Saints, Rishis and Poets of Medieval Kashmir
Lal Ded (Lalleshwari), 14th century
- Lal Ded (also Lalla, Lalleshwari, Lalla Arifa) was born about 1320 near Srinagar (Pandrethan in tradition) and died about 1392.
- She is the first major poet of the Kashmiri language. Her verses are called Vakhs (sayings).
- Her thought joined Kashmir Shaivism and Sufi ideas: that God is within, and love, not ritual, is the way.
- Muslims and Hindus both honour her.
Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani (Nund Rishi), 1377 to 1438
- Sheikh Nooruddin was born at Kaimoh (Kulgam). He is called Nund Rishi or Alamdar-e-Kashmir (Standard-bearer of Kashmir). Hindus call him Sahajanand.
- He founded the Rishi order, a Kashmiri Sufi school with simple life, vegetarianism, care for nature and service.
- His poetry is in short verses called Shrukhs. He died in 1438 and is buried at Charar-e-Sharief (Budgam), one of the best known shrines of Kashmir.
Other great names
| Name | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Habba Khatun (Zoon) | 16th century | Poet of Lol (love songs); queen of Yusuf Shah Chak |
| Rupa Bhawani (Alakheshwari) | 17th century | Woman saint and poet of Shaivism |
| Arnimal | 18th century | Woman poet of Kashmir |
| Mahmud Gami | 18th to 19th century | Persian and Kashmiri poet |
| Rasul Mir | 19th century | Poet of love songs (Ghazals) in Kashmiri |
| Parmanand | 19th century | Kashmiri poet of devotion |
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Prepared for exam revision from standard sources, official publications and the Census. Figures and recent developments change, so check official sources before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.