Kashmir University & it’s lesser known history || By Bhushan Parimoo || LIVE IMAGE

Kashmir University & it’s lesser known history || By Bhushan Parimoo || LIVE IMAGE

Every Kashmiri,
in general, desires to serve Kashmir as well and as long as he or she can. At
the same time a parochial element has emerged lately with intent to rewrite the
history with a motive; misinform the facts and in the process obliterate the
truth. In a way history is distorted with an ulterior motive as to appear
accordingly in a biased colour by some of them who are at the helm of affairs
.

Making one to believe as Cecil Earle Tyndale- a British Missionary and
Educationists headed Missionary School Srinagar once said of Shanker Kaul, a
teacher in the school ” What my friend Shanker Kaul does not know about Kashmir
is not worth knowing”.  And  pseudo –intellectuals  carry it in
the head and distort the history throwing caution to winds without fearing
that  there are people  still alive who know the facts better than
them. History cannot be perceived as one likes; it can either be altogether
rosy or horrifying, like rose plant has a beautiful flower with it the thorn as
well. Facts have to be taken in our stride in the spirit to admit what took
place and how they turn about with time. Those who attempt to suppress
facts and most of time get exposed places them in poor colours. 

History is the most
benevolent dimension of humanity; but only till such time truth is not
distorted. And once that happens, there is nothing more menacing than history
to bleed mankind. It is sad that truth in and about Kashmir has been
waylaid.  Its history has been taken hostage by distortions and
hearsay.  

Pre 1947 history is well documented authentic and research is
still on in various universities world over as this writer is well aware. Under
the banner of Naya Kashmir reporters were mostly from Kashmir who did as the
master told knowing full well that such reports full of misinformation and
distortion? It was other day when it was said that Rajatarangni is a trash by
the very scholar who has put in decades in Archaeology Department. 

Another instance
pertinent to recall is. A couple of years during September attending two days
Seminar on Aurel Stein organised by the Department of Central Asian Studies,
University of Kashmir The University is nestled in Zabarwan mountain under the
kind watchful gaze of Mahadeva mountains that are attributed to be the original
site of the famous Shankar Pal, a rock with inscriptions of six commandments of
Vedic ordain on the western bank of Lake Dal.  It is very much spread
tastefully laid and raised every care has been made to keep its aesthetic value
in consonance with its surroundings. 

A serene and peaceful atmosphere, one of
the best spot of any university in the world spread over 1000 kanals of land in
the centre of Srinagar city. Most congenial atmosphere prevails here. One longs
with love to be here for years to ponder the marvels of history we have
inherited thus far viz-a viz the World around. During   the three-day
stay interacting with various intellectuals made me to ponder why the Kashmiris
are traditional wilful ignorant who relinquish the facts and betray
ungratefulness in the process. 

Everyone from whom the present writer
inquired whose land it belonged to on which this University is built upon. And
when the present writer shared the facts, hardly any one appeared to believe it
or feign ignorance. 

 After the
division Punjab University Lahore became part of Pakistan.
And  to cater needs on this side  Eastern Punjab university was
established at Solan .As regards students of this state, in 1948 clemency
promotions were  accorded  and for 1949 session examination of
J&K students were conducted by the Eastern Punjab university .Need was
felt  that the  state should have its own university. 

Dr Karan Singh
approached Dr Radhakrishan then Vice President a leading luminary. He agreed in
principle at the same time conveyed that it was has been given to
understand   by the State Government that time under Sheikh Mohammed
Abdullah that no suitable land is available in the summer capital itself. Is it
believable that at time no suitable land would have been available for a house
of learning? Sheer apathetic approach of the government at the behest of the
head of the Government, created a lackadaisical attitude   gave
enough signals the proposal to have the University a building of its own was
not a priority at that time with the Government. All doors closed 
 it was some time back in 1951 that Dr Karan Singh thought of
donating their main palace building in Srinagar the Gulab Bhavan to the newly
established Jammu & Kashmir University.

In a letter dated August 1, 1951 to
Pt Nehru wrote Dr Karan Singh “You may be interested to know that I am
considering donating the Gulab Mahal Palace to the University of Jammu &
Kashmir. Our University, as you know, possesses no building of its own, nor has
it the necessary funds to enable it to acquire or construct a suitable
building. Gulab Mahal Palace will, I am sure, be ideally suited for a
university. It is a magnificent building containing numberless rooms, several
large halls and possessing lovely lawns. 

As a matter of fact, I am sure, I am
sure, with its delightful situation, it will be one of the most attractive
University buildings in India. It would give me very great pleasure to see it
transformed into a flourishing university, and I am sure this gift will go a
long way in enabling our University to achieve its lofty ambitions. Our private
property is, however, under the direct control of His Highness. He has just
returned from Paris and I have sent him a message requesting him to allow me to
donate the building.

I am expecting a reply from him soon”. Dr Karan Singh also
informed of his intention to both Pandit Nehru and Gopalaswami Ayyangar as
well. Both welcomed and were pleased with the idea of Dr Karan Singh. Nehru even
replied to Dr Karan Singh on August 3, 1951; ” I am glad to learn that you
intend donating the Gulab Mahal Palace to the University of Jammu &
Kashmir. That is the very best use you can put the building to and I am sure it
will be greatly appreciated by the public”.

Dr Karan Singh had
asked the Maharaja’s Private Secretary Bhim Sain Mahey to convey his desire to
his father. However, Mahey never collected the courage to speak to Maharaja on
this issue. Instead Gopalaswami Ayyangar wrote to the Maharaja and urged him to
accept the proposal. Maharaja was furious and wrote an angry letter to his son
disallowing the suggestion. y. Dr Karan Singh was anxious and restless to see
his dream to have a University of its own. 

Concern for education for which
Dogra rulers are known world over.  It was Maharaja Rambhir Singh who
donated a sum of rupees 5 lakhs to the Punjab University Lahore. Which was
established in 1882 the fourth university in the undivided India. Other three
are Madras, Calcutta and Bombay all established in 1857. And he was top of the
list of the members of the Senate of the Panjab University till his last
breath. He is also credited with the founding of the Manuscript Library in the
Raghunath Temple which has at one time 6000 rare manuscripts duly catalogued by
Sir Stein, known world over. 

Again it has been the Dogra rulers who gave stress
to education right from primary to higher education and the first state
introduced the universalisation of education. It was February 21, 1912 that
Maharaja Partap Singh had expressed that “I don’t agree to postpone compulsory
education brought all modernity by way of establishing colleges and schools,.
Hari Singh was first in the country to have compulsory education to all school
going children, Established Jabbari Schools.

For some years there
was no further progress in the matter and in the meanwhile Gulab Bhavan was
converted into to the famous Oberoi Palace Hotel. However Dr Karan Singh did
not forget his commitment despite 24/7 malicious accusation, uncivilized
propaganda, against the rulers by the new set up, eventually donated 120 acre
orchard near Hazratbal to the university and the site presently marks perhaps
one of the most beautiful campus any university can claim to possess.

Raised by his
grandfather Raja Amar Singh it was called Amar Singh Bagh. When he offered his
own 1000 kanal orchard Government had no option to refuse the offer which
killed two birds with one stone, first deprived Dr Karan Sigh of a huge orchard
raised about century back by his grandfather with love and care and he had a
sentimental attachment to it and other got the land free of cost at a prime
location for intellectuals world over who shall be visiting it world to enjoy
its unmatched natures beauty. 

He donated it free of costs for the purpose along
with all its infrastructures existed then. With it Kashmir University Srinagar
was born in 1950. From the Barrack like structures university started to
function. Unfortunate instead in spirit of reciprocal gesture it should have been
allowed to continue its name as Amar Singh Bagh .But was changed with 
 Nasim Bagh, the name called during the tyrants the Pathan rulers. Even
there is no mention about Raja Amarsingh anywhere in the whole University
complex.