People The Islam religion came to Kashmir around the 14th century. Bythe end of this century, most of the people had converted toIslam. This was partly due to the corruption among the Hindurulers of the earlier period, and due to the influence of theSaiyyad preachers.

Kashmiri woman with the traditional teapot - the Samovar. Kashmiris are very fond of tea. Any time can be considered tea time. Credit: KOA

The Kashmiri society shows more similaritiesto the societies of the plains of India than other Himalayanpeople. The society is complex and highly stratified and thereis a caste system. The people speak their own language --Kashmiri. An interesting feature is that the Kashmiri societylacked a trading or warrior class, in spite of its eventfulhistory. But during the tourism boom, people from all classestook to trade.

Legends
Mankind has been present in Kashmir for a long time. However, theearly history of Kashmir is lost behind the legends. The valley'sname is often attributed to the Sage Kashyap. The creation ofKashmir is a story which, like so much else in this land, has anair of fantasy.

The famous Kangri, the traditional Kashmiri fire-pot. Credit: KOA

 Long time ago, the Valley was a vast lake, "asdeep as the sky", the playground of the gods. However it washaunted by a demon who plundered and troubled the people livingon its shores. In despair, they appealed to the saint Kashyap to save them, which he did by striking a depression to the westand draining the lake of its waters. The demon was slain, and theValley was named after its savior, Kashyapa-mar, or Kashmir.

One version of this legend appears in the Nilamat Purana, theearliest known text on Kashmir.