kashmir into mini - Iran .
Indeed , the skills and crafts he brought gave rise to an industy that has not only provided livelihood to the artisans of Kashmir for centuries but earned Kashmir world - wide recognition . he also introduced Central Asian architecture which fused with the kashmiri architecture to give rise to a new style, the most famous example of which is the Khanqah - e- Mualla .
The Khanqah was established by his son Mir Muhammad Hamadani , who followed his father to Kashmir and preached for 15 years . it is a wooden structure that features exquisitely carved caves and hanging bells , beautifully , painted interiors decorated with antique chandeliers that reflect its elegance . Shah - e - Hamdan is also said to have brought and planted the first Chinar in Kashmir
Thats not all, Shah - e- Hamdan was also a social reformer who helped rid kashmiris of such abominable practices as black magic and sati . his influence did not cease after his death; he is still venerated in every corner of kashmir all these centuries later .
